Bombay Hook

On May 12th, DC Audubon will take its annual spring field trip to Bombay Hook NWR in Delaware. This spectacular refuge contains mix of habitats: salt marshes, ponds, forests, and open fields. Bombay Hook is one of the best places in the Mid-Atlantic region to observe migrating shorebirds, including avocets, stilts, and dowitchers. Because of the habitat diversity, participants can expect to see many other land and water birds as well. Past DC Audubon field trips to Bombay Hook have sighted close to 90 species in one day. If time permits, we may visit another site along the Delaware coast after touring Bombay Hook.

Spotting scopes will be useful for viewing distant birds on the impoundments and mud flats. Make sure to bring drinks and a lunch since this is an all-day trip. Sunscreen and a hat are recommended since we will be in the sun for most of the day.

We will meet for carpooling at our usual Eastern Market location in front of Bread and Chocolate (the corner of 7th St. and Pennsylvania Ave., SE). Those needing a ride should contact the trip leader in advance.

Directions: From the DC area, get on Rte. 50 heading east. Cross the Bay Bridge. Once on the Eastern Shore, take Rte. 301 northeast (this splits off from Rte. 50). Go about 34 miles from this point and turn right on Rte. 300.which runs east through farmland. Go 15 miles to Kenton, Delaware. At the traffic light in Kenton go right on Del. 42, which ends after 9 miles in Leipsic, crossing Rte. 13 en route. (Be very careful in Delaware, there are lots of speed traps in these towns.) Go left (north) in Leipsic on Rte. 9 1.5 miles to the Bombay Hook entrance sign and turn right. We will meet at the Visitor's Center. Make sure to bring a good road map of Maryland and Delaware if you are driving.