Introduction to Spring Migration Birding

Introduction to Spring Migration Birding in Maine

Sunday, May 16. 8:00-11:00am. Meets at Evergreen Cemetery, Portland. 

Instructor Bio

Derek Lovitch has made a career out of his lifelong passion for birds. After graduating with a degree in environmental policy from Rutgers University, he worked in avian research and education projects in all corners of the continent. Derek and his wife, Jeannette, live in Durham, Maine, and they own and operate Freeport Wild Bird Supply, a retail store that caters to birders of all levels since founding it in 2004. The store serves as a vehicle for Derek to continue sharing his enthusiasm for birding, birds, and bird conservation.

Derek has written three books: How To Be a Better Birder (Princeton University Press, 2012), Birdwatching in Maine: A Site Guide (University Press of New England, 2017 and the revised second edition Birdwatching in Maine: The Complete Site Guide (Brandeis University Press, 2024). He has worked as a tour guide throughout North America, currently focusing on Northern New England, with a growing emphasis with introducing people to the joys of birding and building their skills.

Workshop Description

This half-day workshop will focus on the migrant songbirds, especially warblers, that are passing through Maine’s most famous migrant trap, Portland’s Evergreen Cemetery. At the peak of warbler migration, we’ll learn how to identify these charismatic birds, and we’ll discuss their mind-boggling migration and what they’re up to in Maine. Whether it’s the kind of migration day that legends are made of or a slow day (every day of migration is different), we’ll take advantage of whatever species are present to truly get to know them. Our focus will be on preparing for your next birding outing, giving you the tools to identify birds on your own, maximize your time in the field by predicting where and when to be birding. Of course, if there are too many warblers around, we might just have to simply enjoy them!

Directions: We’ll meet at the main entrance (Stevens Ave.) to Evergreen Cemetery at 8 a.m. (or as soon as the front gate is opened), near the first building on the right. From there, we’ll caravan to the best birding location, returning to the entrance around 11. If the birding is slow, we’ll relocate in the mid-morning to another nearby park.

This is the second in a new series of workshops which focuses on how to get started in the world of bird-watching. We’ll cover the basics, starting with how to efficiently use binoculars, and learning how to really observe birds in a way that will build a toolkit for identifying and enjoying the avian delights around us. If you have never “really been birding” or are looking to get a handle on the basic skills necessary to advance, this series is for you! There is no question too basic; it’s a judgement-free zone! We can even answer “what the heck is birding?”

By taking advantage of seasonal hotspots, we’ll look at whatever is around us. Our goal is to learn how to observe; how to watch. We learn the most about birds by watching them, with binoculars, as opposed to staring at static images or buried in a viewfinder. Therefore, please leave your camera at home (or in the car), and binoculars are a must. Down East Adventures offers a wonderful series of Photography Tours, and our Monhegan Birding Weekend absolutely welcomes cameras. However, for this series, we are focused on putting the watching back in bird-watching!

The workshops are stand-alone, so you need not attend all three, but each will cover some new skills. Most of us need to hear things more than once to retain and apply new knowledge, so there will be some intentional redundancy for reinforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What about transportation?

Participants are responsible for their own transportation, and if we relocate during the morning, carpooling from our first site will be highly encouraged.

What should I wear?

The most recommended piece of gear is a pair of sturdy waterproof footwear, with mud likely during outings. For colder weather outings, we like to layer, which usually means a base layer of synthetic, fast-wicking material, and warm fleece or soft shell. On some outings, sites we are likely to visit will not have shade, so light, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat are useful on warmer days. Other suggested items are found below.

• Sturdy, waterproof footwear
• Base layer of synthetic, fast-wicking material
• Warm fleece or soft shell
• Down jacket for cool mornings
• Insect and tick repellant
• Sunscreen
• Waterproof outerwear should always be handy, as trips are rain or shine

Should I be concerned about ticks and other biting insects?

Mosquitos are possible — though not likely — from April through November, so we recommend coming prepared with long-sleeve, light-weight clothing and your insect repellent of choice. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is the only plant-based repellent certified by the CDC and is highly effective as an alternative to DEET, if you so prefer.

We will stick to trails as we walk, which minimizes our chance of contact with ticks. However, all outdoor activities during nearly any time of year in New England carry the risk of picking up these nasty hitchhikers. Wearing light-colored clothing, tucking in your socks, and using repellents or insecticide are also recommended. Also, give yourself an extensive review when you get home at night to check for ticks.

What happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate?

The trip will only be canceled if road conditions are unsafe or expected to become unsafe before the conclusion of the tour, or if storms are so likely as to make conditions “unbirdable” for the duration of the outing.

What equipment do you recommend I bring?

• Binoculars
• Spotting scopes, if you have one
• No Cameras
• Waterproof footwear or shoes that you don’t mind getting wet or muddy
• Notebook and writing implement.
• Sibley’s Birds East field guide (the paper one, not the app).

Cancellations

The payment is 50% refundable in the event you have to cancel, as long as the cancellation is made 21 days before the trip. After that time, your payment is non-refundable. Alternately, 100% of your payment will be refunded if a replacement can be found prior to the trip.

his workshop needs a minimum of three participants. In the event the minimum is not met, we may cancel or offer to move you to a different workshop.