Dec. 28, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 480

Contact Information: Jim Hall, Nature Center Manager, Delaware Seashore State Park, 302-227-6991; Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9175, necia.beck@state.de.us.  

Hike with a naturalist every Saturday in
January at Delaware Seashore State Park

REHOBOTH BEACH - Winter can be one of the best times to explore the outdoor wonders of coastal Delaware. Migrating birds are fluttering about, the air is clean and crisp, and there aren’t any bugs to deal with. The staff at Delaware Seashore State Park is offering a series of guided hikes in January, with a different hike taking place each Saturday. The hikes will cover a variety of habitats, including the intertidal zone, salt marsh areas and upland forest. In addition, each hike will offer park visitors a unique opportunity to learn about coastal wildlife and local history.

Hikes begin promptly at 1 p.m. The first hike will take place at the lesser-known Holts Landing State Park on Saturday, Jan. 2. Participants will hike the Sea Hawk Trail, a 1.7-mile trail that is part of the Delaware State Parks Trail Challenge. This program is free of charge and pre-registration is not required.

The hike on Saturday, Jan. 9, will take place on Burton Island, a State Nature Preserve within Delaware Seashore State Park. Maintenance has kept the trail partially closed during previous seasons, but improvements have been completed and the trail is now fully open for public use. Although the trail on Burton Island is slightly less than 1 mile, it displays a rich variety of trees, plants and wildlife, as well as traces of man’s past habitations and influence on the land. The fee for this program is $4 and space is limited so pre-registration is required. Participants should meet at the Indian River Life-Saving Station at 1 p.m.

On Saturday, Jan. 16, enjoy a guided hike through Thompson Island Nature Preserve located on the north shore of Rehoboth Bay. Facts about birds and other wildlife are featured as well as the Native American presence in the Inland Bays. Because of limited parking access, space is extremely limited and pre-registration is required. The fee for this program is $5 and participants should meet at the Indian River Life-Saving Station at 1 p.m.

A park naturalist will lead a beachcombing walk at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23. Winter storms wash up a variety of objects, both natural and man-made, that are not typically seen during the summer months. Before heading out onto the strand to explore, park staff will discuss signs of marine life and display various things that have washed ashore in our area. Participants should meet at the Indian River Life-Saving Station at 1 p.m. The fee for this program is $3 and pre-registration is not required.

The final program of this January Seashore Hikes Series will take place at Fresh Pond, a part of Delaware Seashore State Park located just east of Ocean View. Explore more than 3 miles of trails with a naturalist, looking for signs left by the resident deer, fox, owls and other creatures that call the forest, fields and marshes home. The fee for this program is $4 and pre-registration is required.

For all hikes, participants are encouraged to dress in layers and wear shoes or boots that can get muddy. Registration and directions to meeting spots are available at the Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum, 302-227-6991.