Hello All,
I am organizing a Birding Boat Trip on The Bay!
The date will be Saturday, February 4, 2017. We will gather at 7:30am to board the Bay Princess, which will leave at 8am from 3311 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. (Nearby Travel Lodge – 2968 Shore Drive, 757-481-7992 can accommodate those wishing to stay overnight on Friday, Feb 3rd.) Upon deboarding at noon, we can share a tasty seafood lunch at Dockside Restaurant.
Surf Scoter by Doug Rogers
The Williamsburg Club goes on this field trip every year. Based on that club’s prior experience we could expect to see: Sea Ducks – Harlequin, Red Head, Scaup, 3 Scoter species, Northern Gannet, Red-breasted Merganser, Bufflehead, Cormorant – 2 species, Lesser and Greater Black-backed Gull, Razor Bills, Kittiwake, several more species of gull, Humpback Whales and Harbor Seals.
Northern Gannet by Doug Rogers
The boat’s Mate brings chum on board and puts it out to bring the birds closer to the boat. In prior years, the Williamsburg Club has had Northern Gannets diving close enough to the boat that they could be seen below the water surface! Great viewing and photo opps for all!
The cost is $900 for up to 30 people, plus we would be expected to tip the Mate. I’m sure we can get 30 enthusiastic birders for this exciting trip. With 30 participants, the cost would be $30 plus a $5 tip for the Mate, per person. (If the weather is bad, the boat won’t go and everyone will be refunded.)
I will take the first 30 who will commit and then reserve the boat and your place on it. At that time, I will contact you to collect your $35 per person fee. If you choose not to make the nearly three hour road trip from Charlottesville in the wee morning hours to be boatside at 7:30 am, you are responsible for making your own reservations at Travel Lodge (see above – $49 for one queen bed; $59 for two queen beds)
So, let me know that you plan to go ASAP. (Contact info: Doug Rogers, [email protected], 434-409-8156)
Ahoy, Mates! Get your cameras and binoculars ready!
