November is here, and that means it's rarity season in Maine! Join us on November 9th for an exciting trip to Fort Foster in Kittery, one of the top birding spots in the state. This beautiful 88-acre site features three beaches connected by trails, plus a long pier that offers fantastic views of water birds and sights like Whaleback Lighthouse and Jerry's Point Lifesaving Station.

We'll explore the shoreline, wetlands, and wooded trails of Fort Foster, looking for lingering migrant birds and our winter visitors. And of course, we’ll keep an eye out for any rare finds! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to enjoy birdwatching and connect with fellow teen birders!

LOGISTICS:  Dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes.  Bring the following: filled water bottle, a bagged lunch and snacks, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, camera (optional), scope (if you have one), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair.  

MEET UP and PICK UP: We will be meeting at 8:00am at Fort Foster on Pocahontas Road in Kittery, ME.  Please drive past the gate and park in the dirt lot on the left, just before the fort (see map). Pickup will be at 11:00am in the same spot.

Registration and carpooling details will be emailed to MYBC members. Not a member? Email us at info@maineyoungbirders.org to find out how to join!

The Maine Young Birders Club has a special trip planned for Saturday, October 19th and we hope you can join us! We will begin our adventure by birding the summit of Mt. Agamenticus, located in Cape Neddick, Maine. After that, we will visit the nearby Center For Wildlife where we will meet some of their wildlife ambassadors, explore their nature center, and more. Space is limited so please let us know as soon as possible if you are able to attend!

Mount Agamenticus (or Mt. A, as it is affectionately called) is a great destination for hawk-watching in the months of September through November.  While the hawks can be hit-or-miss depending on the weather and the winds, Mt. A is always a wonderful spot to visit for excellent views of fall foliage and an extensive trail system that allows for abundant hiking. Mt. A can also be a great location to spot migrating sparrows and other songbirds. The smaller trees and shrubs located at the top along with expansive summit views can offer amazing looks at all different types of birds as well as mammals such as the American Porcupine.

After some (hopefully!) great birding, we will carpool down to the Center For Wildlife, located near the base of Mt. A for our 10 AM scheduled private visit. The Center for Wildlife (or CFW for short) is a privately funded wildlife clinic and education center that has treated over 82,000 injured or orphaned wildlife in its 38 years. A few years ago, the CFW relocated into a beautiful, purpose-built facility that annually hosts many animals in need as well as nature-loving humans looking to meet their animal ambassadors and learn more about the natural world. We will get to see some of these ambassadors up close and spend some time checking out their new facility!

LOGISTICS:  Dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes.  Bring the following: filled water bottle, snacks, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, camera (optional), scope (if you have one), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC will provide you with a pair.  

MEET UP and PICK UP: We will be meeting at 7:30 am at the Learning Lodge parking lot at the top of Mt. Agamenticus Road in York, ME. PLEASE NOTE: If parents wish to park and stay at the summit or base of Mt. Agamenticus, there is a parking fee for those who do not have Town of York parking permits (https://agamenticus.org/planning-your-visit/admission-fees/). Pickup will be at around 11:30 am at the Center for Wildlife parking area located at 375 Mountain Rd. Cape Neddick, ME. 03902.

After having to postpone our originally planned trip in May, we are thrilled to be able to offer this trip for MYBC on Saturday, September 21st (Rain Date: Saturday, September 28th)! Monhegan is a truly special place for birding during migration. A day of birding in September can feature southbound raptors, warblers, sparrows, waterfowl, and many others! While the destination is the island, birding on the ferry ride from New Harbor can bring views of gannets, gulls, and guillemots. We may even see harbor porpoises or Minke Whales!

Monhegan is a small, rocky island in Muscungous Bay about 10 miles offshore. This situates it as an important stopover point for migrating birds looking for a place to rest. We will spend the morning and early afternoon exploring, hitting hot spots such as the Ice Pond, the Community Garden, the Marsh, and others as time allows.

LOGISTICS: Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes—we will be covering a lot of ground.  The weather on the island can be cooler than the mainland, especially on the boat ride, so please bring appropriate layers.

Also bring the following: filled water bottle, lunch, binoculars, and a backpack in which you'll keep your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, please let us know ahead of the event and MYBC can provide you with a pair. 

MEET UP and PICK UP: Meet us at 8:30am at the Hardy Boat dock (129 State Route 32, New Harbor, Maine 04554). The boat departs at 9:00am sharp! Pick up will be at the same location around 4:30pm.

PARKING: In September the fee is $10 per day per vehicle, payable by cash or credit cards only (no personal checks). When a parking attendant is present please follow their instructions as you enter the lot. Be sure to grab your "Proof of Parking” Pass per vehicle from the chair on the porch of the parking booth and bring it with you to the dock. DO NOT LEAVE IT IN YOUR CAR. If no parking attendant is present, you will pay the parking fee at the ticketing booth on the dock.

Parking is in a large grassy field about a 5-minute walk along the rural road from the dock. You cannot park at Shaw’s Wharf; you will be towed. For parents dropping off young birders, you can do so at Shaw’s Wharf as long as you do not plan to leave your vehicle. (https://hardyboat.com/parking/)

COST: MYBC has funding to cover tickets for up to 6 young birders. We track all requests and be in touch by email with each person to confirm. To request one of these tickets, please note this in your registration email. Otherwise, you can purchase tickets here: https://hardyboat.com/cruises/monhegan-island-ferry-service/. We will be taking the 9:00am ferry on September 21st and returning on the 3:15pm ferry that afternoon .

We welcome parents to join us. You will need to purchase your own tickets using the link above . You can either choose to bird with MYBC or explore the island on your own and meet back up with us at the afternoon ferry.

If you choose to purchase your own tickets: PLEASE PURCHASE THE TRIP INSURANCE. In the event of cancellation, Hardy Boat will not issue a refund or reschedule your ticket if you do not have the insurance.

CANCELLATION: In the event that weather or sea conditions make the trip impossible, we will reach out to anyone who is signed up to attend as soon as we are notified of any scheduling changes. The rain date will be the following Saturday, September 28 at the same time and place.

Registration details to follow by email. If you want to join us, but are not yet a member of MYBC, contact info@maineyoungbirders.org for details on how to sign up.

While it may still feel like summer for many of us, in the bird world fall migration is underway.  Each year Maine is host to many shorebirds as they trek from their summer breeding grounds to their wintering grounds. They congregate along the beaches of Maine to refuel for their long journey.

On Sunday, August 18th from 7:00am-9:00am we are very excited to welcome special guest trip leader, Magill Weber, for a morning of shorebirding at Biddeford Pool. We will meet up with Magill at 7 am at the Marblehead boat launch in Biddeford Pool where we will do introductions and carpool to one of the best shorebirding locations York County has to offer; Hills Beach. MYBC will have a scope to use, but if you have your own feel free to bring it along.

Our targets for the day will include Sanderlings, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs, Piping Plovers, Sanderlings, Semipalmated Plovers, and any lingering Piping Plovers. We will also keep our eyes open for Red Knots, Black-Bellied Plovers, Dunlins, and any other fun (or rare!) migrating shorebirds we might encounter.

