“Feathers over Freeport” Offers Birding Fun for All Ages

AUGUSTA – The sixth annual “Feathers over Freeport” event will take place on April 28, 29 and 30, 2017. This unique event is designed to appeal to birdwatchers of all abilities, especially families and children.

“Feathers over Freeport” will highlight special birding opportunities at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal, including the Hawk Watch at the summit, and Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park in Freeport, home to nesting ospreys.

Sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands  and Freeport Wild Bird Supply, the two-day event will feature a wide variety of activities and presentations, including live-bird presentations, bird walks for adults and children, a hawk watch workshop, and numerous children’s activities.

Details of the event are:

Feathers over Freeport:

7 p.m. - 8 p.m., Friday, April 28, Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal
8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, April 29, Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal
8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday, April 30, Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport
***Park entry fees apply; all programs and activities included with park admission.



Free Event:  7p.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday, April 29, Freeport Community Library

Three special live bird and wildlife programs will highlight the event. On Saturday, April 29, Bradbury Mountain State Park will host the Center for Wildlife’s team of bird “ambassadors,” including owls, hawks, and falcons. The program is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. On Sunday, April 30, Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park will host the Chewonki Foundation for a live bug program at 1:00 p.m. and a live owl program at 3:00 p.m.  Both days feature a bird walk from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., led by Derek Lovitch of Freeport Wild Bird Supply. Derek will guide visitors for a walk in the woods seeking out spring migrants and woodland residents, and all levels of expertise are welcome. Bring your own binoculars.

The weekend events kick off on Friday night, April 28, with a “Night Walk” at Bradbury Mountain State Park, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Zeb Casperson, a Maine Conservation Corps Environmental Steward, and park staff will lead visitors on a night time nature walk exploring the world of nocturnal animals. At the end of the walk, weather permitting, feel free to stick around past 8:00 p.m. to observe the night sky with a telescope.

Saturday’s events on April 29 at Bradbury Mountain State Park include a “Vernal Pool Exploration,” in which wetland scientists Lauren Leclerc and Dave Brenneman will lead visitors to the mysterious temporary pools where frogs, salamanders, and fairy shrimp hatch. Bradbury Mountain State Park also features a “Hawk Watch,” a two month research project that is in its eleventh year of migration data collection. It is a focal point of the park and the weekend events and will run daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through May 15. The public is invited to watch for migrating hawks with the Official Counter. A “Hawk Watch Workshop” will be offered by Derek Lovitch from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday to teach visitors about the project and how to identify hawks in flight.

On both Saturday and Sunday, Michael Boardman, a North Yarmouth based wildlife artist, will lead a “Drawing Birds Workshop” for all levels from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. This program will include basic instruction, a quick demo and practice time sketching several bird mounts. There is a possibility of sketching live birds at the end of the session during the live bird programs. Also on both Saturday and Sunday, Park Rangers will lead a “Springtime Plant Walk” at each park. SaltBox Café and Fahrenheit 225 will have their food trucks at each park both Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with everything you need for a delicious meal.

There are plenty of activities for kids on both days. A bird walk for children will take place on both days at 10:00 a.m., featuring fun bird calls and birdwatching basics. Bird-related games and crafts geared toward children and families also will be offered both days from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Children accompanied by an adult are welcome to come and build a birdhouse. These are available on a first come, first served basis and supplies are limited.

Saturday night, April 29, the fun moves to the Freeport Community Library where we will celebrate Derek Lovitch’s brand new book, Birdwatching in Maine from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. From mountaintop to barrier beach, from the “The County” and the Crown of Maine to the southwest coastal plain, a wide variety of birds can be found, and Birdwatching in Maine will show you how, where, and why. Full of photographs of iconic species and iconic places, this program will explore all that birdwatching in Maine has to offer.

Sunday, April 30, an ongoing “Osprey Watch” will be featured at Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join Rangers to view and learn about nesting ospreys on Googins Island. Charlene Donahue, Forest Entomologist with the Maine Forest Service, will give a presentation on both invasive and native insects from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. That will lead into “The Bugmobile - Magnifying the World of Arthropods” presented by the Chewonki Foundation from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., a unique presentation about the characteristics and adaptations of arthropods.

