Events

May 10-11, 2013 marks our 13th annual Birding Challenge fund-raiser. We began very humbly in 2001 by raising a grand total of $262 and peaked in 2007 with a total of $5,038 in donations from individuals and businesses. Throughout many generous donors have supported us with contributions. Also the Birding Challenge has benefited from the…

YCAS is pleased to sponsor a film in the “York Reads” series, held at the York Public Library. Monica Grabin will introduce “The Making of Winged Migration” and will facilitate the discussion afterward. York Public Library is located at 15 Long Sands Road (363-2818).

The field trip to Thornhurst Farm has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.   Targets: Geese and more Thornhurst Farm on Route 115 in North Yarmouth is just over the Yarmouth line and known as an annual stopover for hundreds of migrating geese.  Here’s a story on it from the Press Herald:  http://www.pressherald.com/archive/rare-geese-draw-crowds-to-maine_2009-11-03.html

This fast-paced trip is for those seeking the unexpected in as many spots as possible. Contact: Pat Moynahan 284-5487 Please join Derek Lovitch for this annual, fun-filled field trip to seek and search for rarities in York County at the peak of “Rarity Season.”  We’ll ply various nooks and crannies looking for lingering and pioneering migrants, while…

Offered in cooperation with York Land Trust. Leader: Lyman Page We will be looking for returning migrants and breeding birds. Directions: Take the York exit from Turnpike, Go to Rte 1 at the Stonewall Kitchen’s Light. From this light travel ~ 1 mile south on US Rt.1 to the Route 91. Turn right onto Route…

Annual business meeting at 6:45pm, Social time and refreshments at 7pm with program to follow. Natural history writer and popular entertaining speaker Todd McLeish will illustrate an important message about rare flora and fauna. He will tell about the people he has worked with who devote their lives to undoing years of damage to lovely…

Longtime summer resident Ken Janes retired here a year ago and has now combined his lifelong interest in birding and photography with daily walks in our membership area. Ken has a knack of capturing some stunning images of butterflies, dragonflies, mammals and many birds including a rarity that brought birders from far and wide to…

Since 1981, naturalist Norman Smith has spent countless days and nights, in every imaginable weather condition, observing, capturing, banding and color marking Snowy Owls at Logan International Airport. Data has been collected on roosting, hunting and behavior while the owls are on their wintering grounds. Most recently satellite transmitters have been attached to owls to…

Originally scheduled for March 19; postponed due to weather. YCAS member, traveler, and birder Marie Jordan will help us vicariously experience Cuba and its birdlife. While her emphasis is on birds, we will also learn about the beautiful locations these unique birds are found, and get fascinating glimpses of the old city, American relic cars…

Leader: Andy Aldrich Target: Early Fall migrants The Sanford Sewer Ponds are one of the most productive sites in Southern Maine for viewing all types of waterfowl and other birds attracted to the surrounding habitat.  Over 200 bird species have been seen here. Please sign in at the headquarters building when you arrive. Contact: Joanne…

Leader: Bob and Anne Watson Target: Upland Sandpiper, sparrows. As described by Bob Duchesne in The Maine Birding Trail, “This remnant is home to breeding grassland species found almost nowhere else in the state, including Grasshopper and Vesper Sparrows, Upland Sandpiper, Prairie Warblers, Eastern Towhees, Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks and Brown Thrashers.” Meet: Parking area along…

Leader: Sue Bickford Target: Butterflies, Dragonflies, Damselflies, and birds Contact: Julie Suchecki 510-1323

Leader: Joe Scott Target: Yellow-throated Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Meet: Store at intersection of Routes 113 and 160 Contact: Doug Hitchcox 671-0185

Leader: Scott Cronenweth Contacts: Bob and Anne Watson 251-1135 Target: Migrants Meeting Place: Bufflehead’s Restaurant, Hills Beach

Leader: David Rankin Timber Point is a part of the Rachel Carson NWR, located at the mouth of the Little River. It contains a diverse array of habitats, including salt marsh, rocky shoreline, sheltered coves, freshwater swamp, and forest, and provides great habitat for a variety of birds. Waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, sparrows and other early…

Leader: David Doubleday Meet at Dunkin Donuts on the corner of Haley Road and Route 1 in Kittery. We will discuss our plans then carpool, looking for raptors, ducks, winter specialties, and spring arrivals. Contact: Dave 207 205-4041 if you plan to attend or have questions.

Meet at the Cliff House in Ogunquit. Leader: Mike Windsor Contact: Pat Moynahan 284-5487

This field trip was originally scheduled for February 9, but was postponed. This field trip will explore the Saco River area in Saco and various spots on the river out to Camp Ellis. We will be looking for white-winged gulls, Barrow’s Goldeneyes, other sea ducks, and whatever land species can be found along the Saco…

Derek will lead us around York County looking for those rare birds still around at this time of year. We will look for late fall migrants as well as any rarities in York County. Derek will surely find these rare birds. Meet at the Kennebunk Rest Area off of Rt 95 Southbound at 7:30am. Car Pooling…

Join Andrew Aldrich for waterbirds, sparrows, warblers, and more.