What to Bring to Birdwatch on the Ferry

Delaware Bay: A Birdwatcher's Paradise

The Delaware Bay is a birdwatcher’s paradise because it is one of the greatest places in the country to see a large and diverse collection of birds. Thankfully, the Ferry can put you right in the middle of the beautiful bird wonderland! On the Ferry, we’ve seen egrets, laughing gulls, osprey, gannets, the occasional bald eagle, and much more, since the bay is always flapping with flying wildlife. Whether you’re an experienced birder, or just a traveler admiring the aviary display, here’s what you’ll need to birdwatch on the Ferry.

Beginner

Bald Eagle

If you’re a beginner birdwatcher, enjoying all the birds that the bay has to offer doesn’t take much at all. But, those summer days will leave you burnt without the proper sunscreen. This is always a necessity no matter what level birder you are! Check out our wildlife scorecard, available on deck, to keep track of all the marine life you see. Information includes what each species likes to snack on, what time of year is best to spot them and even a fun fact or two. Depending on the season, you’ll see a variety of birds. In the springtime, an osprey couple typically lays three eggs by our Lewes Terminal, making for a great attraction! By the time summer comes around, the babies are hatched and ready to take their first flight.

Intermediate

If you’ve dabbled in bird watching, bringing a backpack is a great idea to keep your hands free for holding binoculars or a camera. In the Springtime, hundreds of thousands of migrating shore birds feast on new horseshoe crab eggs that line the Delaware Bay shoreline. You may be able to spot the Red Knot that breeds as far north as Canada. In order to spot some of these migrating birds we suggest that any intermediate birder to bring a field guide to spot the variety of species. We also advise birders to wear long pants and closed toes shoes when exploring any wetlands and marshes.

Ferry Osprey

Expert

If you’re an expert birdwatcher, chances are you don’t need us to tell you what to bring along! You may already have one or more field guides and own a pair of binoculars. If you’re bringing a camera, we also recommend a tripod for stability when the boat is rocking.

No matter your skill level, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry provides 360-degree views of Delaware Bay wildlife like you’ve them never seen before. Stop on either side to experience the natural habitat of Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware or Cape May Point State Park in New Jersey. The biodiversity on the a Delaware Bay attracts visitors from all over to explore our wetlands, beaches and woodlands.

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Explore Lewes

Things To Do in Lewes

Recommended Reading: Things to Do In Lewes & the Delaware Beaches

Enjoy the vibrant history of “The First Town In The First State.” From age-old lighthouses, to an amazing food scene and iconic state parks, there are so many great things to do in Lewes. 

Check out our boxes below with trip ideas, search for more ideas and travel inspiration from our archives, or let the links to local tourism experts point you in the right direction: 

 

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Explore Cape May

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Recommended Reading: Things to Do In Cape May & The Jersey Cape

Enjoy the colorful and robust history of “America’s First Seaside Resort.” From preserved Victorian mansions, to dockside seafood bars and some of the best sunsets in the world, there are so many great things to do in Southernmost New Jersey. 

Click on any of the boxes below for inspiration ideas, or check out the links here on travel suggestions from some local tourism experts. 

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The Gateways of Lewes

Get to Know the Gateways of Lewes

The “Gateways of Lewes” are six roads forming a continuous network of greenway leading into the town and out to the ocean. The Gateways also provide an active and enjoyable way to explore the more than three centuries of Lewes history. You’ll definitely want to make a day of traveling these trails by boat, car or bike, leaving plenty of time to take in the natural beauty and interesting stopping points.

Canoeing at Trap Pond State Park near Lewes
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Canoeing at Trap Pond State Park near Lewes

The “Gateways from the Land”—Kings Highway, Savannah Road and New Road—run generally east to west, perpendicular to the coast, passing through numerous historically significant areas, including downtown Lewes. The “Gateways from the Sea”—Pilottown Road, Gills Neck Road and Cape Henlopen Drive—run approximately north to south, parallel to the coast. This route follows the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and the beach.

This route follows the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and the beach.

Among the interesting places you’ll find along the Gateways from the Land are the Lewes Presbyterian Church (est. 1692) and churchyard, the Zwaanendael Museum (built in 1932 to resemble the ancient City Hall in Hoorn, Holland) on Kings Highway, and Bethel Cemetery and the War of 1812 Memorial Park just north of the Canal Bridge on Savannah Road. Along the Gateways from the Sea are the Cannonball House (with a War of 1812 cannonball embedded in its foundation), historic Victorian homes of Delaware River and Delaware Bay pilots, the Lightship Overfalls (a floating lighthouse built in 1938), and Canalfront Park.

Bike trail in Delaware State Park
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Bike trail in Delaware State Park

At the end of the Gateways from the Sea greenway is the 5,193-acre Cape Henlopen State Park. There, you can hike a three-mile paved loop trail, six miles of beach along the Atlantic Ocean, or the 1.6-mile crushed-gravel Walking Dunes Trail, which ends at the 80-foot-high Great Dune. They’re called “walking dunes” because they actually move slowly across the park.

In the park, you’ll discover a World War II observation tower that was part of Fort Miles and used to spot enemy battleships. It’s a shorter climb up one of the former military bunkers in the park, but the view is still impressive. Be sure to visit the Seaside Nature Center to check out the live Osprey Cam.

Visit www.delawaregreenways.org for more information.

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