Free tour of rebuilt Poplar Island. - The island was almost lost to sea level rise. it is being rebuilt using clean dredge spoil. The absence of predators makes it a good place for declining bird species to breed, e.g. least tern, common tern, black duck. The challenge is to encourage these species while discouraging cormorants, herring gulls and mute swans. Diamond back terrapins breed here. Adopt-a- terrapin programs in schools are helping to reduce the problem of great blue heron predation. Meet at the boat dock by turning left at the first street after the bridge to Tilghman Island then left again after the second or third house on the left. (Tilghman Island can be reached by the road from St. Michaels, Maryland.) Bring lunch.

For anyone who wants to come down on the night before the trip, the best rates are at Harrison's Country Inn, which is further down the entry road just past the fire house on the left across an open field (21551 Chesapeake) The boat holds 24 people. Members of Delaware Audubon Society, DOS and the Sierra Club may come. Car pooling will be arranged. Reservations to Al Matlack at 302-239-5383or amatlack@udel.edu. For a pictorial review see www.ser.org/midatl/pdf/Erwin.pdf

The boat from Tilghman Island holds 24 people. We are inviting the Society of Ecological Restoration, Delaware Audubon Society and DOS to join us. Make reservations with Al Matlack at 302-239-5383 or amatlack@udel.edu.

This trip is organized by the Society for Natural History of Delaware.