The Sussex Bird Club
The Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch began on September 1st. We need volunteers to help with the count until November 30th. No experience necessary, just bring your binoculars and let any of the counters know that you want to help. They will locate you on the platform, orient you to the landmarks and help you with identification. New to Hawk watching? No problem. Learn as you go. Get tips from our seasoned counters and expand your lifelist at the same time. The platform is staffed 9-3 daily and weekends, and extra help is needed on Sundays and Mondays. Every hour you contribute helps to continue our funding.
Coming Events
Sep. 1 - Nov. 30 Fall Hawk Watch
Oct. 5 - Friends of PHNWR 1st Saturday Walk
Oct. 13 No Meeting: BIG SIT @CHSP Point
Oct. 17 - Redden State Forest
Oct. 28 - Phillips Landing & Nanticoke WA
Nov. 2 - Friends of PHNWR 1st Saturday Walk
Tri-State Bird Rescue Virtual Fundraiser
"Feathered Friends 5K" Sept. 15-30
You can make a difference for injured and orphaned native wild birds by participating in Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research’s 4th Annual Virtual Feathered Friends 5K.
Click Here to register and to learn more!
Spread the word! The Friends of Prime Hook offers free bird walks at the Refuge on the first Saturday of each month (Sep2024-Jun2025). Our club provides the leaders for these walks. Check the Friends' webpage for details.
2024 Road Runners are (L to R) Sue Gruver, Rob Blye, Tom Stock, Sharon Lynn, Carol Blye, Rob Schroeder, and Nancy Cunningham.
Road Runners Update & Thank You
The DOS Bird-a-Thon results are in and our Road Runners team put another feather in their cap! The team raised $8,868, earned 1st place in their category, and finished 2nd overall.
They want to express their sincere thanks and appreciation for everyone's support and encouragement. They couldn't have done it without all of YOU! Here's the backstory:
On May 8 the Road Runners Bird-a-Thon team spent 12 hours combing Sussex County looking for birds. Here's a link to their eBird trip report with a map and checklists of the 118 species they found: https://ebird.org/tripreport/233790.
The annual DOS Bird-a-Thon raises funds to help purchase and conserve wildlife habitat in Delaware.
Delaware residents can help save migratory shorebirds by purchasing a newly issued license plate. For more information go to the Delaware Ornithological Society's webpage or the DMV website.
A Conservation Access Pass is required for any registered motor vehicle that’s used to access State Wildlife Areas for hunting, bird-watching, photography and similar recreational activities. An annual pass is valid from July 1-June 30. A resident senior lifetime pass is now available. See the DNREC website for more information and to purchase a pass. Here's another DNREC page of interest: "Wildlife Viewing in Delaware's Wildlife Areas."
Want to make a difference? DNREC wants YOU!
DNREC is looking for VOLUNTEERS to help with a variety of activities such as the
Piping Plover Program, Delaware Shorebird Project, Osprey Monitoring, and more. Check it out!
About the Sussex Bird Club
The Sussex Bird Club was formed in 1982 by its first president Bill Fintel, and has grown to over 100 members. Meetings are held at the Lewes Public Library seven times a year, generally on the second Sunday of the month. (There are no meetings in June, July, August, or December.) Business transactions are kept short, and there is always an interesting program related to wild birds.
​
The Sussex Bird Club's primary objective is to promote the knowledge and enjoyment of wild birds through guided field trips and monthly meetings about various aspects of birding.
Our meetings, field trips, and events are open to all. We have an exciting schedule of field trips to the many outstanding birding areas within Sussex County, as well as trips to birding hotspots beyond Delaware's borders. Beginning birders are always welcome, and birders of all levels will enjoy the camaraderie and the variety of birding experiences.
Our members are interested in bird conservation, and many volunteer in other capacities, such as monitoring piping plover nests or supporting the Hawk Watch at Cape Henlopen State Park.
​
More detailed information on these and other activities can be reached via the menu bar at the top, or by clicking on the buttons below, or by sending an email to sussexbirdclub@gmail.com.
Club Membership and Dues
Annual dues are $30 per family and $20 for single membership, payable January 1 each year. Dues can be paid online (preferred), at the January meeting, or by mail. A membership form is part of the online payment process. If paying by mail, please download and print a membership form here and send it with a check payable to Sussex Bird Club. Our mailing address is Sussex Bird Club, PO Box 177, Lewes, DE 19958.
Club Officers
​
President - Ann Dinkel
​
Vice-President for Programming - Nancy Cunningham
​
Vice President for Field Trips - Rob Blye
​
Treasurer - John Long