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| Freeport Wild Bird Supply is pleased to announce an expanded selection of travel, tours, workshops, and other outings. We look forward to additional offerings in the near future. As soon as trips and programs are scheduled, they will be added here. And don't forget to join us for a free local birdwalk every Saturday at 8:00am. |
| The Poor Man's Pelagic Series! Four dates this summer - see below. Cost: Five hours on the water for only $35!!! Our full- and half-day pelagic outings were simply not going to happen this year. The uncertainty with fuel prices, the need for deposits, and other extenuating circumstances resulted in our inability to plan dedicated charters. However, we did not give up with our desire to offer offshore birding opportunities from Portland, and continue to survey the offshore waters of Southern Maine. Therefore, we are extremely pleased to announce a series of 4 "Poor Man's Pelagics" with our friends at the Odyssey Whale Watch in Portland! Basically, the deal is that Derek will join the Marine Mammal Expert and Spotter aboard the boat, and will focus on the detection and identification of seabirds aboard the regularly-scheduled whale watch outings, leaving at 10:00am and returning by 3:00pm, for up to 5 hours of pelagic birding! That's right, 5 hours for a mere $35!!! Hard to beat in these tough economic times, huh? But yes, there is a catch. For one thing, we will not be chumming. And secondly, these are primarily whale-watching trips - we won't be able to spin the boat around for a rare shearwater, or move in for a closer look. (Of course, if enough of us go, we may have a little more influence over the Captain, but no promises!) As you know, whale-watching trips can produce excellent bird sightings, even without the dedicated effort of a chartered pelagic trip, and, for 35 bucks, well, you get the idea! The dates are: 1) Wednesday, June 17th (Note: this is a change from the original date of June 18th!) 2) Tuesday, July 14th 3) Saturday, August 1st 4) Sunday, August 16th. So, here's what you do. It's simple. Just contact Freeport Wild Bird Supply to find out how you save $10 off the regular whale-watching ticket of $45. Then, contact the Odyssey directly at http://www.odysseywhalewatch.com/ to make your reservation. While reservations are not required, they are suggested, as these boats can fill up fast. But, if any space remains, walk-ons are welcome at the same bargain pricing! (Please arrive by 9:30am on the date of the trip if you still need to purchase a ticket) So, that's it - cheap, easy, and flexible. Now, all we need are for the birds to cooperate! |
| Backyard Birdfeeding Program at the Wilhelm Reich Museum in Rangeley Sunday, July 12, 3:00pm. Cost - Free! Join Derek for a presentation on the finer points of backyard bird feeding, from selecting the right feeder and seed to "myth-busting." |
| Monhegan Migration Weekend Saturday, 9/26 - Tuesday, 9/29 Cost - $30-40 per day, per person - see below Join Derek on Monhegan during the height of migration for 1-4 days searching the island for regular visitors, rarities, and vagrants. This is a casual outing, with boat and hotel reservations, as well as meals, on your own. Although we are likely to eat meals together, we'll have more flexibility on rooming and eating arrangements this way. Also, you can come and go as you please, based on whatever boat and departure times and locations suit you best. Sign up for 1,2,3, or 4 days. This year’s recommended lodging is at the Trailing Yew. We have blocked off rooms for 12 people at this time, with the possibility of adding more rooms if we need them. Reservations are made through the Trailing Yew, at: Please call (207) 596-6194. Office hours: 9:00am-noon, 3:00pm-5:00pm. Don't forget to mention that you are with the Derek Lovitch/Freeport Wild Bird Supply group. While we don’t have a group rate, the excellent prices INCLUDES a home cooked DINNER, PLUS breakfast. Rates are $100 for single occupancy, and $170 for double occupancy, per night. While we do lose a little flexibility for our meal times here, we get a great dinner for less than $25 (and less than $10 per couple, as compared to staying at the Monhegan House)! Remember, you do not have to stay or eat with us, but of course, your company is most welcome! There will also be less people sharing each bath (approx 1 bath per 5 rooms), which will make early morning starts a little more convenient. Coffee and tea are also available before breakfast, to fuel those first couple of hours of birding. (http://www.trailingyew.com/). To whet your appetite, here's the synopsis of the meals that I received from Trailing Yew, and yes, I have inquired about vegetarian options: "Meals are served family style -- which to us means you sit at large table with other guests. For bird groups, we generally set aside tables for the group -- dinner always has 2 choices: fish or meat. One night we have chicken, another pork, or beef. The fish is usually haddock -- delicious and readily available. Dinner also includes soup, salad, bread and dessert. Breakfast starts off with our homemade donuts -- our baker makes them every day. Breakfast continues with cereal, eggs, bacon, toast and muffins. There's never the possibility that anyone goes hungry here!!! If anyone in your group has special dietary needs we can usually accomodate them.... I'm not exactly an objective party, but the food is delicious! Plus there's coffee available each morning by 6:30 -- we think everyone is a coffee addict like us". Derek will be heading out to the island on the 7:00am ferry out of Port Clyde on Saturday, and departing on the 4:30pm ferry on Tuesday. (www.monheganboat.com). The other option is the Hardy Boat, out of New Harbor: http://www.hardyboat.com/. Last year's outing was highlighted by Clay-colored Sparrows, Dickcissels, a Lark Sparrow, amazing numbers of Blue-headed Vireos - including an almost-Cassin's - a big flight of Blackpoll and Yellow-rumped Warblers, and an impressive Peregrine Falcon and Merlin show. Oh yeah, and an offshore hurricane! Here are Derek’s blog entries from the past two years to see what you have missed: 2008: http://maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/blogentry.html?id=8207 2007: http://maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/blogentry.html?id=5399 Don’t miss this year’s excitement! Please sign up, and make your hotel reservations soon. The trip is limited to 15 people. Luke Seitz and Jeannette Lovitch will co-lead. |
| Friends of the Eastern Promenade Birdwalk Sunday, October 11: 8:00 to 11:00am. Cost - Free! Join Derek in a walk around Portland's Eastern Promenade to enjoy the birds of the season. This walk is scheduled to coincide with peak sparrow diversity on "The Prom," and we will also seek rare but regular migrants such as Orange-crowned Warbler and Dickcissel. Meet at 8:00 at the gazebo at Fort Allen Park. |
| A Week on Monhegan with Derek and WINGS May 23 - 29, 2010 Details soon! |
| Maine and New Hampshire Tour with Derek and WINGS June 19-28, 2010. Join Derek as he takes over leading the comprehensive Maine-New Hampshire tour for WINGS. He's added a number of new locations to target the wide range of breeding birds of the region, with emphasis on the "boreal specialties" and breeding seabirds. Some of the targets includes 25 species of warblers (including Blue-winged, Palm, Cape May, and Mourning), 9 species of flycatchers (including Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied), 7 species of thrush, (including BICKNELL'S of course), and much more: from Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills and shearwaters to Nelson's and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows to Spruce Grouse. And of course, we'll see a lot of great places, and enjoy plenty of food - including plenty of lobster, if you so desire! Here's the itinerary and other details: http://wingsbirds.com/tours/view/111 |
