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CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, VIRGINIA

Birding Virginia's Eastern Shore: Assateague, Chincoteague and Wallops Island

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 VA

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 Birding

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Program #2019RJ

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6 Days | 5 Nights
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Active
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EasyFor people looking to exercise their minds more than their bodies. There’s minimal walking and not too many stairs.
ModerateThese programs get you on your feet and include activities such as walking up to a mile in a day through a city and standing in a museum for a few hours.
ActiveFor people who enjoy walking as much as two miles a day, perhaps to explore historic neighborhoods or a nature trail.
Moderately ChallengingFor hardy explorers who enjoy a good physical challenge, spending most of their days on the go.
ChallengingGet ready to keep up with our highest-energy group. These demanding — and rewarding — programs are for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Program Details > Daily Schedule

Elevation Note
Sea level

 Equipment Requirements
Our programs run rain or shine, bring rain gear. Bring binoculars (and spotting scope if you have one). Bird identification book. Insect repellent and sun screen.

Itinerary for Apr 28 — May 3, 2013

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Type: Field Station

 Description: The Marine Science Consortium (MSC) is a residential environmental learning center and field station which provides hands-on educational programs on coastal and marine environments. Road Scholar participants will be housed in one of the MSC’s residence halls. The residence hall is two stories tall and has no elevator. This facility is set up like a college-style dorm or camp retreat center where bedrooms are grouped into sets of four bedrooms, accessed through one exterior locking door. Inside participants will find four comfortable bedrooms and two bathrooms. Bedrooms have single twin beds, no bunk beds. There are two bathrooms per set of four rooms. Each bathroom has two sinks, two showers with changing areas, and two toilets. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. (There will never be more than 4 people sharing one bathroom. Usually there are only two). All rooms are comfortable with central heat, and air conditioning. Each room has 2-4 beds, one night stand, a lamp and clothing storage. These accommodations give participants the private space they need, in private single bedrooms or shared with desired roommate, as well as great opportunities for socializing with others. Meals are served in a common dining room shared by all MSC guests. A hot meal option is provided along with cereal, fruit, and yogurt available at breakfast and a salad bar available at lunch and dinner. Some meals are also taken at area restaurants that feature a variety of local seafood specialties. While our address says that MSC is located on Wallops Island, participants will find that our campus is not actually on an island. We share a historic postal code with the nearby NASA Wallops Flight Facility and Navy base because of our common history and partnership. We are just a 5-minute drive away from three of Virginia's beautiful barrier islands- Wallops, Chincoteague, and Assateague.

Contact info:
34001 Mill Dam Rd
Wallops Island, VA 23337 USA
phone: 757-824-5636
web: www.msconsortium.org

Room amenities: A/C and Heat, Nightstand, Clothing Storage

Facility amenities: The residence hall is located across campus from meeting spaces and cafeteria, with parking available nearby. A coin-operated laundry room is available. The campus has a large lounge for participants with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games, and television. Wireless Internet access is available in the main Education Center.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: There are two bathrooms per set of four rooms. Each bathroom has two sinks, two showers, and two toilets. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms. (There will never be more than 4 people sharing one bathroom. Usually there are only two).

Additional nights before: $35
Please call the MSC to make a reservation.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day One: Sunday, April 28 - Arrival and Welcome/Orientation/Social Hour 
Afternoon: Check in with your instructor in the Education Center from 3 - 5 PM. Welcome to the program, group introductions and orientation.

Dinner: Dinner will be served in the MSC cafeteria. Our dining staff will prepare and serve your meal cafeteria style, with options ranging from a hot meal to a diverse salad bar.

Evening: Getting to know each other, program overview and an introduction to birding.

