Volume 15, No. 3 July 2004

- , http://www.friendsofbombayhooLorg

Published Quarterly by: Friends of Bombay Hook, Inc. 2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, DE 19977 (302) 653-6872

President's Corner By: Frank Rawling

Reflections on a Year Past

Another year of Friends activities and volunteering at Bombay Hook is history. It was another busy year. When we began the season in September we were still caught up in Centennial Year activities. The monthly Centennial Bird walks were still going on and we had begun planning in earnest for the next big events: the annual fall and spring birding festivals and the Kent County Tourism Annual Dinner. The latter event featured Bombay Hook and was eo-sponsored by the Friends. Many thanks to all the Friends who helped out by putting together the table decorations under the leadership of Janet Manchester and also many thanks to John Hargrove for developing the PowerPoint slide show that was played during the dinner. There was a large turnout of organiza­tions for this event and it was very well received. Much has been written about our events during the Centennial Year (see for example Manager Terry Villanueva's col­umn in the last newsletter) for we tried during the year to introduce as many people as possible to the refuge. I feel that we succeeded.

In addition to the Centennial events the Friends were also active on other fronts. Specifically the board put in place a procedure that makes it easy for potential donors to transfer appreciated securities to the Friends, thus making a rewarding donation to the Friends and knowing that you are helping the Refuge as well as receiving the benefits of the accompanying tax deduc­tion free of capital gains taxes. This account was set up with Bassett, Brosius and Dawson of Wilmington, DF. See the short article by Fred Dawson of B,B and D elsewhere in the newsletter. The Friends also brought on-line the new Friends website. This was developed

by John Hargrove. There is a lot of information on the website, not the least of which is the calendar of events. There is also an excellent picture gallery featuring pho­tographs of the Refuge by a different photographer each month. The URL for the website is just below the logo above.

Back in March we began posting on the DF-Bird list on the internet the bird sightings for the previous week. This has received many appreciative comments from birders in Delaware as well as neighboring states. I f you are not a subscriber to DF-Birds you can still read the posts by accessing the following website: http:// birdingonthe.net. This site has a wealth of birding information and links to many bird list services from across the country and around the world. Take a look at it and you wil l enjoy it.

Finally I would like to express my appreciation to my fellow members of the Board. They have worked hard this year to make the Friends an even more vibrant organization. Last, but not least, I would like to say Thanks! to Leon Frescott, a long-time member of the Board and a volunteer, who is retiring from the Board for a much deserved rest. Not to worry though, Leon wil l still be volunteering.

• : r * * * * , . . I

The 2004-2005 Federal Duck Stamp is available for purchase ^ for $15.00.

The stamp provides access to all National Wildlife Refuges. Available at Bombay Hook NWR.

The Refuge Store By: Verna Price

We are very proud of the Refuge Store. Although space is rather limited, we sell many quality products and help the Refuge fund many programs and materials. We really appreciate our customers for their help in keeping the store productive.

Sales were good this spring in spite of weather which was not always conducive to outdoor activites. The following is a list of our sales figures: ' - • *

March $2,495.71 f ; • April $3,948.05 S 2 » ; ; ; May $7,731.55 n -

We are always open to suggestions for sales items, so let us hear from you. Better yet, come see us!!!!

**** : _ 'h--.:'

Bird Notes By: Frank Rawling

Spring Migration

That time of the year when birders can't wait to get out into the field is the spring. The colorful wood warblers are returning along with the vireos, flycatchers, and all the other long-distance migrants. Delaware is fortunate in being a major stopover point for migrants. And, of course, Bombay Hook is perfectly located. The migra­tion was a little late getting started for the first week of March was above average in temperature but the middle 2 weeks were below average. The month as a whole was about 2 degrees above normal. Rainfall was about an inch below normal. April averaged 1.3 degrees above normal in temperature and 2.2 inches above normal for rainfall. May was quite warm, averaging 5.7 degrees above normal while rainfall was slightly above normal. Well, it's time to go out in the field and see what's about!

