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November 1, 2026 |

Blackwater NWR Birding Trip

Join In Color Birding as we again hit the road out of the city to see some new things and bird some new places! We are headed to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge! We’ve taken trips to Cape May, Cape Henlopen, The NY Rockaways, and Central Park. We hope this trip continues our tradition of traveling as friends and birders to experience the great birds our region has to offer. See the details of the birds at Blackwater recently here.

There are limited seats on the bus so please purchase your spot today. The purchase includes a spot on the bus, lunch, and bird guides to help with all of the birding/community connection we can muster.

To attend this event you must do TWO things.

  1. Register via the form below (usual process)
  2. Purchase your ticket ($25) here.

Enjoy a bus ride from West Philly to Blackwater NWR. We will enjoy some migration birding along the refuge and the surrounding trails (2-3 hrs in the morning), followed by lunch, then a visit to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument for history and more birding. We will then hop back on the bus and head back to Philly. The ride to and from Maryland takes about 2.5 hrs.

More specific event details will be sent to those who register however, note that this will be an early morning departure (~5am) and an arrival back in Philly around 6-7pm.

Accessible restrooms are available at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors can access fully accessible facilities at multiple key locations throughout the refuge, including both indoor and outdoor options. There will be accessible restrooms when we arrive at the refuge and we will make it a point to return there is needed or ensure we have access to restrooms at other areas (including over lunch). We will provide water and snacks for the ride down and back.

We will use the bus to travel the auto loop and stop as needed to observe birds and travel a few of the trails. The trails are a mix of paved, boardwalk, and dirt.

Blackwater NWR Trail Guide & Accessibility

  • Marsh Edge Trail (0.4-mile loop): Fully Accessible. Completely paved with an 80-foot boardwalk extending over the river. Excellent for strollers, wheelchairs, and easy walking. (Note: Subject to seasonal closures for nesting eagles/herons).
  • Woods Trail (0.8-mile loop): Easy Terrain. A flat, unpaved forest loop with a natural dirt and pine-needle surface. Best for standard foot traffic. Features historic steam boiler wreckage along the route.
  • Tubman Road Trail (1.5 to 2.2 miles): Moderate Hiking. A primitive, unpaved trail passing through forests and tidal marshes. Expect natural, uneven terrain that can get muddy or wet. (Note: May close periodically in the fall for deer management).
  • Key Wallace Trail (2.7-mile loop): Longest Hike. A moderate, rustic trail following old dirt roads through dense timber stands. Takes about 2 hours to complete on foot. (Note: May close periodically in the fall for deer management).
  • Wildlife Drive (4-mile loop): Drive or Walk. A fully paved, shared-use auto route running along freshwater ponds and marshes. Perfect for scenic driving, road cycling, or flat walking with maximum visibility.

We will refrain from areas that present accessibility challenges for any of our attendees. There is plenty to see so we will not miss a thing. Binoculars will be provided and at least 2 scopes will be shared among the group.There will be ample opportunity to rest along trails as the bus will be with us. We will move at a pace that is feasible for all attendees.

We do prefer that folks ride the bus to be a bit more eco friendly if possible. A few details about the bus.

  1. We do understand there may be situations where driving is more accessible. The bus is not wheelchair accessible but if we can help with your transport otherwise, we’d love to help (i.e. cover any additional costs incurred for fuel and transportation).
  2. The bus ride is about 2.5 hrs each way
  3. There are a few steps to get onto the bus (3-4).
  4. We are unclear if the bus has a restroom but we will be planning to stop at a rest stop on the way down as needed. Please be ready to speak up at any moment that is needed.
  5. If you register and are still choosing to drive, please just email us at info@incolorbirding.org so we can be sure to include you in the head count.

Also, if you’d like to attend but would like to be sponsored due to any financial limitations, please also email us at the address above.