Lodging: Residence Hall, Marine Science Consortium

Meals Included: Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Field Station

 Description: The Marine Science Consortium (MSC) is a residential environmental learning center and field station which provides hands-on educational programs on coastal and marine environments. Road Scholar participants will be housed in one of the MSC’s residence halls. The residence hall is two stories tall and has no elevator. This facility is set up like a college-style dorm or camp retreat center where bedrooms are grouped into sets of four bedrooms, accessed through one exterior locking door. Inside participants will find four comfortable bedrooms and two bathrooms. Bedrooms have single twin beds, no bunk beds. There are two bathrooms per set of four rooms. Each bathroom has two sinks, two showers with changing areas, and two toilets. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. (There will never be more than 4 people sharing one bathroom. Usually there are only two). All rooms are comfortable with central heat, and air conditioning. Each room has 2-4 beds, one night stand, a lamp and clothing storage. These accommodations give participants the private space they need, in private single bedrooms or shared with desired roommate, as well as great opportunities for socializing with others. Meals are served in a common dining room shared by all MSC guests. A hot meal option is provided along with cereal, fruit, and yogurt available at breakfast and a salad bar available at lunch and dinner. Some meals are also taken at area restaurants that feature a variety of local seafood specialties. While our address says that MSC is located on Wallops Island, participants will find that our campus is not actually on an island. We share a historic postal code with the nearby NASA Wallops Flight Facility and Navy base because of our common history and partnership. We are just a 5-minute drive away from three of Virginia's beautiful barrier islands- Wallops, Chincoteague, and Assateague.

Contact info:
34001 Mill Dam Rd
Wallops Island, VA 23337 USA
phone: 757-824-5636
web: www.msconsortium.org

Room amenities: A/C and Heat, Nightstand, Clothing Storage

Facility amenities: The residence hall is located across campus from meeting spaces and cafeteria, with parking available nearby. A coin-operated laundry room is available. The campus has a large lounge for participants with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games, and television. Wireless Internet access is available in the main Education Center.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: There are two bathrooms per set of four rooms. Each bathroom has two sinks, two showers, and two toilets. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms. (There will never be more than 4 people sharing one bathroom. Usually there are only two).

Additional nights before: $35
Please call the MSC to make a reservation.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Two: Monday, April 29 - Assateague National Seashore/ Service Road Tour 
Breakfast: Breakfast will be served will be in the MSC Cafeteria from 7:30-8:30 AM. Each day will present an array of fruits, hot and cold cereals, meats, breads/biscuits, eggs or pancakes for your choosing.

Morning: The road to Assateague National Seashore is bordered by a multitude of freshwater and saltwater wetlands, each with its own list of avian inhabitants. Look for waterfowl, osprey, eagles, herons and egrets among others.

Lunch: Lunch will be eaten on Chincoteague island at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Take a trip into Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge's restricted back country. The shallow pools that we find there are managed to provide food and rest for migratory waterfowl. Also keep an eye out for some wild ponies!

Dinner: Get ready for a seafood feast! Sample local crabs and shrimp or if you choose, grilled chicken, or portabello mushrooms.

Evening: We will begin each evening with a review of the birds that we encountered during the day. On this evening, we will follow with an area bird bander presenting some of his photos and sharing his knowledge.

Lodging: Residence Hall, Marine Science Consortium

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Field Station

 Description: The Marine Science Consortium (MSC) is a residential environmental learning center and field station which provides hands-on educational programs on coastal and marine environments. Road Scholar participants will be housed in one of the MSC’s residence halls. The residence hall is two stories tall and has no elevator. This facility is set up like a college-style dorm or camp retreat center where bedrooms are grouped into sets of four bedrooms, accessed through one exterior locking door. Inside participants will find four comfortable bedrooms and two bathrooms. Bedrooms have single twin beds, no bunk beds. There are two bathrooms per set of four rooms. Each bathroom has two sinks, two showers with changing areas, and two toilets. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. (There will never be more than 4 people sharing one bathroom. Usually there are only two). All rooms are comfortable with central heat, and air conditioning. Each room has 2-4 beds, one night stand, a lamp and clothing storage. These accommodations give participants the private space they need, in private single bedrooms or shared with desired roommate, as well as great opportunities for socializing with others. Meals are served in a common dining room shared by all MSC guests. A hot meal option is provided along with cereal, fruit, and yogurt available at breakfast and a salad bar available at lunch and dinner. Some meals are also taken at area restaurants that feature a variety of local seafood specialties. While our address says that MSC is located on Wallops Island, participants will find that our campus is not actually on an island. We share a historic postal code with the nearby NASA Wallops Flight Facility and Navy base because of our common history and partnership. We are just a 5-minute drive away from three of Virginia's beautiful barrier islands- Wallops, Chincoteague, and Assateague.

