Bird Watcher's Getaway for the Day Series: Coastal Birding February 18, 2011

Join Scott Santino and Kirk Elwell once a month this winter to explore an exciting birdwatcher's destination. Each trip is planned to highlight a special seasonal bird-related occurrence. Sign up for one or all of these fun day trips. - - Fridays: January 28, February 18, March 18, and April 15 - Fee per trip: $36 member, $42 nonmember - Fee for the series: $120 member, $140 nonmember - - Coastal Birding in Maine: Friday, January 28 / 8:00 am-3:00 pm - The southern coast of Maine has rich salt marshes, quiet coves, and rocky shores. This diverse coastline offers a variety of birding opportunities throughout the winter months. We'll begin at the mouth of the Piscataqua River in Kittery and work our way north to the Webhannet Marsh in Wells, stopping along the way at local hot spots known for their wintering birds and spectacular views. Regulars for this area include red-throated loons, harlequin ducks, long-tailed ducks, and many more. - - Coastal Birding in New Hampshire: Friday, February 18 / 8:00 am-3:00 pm - New Hampshire has a limited coastline, but it can be a very productive birding area in winter. We'll start our getaway in Hampton and work our way north to Odiorne Point State Park in Rye. The coastal vistas will provide nice looks at scoters, grebes, loons, and other winter visitors. We'll also check the coastal thickets for species usually not present at this time of year such as the brown thrasher, ruby-crowned kinglet, and dickcissel. - - Winter Finches at Pawtuckaway State Park: Friday, March 18 / 8:00 am-3:00 pm - The winter finch forecast is out, and it's predicted that 2011 will bring a fair number of finches down to New England. We'll trek up to Pawtuckaway State Park, located in Nottingham, New Hampshire. Pawtuckaway's 5,500 acres feature a variety of habitats, including wetlands and oak-hemlock forests, which provide a seasonal home to a host of wintering birds. Birds we're likely to encounter include evening grosbeaks, purple finches, and pine siskins. Other possibilities include red- and white-winged crossbills, redpolls, and bohemian waxwings. Pawtuckaway is also home to bobcats and moose, two mammals yet to populate Essex County. - - Early-Spring Migrants of Cumberland Farms: Friday, April 15 / 7:00 am-3:00 pm - Today we'll travel down to Middleboro to visit a very productive birding area called Cumberland Farms Fields. This 900-acre grassland is the largest in southeastern Massachusetts. We'll be on the lookout for a variety of early-spring migrants including sparrows, swallows, warblers, blackbirds, flycatchers, and raptors. The mid-April air will be full of much-awaited birdsong. We'll also check out some nearby wetlands including red maple and Atlantic white cedar swamps. Registration is required. Call 978-887-9264 for details. See http://www.massaudubon.org/catalog/listing.php?program_code=1260-IP11WI2 for more information.