March

It is fitting that the first bird on the list for March was an American Woodcock seen in the woods on the west side

of the observation tower trail at Raymond Pool on the 3"*. This was followed on the 5* by 2 Horned Larks in their usual place in the fields along Whitehall Neck Road. Also on the 5* a Northern Harrier was seen quartering the field across from the Visitor Center. A flock of Ring-necked Ducks was seen in a flooded field on the way to the Alice House on the 5* and 2 Wood Ducks and 2 Hooded Mergansers were also seen there. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was seen along Finis Pool Road on the 5*. The 6* saw a small mixed flock of Hooded and Common Mergansers on the hay side of Sheamess as well a lone Greater Yellowlegs. Several species of ducks were present on the Refuge on the 9*. They were Buffle-head, Ring-necked, Wood Duck, Common Mergan­ser, Gadwall, and Pintails. Unfortunately the observer did not put the location down. 2 Wilson's Snipe were seen at Bear Swamp on the 13* by members of an orni­thology class from the USDA. Also on the 13* a Ring-necked Pheasant was seen in the usual place along Raymond Pool Road and both Greater Yellowlegs and Solitary Sandpipers were seen flying over Sheamess

Pool. On the 14* a Merlin was observed near Finis Pool. Also on the 14* both Common and Hooded Mergansers were seen at Bear Swamp Pool. A partial albino, female Red-winged Blackbird was seen at the Visitor Center feeders. The same birder also saw Snipe at Bear Swamp as well as Ring-necked Ducks. The 15* saw a pair of Wood Ducks in the ca­nal at Finis Pool. Also seen on this day were immature White-crowned Sparrows in the hedges at the Visitor Center and a Pied-billed Grebe at

„ E- ; Sheamess. An observant birder Peregrine Falcon

watched fascinated as a Per­egrine Falcon caught a male Green-winged Teal and proceeded to make a meal of it at Sheamess on the 18*. Nevertheless, there were still 30 Green-winged Teals at Sheamess as well as a Pied-billed Grebe, Northern Har­riers and Hooded Mergansers at Bear Swamp on the same day. On the 20* there were large groups of Dunlin at Bear Swamp and Great Egrets at Sheamess. On the

2P' a sharp-eyed birder spotted a Common Goldeneye on the bayside of Sheamess. A Tree Swallow was seen at the north end of Sheamess on the 22"''. Only 1 Ameri­can Avocet was seen on the 24* and it was at Raymond Pool; however, there were 150+ Western Sandpipers on the mud flats at Sheamess. The Kingfisher was baek at his old haunt, the braekish pond at the Boardwalk Trail on the 24* and now there were 2 Pied-billed Grebes at Sheamess. On the 27* a Yellow-throated Warbler was seen on the Boardwalk Trail, the first sighting of the sea­son, and also a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. An American Bittern was seen at Sheamess on both the 27* and the 28*. Also on the 28* sightings of dueks were numerous: Blue-winged teal, Wood Duck and Ring-necked Duck, mostly at Bear Swamp and Finis. However, a Greater Scaup was seen in the marsh. An American Coot was also noted at Sheamess on the 28* as well as an immature Black-crowned Night Heron at Bear Swamp. . . J

April v.

The month commenced with the sighting of the Com­mon Snipe, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle and a Belted Kingfisher at Sheamess Pool as well as a Pied billed Grebe at Bear Swamp, a couple of Hooded Mer­gansers at Finis and Northern Shovelers and Green-winged Teals at Sheamess on the 3"̂ . A Ruff was seen in the field on the right just before the Bear Swamp exit road on the 3"*. In the Finis Pool area on the 3"* were Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Wood Duck and Blue-winged Teal. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was seen at the Bear Swamp Trail parking area on the 3"*. A flock of Glossy Ibis were seen flying over the Visitor Center on the 4*. On the 6* 23 adult Black-crowned Night Herons were along with 1 immature were seen at the north end of the Bear Swamp dike in their usual area. On the 7* Horned Larks were seen near the Allee House as well as a Northern Rough-winged Swal­low. The 7* also saw 2 Little Blue Herons visiting Finis Pool. There was also a small group of Buffle-head at Sheamess. On the 9* a Veery was seen at the old swimming hole along the road to the Allee House and a eouple of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers along the Boardwalk Trail. The same observer saw 4 Black-necked Stilts at Raymond Pool and a half-dozen Snowy

