Trips and Programs

Tuesday, February 23

Program: An Iceland Adventure with Marie Jordan

Curtis Memorial Library, Morrell Room

Brunswick

7:00 pm

Marie Jordan presents a visual trip around this fascinating volcanic island with an emphasis on its natural wonders and birds.

Located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland's landscape is definied by its volcanic and geologic activity. The interior is a plateau with sand fields, mountains and glaciers which flow as rivers of ice through the lowlands to the sea. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, Iceland has a temperate climate relative to its latitude and is home to many facinating species of birds.

Saturday, March 6

Field Trip: Salisbury Beach and Plum Island

From Brunswick

7:00 am

Join the search for wintering birds on this all day outing to coastal Massachusetts. First stop is Salisbury Beach State Park where we will look for wintering ducks, loons and grebes as well as Short-eared owls. White-winged gulls (Iceland and Glaucous) will be the target birds in Newburyport. Then on to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island to see Snowy Owls, Snow Buntings, and more wintering waterfowl. Bring lunch and dress warmly. Meet at the Brunswick Hannaford, 7:00 am.

Tuesday, March 23

Program: Birds of Monhegan with Geoff Dennis

Curtis Memorial Library, Morrell Room

Brunswick

7:00 pm

Geoff Dennis began photographing birds in 1995 to document sightings in his Little Compton, R. I. yard. From that point forward, his curiosity and talent grew and today his images are used by commercial and environmental organizations alike. Monhegan Island, located 11 miles off Port Clyde, is a popular spring and fall destination for birders and provides wonderful opportunities to photograph migrant birds.

Geoff will show images of common birds and vagrant birds; images of warblers feeding on beaches and floating rockweed; or birds so tired they are asleep on the roadside. His talk will include New England's first Virginia's Warbler, which he discovered and photographed on the island in 1998, one of 34 species of warblers he has photographed.

Saturday, April 17
Field Trip - Scarborough Marsh

From Brunswick

7:00 am

On this annual welcome to spring outing we hope to see Brant and other migrating waterfowl, Snipe, sandpipers, herons, egrets, Ibis, and sparrows.
Bring a lunch or a snack. Meet at the Bath Plaza CVS at 7:00 am or the Brunswick Hannaford at 7:20 am. For additional information contact Maurice Dauphin at 389-2585.

Tuesday April 27
Annual Meeting : 40th Anniversary

Celebrating Our Founders

Speaker Bob Bittenbender

The Polar Bears of Churchill Manitoba Canada

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church

McKeen Street, Brunswick

6:00 pm

This meeting will include not only the usual great food, exciting auction, and good company, but also an opportunity to meet the founders and early leaders of Merrymeeting Audubon whose foresight and hard work brought about the scholarship programs, trips, conservation, and public programs which continue to bring us together today.

The Polar Bears of Churchill Manitoba Canada

Last November Bob Bittenbender made his fifth trip in the last seven years to see the bears of Churchill. This presentation will feature slides and a short video. Bob will give his impressions of the status of the bears and will also talk about bear biology, the habitat and the uniqueness of Churchill.

Time permitting; the program will include winter birds and the Christmas Bird Count in Churchill. A graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School and a photographer, Bob has traveled much of the country on birding trips and has led numerous nature education programs, orienteering courses, and field trips for Maine Audubon.