Name
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Liability Waiver Acknowledgment
Waiver and Release of Liability
IN CONSIDERATION OF the risk of injury that exists while participating in OUTDOOR NATURE/BIRD OBSERVATION (hereinafter the “Activity”); and

IN CONSIDERATION OF my desire to participate in said Activity and being given the right to participate in same;

I HEREBY, for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, or personal representatives (hereinafter collectively, “Releasor,” “I” or “me”, which terms shall also include Releasor’s parents or guardian if Releasor is under 18 years of age), knowingly and voluntarily enter into this WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY and hereby waive any and all rights, claims or causes of action of any kind arising out of my participation in the Activity; and

I HEREBY release and forever discharge IN COLOR BIRDING CLUB, INC. , located at 327 Laurel Dr, Royersford, Pennsylvania 19468, their affiliates, managers, members, agents, attorneys, staff, volunteers, heirs, representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns (collectively “Releasees”), from any physical or psychological injury that I may suffer as a direct result of my participation in the aforementioned Activity.

I AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THE AFOREMENTIONED ACTIVITY AND I AM PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITY ENTIRELY AT MY OWN RISK. I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVITY, WHICH MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY, PAIN, SUFFERING, ILLNESS, DISFIGUREMENT, TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT DISABILITY (INCLUDING PARALYSIS),

ECONOMIC OR EMOTIONAL LOSS, AND DEATH. I UNDERSTAND THAT THESE INJURIES OR OUTCOMES MAY ARISE FROM MY OWN OR OTHERS’ NEGLIGENCE, CONDITIONS RELATED TO TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE ACTIVITY, OR FROM CONDITIONS AT THE ACTIVITY LOCATION(S). NONETHELESS, I ASSUME ALL RELATED RISKS, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN TO ME, OF MY PARTICIPATION IN THIS ACTIVITY.

I FURTHER AGREE to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Releasees against any and all claims, suits or actions of any kind whatsoever for liability, damages, compensation or otherwise brought by me or anyone on my behalf, including attorney’s fees and any related costs.

I FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE that Releasees are not responsible for errors, omissions, acts or failures to act of any party or entity conducting a specific event or activity on behalf of Releasees. In the event that I should require medical care or treatment, I authorize In Color Birding Club, Inc. to provide all emergency medical care deemed necessary, including but not limited to, first aid, CPR, the use of AEDs, emergency medical transport, and sharing of medical information with medical personnel. I further agree to assume all costs involved and agree to be financially responsible for any costs incurred as a result of such treatment. I am aware and understand that I should carry my own health insurance.

I FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE that this Activity may involve a test of a person’s physical and mental limits and may carry with it the potential for death, serious injury, and property loss. I agree not to participate in the Activity unless I am medically able and properly trained, and I agree to abide by the decision of the In Color Birding Club, Inc. official or agent, regarding my approval to participate in the Activity.

I HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS “WAIVER AND RELEASE” AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY. I EXPRESSLY AGREE TO RELEASE AND DISCHARGE In Color Birding Club, Inc. AND ALL OF ITS AFFILIATES, MANAGERS, MEMBERS, AGENTS, ATTORNEYS, STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, HEIRS, REPRESENTATIVES, PREDECESSORS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTION AND I AGREE TO VOLUNTARILY GIVE UP OR WAIVE ANY RIGHT THAT I OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING A LEGAL ACTION AGAINST In Color Birding Club, Inc. FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

To the extent that statute or case law does not prohibit releases for ordinary negligence, this release is also for such negligence on the part of In Color Birding Club, Inc. , its agents, and employees.

I agree that this Release shall be governed for all purposes by Pennsylvania law, without regard to any conflict of law principles. This Release supersedes any and all previous oral or written promises or other agreements.

In the event that any damage to equipment or facilities occurs as a result of my or my family’s or my agent’s willful actions, neglect or recklessness, I acknowledge and agree to be held liable for any and all costs associated with any such actions of neglect or recklessness.

THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE DURATION OF MY PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY, DURING THIS INITIAL AND ALL SUBSEQUENT EVENTS OF PARTICIPATION.
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