DELAWARE CITY – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation and the American Birding Association (ABA) are partnering again this year to bring back Sunset River Cruises, offering an enjoyable and educational experience on the Delaware River. The scenic cruises provide the chance to discover the wealth of birds and other wildlife that inhabit Pea Patch Island, also home to Fort Delaware State Park, and the surrounding Delaware River.
A special feature of the cruises is the chance to see dozens – or even hundreds – of herons, egrets, ibises, bald eagles, and osprey flying to and from one of the largest heron rookeries on the East Coast, located on Pea Patch Island’s northern tip.
The tours meet at 6 p.m. on April 20, May 25, and June 15, at ABA Headquarters, 93 Clinton Street, Delaware City, DE 19706. The tours end around sunset. In case of rain, the cruise will be held the following evening.
The tours cost $35 per person. Reservations must be made in advance at delawarestateparks.reserveamerica.com. For more information, call the ABA at 302-838-3660.
The ABA’s Heron Watch, another opportunity for birding, is held 6-8 p.m., Thursdays from April 19-June 28 at the association’s headquarters, where a knowledgeable birder will discuss differences in flying birds.
DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation partners with the ABA to offer programs at Fort Delaware in a joint venture to increase visitation and to leverage the expertise and staff available through the association to offer more environmental-related programming.