PLEASE NOTE: This trip will require carpooling between sites (15+ minutes). Also, please note that this trip is on a Sunday rather than a Saturday like most of our other MYBC trips.

LOGISTICS:  Dress in layers (it can be windy near the shore) and wear shoes that can get wet (our travels will take us across wet, sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, and wooded trails.)  Bring the following: a bagged snack, bug spray, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars/scope, camera (optional), and notebook (optional).  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair.

MEET UP AND PICK UP: 7 am at the Marblehead Boat Launch 16 Marblehead Lane, Biddeford ME 04005. Pick up approximately 9 am.

Registration details will be emailed to MYBC members. Not a member yet? Email info@maineyoungbirders.org to find out how to join us on these trips!

We are really excited to offer a trip to Stratton Island again this year to see the nesting terns! This 24-acre island is located in Saco Bay, 3 miles east of Old Orchard Beach in York County. In the event that weather or sea conditions prevent the trip, we will plan to host the trip the following day, Sunday July 7th.

Please note, we are limited to 10 young birders for this trip. Registration will be on a first come, first serve basis. Once full, we will create a waiting list. While we would love to have parents join us on this outing, since space is limited we will give preference to young birders. If any parents would like to attend please make a note in comments section of the registration and we will accommodate as space is available.

Stratton Island is notable for having the highest diversity of nesting waterbirds of any Maine island. The island's beaches provide nesting habitat for Common, Roseate, Arctic and Least Terns. These will be our target birds for this outing. The island also provides nesting habitat for several species that are at the northern limit of their range (e.g. Glossy Ibis, Little Blue Heron, Great Egret, and American Oystercatcher). Likewise, several northern species reach the southern limit of their ranges (e.g. Black Guillemot and Common Eider). The interior pond and wetland provide breeding habitat for several waterfowl species (e.g. Northern Shoveler, and Blue-winged Teal).

LOGISTICS:  To get onto the island and back to the mainland, participants will transfer from a larger boat to a landing skiff or dingy. Life jackets will be provided and must be worn at all times on the boats. Please be aware that you might be up to your knees in water getting on shore. Old sneakers or sandals are recommended for the slippery rocks below.  Dress in layers as it is often much cooler on the water and island compared to the mainland. You may also want to bring a water proof layer as you might encounter some ocean spray to and from the island by boat. Bring the following: filled water bottle, snacks/bagged lunch, hat, binoculars, camera (optional), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC will provide you with a pair. Bug spray and proper tick prevention procedures should be followed.

MEET UP and PICK UP:  We will meet at the Lobsterman’s Co-op at Pine Point in Scarborough (96 King St, Scarborough, ME 04074). We need to split into two groups. The first group will depart from the dock at 7:30AM and return to the dock at 11:00AM. The second group will depart at 8:15AM and return to the dock at 11:45AM. Your group will be confirmed after registration. Departure and arrival times may vary depending on the sea conditions. If transportation is a challenge, let us know and we’ll do our best to arrange a carpool.

There is no bathroom while on the island. There is restroom access at the dock. Please arrive 20 minutes early to ensure you have time to access restrooms and are ready to leave promptly at the scheduled departure time.

REGISTRATION: We are limited to 10 young birder for this trip. An email will be sent to all members with details on how to reserve your spot and our a waiver that must be signed by a parent/legal guardian. We will accept reservations on a first come, first serve basis. Once the trip is full, we will start a waiting list. We will also email to confirm which group you have been added to so you know your specific drop-off/pick-up times.

Upcoming Outings for 2024:
August 7, 2024-Shorebirding with Guest Leader Magill Weber
September 21, 2024- Fall Birding on Monhegan Island
October 19, 2024- Mt. Agamenticus & Center for Wildlife
November 9, 2024- Rarity Round up Fort Foster
December 28, 2024- Biddeford Christmas Bird Count

*dates and locations are subject to change

Calling all young adventurers and nature enthusiasts! Join the Maine Young Birders Club for an exciting morning of birdwatching at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland during spring migration!

Please join us Saturday, June 1st at Evergreen Cemetery. This 239-acre cemetery is a well-known hotspot for spring migrants with old-growth pine and oak, vegetation, and ponds. It has been host to nesting Great Horned Owls and the site of a few rarities including a Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, and Least Bittern in recent years.

We will meet by the ponds and explore the hotspots including the pond trail, brush pile, powerline cut and junk pond.

Please note: If you are not yet a member of the Maine Young Birder’s Club, we will gladly let you join us for our Evergreen Cemetery event free of charge so that you may experience one of our outings before committing. Please come try it out! Register at www.maineyoungbirders.org/join. At the bottom of the form select “I would like to attend a free trial outing before joining”.

LOGISTICS: Please bring binoculars (MYBC has extras if you need them), water, snacks, sunscreen, and weather-appropriate clothing and shoes. This trip will include a good amount of walking, including through areas which can be wet and/or muddy, so waterproof shoes or boots are recommended. Please also note that we’re well into tick season, so dress appropriately and perform a tick check after this outing.

MEETUP and PICKUP: We will meet at 8am the Evergreen Cemetery Ponds. Pick up will be in the same location at 11 am. If transportation is a challenge, let us know and we’ll do our best to arrange a carpool.

DIRECTIONS: Enter the cemetery through the main gate at 672 Stevens Ave. Take the first right onto Western Ave and follow this until you reach the ponds (see map). We will meet on the trail between the big pond and the smaller ponds.

Hardy Boat has cancelled their weekend ferry service for May 18th. We are postponing this trip as a result and will send our a new date for September.

Instead, we will meet at Hinckley Park in South Portland at 7AM (228 Highland Ave, South Portland, ME). If the lot is full, you may park along Scamman St.

Pickup will be at Kettle Cove State Park at 10AM (Kettle Cove Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME). Parking here is plentiful and free.

We are thrilled to be able to offer this trip for MYBC again. Monhegan is a truly special place for birding during migration. A day of birding in May can feature as many as 20 species of warblers in their bright spring plumage, and other species such as Scarlet Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, Merlin and more! While the destination is the island, birding on the ferry ride from New Harbor can bring views of Gannets, Laughing Gulls, terns and Black Guillemots. We may even see harbor porpoises or Minke Whales!

Monhegan is a small, rocky island in Muscungous Bay about 10 miles offshore. This situates it as an important stopover point for migrating birds looking for a place to rest after a long night’s flight. We will spend the morning and early afternoon exploring, hitting hot spots such as the Ice Pond, the Community Garden, the Marsh, and others as time allows.

While on the island, we will be participating in the York County Audubon Birding Challenge to help support future MYBC programming. You can help by asking friends and family to make a pledge for each bird species we identify during our outing or they can opt to contribute a fixed amount. Every donation makes a difference! Just visit https://go.dojiggy.io/yca2024/t/b136f8 and click on ‘Sponsor a Birder or Team.’ 

      TRIP DETAILS:

LOGISTICS: Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes—we will be covering a lot of ground.  The weather on the island can be cooler than the mainland, especially on the boat ride, so please bring appropriate layers.

Also bring the following: filled water bottle, lunch, binoculars, and a backpack in which you'll keep your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair. 