Egrets at the north end of Sheamess. Sheamess played host to several speeies on the 9*. There were still 20 Northern Shovelers, 4 Bufflehead, a eouple of Snowy Egret and Great Egret, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, 3 Ring-necked Duck and a Little Blue Heron in residence there on the 9*. 2 Golden Plovers were seen in the fields along Whitehall Neek Road on the 10*. 3 Great Homed Owls were seen across from Raymond Pool on the 10*. Finis Pool saw 8 Blue-winged Teal on the 11*. Also on the 11*2 Black-winged Stilts were seen at Sheamess Pool. One excited birder counted 19 Black-crowned Night Herons at Bear Swamp on the 11*. A Snipe was seen in the evening at the exit of the Refuge on the 12*. White-crowned Sparrows were at the feeders on the 14*. Late in the aftemoon on the 16* a patient observer found 2 American Bitterns at Finis Pool. A birder saw 3 Willets at Sheamess on the 17*. He also saw there American Goldfinch, Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, Greater and Lesser yellowlegs. Common Tern, Double-crested Cormorant, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, and an Eastern Towhee. An Osprey was sighted on the 17* at Sheamess Pool in addition to both male and female North­ern Harriers and an immature Bald Eagle. A Reeve was seen on the 17* at the north-east end of Bear Swamp in the tidal gut. On the 18* 2 American Golden Plovers were seen at Raymond. Also, an Eastern Kingbird was seen there and 2 Purple Martins at the Visitor Center. A lone Snow Goose was at Sheamess Pool on the 19*. There was a fallout of Yellow-rumped Warblers on the 20*. Northern Shovelers were still hanging on at

Sheamess on the 2P'. Com-'•'f ' mon Yellowthroats were seen

all across the Refuge on the 21 ^^^^0;^*^ Other birds present were

^^HI^^^^/ White-crowned Sparrows at ^•^iP^ the Visitor Center, 2 Pectoral

y \s at Raymond Pool, 100+Greater and Lesser Yel-

Duniin lowlegs spread among the im­poundments, 500+ Dunlin, and 2 pair of Blue-winged Teal at Sheamess. Additionally 25 Least Sandpipers were at Sheamess and 1 Black Tern. 20+ Eorster's Terns were on the Refuge and a Tri-colored Heron at Raymond and 25+ Willets scattered around the impound­ments. On the 22"** several Yellow Warblers and a Prai­rie Warbler were seen on the Refuge, unfortunately no location was given. Finis Woods harbored a Prothono-

tary Warbler, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a North­ern Waterthrush on the 24*. An adult Great Cormo­rant was at Bear Swamp on the same day. Also on the 24* a Palm Warbler was at the intersection of Finis Pool Road and Allee House Road. A happy birder saw 2 Bald Eagles over Sheamess on the 24*. A single Ruddy Duck was on Sheamess on the 25*. Finis Pool Road, always productive in the spring, produced a Black and White Warbler, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and a single East­ern Towhee, Common Yellowthroat, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak on the 25*. Seen at the Visitor Cen­ter on the 26* were Eastern Kingbird, Yellow Warbler, and Gray Catbird. Some 40 Black-bellied Plovers were in the fields along Whitehall Neek Road on the 28*. An American Kestrel was also seen along the road. A Great Cormorant was still at Bear Swamp on the 28*. The same day 7 Pectoral Sandpipers were at Raymond Pool. Part of the flock had moved to Sheamess on the 29*. How­ever, a White-rumped Sandpiper was at Raymond on the 29*. In addition, the same birder spotted the Protho-notary Warbler at Finis Pool that day. The month came to a close with the sighting of a White-eyed Vireo along the Boardwalk Trail on the 30* and a Blue Grosbeak at Sheamess.

May

May began with the sighting of an adult and immature Black-crowned Night Heron at Bear Swamp and an Indigo Bunting at the Sheamess observation tower on the P'. A single Wilson's Phalarope was seen from the observation tower at Sheamess on the 2nd and on the same day there were 30+ Pectoral Sandpipers at Raymond Pool. 4 American Avocets were seen at Sheamess on the 2"'' and also at Raymond Pool. A Black-billed Cuckoo was heard at the start of the Raymond Pool loop on the 4*. On the 5* there were 7 Red Knots at Sheamess and 2 American Golden Plo­vers. There were 5 Stilt Sandpipers at Raymond on the same day. Also on the 5* 4 Indigo Buntings were seen along Finis Pool Road. The woods along the trail leading to the Raymond Pool observation tower hosted a Rose-breasted Grosbeak as well as an Orchard Ori­ole. Over 40 Least Sandpipers were on the Refuge that day and Sheamess held 2 White-rumped Sand­pipers and a Wilson's Phalarope. 2 Pectoral Sand­pipers were at Raymond and a Semi-palmated Sand­

