Birding Tour with Derek Lovitch, Harpswell West

This walk is now full. To join the waitlist, email Phil Croteau at programs@hhltmaine.org. This morning of birding concentrates on the west side of Harpswell with a good mix of habitats. Skolfield Shores Preserve offers both mixed upland forest and shoreline habitat, with a salt marsh on the north end of the walk. Here participants might find a nice mix of species including Canada geese or mallards along the shore, downy woodpeckers or black & white warblers in the forest, and along the field edge you could spot a red-tailed hawk or osprey. Then we continue to Curtis Farm Preserve, with the most diverse range of habitat of all of HHLT’s preserves. As the migration unfolds you might see any number of warblers including yellow or Blackburnian warblers, indigo buntings, Eastern bluebirds, even a wild turkey. In the wetland areas keep your eyes open for great blue herons, red-winged blackbirds, and American black ducks. Stover’s Point Preserve is one of the most reliable spots for spotting common eiders, red-breasted mergansers, common terns, and ring-billed gulls.

The group will visit three of Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s preserves, starting at Skolfield Shores Preserve, carpooling to Curtis Farm Preserve and then Stover’s Point Preserve, and returning to Skolfield by 12 p.m. This program welcomes birders of all experience levels.

This event is capped at 14 participants and advance registration is required. The fee for this event is $10. Scholarships are available, please contact Phil Croteau at programs@hhltmaine.org. Please bring good walking shoes, binoculars, water, and snacks.

Derek and his wife, Jeannette own and operate Freeport Wild Bird Supply, a retail store that caters to birders of all levels. The store serves as a vehicle for Derek to share his enthusiasm for birding, birds, and bird conservation. The store is also the home base for a growing tour guiding operation. He is the author of two books: How to Be a Better Birder and Birdwatching in Maine: A Site Guide. He was also the “Tools of the Trade” Department Editor for Birding magazine for six years. His writing has appeared in Birding magazine, Birder’s Guide, Birder’s World, Bird Observer, Bird Watcher’s Digest, NJ Audubon, North American Birds, and others. Derek also enjoys hiking, exploring new natural areas, developing his native plant garden, good food, and beer.