MEET UP and PICK UP: Meet us at 8:30am at the Hardy Boat dock (129 State Route 32, New Harbor, Maine 04554). The boat departs at 9:00am sharp! Pick up will be at the same location around 4:30pm.

PARKING: In May the fee is $10 per day per vehicle, payable by cash or credit cards only (no personal checks). You will pay the parking fee at the ticketing booth on the dock. Parking is about a 5-minute walk along the rural road from the dock, in a large grassy field. You cannot park at Shaw’s Wharf; you will be towed. For parents dropping off young birders, you can do so at Shaw’s Wharf as long as you do not plan to leave your vehicle. (https://hardyboat.com/parking/)

COST: MYBC has funding to cover tickets for up to 6 young birders. To request one of these tickets, please note this in your registration email. Otherwise, you can purchase tickets here: https://hardyboat.com/cruises/monhegan-island-ferry-service/. We will be taking the 9:00am ferry on May 18th and returning on the 3:15pm ferry that afternoon.

We welcome parents to join us. You will need to purchase your own tickets using the link above . You can either choose to bird with MYBC or explore the island on your own and meet back up with us at the afternoon ferry. It is recommended that you purchase the trip insurance. If you need to cancel or the trip is rescheduled this is the only way to receive a refund or transfer your registration.

CANCELLATION: In the event that weather or sea conditions make the trip impossible, we will reach out to anyone who is signed up to attend. We will do so as soon as we are notified of any scheduling changes.

Registration details to follow by email. If you want to join us, but are not yet a member of MYBC, contact info@maineyoungbirders.org for details on how to sign up.

Due to the recent storm—we are canceling this outing.

American Woodcocks are easiest to find at dusk in early spring, when the male performs a marvelous display flight, or “sky dance.”  We will attempt to locate a few woodcocks at Kennebunkport Conservation Trust again this year.  It can be difficult to locate the bird in dim light, so we will listen for the distinctive, buzzy peent call given by the male.  We will make our best attempt to spot a displaying woodcock, as it is an experience not to be missed!

Prior to looking for woodcocks, we will meet for a pizza dinner and games at Kennebunkport Conservation Trust Headquarters.  If you are planning to attend this field trip, please RSVP to the email invitation to help us get a headcount for the pizza. We will provide a vegetarian option. If anyone need gluten free crust, please note that in your R.S.V.P. (The pizza dinner will be covered by MYBC.)  A variety of game options will be available, including birding trivia and board games, so come apply your birding skills in a fun, new way!  After munching down some pizza and playing entertaining birding games, we'll head out into the evening to look for woodcocks.

LOGISTICS: Dress in layers and wear comfortable, WATERPROOF shoes—it can be quite mucky in spots.  We may be trekking through some wet, muddy fields, so rubber boots or waterproof hiking boots are best.

Also bring the following: hat & gloves, warm coat, filled water bottle, binoculars, and a backpack in which you'll keep your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair. 

MEET UP and PICK UP: Meet us at 5:00 pm at the Kennebunkport Land Trust headquarters parking lot at 57 Gravelly Brook Rd, Kennebunkport, ME 04046. Pick up will be at the same location around 8:00 pm.

Join us as we head to Massachusetts to explore Salisbury Beach State Reservation and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Both parks offer habits for native birds, from beaches and sand dunes to salt marshes and maritime forests. In the wintertime, you can expect to see a variety of ducks, cormorants, grebes and Norther Harriers as well as our target birds: Snowy, Long-eared and Short-eared Owls.  Check out some of the recent sightings at PRNWR: http://www.bartonstreet.com/tom/birds/guide/plumislandstatus2024.html

LOGISTICS:  Dress in WARM layers and wear comfortable WARM walking shoes.  Be sure to bring a hat, gloves, and toe/hand warmers if necessary.  We will be spending most of our time along the coast where it is exposed and cold, so it will be easy to catch a chill if underdressed.  Bring the following: filled water bottle or two, snacks, warm hat, warm coat, under-layers, gloves, socks, waterproof hiking boots, etc., binoculars, camera (optional), scope (if you have/want one), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair.

MEET UP: We will meet up at the Salisbury Beach State Reservation Lot 3 (1 State Reservation Rd, Salisbury, MA 01952) at 2:00PM. After the the gate, look for the sign for Lot 3 on your left. There is no cost to enter the park in the winter.

PICK UP will be at the Parker River National Wildlife Center(6 Plum Island Turnpike Newburyport, MA 01950-4315) at 5:00PM.

Parking at Parker River: For parents who wish to stay for the outing, if you want to join us for the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, there is a cost of $5/car to enter the reserve. Payable at the gate by cash or check only.

CARPOOLING: We will have limited carpooling available from Westbrook. If you would like to carpool, please note this in your registration and we will follow to confirm availability and meet up/pick up times.

This trip will be limited to the first 8 birders to sign up.

THIS TRIP HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL 2/3/2024 from 8AM-12PM DUE TO THE RISK OF ICE.

MEET UP 8AM/PICK UP 12PM—LOCATION IS NOW KETTLE COVE. (Kettle Cove Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107, GPS: 43.5621,-70.21867). Take Rt 77 to Kettle Cove Rd, follow Kettle Cove Rd to the end and you will arrive at the parking area. 

Winter birding in Maine can be fantastic along the coast, where seabirds are abundant along rocky capes and protected bays.  We are going explore several productive spots in Cape Elizabeth.

Join us as we explore Dyer Point, Kettle Cove and other stops such as Crescent Beach or Spurwink Marsh as time allows. We hope to see Harlequin Ducks, Eiders and scoters. There will also be a possibility of spotting the hard-to-find Razorbill, Dovekie, or King Eider.  We may also venture to the Strawberry Fields in search of Snow Buntings and Horned Larks.

LOGISTICS:  Dress in WARM layers and wear comfortable WARM walking shoes.  Be sure to bring a hat, gloves, and toe/hand warmers if necessary.  We will be spending most of our time along the coast where it is exposed and cold, so it will be easy to catch a chill if underdressed.  Bring the following: filled water bottle, snacks, a bagged lunch, warm hat, warm coat, gloves, binoculars, camera (optional), scope (if you have/want one), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair.

MEET UP and PICK UP: We will MEET UP at 8:00 AM at Dyer Point (next to the Lobster Shack) in Cape Elizabeth. PICK UP will be at in the same location at 12:00 PM.  

Follow GPS directions to the address of the Lobster Shack at Two Lights (225 Two Lights Rd., Cape Elizabeth).  However DO NOT park at the Lobster Shack.  Take Two Lights Rd. to its dead end where you will see a dirt parking lot.  We will be meeting in this parking lot (see photo of map below). 

CARPOOLING: If you wish to carpool out of Wells with Laurie or out of Westbrook with Marion, please indicate this in your RSVP.

We are very excited to return to our full Christmas Bird Count itinerary! Our December event is to partake in the annual Biddeford Christmas Bird Count (CBC) covering Section 1 with guest leader Nathan Hall. For newer members, this is a particularly special treat because Nathan is one of the founders of MYBC! The map of our section in included below with stars added for the general location of the Hannaford where we will meet for drop off. Section 1 includes OOB, Dune Grass Golf Club, Saco Heath, Goosefare Brook, Guild Park, and many other stops in between.

