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).