Please Stay Off Middle Island Or “Bird Island” in The Inland Bays

Middle Island Is An Off Limits Bird Preserve For Nesting Shorebirds

The signs on Middle Island (bird island) to be posted by the Center For The Inland Bays this week.

(August 2019) … There are signs placed yearly, around Middle Island, also known as bird island by the Center For The Inland Bays. Located in the Indian River Bay just outside of Massey’s Ditch, the one with the big bird nest cages, and boat crippling sand bars.

This island is not owned by the state of Delaware, it belongs to the Tunnell Family. They have allowed the Center Of The Inland Bays to make it a bird preserve over the years. It is private property, you are trespassing.

Middle island or Bird island shots taken this winter by Driscoll drones 2019

People constantly park on the sand bars around the island and over the summer several people were seen on the island. Please stay off of the island, not only is it private property, but it is a bird preserve. You are welcome to use the sand bars just avoid the island. Middle Island is already having issues with erosion. You can see in the two aerial shots that the nest “trees” are now in the water. Please keep your pets off the island as well. Parking too close to the island could cause that entire area to become off limits.

Middle island or Bird island shots taken this summer by Driscoll drones

Even if you are just going to park and enjoy the sand bar for the day. Respect the island’s boundaries. It is preferred that people not approach the island so as not to disturb the nesting birds. Park your boat as far away as possible to help alleviate that issue. To learn more about middle island and the Center For The Inland Bays’ Middle Island Rookery Project

Fish On!
Rich King

The signs on Middle Island (bird island) to be posted by the Center For The Inland Bays this week.