piper was at Sheamess on the 5*. That Black-billed Cuckoo mentioned above put in an appearance at the start of the Boardwalk Trail on the 6* and again on the 7*. The same location also gave rest to a Red-eyed Vireo on the 6*. A Peregrine Falcon was seen at Bear Swamp on the 6* and the same birder estimated some 150 Dun­lin between Sheamess and Raymond Pools. An obser­vant birder saw a rare Golden-winged Warbler at Parson's Point Road on the 7* and spotted 8 American Avocets at Sheamess on the same day. Also on the 7* a Eurasian Teal was seen on Raymond Pool and the Pro-thonotary Warbler was still at Finis Pool, a Western Sandpiper was at Raymond and a Solitary Sandpiper was seen at Finis Pool. In addition 2 Northern Water-thrushes were at Finis that day as well as an American Golden Plover. The woods across the road from the Boardwalk Trail are often good for finding warblers in the spring and on the 7* that was the ease. Seen there were Chestnut-sided Warbler, Northern Parula, and Magnolia Warbler. A White-crowned Sparrow was seen across the road from Cottman Pool on the 7* and at the Sheamess obser­vation tower on the same day there was a Gray-cheeked/Bicknel l ' s Thrush. One birder had a very good day in the field on the 8*. The Boardwalk Trail hosted Marsh Wrens, Yellow Warblers, a Spotted Sandpiper, and Great Egrets. Raymond had over 100 Dunlin, some 15 Black-necked Stilts, many Short-billed Dowitchers, Greater Yellowlegs, and Least and Semi-palmated Sandpipers. Not to be outdone, Sheamess held 20 American Avocets, 15 Snowy Egrets, and 12 Glossy Ibis. In addition there were 20 Black-bellied Plovers at Bear Swamp. Also at Raymond on the 8* were 5 White-rumped Sandpipers and 2 Stilt Sandpipers. There was a Ruff at Raymond Pool on the 9* and an American Bittern was seen along Bear Swamp entrance road near the observation tower parking area. The Ruff at Raymond was still present on the 10*. Also, 3 BlackpoU Warblers were found in the trees near the

White-Crowned Sparrow

4

Scarlet Tanagers

Visitor Center that day. The Peregrine Falcon was still about on the 11*, seen at Bear Swamp. A Gull-billed Tern was at Sheamess on the 12* and the Ruff was still at Raymond Pool. In Finis woods on the 12th were a Great-crested Fly­catcher and a Scarlet tanager. A Blue Gros­beak was in Bear Swamp woods on the 13*. At Raymond Pool on the 14* a Gray-cheeked Thrush and a Least Bittern were seen. The Gull-billed Tern was seen along the dike at Bear Swamp on the 15*.In the woods behind the Visitor Center on the 16* the following were seen: Wilson's Warbler, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Black and White Warbler. A Grasshopper Sparrow was seen in the field leaving the Visitor Center at the beginning of the auto tour route on the 17*. The same day 2 BlackpoU Warblers were seen near the Raymond observation tower. On the 2 P' a Curlew Sandpiper was at Raymond Pool. A Willow Flycatcher was seen along the Boardwalk Trail on the 22"''. The Prothonotary Warbler was still at Finis Pool on the 22"''. The Black-bUled Cuckoo was still be­ing seen near Raymond Pool on the 23"'. The American Avocet floek on Raymond Pool had increased to 30 on the 26*. There was a Wilson's Phalarope at Raymond Pool on the 29*. On Port Mahon Road down Route 9 at Little Creek there was a Red-necked Phalarope; it had first been seen there on the 24*. A Ruby-throated Hum­mingbird was seen at Finis Pool on the 30*. The same day there was an Eastern Pewee along Finis Road and a eouple of White-rumped Sandpipers and Red Knots at Raymond Pool. One birder saw 3 Black Terns at Raymond Pool that day. May closed with the sighting of 3 Northern Harriers at Sheamess on the 3 P'.

