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).
Field Trip CANCELED
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
Field Trip: Fall Rarity Roundup
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 searching for rarities. If none have been reported, we’ll try to find our own. This is a more fast-paced outing than many of our usual field trips. We will stop for lunch, and likely return to our starting point by mid-to-late afternoon. Meet at the Kennebunk Rest Area off of Rt 95 Southbound at 7:30am. Carpooling from the meeting point will be required. Contact Pat Moynahan 284-5487.
Field Trip: Highland Farm Preserve
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 91 and travel ~ 3 miles west to reach the Highland Farm Preserve Parking Lot.
Contact: Lyman Page 967-2391
Annual Meeting: Golden Wings and Hairy Toes
Annual business meeting at 6:45pm, Social time and refreshments at 7pm with program to follow.
Golden-winged Warbler photo by Robert Royce
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 old New England. This outstanding program will conclude with an introduction to some exciting work on the Narwhal. It would be appropriate for adults and children 8+. Todd will bring books to sign or you can get yours autographed.
Held at the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust headquarters.
Program: Birding Kennebunk Beach, the Mousam River and nearby locations
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 Kennebunk.
Held at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. directions
Please Note: All are welcome to attend the YCAS board meeting, which will begin at 5pm before the member program.
Program: Snowy Owls to Saw-whet Owls
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 learn more about their movements. Find out what has been learned to date, what questions remain and how this project developed to include research on Saw-whet Owls.
Held at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. directions
Please Note: All are welcome to attend the YCAS board meeting, which will begin at 5pm before the member program.
Program… Cuba: Old Havana, Classic Cars and Endemic Birds
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 and the Cuban countryside.
Held at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. directions
Please Note: All are welcome to attend the YCAS board meeting, which will begin at 5pm before the member program.
Field Trip: Sanford Sewer Ponds
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 Stevens 883-6475
Field Trip: Kennebunk Plains
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 Route 99
Contact: Bob and Anne 251-1135
Field Trip: Bejeweled and Bedazzled at Savage Preserve
Leader: Sue Bickford
Target: Butterflies, Dragonflies, Damselflies, and birds
Contact: Julie Suchecki 510-1323
Field Trip: Brownfield Bog
Leader: Joe Scott
Target: Yellow-throated Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Meet: Store at intersection of Routes 113 and 160
Contact: Doug Hitchcox 671-0185
Field Trip: Biddeford Pool
Leader: Scott Cronenweth
Contacts: Bob and Anne Watson 251-1135
Target: Migrants
Meeting Place: Bufflehead’s Restaurant, Hills Beach
The Harlequin, Winter 2013
Field Trip: Timber Point
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 migrants will be in evidence. The trail is about 3/4 mile long and is an easy walk. There is a spur leading out to a small island that is accessible at low tide only.
Meet at Buffleheads Restaurant on Hills Beach. We will car pool to Timber Point (limited Parking) and bird this new addition to the Rachel Carson System. This is York County Audubon’s first field trip to this area so come prepared for surprises.
Contact: Joanne Stevens 883-6475
Field Trip: Kittery Area
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.
Field Trip: York Coast
Meet at the Cliff House in Ogunquit.
Leader: Mike Windsor
Contact: Pat Moynahan 284-5487
Field Trip: Saco River area to Camp Ellis
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
NORTHERN LAPWING – Berwick, 11/3
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.
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.
Field Trip: Rarity Roundup
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.