Birds at Chincoteague. May 14-15. Seven on board. Join us!

Hi folks -

After doing a little research and talking to a biologist at Chincoteague NWR, I'm going by myself if I have to! It sounds like bird heaven, and mid-May is the best time to go. My suggestion is either the weekend of May 14-15 or 21-22. A couple of people have already expressed an interest, but more people = more fun. I hope a bunch of you will want to come along. Just post to the thread to sign up. And contact any friends you think might be interested. They don't have to be members of NC.

I spent a half hour on the phone with one of Chincoteague's biologists. As I said, it sounds like bird heaven. Here's a brief summary of what she said -

Right now there are some Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets - ones that live there year-round. Starting in mid-April and peaking in mid-May lots more will be migrating through or arriving for summer vacation. Virtually all the heron species and some additional egrets.

Some shore bird species are already migrating or arriving, but the number peaks about mid-May. The numbers of species and birds she told me are unbelievable.

There are some Bald Eagles now, and more will be coming through later.
Ditto for raptors.

She also told me a little about the NWR and is going to send me a packet of information. There is one 3+ mile paved wildlife loop, but no cars are allowed on it until 3pm. You can also drive to parking lots by the beach at any time. You can walk around the loop, and their are several miles of other walkable trails that have good access to birds. All the beach is open except the dunes and one area roped off for Piping Plovers. You can see and photograph the PPs from the beach.

SO.....Chincoteague just went on my "gotta go there" list, and it would be great if we could put a good sized group together from this forum and others. I've posted on Nature Photographers Network, and I'm going to post on (shudder) DPR.

What I plan to do is drive down on a Thursday and back to PA late Sunday. You all obviously can come and leave whenever you want. I have some info about places to stay from another outing that I couldn't make.

I'll update you as I get more info. Please post here if you are interested, and let me know which weekend - hopefully both to make scheduling easier - works for you.

I'm looking forward to meeting and sharing a good time and a good photo session with a bunch of you. This is gonna be fun!

Gordon

 

Hey Rich -

We're not getting much action here. I'll try messaging a couple of people to drum up some interest.

Gordon

 

Rich and Mike -

OK, we're on a roll. Up to three! Can you guys send direct messages or emails to anyone you think might be interested? I'll post on the Nature Photographers Net site - good folks there (although some do carry those white lenses).

Gordon

 

Update moved to first post...

See first post...

 

Re: Bird shoot at Chincoteague in mid-May. Want to join us?

Rich -

Sorry you won't be able to join us, but it sounds like you're off on a pretty good trip yourself. Have fun, and we'll get together later in the year.

Gordon

 

Hi folks -

The weekend of May 14-15 seems to be the best for the most people, so that's now official. I'm planning on driving down from Philly on Thursday May 12 and drive back late Sunday. You all can come earlier, stay later, spend a week or just a day. Please let me know whether you are coming, and which days you think you may be there.

I'll post all the info I have gathered in a day or two. The one thing I have already checked is that there are lots of hotel/motel rooms available very close to the NWR because we are off-season. Should be pretty reasonable rates too.

Should be good fun and good shooting!

Gordon

 

Chincoteague

Hi -

This is a copy of a PM sent to folks who have said they are coming. Purpose of posting: to entice more of you!

As I posted a couple of days ago, the outing is going to be the weekend of May 14-15. I'm driving down from PA on Thursday and leaving Sunday night. Others may come early, leave early, stay for a day or several days.

I promised that you would get info out to folks who had expressed interest in a couple of days. Well, I haven't forgotten you. I don't know how I how I stay so busy when I'm retired, but I haven't had time to follow up. You'll hear from me in a day or two. I promise!! There are tons of available hotel rooms available (they will be in the info I send), so there is no rush except - hopefully - to block out the day(s) on your calendar that you will be there.

OK, I've got a few minutes, so I'm adding the first batch of info:

The URL of the Refuge Inn, which apparently is pretty nice and just outside the refuge. It's where I'm staying, their prices are very reasonable and they have lots of rooms available.

http://www.refugeinn.com/

The NWR website -

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/chinco/

The Chincoteague Island home page, with lists of hotels, restaurants, etc. -

http://www.chincoteague.com/

More info to follow.

It would be helpful if you could let me know whether you are planning or might come, and what days? It will help me think about where and when to meet, have meals, etc.

Thanks and hope I see you at C -

Gordon

 

Hi Dave -

Hope you can make it. Let me know when you have decided. I think everyone is likely to stay at the Refuge Inn. There are plenty of rooms available, but you might want to make a reservation anyhow. You can always cancel it later.

I'm an optimist - see you in Chincoteague!  

Gordon