York County Audubon has established a Birding Backpack program that donates complete birding kits to local libraries.  After a successful trial at the Kennebunk Free Library, we are now engaged in an effort to make these available to libraries throughout York County.

This project is being done in memory of one of our dearest friends and colleagues, Pat Moynahan.  She was a treasure of the Maine birding community and so much more, as rare a bird as any she ever found in the field.  She served on the York County Audubon Board of Directors for 25 years.  We are honored to announce that the many donations that we have received in Pat’s memory (and any additional ones we receive) will be dedicated to supporting the Birding Backpack program.

Bird watching is for everyone, and people of all ages and abilities can enjoy looking at birds.  You can bird in your backyard, in the woods, at the beach or anywhere you see birds.   You can bird with your family, your friends or by yourself.  You can learn to identify the birds you see and keep a “Life List” or just enjoy watching bird behavior.

Each backpack contains everything you need to enjoy birding whether you are a beginner, an avid birder or just interested in the natural world.  The kit includes binoculars to get a close look at the birds; birding guides from beginner to expert to help you to identify the birds; birding checklists for children and adults to keep track of the birds you see; documentation on how to use binoculars, where to look for birds and get more information; plus maps of local land trusts and trails that are full of birds.

The following Libraries now have Birding Backpacks: McArthur Public Library in Biddeford, Kennebunk Free Library, D.A. Hurd Library in North Berwick, Dyer Library in Saco, Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library in Sanford, and Waterboro Public Library.  If you are a patron of these libraries or in their borrowing network, you can take advantage of this program.