Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with Maine Audubon
Two events offered May 10, with the annual Birdathon starting May 16

Contact: Andrew Colvin, (207) 781-2330, ext. 241

FALMOUTH AND HOLDEN, MAINE, May 2, 2008—As hundreds of birds species come to Maine on their way to breeding grounds here and farther north, Maine Audubon is celebrating International Migratory Bird Day by offering the public several ways to learn about, see and experience the peak of spring migration.

On May 10, there will be free activities for all ages at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth and Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden. And on May 16 and 17 Maine Audubon is holding its annual Birdathon fund-raiser.

International Migratory Bird Day at Gilsland Farm, Falmouth

“Migratory birds do some incredible things. Arctic terns, for example, fly from the Arctic to the Antarctic—and back!—in a loop of over 20,000 miles every year,” said Maine Audubon staff naturalist Eric Hynes. “International Migratory Bird Day is a great chance to celebrate these natural feats by getting outside to see them in action.”

May 10 events at Gilsland Farm include an early-morning birdwalk, a demonstration of ongoing efforts to restore endangered piping plover and least tern populations in Maine and a workshop on backyard-birding. Children’s activities, like a birdwalk with a low spotting scope and bird-related games, will introduce kids to what could become a lifelong interest in bird-watching.

Spring Fest at Fields Pond, Holden

Fields Pond Audubon Center, just outside of Bangor, will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with its annual Spring Fest. Events from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on May 10 will include several nature walks to see and learn about birds and native plants, an organic plant sale and photography workshop. Children can learn about nature with a hands-on activities area, guided nature explorations and a live-turtle demonstration.

“Spring Fest celebrates what Maine Audubon does best: connect people of all ages with nature,” said Fields Pond program naturalist Holly Twining. “All the terrific Spring Fest programs are perfect for engaging new guests at our nature center.”

Full schedules for both International Migratory Bird Day events are available at www.maineaudubon.org.

Maine Audubon Birdathon, statewide

May is also time for Maine Audubon’s annual Birdathon—when teams of birders across Maine race to identify as many bird species as possible in 24 hours. This year’s event starts at 6 p.m. Friday, May 16, and ends 6 p.m. Saturday, May 17. Raising pledges for each species they identify by sight or sound, the teams support Maine Audubon’s work to conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat.

The public is welcome to attend a “birder’s swap meet” at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15, on the eve of Birdathon. Free of charge, the event will provide a forum for birders to share strategies, stories and latest reports from the field. The public is also welcome to attend a Birder’s Breakfast at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland on Saturday, May 17, from 7-9 a.m. Directional signage will be posted from the Stevens Avenue entrance to the cemetery to help you find the ponds (and the breakfast!).

If it rains, Birdathon will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, and run to Sunday evening. The rain date for Saturday’s Birder’s Breakfast is Sunday morning.

For more information about participating or pledging in Maine Audubon’s Birdathon, contact Susy Kist at (207) 781-2330, ext 231, or skist@maineaudubon.org.

MAINE AUDUBON works to conserve Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people of all ages in education, conservation and action. For more than 160 years, Maine Audubon has been connecting people with nature and leading science-based conservation in major projects across the state. An independent affiliate of Audubon’s national organization, Maine Audubon has seven local chapters, 11 nature centers and sanctuaries, and 11,000

members and supporters.

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