THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN FULLY BOOKED.  IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITING LIST, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO ycas@yorkcountyaudubon.org WITH “WORKSHOP WAITING LIST” AS THE SUBJECT

York County Audubon continues our Workshop series by offering a Shorebird Identification Workshop presented by noted Maine Birder, Louis Bevier. Shorebirds herald the changing seasons by staging and feeding in mixed flocks on our beaches and resting on historical roosting area.  Fortunes Rock Beach and Hills Beach are two of these noted areas. Louis will discuss the beautiful plumage variation of these long-distance migrant flocks.  We will begin to identify specific species within the flocks by size, shape and feeding strategy. Louis will also identify species migratory travel dates from ebird data. Sounds of individual species will also be discussed and listened for on our beach walks.

This workshop will be led by well known Maine birder Louis Bevier.  Since the 1960’s, 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 serves on the Maine Bird Records Committee.

The presentation part of the workshop will be held at the Biddeford Pool Fire Station located at the corner of Rt 208 and Stone Cliff Rd in Biddeford Pool on August 28, 2017. Two beach walks are planned, one at Hills Beach and the second at Fortunes Rocks. We will meet at Buffleheads Restaurant on Hills Beach at 7:45 a.m. Plan on walking to the Basket Island Sandbar and birding until 9:30. Bring your scope along if you have one. We will then drive to the Biddeford Fire Station for Louis’ presentation and lunch (please bring your lunch). We will conclude the day with a beach walk at South Beach at Fortunes Rocks so that you can check your skill in Shorebird identification. Water shoes are appropriate although we should not get wet as High Tide is not till 4:54 p.m.

Space is limited, and advance registration (via this website) is required.  Please click on the link under “What’s Coming Up” on the right side of this page, then scroll down to find the registration form.  Fee of $10 is payable by cash or check at the workshop.

American Oystercatcher – photo by Ken Janes. Common Tern with fish – photo by Marie Jordan.