2013 TRIP CALENDAR
Sit back, scroll down and shop for birds (and a better life).
Our slate this year is limited. Bryan, at work on a new book, is offering a selection of his favorite outings. But check back here form time to time for more trips. Registration is required for all outings. Send along your questions to Bryan.
BIRDING BERLIN POND
Weekends in May
Back by popular demand, we'll visit this birding paradise at the peak of migraiton. Over the course of 20 years at the pond, Bryan has seen more than 150 species. Highlights include: Common Loon, Osprey, ducks, swallows, thrushes, lots of warblers and sparrows. We've even seen Bald Eagle and moose on this outing, and Vermont rarities such as Laughing Gull, Black Tern, Purple Martin, and Blue-winged Warbler. You'll be busy.
Dates: To be announced
Time: 7-11am
Location: Berlin Pond, Berlin, Vermont
Price: $35
Here's a report from a previous Berlin Pond outing.
WARBLER WEEKEND
May 31-June 2, 2013 (with optional morning June 3)
Northern Vermont not only offers some of the best forests for northern warblers and other songbirds, it is home to Quimby Country Lodge and Cottages, a classic inn overlooking the waters of Forest Lake. We'll convene at the loge Friday evening for a short walk and supper. We'll rise early Saturday and Sunday mornings for warm pastry coffee, tea and juice, and then head out to discover lots of birds. We'll conclude each morning of birding with brunch and discussion back at the lodge, and we'll enjoy hearty suppers each night. Other highlights this weekend include a wildflower walk and an evening slideshow and lecture. This trip is all about nature and nurture. It is one of our most popular outings. (Bryan even recognizes that the lodge and its fine food may be more of an attraction than birds on this outing; that's fine.)
This year's trip includes an optional Monday excursion for borreal species in New Hampshire. Here are more details on this outing.
Fee: To be determined.
Five-Day Trip: September 21–25, 2013
Four-Day Trip: September 27–30, 2013
Off the coast of Maine, Monhegan Island is one of the nation's most stunning
places. This tiny island (with no cars) is a premier spot for fall migration.
During this four-day outing we'll see everything from falcons to warblers, from
migrating monarchs to lounging harbor seals, not to mention a rugged coast with
ocean cliffs. Highlights from our prior trips to Monhegan ranged from Clay-colored
Sparrow to Dickcissel, from Northern Fulmar to Yellow-headed Blackbird. Here are more details on the Monhegan trips.
Location: Off Maine's Midcoast near Rockland
Prices: To be determined. The
fee includes ferry transportation from Port Clyde, Maine, dockside parking,
lodging, full breakfasts, a family-style buffet supper one night, a lobster bake another night, a wine-and-cheese event,
snacks, relaxation, peace of mind and tons of birds.
November 2-3, 2013
Early November is primetime for east coast rarities along the coast of Maine. Our exploits south of Portland over the past several years have turned such oddballs as Pacific Loon, Western Grebe, American Avocet, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Western Kingbird, Black-throated Gray Warbler and Grasshopper Sparrow, just to name a few. And that list doesn't include the usual suspects, including Harlequin Duck (pictured to the right), Red-necked Grebe, Great Cormorant, Purple Sandpiper and Lapland Longspur. This has become one of Bryan's favorite outings. Expect to be busy with birds.
Location: Scarborough, Maine and environs
Fee: $225
(includes one night's lodging, birder's breakfast and snacks)
COASTAL MAINE MIGRATION