Event partners are the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry- Bureau of Parks and Lands and the Freeport Wild Bird Supply. Sponsors include: Royal River Conservation Trust, Bow Street Market, Freeport Conservation Trust, Leica Sport Optics, and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

For more information about “Feathers over Freeport” and a complete listing of activities, go to:  http://www.maine.gov/feathersoverfreeport or by calling the parks: Bradbury Mountain State Park at (207) 688-4712 or Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park at (207) 865-4465.

For more information about Maine state parks and historic sites, go to:

http://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/index.shtml

Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park Offers Free Nature Programs

Augusta, Maine - Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park in Freeport is offering nature programs daily at 2 p.m. into the fall season.

The programs, which include walks, talks and activities in the beautiful, natural setting of the park, are free with park admission. Programs last about one hour, weather permitting, and are suitable for children and adults.

Most programs start at the circle of benches at the end of the park’s second parking lot, unless otherwise noted.

For more information or to arrange for group visits, visitors can call 865-4465 or go to: http://www.maine.gov/wolfesneckwoods

For more information about Maine state parks and historic sites, go to: http://www.parksandlands.com

Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park Nature Programs, Oct. 2012

Saturday, Oct. 6, Fall in the Forest - Fall is a great time to get to know the forest, join us on this introduction to identifying trees and their changing foliage. 2 PM, meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, 1 hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Sunday, Oct. 7, Wabanaki Nature Legends - Enjoy this short walk on the accessible path with stories based on legends from the native Wabanaki tribes of Maine. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, 1 hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Monday, Oct. 8, Stories in Stone – Learn the story of Maine’s rockbound coast on this walk with short talks and activities. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, 1 hour program, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Saturday, Oct. 13, Steamer Dig – Learn about the life and times of the soft-shell clam. Then try your hand at digging this delicacy of the deep mud with an experienced guide. (Bring mud sneakers or high boots, gloves, and a clam hoe or spading fork.) 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, 1 hour program, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Sunday, Oct. 14, Ready, Set, Sleep! - Discover how nature prepares for winter in this program for children and fun-loving adults. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, 1 hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Saturday, Oct. 20, Fall Foliage Tour - Stroll through the forest on our accessible path to enjoy the beauty and learn about the changes happening around you. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, 1 hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Sunday, Oct. 21, Who Lived Here Before Us? - Join us on this historical tour of the park and peninsula. We will learn about the land use of the park over time, and why its past makes it such a special place today. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, 1 hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Saturday, Oct. 27, Wabanaki Nature Legends - Enjoy this short walk on the accessible path with stories based on legends from the native Wabanaki tribes of Maine. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, 1 hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Sunday, Oct. 28, Fall in the Forest - Fall is a great time to get to know the trees, join us on this introduction to tree identification in the fall. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, 1 hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands: Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park Offers Free, Daily Nature Programs

Augusta, Maine - Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park in Freeport is offering nature programs daily at 2 p.m. through Labor Day.

The programs, which include walks, talks and activities in the beautiful, natural setting of the park, are free with park admission. No reservations are needed, except for large groups. Programs last about one hour, weather permitting, and are suitable for children and adults.

Most programs start at the circle of benches at the end of the park’s second parking lot, unless otherwise noted.

For more information or to arrange for group visits, visitors can call 865-4465 or go to: http://www.maine.gov/wolfesneckwoods

For more information about Maine state parks and historic sites, go to: http://www.parksandlands.com

Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park Nature Programs for August

Wednesday, Aug. 1, The Edge of the Sea - Enjoy a walk, short talks, and activities on the natural history and ecology of our varied shore. 2 p.m., Wheelchair accessible. One hour program, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Thursday, Aug. 2, Wild Relatives – Everyone has them!  Get acquainted with the wild relatives of things in and around your home on this tour. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot. 1 hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Friday, Aug. 3, Osprey Watch - Stop by the osprey sign opposite Googins Island to get a close look at the nesting ospreys any time from 2-3 p.m., weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Saturday, Aug. 4, In the Pines - Tour the pine forest on our accessible path and see why Maine is the Pine Tree State. 2 p.m., one-hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465.