Spring Bird Count: May 8* 2004

At the Spring Migratory Bird Count on May 8* at the refuge 115 species were tallied with a total of 11,105 in­dividual birds. Highlights were 7 Clapper Rails, 12 War­

bler speeies, and 3 Seaside Sparrows. Thanks to the fol­lowing birders for taking part: Cary and Laura Balaseio, Dennis Bower, Ray Brown, Joe Fargas, Faith and Leo King, Joel Martin, Dean Newman, Mareia Poling, Frank Rawling, Tina Watson, Terry Villanueva, and Pete Ziegler.

Migratory Bird Festival: May 22,2004

As has been their custom for the past several years my good triends and fellow members of the Delmarva Or­nithological Society (DOS) set up a field observation station on Raymond Dike and an information desk and sightings board at the Visitor Center. Over the course of the day they tallied 63 speeies. The highlight of the day was a Curlew Sandpiper. Our thanks to Chris Bennett, Alison Ellieott, Linda and Dennis Garvey, Irene Goverts, Larry and Shirley Graff, Meta Little, Bob Rufe, Mike Smith, and Bob and Pat Strahom for taking part.

Cheers and GOOD BIRDING!!!

****

Cowgills B&B 302-734-5743

www.Cj3wgillsb-b.com

Bombay Hook Refuge

Only 10 minutes from Bombay Hook

White Oak Road

Cowgills B&B

Make your visit complete by spending the night at

Little Creek Inn or Cowgills B&B

Little Creek Inn ^

Village Inn Restaurant Little Creek

Wild Life Refuge

Little Creek Inn 888-804-1300

www.littlecreekinn.com

M I G R A T O R Y

B I R D

F E S T I V A L

M A Y

2 0 0 4

Children's activities included games, crafts, and a hors touch tank. Adults also checked out the horseshoe

shoe crab crabs.

Presentations included the following topics: Shorebirds, Horseshoe Crabs, Colonial Nesting Purple Martins, Herons and Egrets, Choosing Binoculars, and Wildlife Photograpy.

I

Delmarva Ornithological Society provided a Bird Identification Station on the auto-tour route. 63 species were identified on festi­

val day. How many species did you see?

• /> / i n '̂f +

Iflower, Mushroom, and Butterfly Walks were provided throughout the day. Saltmarsh boat trips, a trip pware Bay to see the Horseshoe crabs and a tour of the Refuge were among the activities.

Refuge Corner By: Terry Villanueva

Introducing Frank Polyak, Refuge Officer

We are pleased to weleome Frank Polyak as a new addition to the statF at Bombay Hook NWR. Frank is the first fiiU time Law Enforcement Officer at the refuge, reflecting a change in the Retlige System from collateral duty to full time officers. Collateral duty officers have law enforcement duties in addition to other full time responsibilities.

Frank's experience in law enforcement, includes working at nearby Chineoteaque, one of the most visited refuges in the country, hosting 1.4 million visitors a year. Frank has also worked seasonal assignments at Supawna Meadows, Blackwater, and Cape May National Wildlife Refuges.

Although officially on board as of February 22,2004, his arrival was delayed until June 14th due to training assignments at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glyneo, Georgia, Motor Boat Operators Certification Course in South Carolina, Refuge OtTicer Basic Training at the National Conservation Training Center in West Virginia, and Field Training at Great Dismal Swamp NWR in Virginia and Edwin B. Forsythe NWR in New Jersey.

Frank brings with him experience in dealing with a wide range of law enforcement issues tfom assisting visitors by

answering questions and providing information to dealing with dangerous or hostile individuals violating the law. He even assisted with law enforcement during a visit by former President Jimmy Carter.

Frank will provide a new perspective on law enforcement not only through visitor contacts and patrols but preventative law enforcement by assessing refuge security needs and providing proactive ways to improve visitor safety and protection of the Refuge wildlife resources. He will also work on developing agreements with local law enforcement agencies and coordinating activities with state conservation officers and the USFWS Special Agent.

Frank is glad to finally be here and getting acquainted with the refuge resources and law enforcement issues. He is looking forward to the challenges of managing the refuge law enforcement program and building a program that is consistent with the new and emerging Service guidelines.

**** Charitable Gifts Of Stock

By: Frederick J. Dawson, ChFC, CLU Financial Advisor

Bassett, Brosius & Dawson, Inc. ion Centre Rd, Suite no

Wilmington, DE 19805 302-999-9330

wnvw.bbdinc.com

People give to charity for a variety of reasons. These range from soul soothing, peer pressure, furthering the work of a particular organization, a desire to be re­membered after they are gone, to improving the qual­ity of life for others, a desire not to leave property to relatives and finally, tax savings.

