Field Trip: Rescheduled from SUNDAY OCTOBER 29, to Sunday, November 5, 8:00a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
2023-10-29 08:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Field Trip: Waterfowl at Sabattus
Pond, Sabattus
John Berry will lead this trip to
Sabattus Pond. In the Fall, this pond
hosts concentrations of migrating
waterfowl, including hundreds of
Ruddy Ducks, as well as scaup and
mergansers.
Meet at Martin’s Point Park in
Sabattus. From the intersection of Rt.9
and Rt.126, take High Street north
approximately .4 mile to Elm Street.
Turn right on Elm Street and proceed
.2 mile to Lake Street. Turn right on
Lake Street and proceed to the Park at
the end of the street. FMI John Berry
632-7257.

Field Trip: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 8:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
2023-12-02 08:30 - 11:30
Field Trip: Waterfowl Walk, Giant
Stairs, Bailey Island
Join John Berry for a look at the
winter waterfowl of eastern Casco Bay
from one of Harpswell’s most scenic
locations.
Directions: From Harpswell
Islands Road (Rt.24), turn left onto
Washington Avenue. Proceed
approximately .1 mile to a small
parking area for 4 or 5 cars at All
Saints by-the-Sea Chapel. If this lot
is full, proceed down Washington
Avenue to additional parking at
Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s
McIntosh Lot Preserve. FMI John
Berry 632-7257.

Cancelled:Field Trip: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 9:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. Reid State Park, Georgetown
2024-02-17 09:00 - 12:30
Saturday February 17, 9:00a.m.-12:30p.m. Reid State Park, Georgetown
This trip is cancelled as Reid State Park remains closed due to storm damage from the January storm.
Reid State Park is a magnificent site in
winter. We will search for all manner
of coastal waterbirds, including
scoters, grebes and loons, as well as
sanderlings and purple sandpipers.
Also, we’ll be on the lookout for
snowy owls, a distinct possibility at
this location. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Park’s main
parking lot overlooking The Lagoon.
FMI John Berry 632-7257.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, Location: Curtis Memorial Library, Morrell Room, Brunswick
2024-02-26 17:30 - 20:00
Board Meeting: 5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.
Public Program: 7:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Guest speaker: Bob Duchesne,
“Maine is Weird”
Bob Duchesne has spent a little time
on such questions as, “Why is the
coast so rugged?” “Why is Maine
the most forested state in America?”
“Why do we have so much northern
habitat compared to our peer states?”
The answers are fascinating.

Field Trip: Saturday March 9, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
2024-03-09 07:00 - 17:00
Salisbury Beach and Plum Island.
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.
vThe 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.

Work Day: Hamilton Sanctuary (Cancelled)
2024-03-23 09:00 - 12:00
This Saturday’s Work Day at Hamilton Sanctuary has been cancelled due to the storm. There are no plans to reschedule this event. Our thanks to those who planned to donate their time tomorrow!

Field Trip: Reid State Park, Rescheduled to March 24, 9:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
2024-03-23 09:00 - 12:30
Please Note: This trip is has been rescheduled to Sunday due to Saturday’s forecast for snow/rain. All other trip details remain the same.
Reid State Park is a magnificent
site in early spring. We’ll search for
all manner of coastal waterbirds,
including scoters, grebes and loons,
as well as sanderlings and purple
sandpipers. Walking the beach to
Todd’s Point is optional, but often
worth the effort.
Please note: The Park’s road to the main parking lot/Griffith Head is still closed to vehicles but the road to Todd’s Point is open.
FMI Gordon Smith 449-8206 or Peggy
Page 650-0549.

Board Meeting and Program: MONDAY, MARCH 25,
2024-03-25 17:30 - 20:00
Board Meeting and Program: Monday March 25
Location: Curtis Memorial Library, Morrell Room, Brunswick
Board Meeting: 5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.
Public Program: 7:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Guest speaker: Derek Lovitch, “Birding in Jamaica: Island Endemics to
Jerk Chicken”.
Join Derek and Jeannette Lovitch on
their tour through Jamaica as they
search for the island’s 28 Endemic
bird species–birds found nowhere
else on the planet. Along the way,
they take time to explore the island’s
ecology and biogeography.
Derek and Jeannette own and operate
Freeport Wild Bird Supply, a retail
store which caters to birders of all
levels. Derek is a published author of
How to be a Better Birder and Birdwatching
in Maine: A Site Guide.

