In 2012, the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center will be open on Memorial Day weekend and June 2 and 3 then seven days a week from June 9 on through Labor Day, from 9:30 to 5:30. We will be open the first three weekends in September.

Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center offers a variety of guided and self-guided walks and canoe tours in addition to exhibits, a nature store, and canoe rentals.

All guided programs are led by trained naturalists. Walking and canoe tours and specially-designed programs are available for groups at a discounted price.

Maine Audubon requires that all paddlers wear personal floatation devices; these will be provided for anyone who does not bring their own.

CANOE AND KAYAK RENTALS

Daily, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in-season

Rent a canoe or kayak, and we'll also provide a map and nature guide. You'll be all set to take a self-guided tour of the meandering Dunstan River to explore the unique habitat of the salt marsh.

At least one person in your group must be 18 years or older, and children must be at least 4 years old. Dogs are not permitted in the canoes.

Nonmembers:

$16/hour

$23 for 1 1/2 hours, and

$30 for 2 hours.

Maine Audubon members, and Maine residents on Sunday:

$15/hour

$22 for 1 1/2 hours, and

$29 for 2 hours.

Snowy Egret 5K Run/Walk

May 28, 2012
The race started at 9 a.m. at the Nature Center on Route 9. A 1K Fun Run for kids started at 8:30 a.m.
Entry fee:
         • $14 preregistration
         • $17 race day registration
         • $4 Kids 1K Fun Run (12 and under)

The race is sponsored by the Chiropractic Family Wellness Center. See the Snowy Egret 5K race page for race results.

WEEKLY PROGRAMS

Canoe Tours

Registration is not required.

Discover the wildlife and plants of Scarborough Marsh as you paddle the Dunstan River. Gliding through the marsh, you will be exposed to its many inhabitants, from the snowy egret catching fish along the edge of the river to the mummichugs swimming in the water. A trained naturalist will show you the numerous marsh plants and even give you a taste of an edible one. This tour is suitable for both novice and experienced paddlers.

Daily 10-11:30 a.m.

Members: $10/adult, $8/child (12 and under)

Nonmembers: $11/adult, $9/child

Family Nature Walk: Mummichogs and Marsh Muck

Registration is not required.

Explore the marsh for plants and animals through discovery-oriented, fun-filled activities that use all five senses. Participants will touch the marsh fish, the mummichug, look for the many migrating and resident birds, and look through algae to discover the minute creatures living there. This program is for “children” of all ages.

Wednesdays, Starting June 20

10:30 a.m.-noon

$5/member, $7/nonmember

Early Morning Birding

Registration is not required.

The best birding is often early morning when birds are busy feeding. Look and listen for snowy egret, glossy ibis, herons, willet, sparrows and more. We start our tours at the nature center and carpool to birding "hotspots" in the immediate area. Birders of all levels and abilities are welcome to join.

Wednesdays, Starting June 20 and on

June 30 and July 28 7-8:30 a.m.

$3/member, $5/nonmember, volunteers free

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Bird Monitoring

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

Join us at Scarborough Marsh for a marsh-wide survey of birds to document the numbers of individuals and species. Timed to catch the beginning of shorebird migration, each group of monitors will be assigned a portion of the marsh to survey. Depending on the assignment, surveys may be done on foot, by car or from a canoe (provided at the marsh or bring your own). Beginning birders welcome!

The morning will start with a brief introduction. After that, monitors will disburse to their assigned sections. For more information, contact Linda Woodard at 883-5100 or e-mail smac@maineaudubon.org

This volunteer monitoring project is made possible through a grant from TogetherGreen. Audubon and Toyota came together to create TogetherGreen to fund volunteer projects all over the United States. Check out TogetherGreen.org to find more ways you can help and to start logging your conservation actions.

July 21 7- 10 a.m.

August 18 7- 10 a.m

To view 2009 results, go here. (Excel)

To view July 17 2010 results go here

For a list of birding areas used for the survey go here.(PDF)

Full Moon Canoe Tours

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

Experience the sights and sounds of marsh creatures under the full moon. Watch for black-crowned night heron along the bank or snowy egret flying back to a nearby island for the evening. We may even see a harbor seal or a muskrat playing in the water.

