Merrymeeting Audubon

Program: ETHAN WHITAKER “Every Bird in Maine: One Man’s Adventure”
2023-02-27 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Morell Rm., Curtis Library, 23 Pleasant St, Brunswick, ME 04011
Ethan Whitaker is a retired software developer and entrepreneur who has started and sold multiple companies during his 40-year career. He is a 1980s graduate of Bates College and has authored dozens of Apps for Apple and Google. In 2021, Ethan broke Maine’s Big Year Birding record, finding and identifying 324 species of birds in the State in a single calendar year! Ethan and his wife, Ingrid, wrote about his Big Year Adventure, in “Every Bird in Maine”, available where birding books are sold. Their most recent book, “What’s that Bird? — A Kid’s Guide to the Backyard Birds of New England,” was published in September of 2022.

Field Trip: Salisbury Beach and Plum Island
2023-03-11 07:00 - 17:00
SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 7:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. (approximate)
Please call John Berry at 632-7257 to reserve your spot.

Join the search for late winter birds on this all-day outing to coastal New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
First stop is Salisbury Beach State Park, where we will look for ducks, loons, grebes and short-eared owls. Then on to Newburyport and Plum Island to see Iceland and Glaucous gulls, snowy owls, snow buntings and more waterfowl. Dress warmly and bring lunch.The number of vehicles is limited on this trip. Morning meeting location to be decided. Please call John Berry at 632-7257 to reserve your spot.

Field Trip: Popham Beach State Park, Phippsburg
2023-03-25 09:00 - 12:30
SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

*** Location Change – Reid SP is closed ***

Popham Beach SP is a magnificent site in late winter/early spring. We’ll search for all manner of coastal waterbirds, including scoters, grebes and loons, as well as sanderlings and Purple Sandpipers.Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Park’s main parking lot. FMI John Berry 632-7257.

Program: DEREK & JEANNETTE LOVITCH “Puerto Rico: Birding in the U.S. Tropics”
2023-03-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Morell Rm., Curtis Library, 23 Pleasant St, Brunswick, ME 04011
Join Derek and Jeannette as they recount their birding travels, during the pandemic, to the island of Puerto Rico. As always, Jeannette’s outstanding bird photography will be coupled with Derek’s snapshots of habitat, scenery, culture and conservation.

Field Trip: Brunswick Landing Perimeter Trail, April 22
2023-04-22 07:30 - 11:00
Saturday, APRIL 22, 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Brunswick Landing Perimeter Trail, Pine Street entrance.
In addition to observing early returning woodland migrants, we will be on the lookout for hunting Kestrels on the airfield
grassland. Also, we’ll be listening for singing Field and Savannah sparrows, as well as Eastern Meadowlarks. We’ll walk
paved/gravel roads and easy paths (up to 3 miles).Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Brunswick Landing Perimeter Trail, Pine Street
entrance. FMI Gordon Smith 449-8206.

Field Trip: Green Point Farm WMA, Dresden
2023-04-29 07:30 - 11:00
Rain Date: Saturday, APRIL 29,
7:30 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Expect a wide variety of spring
migrants in the woodlands, fields and
wild rice flats of this diverse State
Wildlife Management Area. We’ll
walk easy paths, farm roads and open
fields (up to 2 miles).
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Green Point
Farm by the green shed off Route 128.
FMI Gordon Smith 449-8206.

Field Trip: Work morning at Hamilton Sanctuary, West Bath
2023-04-29 09:00 - 12:00
Saturday, April 29 9:00a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
As conditions allow, we will be
pruning apple trees, removing invasive
plants and doing trail maintenance.
Directions: Take the New Meadows
exit off U.S. Route 1 in West Bath.Turn
left onto New Meadows Road and go
straight ahead to the traffic signal at
Bath Road. Proceed across Bath Rd.
onto Foster’s Point Rd. and follow it
nearly to the end. You will see the
Sanctuary sign and a parking area on
the right. If you plan to participate,
please contact the Sanctuary manager,
Glenn Evans, at 443-9652 prior to the
day, for planning purposes.

Field Trip: Capt. William Fitzgerald Recreation & Conservation Area/ Bay Bridge Landing Wetland Park, Brunswick
2023-05-07 07:30 - 11:00
SUNDAY, MAY 7,
7:30 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
We’ll explore these two Town-owned
properties for early spring migrants.
The “Fitzgerald Preserve” is
one of the few sandplain grasslands
remaining in Maine. We’ll walk
easy sandy paths (up to 2 miles)
exploring this unusual natural area.
Following, we’ll visit the nearby Bay
Bridge Landing Wetland Park on the
Androscoggin River.
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the iron gate
at the end of Lindbergh Crossing
Road (off Old Bath Road), 1.3 miles
northeast of the Bath Road/Old Bath
Road intersection. FMI Gordon Smith
449-8206.

