The Sussex Bird Club
©Debbie Blair
Coming Events
May 21 - Prime Hook WA - CANCELED!
May *29* - Phillips Landing & Nanticoke WA
June 3 - Great Cypress Swamp
June 11 - Prime Hook NWR
June 19 - Fair Hill NRMA, MD
Delaware Bird-A-Thon 2025
The SBC Road Runners team participated once again in the Bird-a-Thon fund raiser May 6-7. They had a 24-hour period to bird in Sussex County and identify as many birds as they could. They tallied over 130 species! (Final count TBA.)
The money raised this year will support the acquisition of critical habitat in Milford Neck, DE. Details can be found on the DOS Bird-A-Thon webpage. ALL donations are appreciated! Online donations will be accepted until June 15. Please remember to put "Road Runners" as the team you’re supporting.
And as always, THANK YOU for your support!
The Road Runners are (L to R): Tom Stock, Sue Gruver, Rob Blye, Nancy Cunningham, Carol Blye, Sharon Lynn, & Rob Schroeder.
Did you know that Friends of Prime Hook NWR offers free bird walks at the Refuge on the first Saturday of each month? Our club provides the leaders for these walks, which will be held Jan-June 2025. Start time is 8:00AM.
The Friends are also offering free bird and nature walks around the refuge. Go to their website for dates and locations. Registration is required.
Avian Influenza in Delaware
Avian influenza has been found in Kent & Sussex counties. Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuges recently posted the following on their Facebook page: "Refuge staff are monitoring for sick and dead birds at both Prime Hook and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuges. Please do not touch, handle or remove any sick or dead birds from the refuges, and instead note the location and call the DNREC Wildlife Section at 1-302-739-9912 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Report sightings after hours, weekends, and holidays, through the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife’s sick and injured wildlife reporting form." Check Delaware.gov news for updates.
A Jan. 6 Delaware News Journal article reports this advice from the DE Dept. of Agriculture: "[You] can continue filling your bird feeders– unless you also keep chickens or live near some." The article also advises that backyard birders should clean and disinfect birdfeeders once a month, change bird bath water every two
or three days, don't touch wild birds, and always wash your hands after handling bird feeders and baths.
"If you find a dead bird, wear gloves, a mask and safety glasses to handle it," the DE Dept. of Agriculture recommends. "Double-bag the bird and secure the bags with a zip tie before putting it in a trash can." If you see a sick bird, call the DNREC number above.
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 200 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 - Kristin Graham