Guided Birding Tours Planned

Nature enthusiasts, bird watchers, and paddling fans will have several opportunities this spring and summer to explore some of Delmarva’s most scenic waterways through guided excursions hosted by Delmarva Birding Weekends.

The organization recently announced a series of guided kayak tours along Broad Creek in historic Laurel, along with Sunset Seabird Safari cruises departing from Ocean City.

The Broad Creek tours will take paddlers through the forested headwaters of one of Delmarva’s most historically significant waterways. Broad Creek flows into the Nanticoke River, widely considered one of the most scenic and ecologically important rivers on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Participants will paddle approximately six miles roundtrip from Laurel to nearby Bethel and back, traveling through calm tidal waters surrounded by wildlife habitat and dense woodland scenery.

In addition to birding and wildlife observation, the tours will highlight the region’s rich history. Guides will share stories connected to the Nanticoke people, Captain John Smith, Harriet Tubman, Patty Cannon, the Norfolk Express, and Bethel’s historic shipbuilding industry, which became internationally known for producing fast sailing vessels known as “rams.”

Organizers said the paddle is suitable for participants with some kayaking experience, noting that tides and wind are generally manageable along the sheltered creek route.

Currently scheduled Broad Creek tours are set for Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with additional dates expected to be announced later this season. Kayak rentals are available, although participants may also bring their own boats. A minimum of five participants is required for each tour.

Meanwhile, Delmarva Birding Weekends is also offering Sunset Seabird Safaris on May 26 and June 16 aboard the OC Bay Hopper.

The evening cruises will explore the coastal bays behind Assateague Island and Ocean City, areas known for attracting a wide variety of migratory and nesting bird species during spring and early summer.

The cruises will investigate bayside docks near the Ocean City inlet before traveling along the Assateague jetty and coastal marshes south toward Castaways Campground. Organizers say participants regularly encounter a variety of seabirds, shorebirds, and other coastal wildlife throughout the excursion.

Each cruise will feature a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain accompanied by a Delmarva Birding guide providing interpretation and bird identification throughout the trip.

Additional information, tour schedules, and registration details are available through Delmarva Birding Weekends.