Field Trip: Brunswick Landing Perimeter Trail, Pine Street entrance
2023-05-14 07:30 - 11:00
SUNDAY, MAY 14,
7:30 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
In addition to observing early
returning woodland migrants, we will
be on the lookout for hunting Kestrels
on the airfield grassland. Also, we’ll
be listening for singing Field and
Savannah sparrows, as well as Eastern
Meadowlarks. We’ll walk paved/
gravel roads and easy paths (up to 3
miles).
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Brunswick
Landing Perimeter Trail, Pine Street
entrance. FMI Gordon Smith 449-8206.

Field Trip: Green Point Farm WMA, Dresden
2023-05-21 07:30 - 11:00
SUNDAY, MAY 21,
7:30 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Expect a wide variety of spring
migrants in the woodlands, fields and
wild rice flats of this diverse State
Wildlife Management Area. We’ll
walk easy paths, farm roads and open
fields (up to 2 miles).
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Green Point
Farm by the green shed off Route 128.
FMI Gordon Smith 449-8206.

Field Trip: Shorebird Saturday - Wharton Point, Brunswick
2023-05-27 07:30 - 09:30
SATURDAY, MAY 27,
7:30 A.M. – 9:30 A.M.
Join us for Shorebird Saturday as we
search for shorebirds and late spring
land migrants at Wharton Point
(Maquoit Bay) in Brunswick. We will
be observing the shorebirds as they
begin to forage on the mudflat on
the outgoing tide. Any shorebirds we
observe will be in breeding plumage!
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Wharton
Point (head of Maquoit Bay) at the
intersection of Maquoit Road and
Woodside Road. FMI Gordon Smith
449-8206.

Field Trip: Capt. William Fitzgerald Recreation & Conservation Area/ Bay Bridge Landing Wetland Park, Brunswick
2023-06-04 07:00 - 11:00
SUNDAY, JUNE 4,
7:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.

We’ll explore these two Town-owned
properties for early spring migrants.
The “Fitzgerald Preserve” is one of the
few sandplain grasslands remaining
in Maine. We’ll walk easy sandy paths
(up to 2 miles) exploring this unusual
natural area. Following, we’ll visit the
nearby Bay Bridge Landing Wetland
Park on the Androscoggin River.
Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the iron gate
at the end of Lindbergh Crossing
Road (off Old Bath Road), 1.3 miles
northeast of the Bath Road/Old Bath
Road intersection. FMI Gordon Smith
449-8206.

Field Trip: Birds & Butterflies at Mitchell Field, Harpswell
2023-06-11 08:00 - 12:00
SUNDAY, JUNE 11,
8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

Join us for the inaugural Birds and
Butterflies. We’ll walk paved and
gravel paths around the perimeter of
this 120-acre Town-owned property
searching for these flying wonders,
whether they be birds or butterflies.
Jack Collins, our butterfly expert, will
be joining us, providing commentary
and insight into the butterflies we may
encounter.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the parking
area near the bay and pier. Mitchell
Field is located in West Harpswell, off
Harpswell Neck Road (Rt. 123). FMI
Gordon Smith 449-8206

Field Trip: Work morning at Hamilton Sanctuary, West Bath
2023-06-24 09:00 - 12:00
SATURDAY, JUNE 24,
8:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
As conditions allow, we will be
pruning apple trees, removing invasive
plants and doing trail maintenance.
Directions: Take the New Meadows
exit off U.S. Route 1 in West Bath. Turn
left onto New Meadows Road and go
straight ahead to the traffic signal at
Bath Road. Proceed across Bath Rd.
onto Foster’s Point Rd. and follow it
nearly to the end. You will see the
Sanctuary sign and a parking area on
the right. If you plan to participate,
please contact the Sanctuary manager,
Glenn Evans, at 443-9652 prior to the
day, for planning purposes.

Field Trip and Nature Program
2023-07-21 07:30

Field Trip: Shorebird Saturday - Wharton Point, Brunswick
2023-08-05 17:15 - 19:30
Field Trip: August 5, 5:15pm – 7:30pm
Join us for Shorebird Saturday as we
search for shorebirds at Wharton Point
(Maquoit Bay) in Brunswick.
We will be observing the shorebirds as
they begin to forage on the mudflat on
the outgoing tide.
Meet at 5:15 p.m. at Wharton
Point (head of Maquoit Bay) at the
intersection of Maquoit Road and
Woodside Road. FMI Gordon Smith
449-8206.