When most people think of giving charitably, they usu­ally consider giving of their time or making a cash do­nation. Rather than cash, some donors may want to consider giving away a growing asset, for example, com­mon stocks. These donors should keep two things in mind. First, the capital gains tax is a voluntary tax— you only pay it i f you sell an appreciated asset. The estate tax is involuntary—it's due nine months after death essentially no matter what. One philanthropic way to avoid both these

taxes is to give highly appreciated securities to a charity.

Charities are tax exempt entities. When someone gives these types of assets to charities there is no tax on their appreciation. They have also removed this asset and all future appreciation from their taxable estate. Fi­nally, they receive a current income tax deduction for the contribution.

Sometimes donors hold a stock position with which they are comfortable and from which they expect con­tinued success from in the future. They also plan to make a charitable gift for the year in cash. One varia­tion on charitable giving is to make a gift of the favored stock and replace the position with the cash. This ef­fectively removes the past appreciation by giving the replacement stock a kind of "stepped up" cost basis.

Charities are broken down into two types, 50 percent charities and 30 percent charities. The percentage re­fers to the maximum percentage of adjusted gross in­come (AGI) that may be claimed as a charitable deduc­tion by a donor in any one year. Fifty percent charities include churches, schools, hospitals, endowment funds for public universities, and state and local governments. Special rules apply to other types of private charities.

Gifts of capital gain property, such as stocks, are sub­ject to further limitations. To quality as a donation of capital gain property the item must quality for capital gains treatment (e.g. property held for investment) and must have been held for more than one year. Gifts of capital gain property to 50 percent charities are limited to 30 percent of AGI. Donations of capital gains prop­erty are generally valued at the fair market value at the time of the donation. ,

Gifts of appreciated securities can also play important parts in more sophisticated charitable giving techniques, such as charitable remainder trusts. I f you are consid­ering such strategies and would like to maximize the benefits of your gift, talk to a financial planner to explore your alternatives.

Securities offered exclusively through: > /

R A y M O N D J A M E S Fir-j/vrNiaAL S E R V I C E S INC:. , ^ ,

**** ; 9

Friends of Bombay Hook sponsors Horseshoe Crab Field Trip for

Smyrna and Dover : + Boys and Girls Clubs

By: Tina Watson

Three local Boys and Girls Clubs visited Bombay Hook and Pickering Beach to learn about horseshoe crabs. The 44 participants toured the Refuge, used dipping nets in the fresh water, made a model of a horseshoe crab, and went to the Delaware Bay beach to see the horseshoe crabs come up on the beach to spawn. Al l the children received a poster and a t-shirt of a horseshoe erah and a picture of them holding a horseshoe crab.

The activities were funded by a joint challenge grant with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5 otftce and Friends of Bombay Hook, Inc. The grant provided an opportunity for the children to learn about the Refuge System, Bombay Hook, and one of the area's fisheries resources, the horseshoe erah.

BIRDING WEBSITES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB

SUBJECT

General interest

Backyard birding

Bird Rehabilitation

Bluebirds

Chickadees

Hummingbirds

Optics for Birding

Purple Martins

Raptors

Science/Research

Shorebirds

Waterfowl

SITE NAME

American Birding Association ' Audubon Society Birding Hotspots Around the World Birding.com Birding/Wild Birds BirdingOnThe.Net Birdwatching Dot Com Cape May Bird Observatory Delaware Ornithological Society eBird Fat Birder

Life Histories of Familiar North American Birds The Aviary The Virtual Birder www.birder.com

Backyard Birding Wildbirds.com

Tri-State Bird Rescue

North American Bluebird Society

The Chickadee Web

Hummingbird World Hummingbirds.net The Hummingbird Society

Better View Desired Optics for Birding

Purple Martin Conservation Assoc. Purple Martin Society, NA

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Hawkwatch International

American Bird Conservancy Birdsource British Trust for Ornithology Cornell Lab of Ornithology Patuxent Wildlife Reseach Center