June 2,3 ; July 1,2,3, & 31; August 1, 2

8-9:30 p.m. (arrive no later than 7:30)

August 29, 30, 31 7-8:30

(arrive no later than 6:30)

Members: $11/adult, $9/child (12 and under)

Nonmembers: $12/adult, $10/child

Sunset Canoe Tour

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

This sunset paddle provides a unique opportunity to observe herons, ducks and shorebirds as they return to their roosting spots for the night. As dusk approaches, listen to the creatures of the marsh prepare to settle in for the evening, or set out on their nightly forays.

Thursday, July 14,from 7-8:30 p.m. August 24 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Members: $11

Nonmembers: $12/adult, $10/child

Plant and Insect Ecoblast

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

We will survey the marsh for the many different types of plants and insects. This is for beginners and experienced naturalist. This volunteer monitoring project is made possible through a grant from TogetherGreen. Call for important details.

July TBA 9-1 Free.

Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

Revive the lost art of foraging by learning to recognize common wild plants. Naturalist Gary Roberts will point out these plants and tell participants about their many uses. A list of edible and medicinal plants will be provided.

July TBA, August TBA

1-3 p.m.

Member: $7

Nonmember: $9

Early Morning Canoe Tour

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

Explore the marsh at this magical time of day when it's coming alive with the sounds and sights of birds and other marsh creatures. See the sun, low over the marsh, reflecting off the dew on the grass as flocks of sandpipers scurry along the bank probing in the mud. Paddlers of all abilities are welcome.

July 7; August 19 from 6:30 - 8:00 a.m.

Members: $11

Nonmembers: $12

Summer Wildflower Walk

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

Open your eyes to the colors of summer and explore with naturalist Margi Huber the many varieties of flowering plants found in the salt marsh.

July TBA, August TBA

1 - 2:20 p.m.

Member: $5

Nonmember: $7

Birding by Canoe

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

Observe birds in their habitat from your canoe as you paddle along the Dunstan Rover.

August 5

7:30-9:00 a.m.,

Members: $11

Nonmembers:$12

Explore Plants by Canoe

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

Get an up-close look at marsh plants and taste some edible plants right from your canoe.

August TBA

2-3:30 p.m.

Members: $11

Nonmembers:$12

Snowy Egret Day

Experience a day of family fun, including a bird walk, canoe tour, a used book sale, nature crafts, and more. There will be special programs for children as well as displays and information, including an historical exhibit. This event is held in conjunction with the Friends of Scarborough Marsh and the Scarborough Historical Society.

July 7, 7a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Free, fee for some tours

Special Labor Day Weekend Extravaganza

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

Join us for a weekend of fun and savings! Special events include yard sale, crafts for kids, hot dogs, end of season sale in the Nature Store, plus chances to win door prizes and special prize discounts on canoe tours and rentals. Saturday we will have a bake sale. Get up to $10 off your canoe rental or tour.

September 1-3, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

Nature Art

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

Through various art forms we will discover some of the secrets of the marsh. Children ages 7-10 explore the marsh, and then participate in a craft activity. All sessions offer different activities. Register for one, two, three or all four.

July 10, July 24, August 7, August 21

10:30 a.m.-noon

Members: $5

Nonmembers:$7

(family discounts available)

Interpreting the Salt Marsh Through Pottery

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

This program designed for children ages 8-11 will begin with a treasure hunt of the marsh. We’ll search for natural artifacts such as shells, grass and flowers, and then incorporate the treasures into the pottery we make.

July 17, August 14

10:30 a.m.-noon

Members: $7

Nonmembers:$9

(family discounts available)

Tiny Tot Tour

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

Introduce your wee folk ages 3-5 to the unique marsh habitat through interactive, hands-on activities. They will experience the marsh firsthand, looking through algae for small critters, jumping on the mud and feeling the marsh fish, the mummichog. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

July 23 and August 13

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Member:$5 and one child,

Nonmember: $7/nonmember and one child.

Each additional child is $3/member,

$4/nonmember.

Registration necessary. Call (207) 883-5100

Group Nature Explorations

Walking and canoe tours and specially designed programs are available for groups at a discounted price. Open to groups of all ages including school classes, community groups, families, and scout troops, all guided programs are led by trained naturalists and introduce participants to the environment around them.

Teachers receive a packet including pre- and post-trip activities, natural history information, and resources. More