Field Trip: Shorebird Saturday, Wharton Point, Brunswick
2023-08-12 17:15 - 19:30
Shorebird Saturday: August 12, 5:15pm – 7:30pm
Join us for Shorebird Saturday as we
search for shorebirds at Wharton Point
(Maquoit Bay) in Brunswick.
We will be observing the shorebirds as
they begin to forage on the mudflat on
the incoming tide.
Meet at 5:15 p.m. at Wharton
Point (head of Maquoit Bay) at the
intersection of Maquoit Road and
Woodside Road. FMI Gordon Smith
449-8206.

Field Trip: Shorebird Sunday, Wharton Point, Brunswick
2023-08-20 16:45 - 19:00
Field Trip: SUNDAY, AUGUST 20,
4:45 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Join us for Shorebird Sunday as we
search for shorebirds at Wharton Point
(Maquoit Bay) in Brunswick.
We will be observing the shorebirds as
they begin to forage on the mudflat on
the outgoing tide.
Meet at 4:45 p.m. at Wharton
Point (head of Maquoit Bay) at the
intersection of Maquoit Road and
Woodside Road. FMI Gordon Smith
449-8206

Field Trip: Shorebird Sunday, Wharton Point, Brunswick
2023-08-27 16:30
Field Trip: SUNDAY, AUGUST 27,
4:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
Join us for Shorebird Sunday as we
search for shorebirds at Wharton Point
(Maquoit Bay) in Brunswick. We will
be observing the shorebirds foraging
on the mudflat as the incoming tide
forces them closer to shore.
Meet at 4:30 p.m. at Wharton
Point (head of Maquoit Bay) at the
intersection of Maquoit Road and
Woodside Road. FMI Gordon Smith
449-8206.

Field Trip: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 7:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
2023-09-03 07:30 - 11:00
Field Trip: Curtis Farm Preserve/
Mitchell Field, South Harpswell
We will explore Curtis Farm Preserve
for fall land migrants, as well as
shorebirds in Basin and Curtis
coves. Expect to walk on easy trails.
Following, at Mitchell Field we will
walk a gravel woods path and view
Middle Bay.
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Curtis Farm
Preserve lower parking lot off Basin
Point Road. FMI Gordon Smith
449-8206.

Field Trip: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
2023-09-09 08:00 - 12:00
Field Trip: Rachel Carson National
Wildlife Refuge (southern coastal
Maine)
The Rachel Carson Refuge was
established to protect estuarine and
salt marsh habitat in southern coastal
Maine for migrating birds. We will
search for fall migrants at several
Refuge Divisions.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Rachel
Carson Administrative Headquarters
parking area, 321Port Road in Wells.
After walking the Carson Trail, we will
drive to several locations. There will
be some walking on level ground.
Directions: Take I-95 to Exit 19
(Wells). From Exit 19, turn left onto
Route 9/109. At the stop light, turn
left onto Post Road (Route 1 North).
Just past the Maine Diner, turn right
onto Port Road (Route 9) and follow
for approximately 3/4 mile. Turn right
into the refuge entrance. FMI Glenn
Evans 443-9652.

Field Trip: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 8:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
2023-09-10 08:00 - 11:00
Field Trip: Androscoggin River Trail,
Lisbon
We will walk an easy paved path (up
to 3 miles) along the river to observe
fall migrants.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Sabattus
River boat launch parking lot off
Rt.196 at Frost Hill Avenue. FMI
Gordon Smith 449-8206.

Field Trip: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 8:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
2023-09-17 08:00 - 11:00
Field Trip: Brunswick Landing
Perimeter Trail, Pine Street Entrance
We will be on the lookout for fall
woodland and grassland migrants.
Also, we’ll be searching the skies
for southbound raptors. We’ll walk
paved/gravel roads and easy paths
(up to 3 miles).
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Brunswick
Landing Perimeter Trail, Pine Street
entrance. FMI Gordon Smith
449-8206.

Field Trip: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 8:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M
2023-09-24 08:00 - 11:00
Field Trip: Green Point Farm WMA,
Dresden
We will search for fall migrants in
the woodlands, fields and wild rice
flats of this diverse State Wildlife
Management Area. We will walk
paths, farm roads and open fields
(about 2 miles). The grassy fields may
be wet/dew-covered.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Green Point
Farm by the green shed off Rt.128.
FMI Gordon Smith 449-8206.

