Birding Excursions along the Midcoast- April & May

Photo Credit: Chris Cabot
Participants look and listen as Merrymeeting Audubon birder, Ted Allen (center), points out a bird in Thorne Head Preserve in Bath.

Four Conservation Organizations offer series of birding walks in the Merrymeeting Region

The public is invited to attend a series of free bird watching adventures sponsored by four conservation organizations in the Merrymeeting Bay region this April and May. The Merrymeeting Audubon, Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, and Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust have collaborated to offer five opportunities to visit beautiful natural places and watch for a variety of birds from forests to farms to the shoreline.

On April 9 at 7:00pm experience the American Woodcock’s mating dance with Forester Rob Bryan at Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s Curtis Farm Preserve. We will meet to hear about woodcock ecology, nesting habitat, and what we can do to enhance habitat for these interesting birds. Around sunset we will stop talking to watch and hear the male birds take their spiraling, twittering courtship flights. Bring something portable to sit on. Curtis Farm Preserve is located across the street from 1557 Harpswell Neck Road (Route 123), 1.7 miles south of the post office and .2 miles north of Ash Point Road. For more information: Julia McLeod, 207-837-9613, outreach@hhltmaine.org.

On April 19 at 8:00am join us for a walk through KELT's Sewall Woods Preserve in Bath led by Merrymeeting Audubon's Ted Allen. The group will hike along Whiskeag Creek, a tidal influenced stream that flows into the Kennebec River. Birders will seek migrating waterfowl including Canada geese, black ducks, mallards, blue- and green-winged teal, and common mergansers.  Participants can meet at 7:30am at the CVS in Bath to carpool. For more information: Ted Allen, 729-8661.

On Friday, May 9 at 7:30am, join Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s veteran birder John Berry at Skolfield Shores Preserve to walk the trails and look for spring birds in the woods and fields and along the shore. Skolfield Shores Preserve is located on Harpswell Neck Road (Route 123), just south of the Brunswick/Harpswell line. For more information: Julia McLeod, 207-837-9613, outreach@hhltmaine.org.

On Thursday, May 15 at 7:30 am join us for a walk through the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust’s Crystal Spring Farm in Brunswick. Jan Pierson will lead participants through a variety of habitats including fields, forests, and ponds.  We hope to see sparrows, bluebirds, boblinks, and several species of warblers.  For more information visit www.btlt.org/birding  or contact Lee Cataldo, 207-729-7694, lee@btlt.org.

On Saturday, May 31 at 8:00am, Ted Allen from Merrymeeting Audubon is leading birders through Thorne Head Preserve in Bath. Overlooking Whiskeag Creek as it converges with the Kennebec River, the preserve is located on the Maine Birding Trail and is rich in migrating warblers and vireos.  Participants can meet at 7:30 am at the CVS in Bath to carpool.  For more information: Ted Allen, 729-8661.

Visit the web addresses of the four hosting organizations for more information on these fantastic chances to observe our feathered friends: Merrymeeting Audubon: www.maineaudubon.org/merrymeeting/; Kennebec Estuary Land Trust: www.kennebecestuary.org; Harpswell Heritage Land Trust: www.hhltmaine.org; Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust: www.btlt.org/birding.