VSO Fall Field Trip
Chincoteague, VA, September 10-12, 2010
Leaders: Bill Akers and Jerry Via
American Golden Plover. © Arun Bose
Every fall is different at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, so join us to discover the surprises that await us on this year’s annual fall VSO trip! In 2009, we tallied 124 species, including a great combination of waterfowl, shorebirds and migrating songbirds.
Headquarters
The Refuge Inn on Beach Road in Chincoteague will be the host hotel (800-544-8469 or 757-336-5511). Room rates are $103.50 (plus tax) per night for a single or a double room, minimum two night stay. For those arriving a day early, the rate for Thursday night will be $90. The Refuge Motor Inn is now totally non smoking and no pets are allowed. To assure the VSO rate, make reservations by August 10th. Please state you are with the VSO when you call.
Check In
Check-in time is 4:00pm. After you check in at the hotel on Friday, be sure to pick up a schedule of events for the week-end at the VSO headquarters, located in the Conference room at the far end of the Refuge Inn. The Conference room will be open Friday from 4:00-5:30PM and re-open at 7:30PM.
Meals
Meals are on your own. The Refuge Inn offers a complimentary continental breakfast for guests. Chincoteague is known for its fine dining and you will be able to choose from any number of excellent restaurants.
Friday Night
An evening orientation and slide program will be presented by Jerry Via at 8:00 PM in the Conference room. Jerry and Bill Akers will also give a preview of birds in the area and a synopsis of the field trips for the week-end.
Saturday Field Trip
You can select from a variety of field trip experiences: "Morning Warbler Walk” on the Woodland Trail to look for migrating songbirds; “Motorcade to Assateague Beach,” with frequent stops to look at shorebirds; and “Birding and Biking” to explore the wildlife loop (No cars are allowed until 3:00pm, so it’s a safe, easy ride. If you don’t have a bike, you can rent one at the shop next to the Refuge Inn). We will have a tally of the day's species late in the afternoon in the Conference room.
Saturday Evening
There will be a tally at 6:30 PM in the Tavern at the Inn to total the species seen Friday and Saturday.
Saturday Specialty Tour
We are offering a bus trip to the Wash Flats at 1:00PM on Saturday. This is a restricted area in the refuge and can only be entered with special permission. We have requested permission to disembark twice on the way back like we have done for past years and are hopeful that they will grant it again this year. The shorebirds and raptors are often abundant in this area so we feel that the trip is worth offering. The bus has a capacity for 30 people and the minimum number for the trip is 20. The cost per person is $12 for VSO members and $17 for non-members. If you want to go on this trip, you must make a reservation in advance with Jerry Via at viaj_AT_vt.edu or (540) 951-7821. Payment will be made at the registration area when you arrive. If you are unable to attend after making your reservation, please contact Jerry so that he may open up your space for someone else.
Sunday
We will repeat many of the field trips from Saturday, so you will have a chance to sample many different areas. Check out time from most of the motels is 11:00AM.
Other Lodging in the Area
If you are unable to get a room at the Refuge Motor Inn, you may want to try these motels: Best Western (800-553-6117), Sea Hawk (757-336-6527) and Lighthouse (757-336-5091).
For additional information about lodging and restaurant options, check out the Chincoteague town website: www.chincoteaguechamber.com.
If you have any questions, contact Meredith Bell, VSO field trip co-chair: 804-824-4958 (cell) or merandlee_AT_cox.net.
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