Field Trip: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 8:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
2023-10-01 08:00 - 11:00
Field Trip: Capt. William Fitzgerald
Recreation and Conservation Area/
Bay Bridge Landing Wetland Park,
Brunswick
We’ll explore these two Town-owned
properties for fall migrants. The
“Fitzgerald Preserve” is one of the
few sandplain grasslands remaining
in Maine. We’ll walk easy sandy paths
(up to 2 miles) exploring this unusual
natural area. Following, we’ll visit the
nearby Bay Bridge Landing Wetland
Park on the Androscoggin River.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the iron gate
at the end of Lindbergh Crossing
Road (off Old Bath Road), 1.3 miles
northeast of the Bath Road/Old Bath
Road intersection. FMI Gordon Smith
449-8206.

Field Trip:SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, DAWN TO DUSK
2023-10-08
Field Trip: The Big Sit!, Wharton Point
(Maquoit Landing), Brunswick
Join Merrymeeting Audubon for this
fun event. We will be staking out a 17
foot diameter circle, and from within
the circle we will attempt to observe/
hear all birds in the surrounding area.
Observation/listening will begin
at dawn and continue until dusk.
Anyone is welcome to join The Big Sit!
at any time during the day and stay as
long as desired.
Meet at Wharton Point (head of
Maquoit Bay) at the intersection of
Maquoit and Woodside roads. FMI
Gordon Smith 449-8206.
Please note: If the predicted weather
for October 8 is not favorable, this
event will take place the previous day,
on Saturday, October 7. Please check
our website for updates.

Field Trip: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 9:00 AM. - 12:00 P.M.
2023-10-14 09:00 - 12:00
Field Trip: Work Morning at Hamilton
Sanctuary, West Bath
As conditions allow, we will be
pruning, removing invasive plants and
doing trail maintenance.
Directions: Take the New Meadows
exit off US Route 1 in West Bath. Turn
left onto New Meadows Road and go
straight ahead to the traffic signal at
Bath Road. Proceed across Bath Road
onto Foster’s Point Road and follow
it nearly to the end. You will see the
Sanctuary sign and a parking area on
the right. If you plan to participate,
please contact the Sanctuary manager,
Glenn Evans at 443-9652 prior to the
day, for planning purposes.

Field Trip: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 8:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
2023-10-15 08:30 - 11:00
Field Trip: Androscoggin Riverwalk,
Topsham
Join us as we walk an easy paved path
along the Androscoggin River. We
will be looking for fall migrants along
the river and surrounding woodland.
Our walking route (up to 2 miles) will
take us from the Black Bridge and
Swinging Bridge, past overlooks of the
hydroelectric dam and Fort Andross,
to the Bowdoin Mill and overlooks of
the lower Androscoggin River.
Meet at the parking lot at the
entrance to the Swinging Bridge off
Bridge Street in Topsham. If this space
is full, there are alternative small
parking areas, one on the Brunswick
side of the Swinging Bridge (off Mill
Street) and the other in Topsham
off Summer Street (overlooking the
hydroelectric dam). FMI Gordon
Smith 449-8206.

Field Trip: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 8:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
2023-10-22 08:30 - 12:00
Field Trip: Hermit Island, Phippsburg
Join co-leaders John Berry and
Gordon Smith as we explore this
birding mecca, where the current
count is at 236 species. We will be
walking (up to 3 miles) in a variety
of habitats, from sandy beaches to
rocky headlands to woodland paths.
Directions: From Bath, take Rt.209
(High Street) south into Phippsburg.
Continue south on Rt.209 (also known
as Main Road) until the Rt.209/Rt.216
intersection. Continue south on Rt.216
(Small Point Road) for approximately
3 miles. Turn right onto Head Beach
Road at the Hermit Island sign.
Proceed for approximately ¼ mile to
the Hermit Island parking lot (on the
other side of the fence). Please do not
park along Head Beach. FMI John
Berry 632-7257 or Gordon Smith
449-8206.

Merrymeeting Event: MONDAY, OCTOBER 23,
2023-10-23 17:30 - 20:00
Board Meeting: 5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.
Location: Curtis Memorial Library,
Morrell Room, Brunswick
Public Program: 7:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Guest Speaker: Nick Lund, , Bird Safe
Windows and Legislative Updates.
Bird Safe Maine Presentation