Contact info:
34001 Mill Dam Rd
Wallops Island, VA 23337 USA
phone: 757-824-5636
web: www.msconsortium.org

Room amenities: A/C and Heat, Nightstand, Clothing Storage

Facility amenities: The residence hall is located across campus from meeting spaces and cafeteria, with parking available nearby. A coin-operated laundry room is available. The campus has a large lounge for participants with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games, and television. Wireless Internet access is available in the main Education Center.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: There are two bathrooms per set of four rooms. Each bathroom has two sinks, two showers, and two toilets. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms. (There will never be more than 4 people sharing one bathroom. Usually there are only two).

Additional nights before: $35
Please call the MSC to make a reservation.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Three: Tuesday, April 30 - Kiptopeke State Park 
Breakfast: Breakfast will be a tailgate breakfast served in the field.

Morning: We will venture down the Eastern shore to Kiptopeke State Park, which sits on the southern tip. Kiptopeke provides excellent wildlife viewing in a unique and interesting habitat. Without question, this is one of the finest sites in the Americas to view migrating birds of prey, especially from a handicap accessible elevated platform. A raptor banding station is also in operation at the park during migrations. The annual hawk watch counts in excess of 70,000 raptors. Songbird migrations in spring and fall also produce large numbers of wood warblers, and the total species list for the park exceeds 300 birds.

Lunch: We will be having lunch out.

Afternoon: We will be spending our afternoon in Kiptopeke State Park.

Dinner: Dinner will be in the MSC cafeteria.

Evening: Review of the bird species encountered during the day. Then we will have a lecture on barrier islands: the natural history, importance and future of these unique ecosystems. Gain an understanding of how birds play in integral part of this biological community.

Lodging: Residence Hall, Marine Science Consortium

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Field Station

 Description: The Marine Science Consortium (MSC) is a residential environmental learning center and field station which provides hands-on educational programs on coastal and marine environments. Road Scholar participants will be housed in one of the MSC’s residence halls. The residence hall is two stories tall and has no elevator. This facility is set up like a college-style dorm or camp retreat center where bedrooms are grouped into sets of four bedrooms, accessed through one exterior locking door. Inside participants will find four comfortable bedrooms and two bathrooms. Bedrooms have single twin beds, no bunk beds. There are two bathrooms per set of four rooms. Each bathroom has two sinks, two showers with changing areas, and two toilets. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. (There will never be more than 4 people sharing one bathroom. Usually there are only two). All rooms are comfortable with central heat, and air conditioning. Each room has 2-4 beds, one night stand, a lamp and clothing storage. These accommodations give participants the private space they need, in private single bedrooms or shared with desired roommate, as well as great opportunities for socializing with others. Meals are served in a common dining room shared by all MSC guests. A hot meal option is provided along with cereal, fruit, and yogurt available at breakfast and a salad bar available at lunch and dinner. Some meals are also taken at area restaurants that feature a variety of local seafood specialties. While our address says that MSC is located on Wallops Island, participants will find that our campus is not actually on an island. We share a historic postal code with the nearby NASA Wallops Flight Facility and Navy base because of our common history and partnership. We are just a 5-minute drive away from three of Virginia's beautiful barrier islands- Wallops, Chincoteague, and Assateague.

Contact info:
34001 Mill Dam Rd
Wallops Island, VA 23337 USA
phone: 757-824-5636
web: www.msconsortium.org

Room amenities: A/C and Heat, Nightstand, Clothing Storage

Facility amenities: The residence hall is located across campus from meeting spaces and cafeteria, with parking available nearby. A coin-operated laundry room is available. The campus has a large lounge for participants with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games, and television. Wireless Internet access is available in the main Education Center.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: There are two bathrooms per set of four rooms. Each bathroom has two sinks, two showers, and two toilets. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms. (There will never be more than 4 people sharing one bathroom. Usually there are only two).