We are going to do something a little different for this event by having two “start times” and “optional” end times (should a young birder want to attend the compilation see Meet Up and Pickup below).

The CBC is the longest community science project in the history of this country, and we are excited to get to share this experience with the Maine Young Birders Club!

There will be a compilation at 4 pm (ish) at the church in Cape Porpoise. Young birders and parents are encouraged to attend. This is a great way to see how all of the data for the CBC are collected and a fun experience in general.

LOGISTICS:  Dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes (note it can be SUPER cold so please come prepared). Bring the following: filled water bottle, a bagged lunch and snacks, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, camera (optional), scope (if you have one), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair.  

MEET UP and PICK UP: We will have two meet up/drop off times. We will meet at 7:00 am the Saco Hannaford (Main St, Saco, MAP) near the McDonalds end of the lot for the first leg of the day. We will return to the Hannaford parking lot at 12:00 pm for lunch (there is a McDonalds and Wendy’s adjacent to the parking lot for those who want to purchase lunch). At this time, parents can pick up any young birders who wish to leave early. As mentioned above, if a young birder wishes to continue on to the compilation (and we encourage that) we will be meeting at 4:00 pm at the church in Cape Porpoise (3 Langsford Rd, Kennebunkport, ME 04046, MAP) and that will be the final pickup location. For parents not wishing to attend the compilation, please arrive for pickup by 6:00 pm.

CARPOOLING: If you wish to carpool out of Westbrook with Marion, please note this in your registration. Marion will follow up to confirm the meetup time. for carpooling.

Registration details will be emailed to MYBC members. If you are not a member and wish to join us, please email info@maineyoungbirders.org for more information.

It’s November in Maine and that means it is officially rarity season! Join us on November 4th as we return to Fort Foster, located in Kittery— one of the premiere birding destinations in Maine.  Located in Portsmouth Harbor, the 88 acre site includes 3 beaches with a trail system that connects the beaches together. A long pier extends off shore providing excellent platform for viewing water birds off shore as wells as views of Whaleback Lighthouse and Jerry's Point Lifesaving Station.

We will explore the shoreline, wetland, and wooded trails of Fort Foster, searching for any lingering migrant birds and our returning winter visitors. We will, of course, keep our eyes peeled for any rarities that might be hanging around.

LOGISTICS:  Dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes.  Bring the following: filled water bottle, a bagged lunch and snacks, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, camera (optional), scope (if you have one), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC will provide you with a pair.  

MEET UP and PICK UP: We will be meeting at 8:00 am at Fort Foster on Pocahontas Road in Kittery, ME.  Please drive past the gate and park in the dirt lot on the left, just before the fort (see map). Pickup will be at 12:00 in the same spot.

Registration and carpooling details will be emailed to MYBC members. Not a member? Email us at info@maineyoungbirders.org to find out how to join!

Join us October 14th as we explore Mount Agamenticus (or Mt. A, as it is affectionately called). Rising 691 feet above sea level, it is a great destination for hawk-watching in the months of September through November.  While the hawks can be hit-or-miss depending on the weather and the winds, Mt. A is always a wonderful spot to visit regardless for excellent views of fall foliage and an extensive trail system that allows for abundant hiking.

According to The Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region's website, the region "contains 10,000 acres of land and is one of the largest remaining expanses of undeveloped forests in coastal New England.  The region is known for its abundance of vernal pools, rich biodiversity, and unique trail system and is home to many of Maine’s rare plants and animals." We will explore the habitats of Mt. A for lingering migrating birds and will search the skies for hawks.  

LOGISTICS:  Dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes.  Bring the following: filled water bottle, a bagged lunch and snacks, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, camera (optional), scope (if you have one), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC will provide you with a pair.  

MEET UP and PICK UP: We will be meeting at 8:00 am at the Learning Lodge parking lot at the top of Mt. Agamenticus Road in York, ME. Pickup will be at 11:00 am in the same place.

After having to postpone our originally planned trip in May, we are thrilled to be able to offer this trip for MYBC thanks to a generous donation from Acadia Birding Festival! Monhegan is a truly special place for birding during migration. A day of birding in late September can feature southbound raptors, warblers, sparrows, waterfowl, and many others! While the destination is the island, birding on the ferry ride from New Harbor can bring views of Gannets, gulls, and Black Guillemots. We may even see harbor porpoises or Minke Whales!

Monhegan is a small, rocky island in Muscungous Bay about 10 miles offshore. This situates it as an important stopover point for migrating birds looking for a place to rest. We will spend the morning and early afternoon exploring, hitting hot spots such as the Ice Pond, the Community Garden, the Marsh, and others as time allows.

LOGISTICS: Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes—we will be covering a lot of ground.  The weather on the island can be cooler than the mainland, especially on the boat ride, so please bring appropriate layers.

Also bring the following: filled water bottle, lunch, binoculars, and a backpack in which you'll keep your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair. 

MEET UP and PICK UP: Meet us at 8:30am at the Hardy Boat dock (129 State Route 32, New Harbor, Maine 04554). The boat departs at 9:00am sharp! Pick up will be at the same location around 4:30pm.

PARKING: In September the fee is $10 per day per vehicle, payable by cash or credit cards only (no personal checks). When a parking attendant is present please follow their instructions as you enter the lot.. If no parking attendant is present, you will pay the parking fee at the ticketing booth on the dock. Be sure to grab your Proof of Parking” Pass per vehicle from the chair on the porch of the parking booth and bring it with you to the dock. DO NOT LEAVE IT IN YOUR CAR. 

Parking is about a 5-minute walk along the rural road from the dock, in a large grassy field. You cannot park at Shaw’s Wharf; you will be towed. For parents dropping off young birders, you can do so at Shaw’s Wharf as long as you do not plan to leave your vehicle. (https://hardyboat.com/parking/)

COST: With a huge thank you to Acadia Birding Festival, MYBC has funding to cover tickets for up to 6 young birders. To all who already requested tickets in May, we will be in touch to confirm your attendance. We track all additional new requests and be in touch by email with each person to confirm. To request one of these tickets, please note this in your registration email. Otherwise, you can purchase tickets here: https://hardyboat.com/cruises/monhegan-island-ferry-service/. We will be taking the 9:00am ferry on September 23rd and returning on the 3:15pm ferry that afternoon .

We welcome parents to join us. You will need to purchase your own tickets using the link above . You can either choose to bird with MYBC or explore the island on your own and meet back up with us at the afternoon ferry.

If you choose to purchase your own tickets: PLEASE PURCHASE THE TRIP INSURANCE. In the event of cancellation, Hardy Boat will not issue a refund or reschedule your ticket if you do not have the insurance.

CANCELLATION: While cancellation is rare, in the event that weather or sea conditions make the trip impossible, we will reach out to anyone who is signed up to attend. We will do so as soon as we are notified of any scheduling changes.

Registration details to follow by email. If you want to join us, but are not yet a member of MYBC, contact info@maineyoungbirders.org for details on how to sign up.

While it may still feel like summer for many of us, in the bird world fall migration is underway.  Each year Maine is host to many shorebirds as they trek from their summer breeding grounds to their overwintering grounds. They congregate along the beaches of Maine to refuel for their long journey.