Field Trip: SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 7:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
2024-04-21 07:30 - 11:00
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 2.5
miles).
vMeet at 7:30 a.m. at Brunswick
Landing Perimeter Trail, Pine Street
entrance. FMI Gordon Smith 449-
8206 or Peggy Page 650-0549.

Annual Meeting and Program: April 22, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
2024-04-22 17:30 - 20:00
Location: Curtis Memorial Library, Morrell Room, Brunswick
Annual Meeting: 5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.
Public Program: 7:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Guest speaker: Danielle D’Auria,
“Heron Tracking”.
Did you ever wonder where Maine’s
Great Blue Herons go in winter, and
what path they travel to get there?
Since 2016, Maine department of Inland fisheries & Wildlife has deployed
lightweight GPS tracking devices
on Great Blue Herons to follow their
movements during nesting, migration, and wintering.
Hear all about these majestic birds,
how over 100 volunteers have been
monitoring their colonies for the
past 15 years, and how students are
integral to tracking their movements
within and beyond state lines.
Danielle is Maine Dept. of Inland
Fisheries & Wildlife’s species expert
on secretive marsh birds, colonial
wading birds, common loons, and
black terns. Over the past 15 years,
she has devoted a great deal of effort
to heron surveys and research,
including coordination of a volunteer
monitoring program called the Heron
Observation Network of Maine.

Field Trip: SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
2024-04-27 09:00 - 12:00
Field Trip: Work Morning at Hamilton
Sanctuary, West Bath
As conditions allow, we will be
removing invasive plants and doing
trail maintenance.
vDirections: 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, APRIL 28, 7:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
2024-04-28 07:30 - 11:00
Field Trip: Green Point Farm WMA,
Dresden
Expect a wide variety of early 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).
vMeet at 7:30 a.m. at Green Point
Farm by the green shed off Route 128.
FMI Gordon Smith 449-8206 or Peggy
Page 650-0549.

Field Trip: SATURDAY, MAY 4, 7:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
2024-05-04 07:30 - 11:30
Field Trip: Capt. William Fitzgerald
Recreation and Conservation Area/
Bay Bridge Landing Wetland Park,
Brunswick
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.
vMeet 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 or Peggy Page 650-0549.

Field Trip: Saturday, May 11, 7:30A.M. - 11:00A.M.
2024-05-11 07:30 - 11:00
Field Trip: Brunswick Town Commons
Once part of a large 1000 acre
“commonage”, this mostly wooded
town-owned park harbors many
spring bird migrants. Our walking
route will be decided based on
current conditions, but may include
the Coffin Ice Ponds, as well as a
restored pitch pine barren. We’ll
walk on mostly level woodland paths
(some may have exposed roots) for up
to 2.5 miles.
vMeet at 7:30 a.m. at the parking
area off Harpswell Road (Rt. 123), 1.5
miles south of Bowdoin College. FMI
Gordon Smith 449-8206.

