Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge announces upcoming events

Anytime is a good time to visit the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, which is open every day from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset in designated areas. The Visitor Center is open daily year-round from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn about events and programs throughout the year, go to www.fws.gov/refuge/Prime_Hook or call the refuge office at 302-684-8419. 

Tuesday, April 10 - An Evening at the Hook Lecture Series, 7 to 8 p.m. Steve Cardano, a career marine science educator with an in-depth understanding of coastal ecology, will talk about his experiences with osprey. Cardano, who has banded over 5,000 osprey, will share his knowledge about the species as well as the importance of nesting sites. Since 1978, Cardano has banded ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay and Inland Bays of Delaware, and studied the birds’ nesting success.

Tree ID Classroom Session, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, April 19, and Celebrating Earth Day, Celebrating Spring Tree Walk, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, April 21. Former environmental educator, tree identification instructor and certified naturalist Elizabeth Rives will lead a seasonal walk April 21 in the woods at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. She will teach her popular tricks to learning tree identification in a holistic way and share the fascinating ecology of this magnificent wetlands complex.

Rives will point out fresh new flowers and unfolding leaves of the refuge’s wooded swamps and upland forest trees and shrubs as participants look and listen for spring migratory songbirds and the chorus of leopard frogs and spring peepers. Attendees will also look for spring wildflowers in bloom and try to identify them.

The walk is free, but space is limited to 18 adults (no children or pets).

Those interested should email elizabeth_rives@hotmail.com to register and indicate whether they will be attending the classroom session April 19 at the refuge headquarters (attendance is recommended but not required). The April 21 walk will cover about 1-2 miles at a slow, naturalist’s shuffle on natural surface trails. The group will meet at the refuge center parking lot.

Sunday, April 22, and Tuesday, May 8 - Birding Field Trip, 8 to 11 a.m. Led by volunteer birding guides, beginner and experienced bird watchers will enjoy observing and learning about the bird species frequenting the refuge at this time of year. Attendees should come prepared for the weather and expect to walk up to a mile, and bring binoculars, a field guide and spotting scope (the leader will have spotting scopes also). Binoculars will be available to borrow. Meet at the refuge office. Trips are free, open to the public, and last approximately three hours. Preregistration is required. To register, call 302-684-8419.

Tuesday, May 8 - An Evening at the Hook Lecture Series, 7 to 8 p.m. Attendees will view the Michael Oates production ”A Meeting of Migrations” to raise awareness and understanding about the ecological connection between horseshoe crabs and shorebirds migrating through the Delaware Bay area. Oates will be in attendance to discuss the project. This lecture session will meet at the Milton CHEER Center, two miles west of Route 1 on Route 16 (Broadkill Road). This change in venue offers more seating space, so reservations are no longer required. 

Saturday, May 26 - Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In partnership with the Milton Chamber of Commerce, this festival celebrates horseshoe crabs, shorebirds and other natural resources while encouraging citizen awareness and participation in wildlife-dependent recreation. Activities occur in downtown historic Milton and at Prime Hook NWR, and each will be offering choices from art to science and nature education, along with family-friendly festival fun, food, music, and crafts. Milton Memorial Park will have a tent with exhibits from environmental organizations. Prime Hook NWR will feature opportunities for visitors to get outside and connect with nature including guided nature hikes, videos, birding trips, horseshoe crab touch tank and more.