On Saturday, August 26th from 8:00am-11:30am we are very excited to welcome guest trip leader, Dan Gardoqui for a morning of shorebirding. Dan has been studying naturalist skills, wildlife tracking, bird language, and mentoring for nearly 30 years. Dan has an M.S. in Natural Resources, is a Certified Wildlife Tracker, Registered Maine Guide, and served as Science Faculty at Granite State College. Dan co-founded and led the nature connection nonprofit White Pine Programs for 20 years. He currently runs Lead with Nature, where he helps leaders find success and meaning through nature-based consulting services & adventures.

We will meet up with Dan at 8am at Drakes Island in Wells where we will do introductions. We will bird Drakes Island beach along the jetty and inlet areas. Next we will move on to Harbor Road, stopping to scan any active salt pannes along the way before birding the marsh. MYBC will have a scope to use, but if you have your own feel free to bring it along. We will end our day at Wells Harbor Community Park (restrooms available here), where we will bird the harbor and park trails.

Our targets for the day will include Sanderlings, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs, Piping Plovers, Sanderlings, Semipalmated Plovers, and any lingering Piping Plovers. We will also keep our eyes open for Red Knots, Black-Bellied Plovers, Dunlins, and any other fun (or rare!) migrating shorebirds we might encounter.

PLEASE NOTE: This trip will require carpooling between sites (15+ minutes). COVID has seen an uptick in many communities and while masks are not required while outside, we encourage masks/face coverings while in the car.

Parking may be very limited at a few of these locations, and we may need to shift the itinerary if parking becomes an issue. This should not impact drop-off/pick-up times or locations, but we will inform parents if this happens.

LOGISTICS:  Dress in layers (it can be windy near the shore) and wear walking shoes (our travels will take us across sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, and wooded trails.)  Bring the following: a bagged lunch/snack, bug spray, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars/scope, camera (optional), and notebook (optional).  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair.

Parents: please note different meet-up and pick-up locations below!

MEET UP: 8am at the Jetty Lot at Drakes Island Beach. From Rt 1, take Drakes Island Road to the end, and turn right on Island Beach Rd. The Jetty Lot is at the end of Island Beach Rd — it’s a metered lot that charges $4 per hour. (GPS: Foster Ln, Wells, ME or 43.32135, -70.55653).

If it’s a beautiful beach day and the Jetty Lot is full, you can backtrack half a mile to the Gross Lot on Drakes Island Road which is also a metered lot. (GPS: 20 Grasshopper Ln, Wells, ME or 43.32680, -70.55259)

PICK UP: 11:30 am at the parking area at Wells Harbor Park, (GPS: 331 Harbor Rd, Wells, ME (43.31891, -70.56605)

Registration details will be emailed to MYBC members. Not a member yet? Email info@maineyoungbirders.org to find out how to join us on these trips!

We are really excited to offer a trip to Stratton Island again this year to see the nesting terns! This 24-acre island is located in Saco Bay, 3 miles east of Old Orchard Beach in York County. In the event that weather or sea conditions prevent the trip, we will plan to host the trip the following day, Sunday July 16th.

Stratton Island is notable for having the highest diversity of nesting waterbirds of any Maine island. The island's beaches provide nesting habitat for Common, Roseate, Arctic and Least Terns. These will be our target birds for this outing. The island also provides nesting habitat for several species that are at the northern limit of their range (e.g. Glossy Ibis, Little Blue Heron, Great Egret, and American Oystercatcher). Likewise, several northern species reach the southern limit of their ranges (e.g. Black Guillemot and Common Eider). The interior pond and wetland provide breeding habitat for several waterfowl species (e.g. Northern Shoveler, and Blue-winged Teal).

LOGISTICS:  To get onto the island and back to the mainland, participants will transfer from a larger boat to a landing skiff or dingy. Life jackets will be provided and must be worn at all times on the boats. Please be aware that you might be up to your knees in water getting on shore. Old sneakers or sandals are recommended for the slippery rocks below.  Dress in layers as it is often much cooler on the water and island compared to the mainland. You may also want to bring a water proof layer as you might encounter some ocean spray to and from the island by boat. Bring the following: filled water bottle, snacks/bagged lunch, hat, binoculars, camera (optional), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC will provide you with a pair. Bug spray and proper tick prevention procedures should be followed.

MEET UP and PICK UP:  We will meet at the Lobsterman’s Co-op at Pine Point in Scarborough (96 King St, Scarborough, ME 04074). We need to split into two groups. The first group will depart from the dock at 8:00AM and return to the dock by 11:30AM. The second group will depart at 8:30AM and return to the dock at 12:00PM. Your group will be confirmed after registration. Departure and arrival times may vary depending on the sea conditions.

There is no bathroom while on the island. There is restroom access at the dock. Please arrive 30 minutes early to ensure you have time to access restrooms and are ready to leave promptly at the scheduled departure time.

REGISTRATION: We are limited to 10 young birder for this trip. An email will be sent to all members with details on how to reserve your spot and our a waiver that must be signed by a parent/legal guardian. We will accept reservations on a first come, first serve basis. Once the trip is full, we will start a waiting list. We will also email to confirm which group you have been added to so you know your specific drop-off/pick-up times.

In 2022 we had 50 species on our June trip to Laudholm Farm including Bobolinks, Least Terns, a very talkative Winter Wren, and many singing Towhees. On June 17th, we’re headed back to the preserve for some spring birding.

The preserve features a large diversity of species to see as we walk through forests, open grassland, marshlands, and beaches. Among the many birds we hope to see are Bobolinks, Piping Plovers and Willets.

We will meet in the parking lot of the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm at 8 am and bird until 12 pm.

LOGISTICS:  Dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring the following: filled water bottle, snacks/bagged lunch, hat, socks, waterproof hiking boots, etc., binoculars, camera (optional), scope (if you have/want one), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC will provide you with a pair. Also note mosquitos and ticks are very prevalent at this location. Bug spray and proper tick prevention procedures are critical.

MEET UP and PICK UP: We will meet at the info booth at Well Reserve at Laudholm at 8 am. The public entrance is located near 55 Skinner Mill Rd, Wells, ME 04090.

PICK UP will be at the same location at 12 pm.

We are thrilled to be able to offer this trip for MYBC thanks to a generous donation from Acadia Birding Festival! Monhegan is a truly special place for birding during migration. A day of birding in May can feature as many as 20 species of warblers in their bright spring plumage, and other species such as Scarlet Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, Merlin and more! While the destination is the island, birding on the ferry ride from New Harbor can bring views of Gannets, Laughing Gulls, terns and Black Guillemots. We may even see harbor porpoises or Minke Whales!

Monhegan is a small, rocky island in Muscungous Bay about 10 miles offshore. This situates it as an important stopover point for migrating birds looking for a place to rest after a long night’s flight. We will spend the morning and early afternoon exploring, hitting hot spots such as the Ice Pond, the Community Garden, the Marsh, and others as time allows.

While on the island, we will be participating in the York County Audubon Birding Challenge to help support future MYBC programming. More details on this will be forthcoming. Stay tuned!