Additional nights before: $35
Please call the MSC to make a reservation.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Four: Wednesday, May 01 - Birding by boat/ Free Afternoon/ Lecture 
Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the MSC cafeteria.

Morning: Climb aboard one of our research vessels and visit the very estuary that makes the Atlantic Flyway such a popular route for migratory birds. Look for eagles, hawks, osprey, waterfowl, wading birds and shore birds.

Morning: Optional early morning birding walk on a path through one of Assateague's managed wetlands.

Lunch: Lunch will be in the MSC cafeteria.

Afternoon: This is a free afternoon to visit some of the local sites, explore the town of Chincoteague, walk the trails of the Wildlife Refuge, do some birding on your own, fish, shop, or just relax on our pristine beach!

Dinner: Dinner will be in the MSC cafeteria.

Evening: Speaker

Lodging: Residence Hall, Marine Science Consortium

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Field Station

 Description: The Marine Science Consortium (MSC) is a residential environmental learning center and field station which provides hands-on educational programs on coastal and marine environments. Road Scholar participants will be housed in one of the MSC’s residence halls. The residence hall is two stories tall and has no elevator. This facility is set up like a college-style dorm or camp retreat center where bedrooms are grouped into sets of four bedrooms, accessed through one exterior locking door. Inside participants will find four comfortable bedrooms and two bathrooms. Bedrooms have single twin beds, no bunk beds. There are two bathrooms per set of four rooms. Each bathroom has two sinks, two showers with changing areas, and two toilets. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. (There will never be more than 4 people sharing one bathroom. Usually there are only two). All rooms are comfortable with central heat, and air conditioning. Each room has 2-4 beds, one night stand, a lamp and clothing storage. These accommodations give participants the private space they need, in private single bedrooms or shared with desired roommate, as well as great opportunities for socializing with others. Meals are served in a common dining room shared by all MSC guests. A hot meal option is provided along with cereal, fruit, and yogurt available at breakfast and a salad bar available at lunch and dinner. Some meals are also taken at area restaurants that feature a variety of local seafood specialties. While our address says that MSC is located on Wallops Island, participants will find that our campus is not actually on an island. We share a historic postal code with the nearby NASA Wallops Flight Facility and Navy base because of our common history and partnership. We are just a 5-minute drive away from three of Virginia's beautiful barrier islands- Wallops, Chincoteague, and Assateague.

Contact info:
34001 Mill Dam Rd
Wallops Island, VA 23337 USA
phone: 757-824-5636
web: www.msconsortium.org

Room amenities: A/C and Heat, Nightstand, Clothing Storage

Facility amenities: The residence hall is located across campus from meeting spaces and cafeteria, with parking available nearby. A coin-operated laundry room is available. The campus has a large lounge for participants with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games, and television. Wireless Internet access is available in the main Education Center.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Bathroom: There are two bathrooms per set of four rooms. Each bathroom has two sinks, two showers, and two toilets. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms. (There will never be more than 4 people sharing one bathroom. Usually there are only two).

Additional nights before: $35
Please call the MSC to make a reservation.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Five: Thursday, May 02 - Pocomoke River/ Ward Museum/ Live Musical Performance 
Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the MSC cafeteria.

Morning: Day trip to Pocomoke State park. Explore one of the northernmost cypress swamps alongside one of the Maryland's scenic rivers.

Lunch: Lunch will be a grill out in the field.

Afternoon: Visit the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art! In the heart of the Atlantic Flyway, the Museum features the world's largest public collection of Waterfowl Art.

Dinner: Seafood Feast! We will go out to a local resturant to sample some of our local fare.

Evening: This evening we will have a wonderful performance by a local musical group !

Lodging: Residence Hall, Marine Science Consortium

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Six: Friday, May 03 - Restricted Wallops Island Visit/ Check Out 
Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the MSC Cafeteria.

Morning: Head out to Wallops Island to explore their well-preserved dune systems and untouched shore.

Lunch: Lunch will be in the MSC Cafeteria.

Afternoon: Check out with your instructor.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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Important information about your itinerary:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date.
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•5 nights of accommodations
•15 meals: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
•3 Expert-led lectures
•8 Field trips
•1 Performances
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