Maine Audubon: A Bicknell's and Boreal Songbird Weekend at Saddleback
Getting a good view of a Bicknell’s Thrush in Maine
has always required special effort. The Northeast’s only
endemic bird, this secretive species inhabits stunted mountain spruce
forests above 2800 feet and typically only sings for a few hours around
dawn and dusk. This year, Maine Audubon has arranged to make this effort a
little easier. For one morning at dawn, Saddleback Mountain Ski Area
will run its chairlift up to the Bicknell’s habitat. At the top of the
lift we will fortify ourselves with a continental breakfast and then
strike out in small groups to search out the thrush. Afterwards we’ll bird
our way down the mountain (the chairlift cannot take anyone down), looking
for other mountain species and enjoying the abundant wildflowers that
carpet the ski trails. This full birding weekend in the beautiful Rangeley
area also includes van trips to look for the boreal specialties so sought
after by birders, including spruce grouse, black-backed woodpecker (shown
right), gray jay, boreal chickadee, and various warbler species. We’ll
plan plenty of time to enjoy walks in a
variety
of habitats, seek out moose, and enjoy some of Maine’s finest scenery. The
weekend begins Friday evening with a great dinner at the Saddleback Lodge
and continues until Sunday afternoon. Included are accommodations for two
nights, six meals, chairlift ride up the mountain, and van trips.
Rangeley, Maine: Friday, June 20 to Sunday, June 22
Led by Eric Hynes, Bob Duchesne, Bill Hancock, Scott Cronenweth,
$425/member; $475/nonmember Limited to 24 participants Call Maine Audubon at 207-781-2330, ext. 215 for reservations and more
information.
endemic bird, this secretive species inhabits stunted mountain spruce
forests above 2800 feet and typically only sings for a few hours around
dawn and dusk. This year, Maine Audubon has arranged to make this effort a
little easier. For one morning at dawn, Saddleback Mountain Ski Area
will run its chairlift up to the Bicknell’s habitat. At the top of the
lift we will fortify ourselves with a continental breakfast and then
strike out in small groups to search out the thrush. Afterwards we’ll bird
our way down the mountain (the chairlift cannot take anyone down), looking
for other mountain species and enjoying the abundant wildflowers that
carpet the ski trails. This full birding weekend in the beautiful Rangeley
area also includes van trips to look for the boreal specialties so sought
after by birders, including spruce grouse, black-backed woodpecker (shown
right), gray jay, boreal chickadee, and various warbler species. We’ll
plan plenty of time to enjoy walks in a
variety
of habitats, seek out moose, and enjoy some of Maine’s finest scenery. The
weekend begins Friday evening with a great dinner at the Saddleback Lodge
and continues until Sunday afternoon. Included are accommodations for two
nights, six meals, chairlift ride up the mountain, and van trips.