Spring Birding Extravaganza
Again this year we are partnering with our neighboring conservation organizations for a Spring Birding Extravaganza during April and May. In collaboration with Merrymeeting Audubon, Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, and Phippsburg Land Trust there are many opportunities to get outside to watch and learn about birds, while visiting beautiful natural places, including forests, farms and ocean shoreline.
On April 18 at 8:00am join us for a walk through the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust’s Sewall Woods Preserve in Bath led by Merrymeeting Audubon’s Ted Allen. The group will hike along Whiskeag Creek, a tidal influenced stream that flows into the Kennebec River. Birders will seek migrating waterfowl including Canada geese, black ducks, mallards, blue- and green-winged teal, and common mergansers. Participants can meet at 7:30am at the CVS in Bath to carpool. For more information: Ted Allen, 729-8661.
On Sunday, April 26 at 1 p.m. join us for a special birding outing designed for kids and families. Birding for kids is designed to help children recognize common birds in their neighborhoods, as well as to introduce them to simple ways they can try to identify birds that are unfamiliar to them. Families will learn some simple bird songs, how the shape of a bird can tell you about what it eats and how a bird’s habitat can help you figure out what it is. This event is part of a series of Harpswell Family Outings, a collaborative effort of the Harpswell Recreation Department, Harpswell Community Nursery School and Harpswell Heritage Land Trust. For more information: Julia McLeod, 207-837-9613, outreach@hhltmaine.org.
On Thursday, May 14 at 7:30 am join us for a walk through the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust’s Crystal Spring Farm in Brunswick. Jan Pierson will lead participants through a variety of habitats including fields, forests, and ponds. We hope to see sparrows, bluebirds, boblinks, and several species of warblers. For more information visit www.btlt.org/birding-csf or contact Lee Cataldo, 207-729-7694, lee@btlt.org.
On Wednesday May 20 at 7:00am join Jan Pierson at a Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust preserve on upper Middle Bay to watch for migrants along the preserve edge, listen for residents already back, and check the marsh and cove with a scope. Upper Middle Bay is a vibrant migratory area with hundreds of species passing through each spring. Parking is limited for this event, so please RSVP at www.btlt.org/birding-middle-bay for details, or contact Lee Cataldo, 207-729-7694, lee@btlt.org
On Saturday, May 30 at 8:00am, Ted Allen from Merrymeeting Audubon is leading birders through the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust’s Thorne Head Preserve in Bath. Overlooking Whiskeag Creek as it converges with the Kennebec River, the preserve is located on the Maine Birding Trail and is rich in migrating warblers and vireos. Participants can meet at 7:30 am at the CVS in Bath to carpool. For more information: Ted Allen, 729-8661.
