Wildlife Adventures for Ocean City Maryland

Wildlife Adventures on Your Own

Assateague Island National Seashore
Features some of the best of the best. Three outstanding one-half mile nature trails, miles and miles of beach. Saturday the National Seashore will offer an open house with entrance fees waived in observation of National Park Week. From 1pm-4pm naturalists will rove nature trails to assist visitors visitors with their birding questions. 1-410-641-1441.

The Barrier Island Visitor Center
Assateague Island features a hands-on aquarium and beach combing exhibits. A special exhibit in April will show how Assateague is trying to recover the piping plover. Ask to see Rivers of Sand, a video with outstanding bird footage. 1-410-641-1441.

Assateague State Park
Offers regular scheduled canoe trips for bird watching during the summer month. Children's programs including biological beach combs and nature walks are also available during the season. 1-410-641-2120.

Ocean City's Northside Park
Located on the bay at 125th Street... offers 58 acres laced with walking and jogging paths (around and by a great ballpark) Open throughout the weekend. Complete schedule offered 1-410-250-0125.

Stephen Decatur Memorial Park and Wildfowl Pond and Nature Trail
One quarter mile of nesting waterfowl habitat with two bird boxes. A self guided trail meanders througha man made pond over boardwalk bridges and is an excellent picnic stop. 1-410-250-2770.

Wicomico Demonstration Forest
The Wicomico Demonstration Forest is home to a diversity of birds from songbirds to waterfowl. More than 53 species have been spotted. The Forest consists of 1200 acres and is managed by DNR to demonstrated forestry, wildlife and recreational practices. It also provides a learning environment for natural resources education. The arboretum has more than 50 trees and shrubs. To receive a bird checklist or to learn more about the Forest, call 1-410-543-6745.

Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art
The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art exhibits the most comprehensive collection of wildfowl carving and art in the world. Named for Lem and Steve Ward of Crisfield, Maryland, whose skill and vision elevated traditional decoy carving to a fine art form. The museum galleries include changing exhibits, a habitat theater with a wildfowl conservation video, a recreated Ward Brother's workshop, a championship gallery and galleries tracing the history and major flyways of innumerable species of wildfowl. A recreated marsh habitat, complete with sounds of wildfowl overhead, captivates all ages. Call 1-410-742-4988

Pocomoke River State Park
The Park was named for the shad fishing industry important on the river at the turn of the century. The heavy foliage along the river and many small creeks, inlets and streams once made this an ideal hiding place for contraband vessels and serves the same puppies today for many species of birds and mammals. Activities include camping, biking, canoeing, fishing and hiking. The Trail of Change nature trail highlights historical and natural features of the forest.

Assawoman Wildlife Area
Near Fenwick Island Across the little Indian River Bay from South Bethany Beach... off of Rt 54. Great places to explore and a neat 100 foot bird observation tower. Look for more details to this great place on atlanticbreezes.com Parks and Camping. Call 1-302-739-5297

Cape Henlopen State Park
The Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay meet and the wildlife abounds. A birder's paradise with ocean voer looks, a saltwater lagoon, maritime forest, interpretive trail and a Nature Center with up-to-date birding information.Look for more details to this great place on Parks and Camping. Call 1-302-645-6852