Delaware's Species & Spectacles
Bay and Sea Ducks, Loons, Grebes and Brant



Less celebrated than the freshwater goose and duck show, the late fall and early winter passage of saltwater-loving birds is a spectacle in its own right, with a very different mix of species. Clouds of scoters, loons by the dozens or hundreds, and long, loose strings of Northern Gannets can be seen passing southward from any vantage point along the sea coast. Favored locations include the waters around the jetties at the mouth of Indian River Inlet (an especially good spot for Long-tailed Duck), Cape Henlopen State Park (around Cape Henlopen Point and at Herring Point). Don't miss Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach, where Canvasbacks and Ruddy Ducks provide wonderful, close views. Finally, the waters of the inland bays are also populated with Brant, Goldeneye, Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Buffleheads, and Red-breasted Mergansers. Try scanning Rehoboth Bay from the Dewey Beach area south toward Indian River Inlet.
Large Waders: Herons, Egrets, and Ibis



The largest mixed rookery of herons and egrets on the East Coast of the United States occupies the northern end of Pea Patch Island, just off Delaware City in the Delaware River. Though entering the colony is prohibited, visitors to Fort Delaware State Park can see dozens of large waders flying back and forth from the island. Another option is to watch these birds returning to roost in the evening from the mainland at Fort DuPont State Park. Other areas for seeing large numbers of large waders include Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuges, Little Creek and Woodland Beach Wildlife Management Areas, and the Gordons Pond area of Cape Henlopen State Park.
Hawk Migration



Concentrations of southbound hawks and other raptors can be seen on favorable weather days anytime from September into early November. Prime conditions generally occur with the passage of a cold front, while winds blow out of the northwest. Good vantage points in northern Delaware include the hill tops at the Ashland Nature Center, Brandywine Creek State Park, and the Walter S. Carpenter section of White Clay Creek State Park. In the south, Cape Henlopen State Park often hosts excellent raptor flights. Spring raptor migration occurs from late March through early May but is more diffuse than that in fall. Keep your eyes open, though, especially along ocean dunes and the Delaware Bay shore. Daily fall raptor migration counts that welcome interested visitors are currently conducted at Cape Henlopen State Park, and at the Ashland Nature Center. Please contact these sites for information on participating.

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