LOGISTICS: Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes—we will be covering a lot of ground.  The weather on the island can be cooler than the mainland, especially on the boat ride, so please bring appropriate layers.

Also bring the following: filled water bottle, lunch, binoculars, and a backpack in which you'll keep your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair. 

MEET UP and PICK UP: Meet us at 8:30am at the Hardy Boat dock (129 State Route 32, New Harbor, Maine 04554). The boat departs at 9:00am sharp! Pick up will be at the same location around 4:30pm.

PARKING: In May the fee is $10 per day per vehicle, payable by cash or credit cards only (no personal checks). You will pay the parking fee at the ticketing booth on the dock. Parking is about a 5-minute walk along the rural road from the dock, in a large grassy field. You cannot park at Shaw’s Wharf; you will be towed. For parents dropping off young birders, you can do so at Shaw’s Wharf as long as you do not plan to leave your vehicle. (https://hardyboat.com/parking/)

COST: With a huge thank you to Acadia Birding Festival, MYBC has funding to cover tickets for up to 6 young birders. To request one of these tickets, please note this in your registration email. Otherwise, you can purchase tickets here: https://hardyboat.com/cruises/monhegan-island-ferry-service/. We will be taking the 9:00am ferry on May 20th and returning on the 3:15pm ferry that afternoon.

We welcome parents to join us. You will need to purchase your own tickets using the link above . You can either choose to bird with MYBC or explore the island on your own and meet back up with us at the afternoon ferry.

CANCELLATION: While cancellation is rare, in the event that weather or sea conditions make the trip impossible, we will reach out to anyone who is signed up to attend. We will do so as soon as we are notified of any scheduling changes.

Registration details to follow by email. If you want to join us, but are not yet a member of MYBC, contact info@maineyoungbirders.org for details on how to sign up.

Please join us Saturday, April 29th as we explore Greater Portland’s Spring Migration Hot Spots- including Hinckley Park, Capisic Pond Park, and Evergreen Cemetery. These three locations are lauded as some of the best places to observe spring migration in Greater Portland.

We will begin at Hinckley Park, which offers 40 acres of mixed habitat. We will explore the upper and lower ponds and the woods surrounding them. We will move to Capisic Pond Park, an 18 acre park situated along Portland’s largest freshwater pond. We will wrap up the day at Evergreen Cemetery and explore the ponds and hotspots including the pond trail, brush pile, powerline cut and junk pond as time allows.

We hope to see some of our early spring migrants including Palm Warblers, Eastern Phoebes, Ruby-crowed Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-and-White Warblers, Hermit Thrushes, and several species of sparrows including Chipping Sparrow and White-throated Sparrows. Along the ponds we will also look for returning Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Double-crested Cormorants, ducks and shorebirds.

LOGISTICS: This trip will require carpooling and will be limited to the first 8 participants to sign up. Parents are welcome to join and drive young birders between locations if these 8 spots fill up . Facemasks are encouraged while carpooling. Please bring binoculars (MYBC has extras if you need them), water, snacks, bag lunch, sunscreen, and weather-appropriate clothing and shoes. This trip will include a good amount of walking, including through areas which can be wet and/or muddy, so waterproof shoes or boots are recommended. Please also note that we’re well into tick season, so dress appropriately and perform a tick check after this outing.

MEETUP: We will meet at 8am Hinkley Park (288 Highland Ave, South Portland, ME 04106). There is a small parking lot here. For those driving themselves, if this lot fills up, parking is allowed along the roadside on Scamman St.

PICKUP: Pick up will be at 12 pm at the Evergreen Cemetery Ponds. Enter the cemetery through the main gate at 672 Stevens Ave. Take the first right onto Western Ave and follow this until you reach the ponds (see map). We will meet on the trail between the big pond and the smaller ponds.

Registration details will be emailed to MYBC members. Not a member? Reach out to us at info@maineyoungbirders.org to learn how to join us!

American Woodcocks are easiest to find at dusk in early spring, when the male performs a marvelous display flight, or “sky dance.”  We will attempt to locate a few woodcocks at Kennebunkport Conservation Trust again this year.  It can be difficult to locate the bird in dim light, so we will listen for the distinctive, buzzy peent call given by the male.  We will make our best attempt to spot a displaying woodcock, as it is an experience not to be missed!

Prior to looking for woodcocks, we will meet for a pizza dinner and games at Kennebunkport Conservation Trust Headquarters.  If you are planning to attend this field trip, please RSVP to the email invitation to help us get a headcount for the pizza. We will provide a vegetarian option. If anyone need gluten free crust, please note that in your R.S.V.P. (The pizza dinner will be covered by MYBC.)  A variety of game options will be available, including birding trivia and board games, so come apply your birding skills in a fun, new way!  After munching down some pizza and playing entertaining birding games, we'll head out into the evening to look for woodcocks.

LOGISTICS: Dress in layers and wear comfortable, WATERPROOF shoes—it can be quite mucky in spots.  We may be trekking through some wet, muddy fields, so rubber boots or waterproof hiking boots are best.

Also bring the following: hat & gloves, warm coat, filled water bottle, binoculars, and a backpack in which you'll keep your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair. 

MEET UP and PICK UP: Meet us at 5:00 pm at the Kennebunkport Land Trust headquarters parking lot at 57 Gravelly Brook Rd, Kennebunkport, ME 04046. Pick up will be at the same location around 8:30 pm.

PLEASE NOTE: While we anticipate the arrival of woodcocks by late March, snow cover and weather can delay their arrival. We will monitor reports of returning AMWOs, if necessary our alternate plan will be to meet at Scarborough Marsh Eastern Rd from 8:00 am-11:00 am and search for returning ducks, loons, and raptors. We will be in touch with more details if this change is necessary.

This trip has been cancelled due to coordinator illness.

Winter birding in Maine can be fantastic along the coast, where seabirds are abundant along rocky capes and protected bays.  We are going explore several productive spots in Cape Elizabeth.

Join us as we explore Dyer Point, Kettle Cove and other stops such as Crescent Beach or Spurwink Marsh as time allows. We hope to see Harlequin Ducks, Eiders and scoters. There will also be a possibility of spotting the hard-to-find Razorbill, Dovekie, or King Eider.  We may also venture to the Strawberry Fields in search of Snow Buntings and Horned Larks.

LOGISTICS:  Dress in WARM layers and wear comfortable WARM walking shoes.  Be sure to bring a hat, gloves, and toe/hand warmers if necessary.  We will be spending most of our time along the coast where it is exposed and cold, so it will be easy to catch a chill if underdressed.  Bring the following: filled water bottle or two, snacks, a bagged lunch, warm hat, warm coat, cozy under-layers, gloves, socks, waterproof hiking boots, etc., binoculars, camera (optional), scope (if you have/want one), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC will provide you with a pair.

This trip will involve some short distance carpooling. We will ask that everyone wear a mask while in the cars. If you do not have a mask, we will have extras on hand.

MEET UP and PICK UP: We will MEET UP at 8:00 AM at Dyer Point (next to the Lobster Shack) in Cape Elizabeth. PICK UP will be at in the same location at 12:00 PM.  

