NOTE: Unfortunately, this trip was canceled due to a low RSVP count. We always need 3 or more youth to have this trip run.

Explore the beautiful grassland and pitch pine/scrub oak woodlands of the Kennebunk Plains with guest guide Josh Fecteau.

The Kennebunk Plains (or Blueberry Barrens, as the locals call it) is a truly unique place and is considered a premier birding hotspot. It is one of the last large grassland ecosystems remaining in southern Maine, and it is home to species of birds that are considered rare or endangered in Maine, including Grasshopper Sparrows, Upland Sandpipers, Vesper Sparrows and Horned Larks. In fact, Maine's largest breeding population of Grasshopper Sparrows breeds here (more than 20 pairs)! The Pitch Pine/Scrub Oak surroundings and brushy hedgerows are also home to Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Brown Thrashers, Prairie Warblers, Eastern Towhees, and Field Sparrows, to name a few. In the summertime, American Kestrels can be seen hovering above the grass during the day, and at night, one can hear Common Nighthawks calling and Eastern Whip-poor-wills loudly singing.

In late summer, the Plains are painted purple by the spectacular blooms of the Northern Blazing Star - a wildflower that is found nowhere else in Maine. The Kennebunk Plains holds the largest population of this plant on earth (over 80 percent of the world's Northern Blazing Star grows here). Other common plants on the preserve include Lowbush Blueberries, Poverty Grass, and Little Bluestem. Only one of two known populations of Black Racer Snakes in the state can also be found here.

We will be joined on this walk by experienced naturalist Josh Fecteau. Josh is incredibly passionate about the natural world and has a deep knowledge of Maine birds, plants, and other wildlife. He loves observing nature every waking moment, and he avidly practices earth skills such as gathering and preparing wild food and medicine. To learn more about Josh and his work, visit www.joshfecteau.com.

LOGISTICS: Dress in layers and wear good walking shoes. Bring the following: a bagged lunch, bug spray, sunblock, a hat, binoculars, camera (optional), and notebook (optional). If you do not have binoculars, MYBC will provide you with a pair.

We will meet in the Kennebunk Plains parking lot on Webber Hill Road at 8:00 am. If you wish to carpool and live in southern Maine, meet Lena at the Biddeford Park & Ride (across from Walmart) at 7:35 am. We intend to be out until 1:00 pm.