Want to learn more about the many sparrow species that breed in and migrate through Maine? Want to know the difference between a sparrow and a finch? How can one bird be both a bunting and a sparrow? Why are longspurs no longer sparrows? Often skulking, elusive, and confusingly similar, sparrows can make any birder prefer fall wood-warblers. As part of this workshop, you will learn how to find and observe sparrows in their preferred habitat. We will learn through classroom and field time useful foraging behaviors, flight characteristics, and vocalizations helpful for identification and appreciation of Maine’s sparrows. The workshop will feature some of the rare species that have turned up in Maine, and some that might yet so you’ll be prepared! The marsh sparrows, Le Conte’s versus Grasshopper, who was Henslow, and the tricky Spizella are some of the featured sparrows.

This workshop will be led by well known (and well liked!) Maine birder Louis Bevier.  Since the 1960s, birds have drawn him to explore most of North and South America, leading to months at sea off Alaska and California, backcountry surveys in the high Sierra, plant and bird expeditions to several countries, and many other adventures. He has worked as a tour guide for Field Guides, as an editor for The Birds of North America series, as Associate Editor for the journal North American Birds, and is past Chair of the Maine Bird Records Committee.

The workshop will be held on Sunday, October 18^th at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm.  We’ll meet at 8 a.m. and take a short walk. Then we’ll move to the Mather Auditorium for a talk on “all things sparrow.” We’ll break for lunch (you’ll need to bring your own), after which we’ll head to Mile Rd. to try for Saltmarsh or Nelson’s Sparrows, or anything else, at high tide, and then continue on to Beach Plum Farm and possibly Ogunquit Beach.   At least that’s the plan!

This workshop is proudly sponsored by York County Audubon.  The cost is $10/person, payable by check or cash at the workshop.  But space is limited and advance reservations are required via this website!  Please register by going to the “event” page, which you can reach by clicking on the link for this event in the Calendar box on the right side of this page. Please bring lunch and snacks.  Hope you can join us.