Follow GPS directions to the address of the Lobster Shack at Two Lights (225 Two Lights Rd., Cape Elizabeth).  However DO NOT park at the Lobster Shack.  Take Two Lights Rd. to its dead end where you will see a dirt parking lot.  We will be meeting in this parking lot (see photo of map below). 

CARPOOLING: If you wish to carpool out of Wells with Laurie or out of Westbrook with Marion, please indicate this in your RSVP.

MYBC is off do to some citizen science! Our December event is to partake in the 123rd annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). MYBC will cover the Old Orchard Beach area of Section 1 on foot. This will allow parents to drop off and pickup at the same location.

While we don’t expect it, if CBC gets postponed due to bad weather an email announcement will go out the evening of Dec 30th. At which time a rain date will be announced.

The CBC is the longest citizen science project in the history of this country, and we are excited to get to share this experience with the Maine Young Birders Club!

There will be no in-person compilation at the church in Cape Porpoise this year. Instead, captains will submit the data virtually and the results will be shared once everything is tallied.

LOGISTICS:  Be prepared, there is a lot of walking on this trip! Dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes (note it can be SUPER cold and/or rainy so please come prepared as we will be outside the entire time).  Bring the following: filled water bottle, a bagged lunch and snacks, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, camera (optional), scope (if you have one), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC will provide you with a pair.

MEET UP and PICK UP: We will meet at 7AM at the parking lot by the Palace Playland Ferris Wheel at Old Orchard Beach. Pick up will be in this same spot at 11:00AM. If a young birder wishes to join for only part of the day, please reach out and we can make arrangements.

It’s November in Maine and that means it is officially rarity season! Join us on November 5th as we return to Fort Foster, located in Kittery— one of the premiere birding destinations in Maine.  Located in Portsmouth Harbor, the 88 acre site includes 3 beaches with a trail system that connects the beaches together. A long pier extends off shore providing excellent platform for viewing water birds off shore as wells as views of Whaleback Lighthouse and Jerry's Point Lifesaving Station.

We will explore the shoreline, wetland, and wooded trails of Fort Foster, searching for any lingering migrant birds and our returning winter visitors. We will, of course, keep our eyes peeled for any rarities that might be hanging around.

LOGISTICS:  Dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes.  Bring the following: filled water bottle, a bagged lunch and snacks, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, camera (optional), scope (if you have one), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC will provide you with a pair.  

MEET UP and PICK UP: We will be meeting at 8:00 am entrance to Fort Foster on Pocahontas Road in Kittery, ME.   Pickup will be at 12:00 in the same spot.

We are so excited to partner with the Joppa Flats Education Center team for a bird banding demonstration on October 8, 2022 at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (PRNWR), in Newburyport, MA. The banding station that operates on Plum Island is a cooperation between the Joppa Flats Education Center and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The island represents one of the most important stopover points along the East Coast for passerines during both spring and fall migrations. To date they have banded and released over 36,000 birds.

We will arrive at the banding station at 8:30AM where we will enjoy a demonstration of how the birds are captured using mist nets, then inspected to determine species, age, sex, and physical condition (e.g., fat status, mass, molt status, breeding readiness, and other important factors). If there is time, we will explore some of the beaches and trails along the Hellcat boardwalk before departing PRNWR at 11:30AM.

LOGISTICS:  Dress in layers and wear walking shoes. Bring the following: mask/face covering for carpooling, a bagged lunch/snack, bug spray, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, camera (optional), and notebook (optional).  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair.

This trip will require carpooling, and space is limited to 8 young birders on a first come, first serve basis. We may have additional room if a parent wishes to drive to PRNWR in a separate car. When you register, please select your preferred carpooling option, we will do our best to accommodate and will confirm details via email.

MEET UP DETAILS: Those carpooling with Marion, will meet at the Westbrook Park and Ride (off Exit 47, on Larrabee Rd, Westbrook) at 6:45AM. Those carpooling with Laurie, will meet the York Park and Ride (off Exit 7, near Chases Pond Rd) at 7:15AM. We will depart as a caravan from the York Park and Ride at 7:30AM.

PICK UP DETAILS:  We will return to these same locations for pickup. Those riding with Laurie will return to the York Park and Ride  by 12:30PM. Those riding with Marion will return to the Westbrook Park and Ride by 1:15PM.

This trip is subject to weather. It is it too rainy or cold the banding team reserves the right to close the banding station. We will let everyone know via email the evening before the trip if there are any changes to the itinerary.

2022 Outing Schedule

• Oct 8th -Bird Banding at PRWR

• Nov 5th -TBD

• Dec 31st - Annual Christmas Bird Count in OOB

Did you know that World Shorebirds Day is celebrated in September?  We decided it would be very appropriate to honor amazing shorebirds with a shorebird walk of our very own! We’re planning to start the day at Parsons Beach in Kennebunk and end at Timber Point in Biddeford, and will hit some other coastal areas along the way (time and conditions permitting).

PLEASE NOTE: This trip will require carpooling between sites (15+ minutes). While masks are not required while outside, please bring masks/face coverings to wear while in the car.

We will start our day at Parsons Beach where we will scan the Mousam River estuary, the beach, and surrounding marshes for migrating shorebirds. Our targets of the day will include Sanderlings, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs, Piping Plovers, Sanderlings, Semipalmated Plovers, and any lingering Piping Plovers. We will also keep our eyes open for Red Knots, Black-Bellied Plovers, Dunlins, and any other fun (or rare!) migrating shorebirds we might encounter.

From there we will head north toward Biddeford, potentially stopping at Goose Rocks and/or Fortunes Rocks to continue our shorebirding along the beaches and surrounding marshes.

Our final stop will be Timber Point where we will scan the marsh and beach for more shorebirds, then walk the wooded trails to look for early fall migrating warblers. The pollinator garden promises to be very busy, with Monarch Butterfly fall migration approaching its peak.

LOGISTICS:  Dress in layers (it can be windy out on the ocean) and wear walking shoes (our travels will take us across sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, and wooded trails.)  Bring the following: mask/face covering for carpooling, a bagged lunch/snack, bug spray, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, camera (optional), and notebook (optional).  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC can provide you with a pair.

Parents: please note different meet-up and pick-up locations below!

MEET UP: 8:00AM at the parking area at Parsons Beach (at the eastern end of Parsons Beach Road, Kennebunk (43.344778, -70.518146).

PICK UP: 12:00PM at the parking area at the entrance to Timber Point (at the end of Granite Point Rd, Biddeford (43.407378, -70.395480).

We are off to see one of Maine's most charismatic species on this Maine Audubon-organized trip! Please note, this trip is on Friday July 22nd, instead of our usual Saturday schedule. Maine Audubon set aside 8 spaces for MYBC—these have all been claimed through the pre-registration request sent out in June. We will be in touch with those who have responded to confirm registration. We are opening this trip up to a wait list and will be in touch with any openings.

With its colorful, clown-like face and oversized bill, the Atlantic puffin has become one of the Maine coast’s most celebrated icons—a remarkable accomplishment for a species that had nearly disappeared from the state a century ago. Its resurgence is a testament to the dedication of Audubon biologists who led the way in reestablishing Maine’s seabird colonies, including Eastern Egg Rock at the mouth of Muscongus Bay.

