Boreal Chickadee Sid Bahrt Photo

The Annual Down East Spring Birding Festival provides a unique experience in "the real Maine" where birders can get out on their own and observe a great variety of birds in diverse natural environments. The festival offers birders various self-guided explorations as well as guided hikes, boat tours, and presentations led by area experts.  Maps and information will be provided for a fulfilling birding experience.

While birding, festival participants will enjoy the tranquility and great natural beauty of the greater Cobscook Bay area. This is a peaceful rural area, with protected open space, dispersed population, and little traffic. Our scenic views often are described as spectacular - though they can be obscured by coastal fog. But even when the fog sits offshore, it’s a beautiful sight all by itself! If you’re looking for a scenic, rural birding experience, Maine’s Cobscook Bay area is one place you’ll want to visit.

American Kestrel Sid Bahrt Photo

Shorteared Owl Sid Bahrt Photo

We also have a greater variety of habitats than elsewhere on the East Coast. Boreal and northern hardwood forests, bogs, fresh- and salt-water marshes, grassy and shrubby fields, streams and lakes, steep rugged headlands, extensive tidal flats, and coastal islands are all here!

This variety of habitats means that we also enjoy a great variety of birds in the Cobscook Bay area. Over 400 bird species have been sighted in Maine, and almost three-quarters of them have been seen in this area. Of course, not all of our birds will be around in late May for the Down East Spring Birding Festival, but most will, and the variety will be tremendous.

Come and see why Northeast Coastal Maine and the Waters Around Machias Seal Island have been identified as "One of the Important Bird Areas in the US" by the American Bird Conservancy.

May 23 – 26, 2008, festival participants also will be helping Washington County, Maine, try to retain its designation as America's Birdiest Atlantic Coastal County, a title we won this past Spring. More details on the ABC/C competition will be available in the registration information.

This year, the Down East Spring Birding Festival is the featured component to an Elderhostel program. 

Investigate Maine's new birding trails!