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York County Audubon

The website for York County (Maine) Audubon

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Field Trip: Kittery Area

York County Audubon Posted on January 14, 2013 by HarlequinJanuary 14, 2013

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.

Posted in Events

Field Trip: York Coast

York County Audubon Posted on December 28, 2012 by HarlequinJanuary 4, 2013

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

Posted in Events

Field Trip: Saco River area to Camp Ellis

York County Audubon Posted on December 28, 2012 by HarlequinFebruary 9, 2013

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 River Walk. We will meet at the Saco Transportation Center and will plan, after doing the River Walk, to car pool. Please check with the contact person if the weather seems at all unsuitable.

Contact: Pat Sanborn (sanborn@gwi.net) 781-9837

Posted in Events

NORTHERN LAPWING – Berwick, 11/3

York County Audubon Posted on November 3, 2012 by HarlequinJanuary 4, 2013

On November 3rd, Andy Aldrich and Ken Janes found a Northern Lapwing at the Tuckahoe Turf Farm in Berwick. The bird was observed first around 10:50am and was last seen as it flew of towards the southwest at 12:30pm.

I believe this is only the second record for Maine; one was collected in December 1927 in Aroostook County.

Lapwing_Berwick_Maine, 2nd documented state record, 1st was 1927

Here are a few notes from Andy on birding Tuckahoe Turf Farm:

NEVER DRIVE ON THE GRASS, OR PARK ON GRASS.

Birders and walkers are welcomed to come and walk any where you wish to.
You may drive on all the roads, if you come during the week PLEASE do not get in their way.  As you go into the place there are parking places on the left by the woods. They do load BIG trucks on the weekend, so do not park to block any of the dirt roads.
I was told that they do not want lots of people there at the same time during the week, so if you come in a group check with them first, A group on weekend is okay.

The manager also wanted it to be very clear that people often hunt in the woods around the turf farm and did not want birders disturbing them.

Posted in Observations

Field Trip: Rarity Roundup

York County Audubon Posted on November 1, 2012 by adminNovember 1, 2012

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 is encouraged.

Contact Pat Moynahan 284-5487. 

Posted in Events

Lapland Longspur in Sanford

York County Audubon Posted on October 19, 2012 by HarlequinJanuary 4, 2013

Andrew Aldrich to maine-birds…

Sanford Sewage Plant, York, US-ME
Oct 18, 2012 11:20 AM – 12:40 PM

The LALO was near the fence to the right of the gate into the ponds, one half the distance to the power pole.

Lapland Longspur A 088 copy

Posted in Observations | Tagged lapland longspur

The Harlequin, Autumn 2012

York County Audubon Posted on October 9, 2012 by HarlequinOctober 9, 2012

Download the Autumn 2012 issue of The Harlequin.

Posted in Chapter News | Tagged newsletter

Sanford Sewer Works

York County Audubon Posted on July 25, 2012 by HarlequinJuly 25, 2012

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

Posted in Events

Scarborough Marsh & Pine Point

York County Audubon Posted on July 25, 2012 by HarlequinJuly 25, 2012

Join Doug Hitchcox at the Scarborough Marsh for a morning of birding. We will be walking the trails of the marsh and the Pine Point area looking for early migrating birds on their way south. Moderate walking. Meet at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center located on Route 9 / Pine Point Rd, Scarborough. For more info contact Doug Hitchcox at 207-671-0185.

Posted in Events

Savage Preserve, South Berwick, for Butterflies and Dragonflies: July 14, 2012

York County Audubon Posted on July 14, 2012 by HarlequinJuly 14, 2012

Twelve adults and two young folks (Sue Bickford’s grandchildren) met at 9 am at the Savage Preserve in South Berwick for our bejeweled and bedazzled walk. Thank goodness for the young folks. They caught the majority of the butterflies and dragonflies for Sue to identify.

The Calico Pendants amazed us with their orange saddlebags, red faces, and wing dots. The butterflies of the day included Cloudless Sulfurs, American Copper, Monarch nectaring on milkweed, one of the Blues, Common Wood Nymph, and Silver-spotted Skipper. Birds included Chipping Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Common Yellowthroat, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, a family of Eastern Wood Pewees, American Crows, and the endless sound of summer, Red-eyed Vireo.

Thanks, Sue, for a most informative walk and I look forward to next year’s bejeweled and bedazzled. This is a great walk for children — they use up lots of energy.

Small boy views an azure in a butterfly net
Azure in the net
Trip leader holds a wood nymph and field guide
Wood nymph in the hand
Skipper in the hand

Posted in Trip Report | Tagged south berwick

The Harlequin, Summer 2012

York County Audubon Posted on July 3, 2012 by HarlequinJuly 14, 2012

Download the summer 2012 issue of The Harlequin.

