May 2012 Ayers Creek Adventures Paddler

View our full Schedule of Events on our web site and stay tuned for more details. If there are any items of special interest to you, please let us know.

Life on the Creek!

Kayaking down Ayers Creek offers spectacular views of nature and wildlife. Various birds such as bald eagle, osprey, heron, egret, tern, ibis and plover fly above seeking their next meal. Looking around you, the salt marsh is active with wildlife demonstrating its importance to the survival of coastal fauna.

A closer look into the salt marshes will reveal several types of grasses and shrubs. Grasses included spartina alterniflora, spartina patens and common reed grass called Phragmites. While spartina grasses provide diverse habitat for terns, ducks, herons, and ibis, Phragmites do not. Phragmites is an invasive and exotic grass that provides limited habitat value for the regional wildlife. It out-competes native grasses and stresses local wildlife by limiting nesting and foraging areas. In fact, at most federal and state parks, efforts are underway to control the spread of Phragmites.

There is scientific debate regarding Phragmites. Some argue that it has been here for thousands of years and has value in controlling erosion and providing a food source for some fish. Others argue that it creates a mono-culture that provides little diversity in these coastal habitats. Come to Ayers Creek to witness for yourself the importance these grasses and potential impact Phragmites may have on the local environment.

Phragmites

Spartina Alterniflora

Worcester Green Awards

Birding Weekend Ayers Creek Adventures is very honored to have been a winner in the first annual Worcester County Green Awards.

That's right, Worcester County selects businesses, groups and individuals that should be recognized for their "green" practices.

Ayers Creek Adventures was selected for rainwater infiltration landscaping, native plant landscaping, waste reuse and recycling, waste minimization and environmental education practices. These practices are the essence of our business!

Congratulations to the other award recipients: Baked Dessert Cafe and Gallery, Park Place Hotel, Grow Berlin Green and teacher Karen McCabe.

Winners received these beautiful glass awards by Jeffrey Auxer Designs. If you haven't visited Jeffrey's studio yet it is a must see next time you are in Berlin.

Spring Open House

Start off your Memorial Day Weekend with a visit to Ayers Creek Adventures on Saturday May 26th for our Annual Spring Open House. Enjoy complimentary one hour kayak rentals and special pricing on our Forested Wetlands tour. If you haven't been out to see us yet this season the open house is a great way to kick off your 2012 paddling season.

We are Back at Ocean Pines & Castaways Campground

We are pleased to be continuing our partnerships with Ocean Pines Parks and Recreation and Castaways Campground. These sites will be open for business on weekends beginning Memorial Day. Weekday hours will begin June 20th.

Hours:

Ocean Pines (on the beach at the Swim & Racquet Club)

Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday: Noon - 5:00 PM

Castaways Campground

Tuesday - Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

½ day, daily, and multi-day rentals available at both locations. You may also schedule rentals or tours at both sites by appointment.

If you want to try some open water paddling or explore some new scenery please visit us at one of these great remote sites.

Worcester Youth & Family Counseling Services (WYFCS) Moonlight Benefit
Join us for a special moonlight paddle to benefit WYFCS on Friday evening June 9th. This will be a fun filled night for a great cause. We will depart at 6:30 PM for an enchanting paddle where you will experience the surreal beauty of Maryland's coastal waterways in a whole new light. Enjoy a peaceful paddle to a bald eagle nesting area as we watch the sun set and the full moon rise over the water. Then we will return to Ayers Creek Adventures for a bonfire featuring a selection of local wines from Fenwick Wine Cellars, delicious food, toasted marshmallows and s'mores. Cost $60 per person, checks made payable to WYFCS. Tickets available at WYFCS or Ayers Creek Adventures. Give us a call at 888-602-6288 to reserve your spot.

Reserve now as this event is expected to sell out.

Summer Camps

If you are looking for something fun and different for the kids to do this summer, consider signing them up for one of the Kayak Adventure Camps offered through Ocean Pines Park and Rec. Camp Kayak Adventure is a full day of fun, paddling, and hands on science for ages 10 - 13. We will be offering the camp on two dates this year. Friday June 22nd and Friday July 27th. Get the full details and sign up now at Ocean Pines Summer Activity Guide (page 7).

Summer Camp at Ayers Creek Adventures

Dad Paddle's Free on Father's Day
Give Dad a good paddling on Father's Day! On Saturday June 16th and Sunday June 17th, Dad paddles free with at least one child (may be adult child) paying full price. Valid for Forested Wetlands Tour, Salt Marsh Tour, and rentals.

Bring Dad on by for a unique Fathers Day celebration!!

Pink Ribbon Kayak Raffle

We will once again be raffling off a Regal Pink Ribbon Kayak to benefit Worcester County Women Supporting Women and Komen for the Cure. We will be selling tickets for $5 each all season long and will raffle the kayak during our Third Annual Pink Paddle on September 29th - you do not need to be present to win.

Buy your tickets now and start making an immediate difference in the fight against breast cancer. Tickets may be purchased at Ayers Creek Adventures or Baked Desserts Cafe and Gallery, or just send us an email and we can mail you the tickets.

Thank you all for your continued support and patronage.

Happy Paddling,

Suzy & Steve Taylor
Ayers Creek Adventures

8628 Grey Fox Lane | Berlin, MD 21811

Phone: 443-513-0889 | 888-602-6288

Email: info@ayerscreekadventures.com