Delaware Shorebird Monitoring Program Shorebirdworld.org

Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network

A Waterfowl Identification Guide

10

UNIFORM RESOURCE RELOCATOR

. www.americanbirdinq.orq www.audubon.orq ' www.camacdonald.com/birdinq www.birdino.com http://birdino.about.com http://birdinoonthe.net www.birdwatchino.com www.cmbo.oro - •.-

www.dosbirds.oro www.ebird.oro www.fatbirder.com http://birdsbybent.com http://theaviarv.com www.virtualbirder.com www.birder.com

www. bcp I. net/ ~tross/bv/ backya rd. htm I www.wildbirds.com

www.tristatebird.oro

www.nabluebirdsociety.oro

www.chickadee-web.com

http://humminobirdworld.com

www.humminobird5.net www.humminobird.oro

www, betterviewdesi red .com www.optics4birdino.com

www.purplemartin.oro www.purplemartins.com

www.hawkmountain.oro www. hawkwatch. orq

www.abcbirds.oro www.birdsource.oro www.bto.oro http://birds.corneil.edu www.pwrc.usos.oov/birds/

http://shorebirds.skalizar.net www.shorebirdworld.oro www.manomet.oro/WHSRN

www.npwrc.usos.oov/resource/tools/ duckdist/duckdist.htm

Highway Clean-up By: Tina Watson

The spring highway clean-up was held April 24,2004. Friends of Bombay Hook(FOB) has sponsored the clean-up for 12 years and it is one of the longest running sponsored areas in Delaware. The FOB designated clean-up area is Rt. 9 from Leipsie bridge to Raymond Neck Road, and includes Raymond Neck and Whitehall Neck Roads. Tom and Marcia Poling coordinate the activities and provide refreshments for the elean-up crew. Many thanks to all the volunteers that support the elean-up. October 16, 2004 from 9am-12noon is the next scheduled highway clean-up. Put the date on your calendar!

Spring 2004 Highway Clean-up Grew

^ ^ Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Calendar of Events - 2004 8/10/04 Gardenkeepers and Discovery-Terry Villanueva, Refuge Manager-9:30am . , ,̂

9/4/04 Volunteer Orientation at Refuge Visitor Center, 10am

9/4/04 Visitor Center re-opens on weekends from 9am - 5pm. Allee House re-opens on weekends from 1 pm - 4pm

9/11/04 Eavesdropping on Bats with Marcia Fox. The program will begin inside with a short presentation on bats and echoiocation. The group will proceed outdoors to the Refuge's bat habitat and will have hands-on experience with bat detectors. Come listen for bats foraging for insects! 5:30pm - 9:00pm. Call Refuge if weather is questionable. Raindate is 9/25/04

9/14/04 Gardenkeepers meeting and Discovery - Fungi, 9:30am

10/9/04 Environmental Education Workshop - Explore the Refuge - 9:00am - 4pm. For teachers, volunteers and interested visitors. Tour the Refuge, participate in woodland, fresh, brackish, and bay habitat studies, leam about the Refuge system, go bird watching, and have fun. Call to register.

10/12/04 Gardenkeepers meeting - 9:30am

10/16/04 Highway Clean-up at Bombay Hook - 9am - 12noon

10/23/04 Wildlife Festival at Bombay Hook-Sam-5pm

11/9/04 Gardenkeepers meeting and Discovery-Mosses, 9:30am

11/19/04 STARGAZING - Delmarva Stargazers Club president Don Buries and club members will lead our journey. The program will begin indoors with a short presentation on telescopes and general information on stargazing. The group will then go outside to view deep space objects, planets, and the moon, set up to help us explore the dark mysterious sky over Bombay Hook. 6pm - 9pm. If weather is questionable call the Refuge by 2pm to see if program is re-scheduled. Raindate is 11/20/04 and will be held rain or stars, 6pm-9pm.

* The Calendar of Events is subject to changes and additions. Check for an updated schedule on the website at:

hnmhayhnnk fwg gov

For more Information contact: Tina Watson, (302) 653-6872 .

11

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Since 1953 nm ORIGINAL

SAMBO'S TAUERN Leipsie. DE • 674-9724

Everything is served Op,,„ Mc«..&t 9.v.n im^, V tWe Original lotdhm qxo i lAM-i&at^ ' -SfiWEO'S Way OmedSwuLipL^y--^

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^^eautiful Quest.Rooms with Private Baths • ^

" Wonderful Rood Impeccable Service

Eor'Reservations ca l l#02) 698-9033

R O S E T Q W E R Bed & BreaT<fast

Historic Camden, Delaware Yoirr Hosts; Jam & Ed Folz

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