Bird the southern tip of South Monomoy, an island (now connected with the mainland) in the National Wildlife Refuge that extends up to twelve miles south of Chatham Light into Nantucket Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, with sanctuary director Bob Prescott. Enjoy a special trip to the Powderhole, a salt pond on the island's southwest corner. The remote nature of this spot, and its position at the tip of a peninsula, provides an opportunity to see rare birds and explore the unique characteristics of an isolated barrier beach. The only federally designated wilderness area in the eastern U.S., South Monomoy is a great place for watching shorebirds, terns, and waterfowl; seals are spotted on occasion.
This excursion to a pristine wilderness begins with a 40-45 minute boat shuttle and involves moderate walking in soft sand and through poison ivy. Trip participants meet 30 minutes before the program at Veteran's Field Road in Chatham (directions will be provided) for a Mass Audubon van shuttle to Outermost Harbor Marine where we will board a small vessel.
We welcome birders of all levels on our birding trips. Please note that these trips are designed for those with a specific interest in birds; the naturalist's goal is to help participants find and observe as many bird species as possible.
Instructions and Directions: Pre-registration required. All participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Program registrations will not be taken on-site by the program leader.
This trip involves wading ashore from a boat; your feet will get wet and you may get wet up to your knees or thighs, depending on the tide and your stature. Please be prepared to walk on wet sand for up to 4 miles; note that walking on sand is more strenuous that walking on dirt or concrete. You will be exposed to sun, wind, and salt spray. We recommend that you bring binoculars, sunscreen, windbreaker, hat, and drinking water. Bathrooms are available at the docks (or at the meeting locations), but not on the beaches.
Please note our cancellation policy: In order to receive a refund, you must notify us of your cancellation at least 7 days before the program begins. If we cancel the program, you will receive a full refund. We reserve the right to change programs, schedules, and instructors, and to cancel programs due to unfavorable weather.
Exploring wild areas can lead to unique experiences; at the same time, viewing wildlife can be unpredictable. Our program descriptions provide a guideline to what we can expect to see. However, the absence of a particular species is not a valid basis for a refund request.