This popular evening boat ride sails out of New Harbor to Eastern Egg Rock, where we will circle the island several times for great views of puffins, terns, and other seabirds. 

PARKING: In July and August the fee is $20 per day per vehicle. They do accept cash and credit cards now. No personal checks are accepted. Parking is located around the corner from the dock in a large grassy field. The dock is a short walk from the parking area. All parking fees will be paid for at the ticketing booth on the dock. You cannot park at Shaw’s Wharf; you will be towed.

CANCELLATION: While cancellation is rare, in the event that weather or sea conditions make the trip impossible, we will reach out to the parent of any kids who are signed up to attend. We will do so as soon as we are notified of any scheduling changes.

PLEASE NOTE that this cruise is completely sold out, and that all 8 seats for young birders / parents have already been reserved via a pre-registration email sent in June. Please RSVP if you would like to be added to the wait list. There is no cost for the kids to attend; however, parents will need to purchase a ticket ($40 Audubon members / $50 non-members) in order to attend. For parents who are confirmed, we will provide details for how to send payment. 

We are really excited to offer this trip to Stratton Island to see the nesting terns! This 24-acre island is located in Saco Bay, 3 miles east of Old Orchard Beach in York County. In the event that weather or sea conditions prevent the trip, we will plan to host the trip the following day, Sunday July 10th.

Stratton Island is notable for having the highest diversity of nesting waterbirds of any Maine island. The island's beaches provide nesting habitat for Common, Roseate, Arctic and Least Terns. These will be our target birds for this outing. The island also provides nesting habitat for several species that are at the northern limit of their range (e.g. Glossy Ibis, Little Blue Heron, Great Egret, and American Oystercatcher). Likewise, several northern species reach the southern limit of their ranges (e.g. Black Guillemot and Common Eider). The interior pond and wetland provide breeding habitat for several waterfowl species (e.g. Northern Shoveler, and Blue-winged Teal).

LOGISTICS:  To get onto the island and back to the mainland, participants will transfer from a larger boat to a landing skiff or dingy. Life jackets will be provided and must be worn at all times on the boats. Please be aware that you might be up to your knees in water getting on shore. Old sneakers or sandals are recommended for the slippery rocks below.  Dress in layers as it is often much cooler on the water and island compared to the mainland. You may also want to bring a water proof layer as you might encounter some ocean spray to and from the island by boat. Bring the following: filled water bottle, snacks/bagged lunch, hat, binoculars, camera (optional), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC will provide you with a pair. Bug spray and proper tick prevention procedures should be followed. While we will be outside, please bring as face covering for instances where we are may need to be in close contact.

MEET UP and PICK UP:  We will meet at the Lobsterman’s Co-op at Pine Point in Scarborough (96 King St, Scarborough, ME 04074). The first group will depart from the dock at 7:30AM. The second group will depart at 8AM.

PICK UP will be at the same location at 11:00 am for the first group and 11:30AM for the second group. Departure and arrival times may be delayed by rough seas.

2022 Outing Schedule

• July 9th - Stratton Island

• July 22nd - Sunset Puffin Cruise (note this is a Friday evening)

• Aug - Date/Location TBD

• Sept 10th - TBD

• Oct 8th -TBD

• Nov 5th -TBD

• Dec 31st - Annual Christmas Bird Count in OOB

We’ve admittedly had a tough weather for our August trips to Laudholm, but we’re not quite ready to throw in the towel. We’re headed back to the preserve for some spring birding.

The preserve features a large diversity of species to see as we walk through forests, open grassland, marshlands, and beaches. Among the many birds we hope to see are Bobolinks, Piping Plovers and Willets.

We will meet in the parking lot of the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm at 8 am and bird until 12 pm. We are not requiring face coverings while outside, but please bring one to wear inside for bathroom breaks and when in close proximity to others. MYBC will have extra masks on hand if you do not have one.

LOGISTICS:  Dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring the following: filled water bottle, snacks/bagged lunch, hat, socks, waterproof hiking boots, etc., binoculars, camera (optional), scope (if you have/want one), notebook & field guide (optional), and a backpack in which you'll keep all your stuff.  If you do not have binoculars, MYBC will provide you with a pair. Also note mosquitos and ticks are very prevalent at this location. Bug spray and proper tick prevention procedures are critical.

MEET UP and PICK UP: We will meet at the info booth at Well Reserve at Laudholm at 8 am. The public entrance is located near 55 Skinner Mill Rd, Wells, ME 04090.

PICK UP will be at the same location at 12 pm.

It’s May and you know what that means… SPRING MIGRATION IS ON!!!

Please join us Saturday, May 8th at Evergreen Cemetery. This 239-acre cemetery is a well-known hotspot for spring migrants with old-growth pine and oak, vegetation, and ponds. It has been host to nesting Great Horned Owls and the site of a few rarities including a Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, and Least Bittern in recent years.

We will meet by the ponds and explore the hotspots including the pond trail, brush pile, powerline cut and junk pond.

LOGISTICS: Facemasks are not required while outside, but please bring a face covering for any instances where close contact is needed. If you do not have a mask, MYBC will have extras. Please bring binoculars (MYBC has extras if you need them), water, snacks, bag lunch, sunscreen, and weather-appropriate clothing and shoes. This trip will include a good amount of walking, including through areas which can be wet and/or muddy, so waterproof shoes or boots are recommended. Please also note that we’re well into tick season, so dress appropriately and perform a tick check after this outing.

MEETUP and PICKUP: We will meet at 8am the Evergreen Cemetery Ponds. Pick up will be in the same location at 12pm.

DIRECTIONS: Enter the cemetery through the main gate at 672 Stevens Ave. Take the first right onto Western Ave and follow this until you reach the ponds (see map). We will meet on the trail between the big pond and the smaller ponds.

We are not able to offer carpooling at this time.

We are off to Florida Lake Park which--under the right conditions--can yield a large amount of warblers and other migrating birds.  Florida Lake is 167 acre preserve with a small lake and surrounding uplands. Several trails wind through differing habitats, including emergent marsh, shrub swamp, forested wetland, and wooded upland.

We will bird around the lake and trails looking for early warblers, swallows, and migrating ducks.

LOGISTICS: Facemasks are not required while outside, but please bring a face covering for any instances where close contact is needed. If you do not have a mask, MYBC will have extras. Please bring Binoculars (MYBC has extras if you need them), Water, Snacks, Bag Lunch, Weather-Appropriate Clothes (please note that this trip will include good amount of walking, some through areas which can be very wet and/or muddy). Please also note that while still early in the season ticks have been detected and this area is well known for them. Please be mindful of this and dress appropriately and perform a tick check after this outing.

MEETUP and PICKUP: We will meet at 8AM the Florida Lake parking area off of Rte 125. Pick up will be in the same location at 12PM.

DIRECTIONS: Florida Lake Park is located off Rte 12 in Freeport. The road to the parking area is near 82 Wardtown Rd, Freeport, ME. You will see a small sign for Florida Lake Park at the head of the road. Follow this to the parking area at the end (the road is a dead end, ending at the parking area and trailhead).

We are not able to offer carpooling at this time.