Posted in Chapter News | Tagged newsletter

Hamilton House, South Berwick: June 9, 2012

York County Audubon Posted on June 30, 2012 by ScottJune 30, 2012

Magnificent weather encouraged 17 people to arrive at Historic New England’s Hamilton House property in South Berwick on June 9 for our second annual bird walk at this tranquil and beautiful site. Barn swallows coursed over the field as we climbed a gentle rise to get the sun at our backs, but songbirds were a bit of a challenge to see in tall grass and thick foliage.

With a mix of experienced birders and novices, we slowly but surely introduced various species to the beginners. For many, the highlight was discovering male and female bobolinks carrying food for nest-bound young. Our disturbance kept the caterpillar-carrying male cautious enough for folks to enjoy a scope view, then we moved past so the couple could feed their young. As soon as they were left behind, a Baltimore oriole appeared in front of us and sang brightly in full view.

Neighboring Vaughan Woods State Park beckoned, so we skirted its edge to pick up a few forest species including a singing winter wren. Soon after, we braved a mucky path back to the Hamilton House, where a scan of the Salmon Falls River shore revealed a spotted sandpiper.

In the tidy gardens, a hide-and-seek indigo bunting and a cooperative hummingbird capped off our 2-hour stroll, which put 34 species in the notebook. Donuts and coffee in the gardener’s cottage were a welcome treat offered by our hostess for those who had a few minutes to spare.

  1. Great Blue Heron
  2. Turkey Vulture
  3. Osprey
  4. Sharp-shinned Hawk
  5. Red-tailed Hawk
  6. Spotted Sandpiper
  7. Mourning Dove
  8. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  9. Downy Woodpecker
  10. Eastern Phoebe
  11. Great Crested Flycatcher
  12. Red-eyed Vireo
  13. Warbling Vireo
  14. Blue Jay
  15. American Crow
  16. Tree Swallow
  17. Barn Swallow
  18. Black-capped Chickadee
  19. Tufted Titmouse
  20. White-breasted Nuthatch
  21. Winter Wren
  22. Eastern Bluebird
  23. American Robin
  24. Gray Catbird
  25. Yellow Warbler
  26. Common Yellowthroat
  27. Chipping Sparrow
  28. Song Sparrow
  29. Scarlet Tanager
  30. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  31. Indigo Bunting
  32. Eastern Meadowlark
  33. Baltimore Oriole
  34. American Goldfinch

 

Posted in Trip Report

Intervale Marshes: May 5, 2012

York County Audubon Posted on June 1, 2012 by BillJune 1, 2012

On Saturday, May 5th, veteran Maine naturalist Bill Hancock led a group of birders on an exploration of the Intervale Marsh in New Gloucester, Maine. It’s an area of exceptional habitat, much of it protected by the Royal River Conservation Trust. While we were a little too early for many of the migrants, we still saw a good number of birds. Our highlights were great up close visits with a couple of Virginia Rails and a couple of Marsh Wrens. Afterwards, at Bill’s suggestion, we continued our birding up the adjacent Woodman Road, and were delighted to be greeted by the calls of several Sandhill Cranes. Our great thanks to Bill Hancock for leading the trip and introducing us to this great habitat.

 

Posted in Trip Report

Bird Walk at Wells Reserve

York County Audubon Posted on May 2, 2012 by HarlequinJune 21, 2012

Enjoy birding at one of York County’s finest birding spots, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve at historic Laudholm Farm. Meet the leader in the parking lot at 7:30 am and plan to spend at least a couple of hours on the trails. More information at the Wells Reserve website.

 

Posted in Events

Cumberland County: April 28, 2012

York County Audubon Posted on May 1, 2012 by adminMay 1, 2012

Seven hardy souls joined the York County Audubon Society on its Saturday April 28th walk, led by Rob Speirs, canvasing Portland’s Stroudwater Marsh, Capisic Park, Evergreen Cemetery, and River Point Conservation Area in Falmouth on a blustery day. Rob began with a description of the output from NEXRAD Radar, showing extremely light movement of birds overnight, due to a high pressure system that’s blocking migration into the northeast. The high pressure system parked overhead, chill air and stiff breeze conspired to put a damper on the birds, but the congenial and upbeat group was motivated to compile a respectable list, in spite of challenging conditions.

The morning kicked off at Stroudwater, highlighted by Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, as well as Great and Snowy Egrets in the marsh behind the office buildings.

Capisic Park saw warbler numbers down, but the group enjoyed great looks at several Northern Rough-winged Swallows, vocalizing with their insect-like calls, and watched a Sharpie take a shot at the mix of wheeling Tree and Rough-winged Swallows. This little drama was immediately followed with an over-flight by a Cooper’s Hawk, landing in a tree across the stream, before continuing it patrol of the neighborhood. The recently reported Virginia Rails were silent, but all enjoyed good looks at drake Wood Ducks and a Canada Goose on its nest.

