​​Introduction to Winter Birding in Maine Workshop

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January 31, 2027; 9:00am - 12:00pm 

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Cost: $95

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There’s great birding at all seasons in Maine, and mid-winter is no exception. By visiting several seasonally-productive sites along Maine’s southern coast (with a few short to moderate-length walks at each), we’ll compare similar species while taking time to savor the splashes of color offered by winter seaducks in an otherwise gray and white landscape. Seaducks that breed in the high Arctic grace our shorelines – including all three scoter species and dapper Long-tailed Ducks, along with everyone’s favorite: striking Harlequin Ducks. Purple Sandpipers and Great Cormorants replace our summertime shoreline denizens. While possibilities include sought-after alcids, like Razorbills, we’ll spend more time focusing on the basics of common waterbird identification.

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Directions: We’ll meet in the parking lot of Kettle Cove State Park, at the end of Kettle Cove Road off of Route 77 in Cape Elizabeth.

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This is the first in a new series of workshops which focuses on how to get started in the world of bird-watching. We’ll cover the basics, starting with how to efficiently use binoculars, and learning how to really observe birds in a way that will build a toolkit for identifying and enjoying the avian delights around us. If you have never “really been birding” or are looking to get a handle on the basic skills necessary to advance, this series is for you! There is no question too basic; it’s a judgement-free zone! We can even answer “what the heck is birding?”

 

By taking advantage of seasonal hotspots, we’ll look at whatever is around us. Our goal is to learn how to observe; how to watch. We learn the most about birds by watching them, with binoculars, as opposed to staring at static images or buried in a viewfinder. Therefore, please leave your camera at home (or in the car), and binoculars are a must. Down East Adventures offers a wonderful series of Photography Tours, and our Monhegan Birding Weekend absolutely welcomes cameras. However, for this series, we are focused on putting the watching back in bird-watching!

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The workshops are stand-alone, so you need not attend all three, but each will cover some new skills. Most of us need to hear things more than once to retain and apply new knowledge, so there will be some intentional redundancy for reinforcement.​

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​Introduction to Spring Migration Birding Workshop

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May 16, 2027; 8:00 - 11:00am​

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Cost: $95

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This half-day workshop will focus on the migrant songbirds, especially warblers, that are passing through Maine’s most famous migrant trap, Portland’s Evergreen Cemetery. At the peak of warbler migration, we’ll learn how to identify these charismatic birds, and we’ll discuss their mind-boggling migration and what they’re up to in Maine. Whether it’s the kind of migration day that legends are made of or a slow day (every day of migration is different), we’ll take advantage of whatever species are present to truly get to know them. Our focus will be on preparing for your next birding outing, giving you the tools to identify birds on your own, maximize your time in the field by predicting where and when to be birding. Of course, if there are too many warblers around, we might just have to simply enjoy them!

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Directions: We’ll meet at the main entrance (Stevens Ave.) to Evergreen Cemetery at 8 a.m. (or as soon as the front gate is opened), near the first building on the right. From there, we’ll caravan to the best birding location, returning to the entrance around 11. If the birding is slow, we’ll relocate in the mid-morning to another nearby park.

​

This is the second in a new series of workshops which focuses on how to get started in the world of bird-watching. We’ll cover the basics, starting with how to efficiently use binoculars, and learning how to really observe birds in a way that will build a toolkit for identifying and enjoying the avian delights around us. If you have never “really been birding” or are looking to get a handle on the basic skills necessary to advance, this series is for you! There is no question too basic; it’s a judgement-free zone! We can even answer “what the heck is birding?”

​

By taking advantage of seasonal hotspots, we’ll look at whatever is around us. Our goal is to learn how to observe; how to watch. We learn the most about birds by watching them, with binoculars, as opposed to staring at static images or buried in a viewfinder. Therefore, please leave your camera at home (or in the car), and binoculars are a must. Down East Adventures offers a wonderful series of Photography Tours, and our Monhegan Birding Weekend absolutely welcomes cameras. However, for this series, we are focused on putting the watching back in bird-watching!

