Events Subject to Cancellation Due to Shutdown

The 2025 Prime Hook Nature Photography Contest has been cancelled.

During the federal government shutdown, staff is furloughed without pay. The visitor contact station and restrooms are closed. There is no one available to answer the phone. All events have been paused until further notice.

Please send questions to: info@friendsofprimehook.org



Friends of Prime Hook Events



The gates of Prime Hook NWR are open every day of the year from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset.


The administrative office is open M-F from 8am-4:30pm. The visitor center is open M-F from 9am-4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am-3pm or when the OPEN flag is flying. Both are closed on national holidays.


2025 Hunting Closures (all roads and trails will be closed): Tuesday, October 14 and Tuesday, November 18. The Visitor Contact Station and restrooms will still be accessible.



Questions? Contact us at (302) 684-8419



FRIENDS OF PRIME HOOK NATURE BOOK CLUB

POSTPONED DUE TO SHUTDOWN. WILL RESCHEDULE.

Wednesday, October 1 ~ 6:30 pm
Prime Hook NWR Multipurpose Room





The Friends of Prime Hook Nature Book Club meets about every 6 weeks on Wednesday evening to discuss the group's latest selection. Join us in October to discuss Jennifer Pharr Davis' story of her adventures on the Appalachian Trail, Becoming Odyssa. The book is available from the Delaware library system.


Please register so we know to expect you! Thanks!


REGISTER

FIRST SATURDAY GUIDED BIRD WALKS

OCT 4th WALK CANCELLED DUE TO SHUTDOWN

Saturdays: Nov 1, Dec 6
8:00 am - 10:00 am
Meet in parking lot near Dike & Boardwalk Trailheads





First Saturday guided bird walks are back! Whether you’re a newcomer to birding or you’ve been birding for a little or a long time, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on our First Saturday Bird Walks. Join members of the Sussex Bird Club as they set a leisurely pace for birdwatching on the Dike and Boardwalk Trails.


Rain cancels this event.


For your comfort, please dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes. The group leaders will have a scope for long-distance viewing but please feel free to bring your own scope, binoculars, and camera.



SOUNDS OF SUNSET & FULL MOONRISE WALK

CANCELLED DUE TO SHUTDOWN

Monday, October 6 @ 5:30 pm
Meet at Fleetwood Pond Parking Lot





Julie & Nancy have decided to change the format of their night walks. You will always be able to select your own style of wildlife viewing and you can decide which group to join each time we meet. We're planning our walks so both groups should be able to see the sunset and the moonrise. The sun sets at 6:30 pm and the moon rises at 7:00 pm.


Nancy will lead the "Movin' and Groovin' Gang." She will take this group on a fairly brisk walk along the Pine Grove Trail while looking for migrating birds.


Julie will lead the "Experiencing Nocturnal Wildlife from the Slow Lane" group. This is for folks who, like Julie, have some physical limitations that slow them down, or for anyone who just prefers walking slowly or doing a "sit," where we would spend some time sitting quietly and connecting with the nighttime world of Prime Hook.



WANDERING REFUGE AMBASSADOR

OCT 11 EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO SHUTDOWN

Saturdays: Nov 15, Dec 6
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Accessible Trails
(John may pop-up on other random weekend days)





WEATHER PERMITTING: Look for John Knapp on either the Dike or Boardwalk Trails. John will be available to help you with bird identification, refuge information, instruction, and more.


John Knapp has been enjoying birds for over 35 years, both here and abroad. For many years he led beginning birding walks for NJ Audubon, National Audubon, as well as NJ Fish and Wildlife. He participated in numerous Christmas bird counts, bird nesting surveys, and hawk watches in his home state of New Jersey.



FOWLER BEACH & FOWLER BEACH ROAD CLEANUP

POSTPONED DUE TO SHUTDOWN

Saturday, October 18, 2025
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Meet in Fowler Beach Fishing Parking Lot





Join the Friends to clean up Fowler Beach and Fowler Beach Road.


Gloves, safety vests, trash grabbers, and garbage bags will be provided.


REGISTRATION REQUIRED


REGISTER

WALK ABOUT & DISCOVER PRIME HOOK

OCT 19 EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO SHUTDOWN

Sundays: Nov 16, Dec 21
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Meet in main parking lot of Refuge HQ





WEATHER PERMITTING: Join April for a moderate walk of up to 2-1/2 miles and discover the trails in Prime Hook. There will be exit points for those participants who don’t wish to walk the whole distance. Meet at the Refuge visitor center.


"Exploring nature has long been of interest to me. It provides an outlet for stress and satisfies my craving for adventure. Walking the trails at Prime Hook was a blessing during COVID and I keep coming back. I never know what I will see, but I am guaranteed peace and beauty wandering the various pathways here." ~ April



UPCOMING PROGRAMS



We're busy finalizing plans for several programs. Stay tuned for more details.



  • Stories on the Patio: Halloween edition
  • Fowler Beach nesting program with Erin
  • Gardening for Birds with Eileen McLellan
  • Children's book readings in the multipurpose room
  • Owl prowl
  • Identifying Butterflies and Moths
  • Our Beneficial Bugs
  • Dragonflies and Damselflies




Friends of Prime Hook NWR
12322 Turkle Pond Road
Milton, DE 19968
(302) 684-8419
info@friendsofprimehook.org