Category: Delaware

Delaware 2025: 18-24 May

Posted on by

Sunday 18 May

A wonderful start to our second week in Delaware Bay, we spent the evening at Dave’s for the annual BBQ he holds for the Shorebird Project. Before we could relax however, the morning was spent filling empty cartridges, finishing up a few last beach surveys for the period and of course cranking through the data entry and checking. Nigel also did a bit of a recce for some more walk-in trapping around Mispillion Harbour. With only partial success in our first week, we planned to make a big effort with walk-ins this week, there being lots of potential with the number of Dowitcher seen about the shores, and amongst the phragmites and marshes.

Continue Reading →
A team of people standing in a line leading from a small boat to the shore. They are passing boxes along the line to empty the boat quickly. The boat is moored against a rocky shoreline. Numerous wooden poles are sticking out of the water behind the boat.

Delaware 2025: 10–17 May – Dowitcher City

Posted on by

Saturday 10 May

After a long journey over the ocean from London to Philadelphia, and a familiar drive down to the team’s base on Slaughter Beach, the Brits made it safely to Delaware Bay for the start of another exciting season on the Delaware Shorebird Project. Kirsten Grond had joined us at the airport and both Jim Lyons and Ema Tiberi were at the house to welcome us warmly home. The traditional evening visit to Mispillion Harbour produced beautiful views of Common Scoter bobbing on the water, Short-billed Dowitchers probing and singing along the shores, and an Osprey elegantly gliding over the pink, sun-stained water.

Continue Reading →
A group of people sitting on chairs on a beach, processing shorebirds.

Delaware 2024: 26 May – 1 June

Posted on by

Sunday 26 May

On the first day of week three in Delaware, Rob Rob, Chantal, Katharine and Kirsty left for Philadelphia to begin their journey home to the UK. They made the most of their last morning however, squeezing in one more resighting visit to Mispillion Harbor!

On their way to Osprey via Cedar Beach with Flo, a new volunteer got stuck in the deep mud. Showing their quick thinking and fantastic team strength, the Brits rallied together to undertake a quick and effective two-pronged rescue with help coming by boat and car/foot. Well done all!

Not many flags were spotted in Mispillion, it would seem many shorebirds were already migrating northwards. There is also the thought that more are heading to feed in New Jersey, where there are areas for roosting closer to the feeding sites. The evening harbour survey was cancelled due to an approaching storm, but this did not stop Ryan and Guy from cooking up an epic meal on the BBQ.

Continue Reading →

Delaware 2024: 19-25 May

Posted on by

Sunday 19 May

Our second week in Delaware began warm and sunny and everyone made a great effort to survey the beaches over the morning. Two Mispillion surveys were completed as usual and, after the afternoon boat trip, Nigel, Richard, Guy and Ema returned very happy with lots of flag resightings. Poor Graham, however, did not have such joy on Osprey. Nigel and Richard had found there to be a decent number of Sanderling still on Back North and so began planning a catch.

Many more rings were opened throughout the day in anticipation of a big forthcoming catch. Ryan and Flo baked veggie lentil lasagna, using layered potatoes instead of pasta (which surprisingly worked very well!) and a couple of batches of flapjack – this really didn’t last long, 24hrs at most!

Nigel led a thorough evening team talk to go over plans for a Back North catch the next day.

Continue Reading →

Delaware 2024: 11-18 May

Posted on by

Saturday 11 May

After an early start and two relatively smooth flights, eight of the WWRG team members made it to Philadelphia airport. There we met Katharine and Ema and began our drive down to Delaware. All buzzing to be back, except Chantal, who was even more excited as it was her first time on the project! This year we are on Slaughter Beach again, based in one large house with a smaller one nearby for extra sleeping space. Once everyone had paid a long-awaited visit to Mispillion Harbour, Kirsty, Jacquie and Flo made tomato pasta with salad for the jet-lagged, hungry team. Dave joined us for dinner and there was much laughter into the evening. This was definitely a happy birthday for Ema (10th May) and Flo (11th).

Continue Reading →