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Spring Birding on Appledore Island

Saturday & Sunday, May 12-13, 2007

Join me for an exciting weekend of spring birding on Appledore Island, one of the Isles of Shoals, located off of the New Hampshire coast. During this time of year, many different species of birds can be seen on Appledore.  Although the island is small enough to explore easily, it is large enough to support a wide variety of habitat. Migration will be in full swing and you never know what might turn up.

The Appledore bird banding station will be in operation during the field trip and, weather permitting, we should have an opportunity to see a number of songbirds up close. Possibilities include vireos, warblers, tanagers, grosbeaks, and orioles.

A few of the breeding birds commonly seen on and around Appledore Island include Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls, Common Eider, Black Guillemot, Double-crested Cormorant, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, and Song Sparrow.  Shorebirds and raptors are also regularly seen.  To see more pictures of spring birds on Appledore, try taking the Appledore Bird Quiz!

Basic Itinerary

Saturday: We’ll meet in Portsmouth Harbor early on Saturday morning, and travel by boat to Appledore Island. We’ll have a brief overview of the island environment with island staff, followed by lunch. In the afternoon we’ll explore and bird-watch around the island and visit the bird banding station. In the evening there will be a tasty buffet-style dinner followed by an evening slide program and a review of the days sightings.  We’ll overnight in the student dormitory rooms.

Sunday: Early in the morning we’ll have an optional sunrise bird-walk, followed by a visit to the bird banding station. In the mid-morning we will have a delicious brunch, with an opportunity for some additional birding and exploration afterwards. Our boat we’ll depart for the mainland around noon and we’ll plan on being back in Portsmouth between no later than 2:00 pm. The boat schedule can sometimes vary and we might leave a little earlier or later depending upon conditions.

Cost: $175.00 per person. If you are alone, be prepared to share a room. There is always a possibility that any trip to Appledore may be canceled due to very rough seas (this is a last minute decision that is up to the ship captain). If this happens, full refunds will be provided by mail. If you are coming from a distance, you may want to stay overnight in Portsmouth. There is a Sheraton directly across the street from the departure dock, and you may be able to leave your car parked there on Saturday and Sunday.

To reserve a place, send your check for the full amount made out to "Mark Suomala". Please call if you have any questions (603) 798-3441. An information packet, including parking options, will be provided prior to the trip.

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Mark Suomala
P.O. Box 625
Epsom, NH 03234
(603)798-3441