Evergreen Cemetery, with tree tops tossed about in increasing winds, proved a challenge. The group considered overturning rocks and leaf litter in an effort to locate birds. Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwings and three Red-tailed Hawks were best birds.

River Point Conservation Area in Falmouth, our last stop, was a fast tour of a new birding location for many participants. If few birds were to be found, participants were pleased to be able to familiarize themselves with this excellent spring migrant trap, where Blue-winged Warblers have been consistent for a number of years.

Below is the list from a challenging birding day.

  1. Canada Goose
  2. Ring-billed Gull
  3. Wood Duck
  4. American Black Duck
  5. Mallard
  6. Double-crested Cormorant
  7. Great Egret
  8. Snowy Egret
  9. Turkey Vulture
  10. Osprey
  11. Sharp-shinned Hawk
  12. Cooper’s Hawk
  13. Red-tailed Hawk
  14. Greater Yellowlegs
  15. Lesser Yellowlegs
  16. Herring Gull
  17. Rock Pigeon
  18. Mourning Dove
  19. Belted Kingfisher
  20. Northern Flicker
  21. Eastern Phoebe
  22. Blue Jay
  23. American Crow
  24. Northern Rough-winged Swallow
  25. Tree Swallow
  26. Black-capped Chickadee
  27. Tufted Titmouse
  28. White-breasted Nuthatch
  29. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
  30. Eastern Bluebird
  31. American Robin
  32. European Starling
  33. Cedar Waxwing
  34. Yellow-rumped Warbler
  35. Chipping Sparrow
  36. Song Sparrow
  37. Northern Cardinal
  38. Red-winged Blackbird
  39. Common Grackle
  40. American Goldfinch
  41. House Sparrow
Posted in Trip Report

2012 Field Trips and Meetings

York County Audubon Posted on April 21, 2012 by HarlequinApril 21, 2012

2012FT+M

Download the York County Audubon 2012 Field Trips and Meetings brochure

Posted in Chapter News | Tagged publications

The Harlequin, Spring 2012

York County Audubon Posted on April 9, 2012 by HarlequinApril 13, 2012

Download Spring 2012 Harlequin newsletter (8 MB PDF)

Contents include:

  • Birding Challenge
  • For the Sake of the Birds: Get Involved
  • A Piping Plover Experience
  • What Exactly Does York County Audubon Do?
  • Hog Island Scholarship Winner
  • Get Current, Get Organized, Get eBird
  • Winter Wildlife Day
  • February Field Trip
  • The Saco River in Winter
  • Birding Patch: Highland Farm Preserve
  • Laudholm Summer Bird Walks
  • Etymology: Red-winged Blackbird
  • Program Meetings and Field Trips
Posted in Chapter News

Field Trip: Where are the Birds

York County Audubon Posted on April 2, 2012 by HarlequinApril 2, 2012

Join leader Rob Speirs on a quest to see as many birds in Cumberland County as we can. Meet at the Saco Park-n-Ride, on Industrial Park Rd, off of exit 1 on I-95 at 7:30 to car pool.

Contact

Bob Watson
207-251-1135
Posted in Events

Field Trip: Dragonflies and Butterflies

York County Audubon Posted on March 27, 2012 by ScottMarch 27, 2012

Join Sue Bickford at the Savage Preserve along Route 101 in South Berwick for a morning of winged wonders. Birds, butterflies, damselflies, butterflies, and everything else this place has to offer.

GWRLT says “We regard it as one of our most important properties both for its ecological significance and its value for public enjoyment.”

Woods, some open space, nice trail sometimes with a bit of a slope. Google map, bird list, and trail map here.

Additional Details

Julie Suchecki
510-1323
Posted in Birding Trail, Events

The Harlequin, Winter 2012

York County Audubon Posted on March 27, 2012 by HarlequinMarch 27, 2012

Download The Harlequin, Winter 2012

 

Posted in Chapter News

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Calendar

Regular York County Audubon programs are free and open to the public.

What’s Coming Up

Starting May 10th - A Series of May Bird Walks with Lani York
05/10/2025Starting May 17th - Saturday Morning Bird Walks at the Wells Reserve (Every Other Week)
05/17/2025May 20th - York County: Birds, Birders and Birding – with Britney Fox Hover
05/20/2025June 7th -Birding by Ear Workshop - with Dan Gardoqui
06/07/2025June 17th - Iceland: Land of the Midnight Sun and Magnificent Birds - with Shawn Carey - preceded by (brief!) Annual Meeting
06/17/2025
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