Field Trip: SATURDAY, MAY 18 OR SUNDAY, MAY 19, 5:00 A.M. – ?
2024-05-18 08:00
Field Trip: Big Day by Bike, Brunswick
Landing
If you have a bicycle–a regular
bike, ebike, or even an etrike (for us
seniors!)–and you enjoy birding,
this is the trip for you. Our goal
is to exceed 100 bird species by
day’s end. To make an informed
decision concerning your potential
participation, please review the
following:
1. Since good weather conditions
are desired for a successful Big Day,
on the Wednesday before the Big Day
weekend, the trip leader will choose
either Saturday or Sunday for this
trip. To know which day has been
chosen for the Big Day, please check
the Merrymeeting website (https://
merrymeeting.maineaudubon.org)
or contact the trip leader.
2. The Big Day by Bike trip will
take place entirely within the confines
of Brunswick Landing (former Naval
Air Station) and will include paved
roads and gravel/dirt paths (not
mountain bike trails). Therefore,
gravel or “fat” tires (not road tires) are
desired for your bike.
3. A bike helmet will be required to
be worn while riding. No exceptions!
4. Expect to ride 25+ miles on
mostly flat terrain. However, the pace
will be slow at times, as we will be
stopping frequently to observe and/
or hear birds.
5. Bring water/lunch/snacks,
outerwear based on the weather,
sunscreen, and tick/mosquito
repellent.
6. Since we will be viewing the
airfield, as well as Harpswell Cove,
it may be helpful to bring along a
small birding scope that can be safely
stowed on your bike.
7. Since 3 or 4 species of owls are
desired for the Big Day list, the trip
leader (and anyone who desires to
ride along) is planning to ride out
at 3:00 a.m. (bike headlight and/or
flashlight required) to listen for owls.
If you are planning to come along to
listen for owls, please confirm with
the trip leader.
8. Anyone can leave or join the Big
Day group at any time during the day.
However, please notify the leader
when you leave, or join, the group.
9. Meet at 5:00 a.m. at the
Brunswick Landing Perimeter Trail,
Pine Street entrance. FMI Gordon
Smith 449-8206 (text or call).

Field Trip: SUNDAY, MAY 26, 7:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
2024-05-26 07:30 - 11:00
Field Trip: Androscoggin River Trail,
Lisbon
We will walk an easy paved path (up
to 3 miles) along the river to observe
late spring migrants.
vMeet at 7:30 a.m. at the Sabattus
River boat launch parking lot off
Route 196 at Frost Hill Avenue. FMI
Gordon Smith 449-8206.

Field Trip: SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 7:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M
2024-06-02 07:30 - 11:30
Field Trip: Green Point Farm WMA,
Dresden
Expect a wide variety of breeding
birds (and some late 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).
vMeet at 7:30 a.m. at Green Point
Farm by the green shed off Route 128.
FMI Gordon Smith 449-8206.

Field Trip: SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 7:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
2024-06-09 07:30 - 11:30
Field Trip: Capt. William Fitzgerald
Recreation and Conservation Area/
Bay Bridge Landing Wetland Park,
Brunswick
We’ll explore these two town-owned
properties for breeding birds. 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.
vMeet 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: SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
2024-06-15 08:00 - 12:00
Field Trip: Birds and Butterflies –
Mitchell Field, Harpswell
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.
Following, as time allows, we may
visit the Curtis Farm Preserve nearby.
vMeet 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: SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 8:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
2024-06-22 08:00 - 11:00
Field Trip: Work Morning at Hamilton
Sanctuary, West Bath
As conditions allow, we will be
removing invasive plants and doing
trail maintenance.
vDirections: 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.

Saturday July 20 Field Trip, 7:30-10:30 am: Hamilton Sanctuary; Family Birding Program and the "Sneaky Pat Challenge"
2024-06-22 08:00 - 17:00
Saturday July 20 Field Trip, 7:30-10:30 am: Hamilton Sanctuary; Family Birding Program and the “Sneaky Pat Challenge”. This Program is geared for 2nd to 6th grade students who are beginning birders, and their parents. Participants will have the opportunity to observe resident summer birds at Hamilton Sanctuary, and to have birds light upon their gloved hands to eat birdseed. Participants should have jeans and a visored cap for the “Sneaky Pat Challenge”. See poster for more information. Meet at Hamilton Sanctuary parking area at 7:30 a.m. Registration is limited. To register or for more information contact Glenn Evans at 443-9652 or e-mail warnerevans20@yahoo.com.