​

The workshops are stand-alone, so you need not attend all three, but each will cover some new skills. Most of us need to hear things more than once to retain and apply new knowledge, so there will be some intentional redundancy for reinforcement.

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Shorebird Workshop

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August 2027 TBA; 9:00am - 4:00pm​

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Cost: $

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With more than 35 species of shorebirds (a diverse group including plovers and sandpipers) regularly appearing in Maine, this workshop is designed to appreciate the diversity and beauty of this fascinating family.

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We will hit some of the marshes, beaches, and rocky roosts that shorebirds prefer at the peak of their migration. The ebbs and flows of the season, daily and recent weather, and other factors could produce more than 20 species of shorebirds in our time together. Our focus will be in comparative experience, learning how to recognize each species both near and far. Starting with the basics, such as plover vs. sandpiper, we’ll work our way up to the identification quandaries such as the “peeps” and the yellowlegs. We will provide you with a “toolkit” to approach shorebird identification on your own, using a combination of habitat, shape, size, structure, behavior, and plumage to identify this wonderfully diverse and attractive group of birds. Migration, conservation, and natural history will also be discussed.

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We’ll meet at the public Park & Ride lot between Sea Dog Brewery and Cabela’s, off Payne Road at exit 42 of the Maine Turnpike, at 8 a.m. (please arrive 15 minutes early so we can depart on time) to carpool to the day’s birding destinations, based on tides, weather, and especially the birds themselves! We’ll return by 4 p.m., with an hour break for lunch (not included), likely at a place with multiple nearby options.

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For an idea of what to expect, see the trip report from our 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2020 outings.​​

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Monhegan Birding Workshop

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September 2027 TBA  

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Cost: 

Double Occupancy - $

Single Occupancy - $

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Join Derek Lovitch for three days of birding at Maine’s famous Migration Mecca. As the summer crowds dwindle, the island becomes a birders’ paradise, with birding opportunities around every corner. This tour will spend three days sampling what the island has to offer during the peak of migration, from warblers to hawks to sparrows to the unexpected. Weather (and sometimes, lack thereof) will dictate how much we do or do not see, but every day is different out there. We’ll learn that fall warblers are rarely if ever “confusing” and why migrants – and vagrants from any direction – drop by this offshore migrant trap.

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While finding and seeing birds will be the priority, we will also do a bit of informal workshopping in the afternoons to learn more about the mechanisms and marvels of bird migration. Day one will begin at the dock for the Hardy Boat in New Harbor. We’ll keep an eye out for birds from the top deck of the boat as we make the hour-long crossing to the island. Upon our arrival, we’ll hit the ground running to make the most out of our first morning at this special place. Once we’re on land, we’ll be on foot for the next 2 days, with several walks throughout the day. We’ll mostly be on dirt roads with some steep sections, but we’ll also traverse some narrow trails full of roots and rocks. Expect to spend time on “unimproved surfaces.” You will set a new personal record on your step-counter - especially when the bird we most want to see gets discovered on the opposite end of the island just before mealtime!

On the first day, after we check in lunch will be on your own, with a variety of options scattered about the town. After a break, we’ll head back out later in the afternoon for some more birding, before assembling again for an evening “cocktail hour” (BYOB; also available on the island) and our migration workshop where we’ll discuss the birds of the day, how and why we saw (and didn’t see) what we did, and more (when time and energy levels permit). The next two mornings we’ll once again maximize our time on the island. Following a short walk shortly after sunrise, we’ll enjoy the famous Monhegan House breakfast before birding for the remainder of the morning. Once again, we’ll break for lunch before reconvening for some afternoon birding: on the second day until we prepare for our evening “cocktail hour and migration review, and on the third day, right up until it’s time to head to the ferry.

 

See Derek's blog entry to see how the 2026, 2025, 2024, and 2023 trips went.

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