Sunday, Aug. 5, Osprey Watch - Stop by the osprey sign opposite Googins Island to get a close look at the nesting ospreys any time from 2-3 p.m., weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Monday, Aug. 6, Tree Hunt – Stop by the benches to get your papers for this fun, self-guiding hunt, and then come back afterwards to see how well you did. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, one hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Tuesday, Aug. 7, Osprey Watch - Stop by the osprey sign opposite Googins Island to get a close look at the nesting ospreys any time from 2-3 p.m., weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Wednesday, Aug. 8, The Shore Tour - Learn about our varied shores through talks, activities, and views along the accessible path. Wheelchair accessible. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, one hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Thursday, Aug. 9, Small Wonders – Discover the extraordinary things that are right before your eyes.  (Hand lenses provided.) 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, one hour program, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Friday, Aug. 10, Hike with the Ranger – Enjoy the best that the park has to offer in this season with a knowledgeable guide. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, one hour program, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Saturday, Aug. 11, Osprey Watch - Stop by the osprey sign opposite Googins Island to get a close look at the nesting ospreys any time from 2-3 p.m., weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Sunday, Aug. 12, Steamer Dig – Learn about the life and times of the soft-shell clam. Then try your hand at digging this delicacy of the deep mud with an experienced guide. (Bring mud sneakers or high boots, gloves, and clam hoe or spading fork.) 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, one hour, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Monday, Aug. 13, Casco Bay Walk – Enjoy views of rocky shores, nesting ospreys, and islands in the bay on this one-mile hike. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot. one hour program, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Tuesday, Aug. 14, Osprey Watch - Stop by the osprey sign opposite Googins Island to get a close look at the nesting ospreys any time from 2-3 p.m., weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Wednesday, Aug. 15, Stroll with the Ranger – Take a relaxed tour with the ranger on our wheelchair-accessible path. 2 p.m. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Thursday, Aug. 16, Drawing From Nature – Use drawing and art as a way to get up close and personal with the wildlife in the park. Drawing materials will be provided, visitors are invited to bring their own if they prefer. 2 p.m., meet at the benches by the second parking lot. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Friday, Aug. 17, Stories in Stone – Get to know the story of Maine’s rockbound coast on this walk with talks and activities. 2 p.m., meet at the circle of benches by the second parking lot, one hour program, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465.

Saturday, Aug. 18, Wild Relatives –  Everyone has them!  Get acquainted with the wild relatives of things in and around your home on this tour. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot. one hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Sunday, Aug. 19, Osprey Watch - Stop by the osprey sign opposite Googins Island to get a close look at the nesting ospreys any time from 2-3 p.m., weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Monday, Aug. 20, Tree Hunt – Stop by the benches to get your papers for this fun, self-guiding hunt, and then come back afterwards to see how well you did. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, one hour program, weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Tuesday, Aug. 21, Osprey Watch - Stop by the osprey sign opposite Googins Island to get a close look at the nesting ospreys any time from 2-3 p.m., weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Wednesday, Aug. 22, Hike with the Ranger – Enjoy the best that the park has to offer in this season with a knowledgeable guide. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, one hour program, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Thursday, Aug. 23, Who Lived Here Before Us? – Learn about the history of a very special part of the Maine coast, and discover where we can still see signs of the past today. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, one hour program, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Friday, Aug. 24, Small Wonders – Discover the extraordinary things that are right before your eyes.  (Hand lenses provided.) 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, one hour program, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Saturday, Aug. 25, Osprey Watch - Stop by the osprey sign opposite Googins Island to get a close look at the nesting ospreys any time from 2-3 p.m., weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Sunday, Aug. 26, Tide Pools - Visit this informal program on the rocky shore near Googins Island to discover the secrets of a tide pool. Stop by the shore anytime from 2-3 p.m., weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465.

Monday, Aug. 27, Secrets of the Shore – Discover the secrets of life in the salt marsh, mud flat, and rocky shore in this one hour tour. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot. one hour program, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Tuesday, Aug. 28, Osprey Watch - Stop by the osprey sign opposite Googins Island to get a close look at the nesting ospreys any time from 2-3 p.m., weather permitting. Wheelchair accessible. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Wednesday, Aug. 29, Casco Bay Walk - Enjoy views of rocky shores, nesting ospreys, and islands in the bay on this one-mile hike. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot. one hour program, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Thursday, Aug. 30, Forest and Shore Tour – Get to know the things that live in the park's forest and on its shores on this eye-opening tour. 2 p.m., meet at circle of benches by second parking lot, one hour, weather permitting. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465

Friday, Aug. 31, Drawing From Nature - Use drawing and art as a way to get up close and personal with the wildlife in the park. Drawing materials will be provided, visitors are invited to bring their own if they prefer. 2 p.m., meet at the benches by the second parking lot. Free with park admission. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport. 865-4465