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!