August 15th – A Bird Walk at Hills Beach in Biddeford

A Ruddy Turnstone in the wrack at South Point in Biddeford Pool – photo by Bill Grabin 

It may be peak summer but believe it or not, fall shorebird migration is in full swing!  Dave Tucker will lead our August bird walk at Hills Beach in Biddeford, one of the best locations in Maine to look for shorebirds and seabirds in late summer. Our walk will take place at low tide, allowing us to walk on the sand bars that connect the mainland to Basket and Stage Islands.

Hills Beach is a prime spot to look for terns and gulls, as well as several species of shorebirds such as Semipalmated Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plovers, Sanderlings, White-rumped Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Piping Plovers, Oystercatchers, and Black-bellied Plovers. Arctic Terns, Whimbrels, Baird Sandpipers, and Stilt Sandpipers are also possibilities.

The group will meet at 8am at the Marblehead Boat Launch (16 Marblehead Ln, Biddeford, ME) and carpool from there 3 miles to the walk location, where there is much more limited parking. Birders should be prepared to walk on soft sand in direct sunlight.

Beginning birders are most welcome. We will be happy to introduce you to the joy of birding, if you’re new to it. More experienced birders are most welcome as well! Please bring binoculars if you have them, but we’ll have some to lend if you don’t. These walks are provided at no charge and advance registration is not required.