Field Trip Reports Spring 2024
2024-07-01 08:00 - 17:00
Brunswick Landing, Brunswick April 21 – https://ebird.org/checklist/S169679899
Green Point Farm WMA, Dresden April 28 https://ebird.org/checklist/S170823698
Capt. Wm. Fitzgerald Recreation and Conservation Area May 4 https://ebird.org/checklist/S17196991
Baybridge Landing Wetland Park, Brunswick May 4 https://ebird.org/checklist/S171978379
Brunswick Town Commons, Brunswick May 11 https://ebird.org/checklist/S173616323
Androscoggin River Trail, Lisbon May 26 https://ebird.org/checklist/S177361791
Green Point Farm WMA, Dresden June 2 https://ebird.org/checklist/S179032057
Capt. Wm. Fitzgerald Recreation and Conservation Area, Brunswick June 9 https://ebird.org/checklist/S180438848
Baybridge Landing Wetland Park, Brunswick June 9 https://ebird.org/checklist/S180438848
Mitchell Field, Harpswell June 15 https://ebird.org/checklist/S181661252
Curtis Farm Preserve, Harpswell June 15 https://ebird.org/checklist/S181668544

Saturday July 20 Field Trip, 7:30-10:30 am: Hamilton Sanctuary; Family Birding Program and the "Sneaky Pat Challenge"
2024-07-20 07:30 - 10:30
Saturday July 20 Field Trip, 7:30-10:30 am: Hamilton Sanctuary; Family Birding Program and the “Sneaky Pat Challenge”. This Program is geared for 2nd to 6th grade students who are beginning birders, and their parents. Participants will have the opportunity to observe resident summer birds at Hamilton Sanctuary, and to have birds light upon their gloved hands to eat birdseed.
Meet at Hamilton Sanctuary parking area at 7:30 a.m. Registration is limited. Participants should have jeans and a visored cap for the “Sneaky Pat Challenge”. See link to slide show of prior program.
To register or for more information call Glenn Evans at 443-9652 or e-mail warnerevans20@yahoo.com..
https://youtu.be/3aOKovK3JgQhttps://youtu.be/3aOKovK3JgQhttps://youtu.be/3aOKovK3Jg

Field Trip: SUNDAY, JULY 28, 7:00 A.M. - 9:00 A.M.
2024-07-28 07:00
Field Trip: Shorebird Sunday –
Wharton Point, Brunswick
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.
vMeet at 7:00 a.m. at Wharton
Point (head of Maquoit Bay) at the
intersection of Maquoit Road
and Woodside Road. FMI Gordon
Smith 449-8206 or Peggy Page
650-0549.

NOTE NEW DAY AND TIME: Sunday, August 4, 7:30 am - 9:30 am Wharton Point
2024-08-04 07:30 - 09:30
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 forage on the mudflat on the
incoming tide.
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 or Peggy Page
650-0549.

Sunday, August 11, 6:30 am - 8:30 am Wharton Point, Brunswick
2024-08-11 06:30
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 6:30 a.m. at Wharton Point (head of Maquoit Bay) at the intersection of Maquoit Road and Woodside Road. FMI Gordon Smith 449-8206 or Peggy Page 650-0549.

Sunday, August 18, 6:30 am - 8:30 am Wharton Point, Brunswick
2024-08-18 06:30 - 08:30
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 forage on the mudflat on the
incoming tide.
Meet at 6:30 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: Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (southern coastal Maine)
2024-09-07 08:00 - 12:00
The Rachel Carson Refuge was established to protect estuarine and salt marsh habitat in southern coastal Maine for migrating birds. Join leader Glenn Evans as we search for fall migrants at several Refuge Divisions.

Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Rachel Carson Administrative Headquarters parking area. To get to the Administrative Headquarters, 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. From there, we’ll drive to several locations.
FMI Glenn Evans 443-9652

Field Trip: Curtis Farm Preserve/Mitchell Field, South Harpswell
2024-09-08 08:00 - 11:00
Join co-leaders Gordon Smith and Peggy Page as we 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’ll walk a woods path and view Middle Bay.

Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Curtis Farm Preserve lower parking lot off Basin Point Road.
FMI Gordon Smith 449-8206 or Peggy Page 650-0549

Field Trip: Androscoggin River Trail, Lisbon--NOTE, NEW DATE
2024-09-14 08:00 - 11:00
Join leader Gordon Smith as we 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 Route 196 at Frost Hill Avenue.
FMI Gordon Smith 449-8206

Please note that the Fall 2024 THE CALL published the field trip date as the 15th, but we have since moved it to the 14th.
