Join us for our 15th year of Island Heritage Trust's Wings, Waves and Woods Festival in Deer Isle and Stonington, Maine!

A fun and educational weekend for bird and nature lovers of all ages and levels of experience.

Schedule of Events:

May 18, 2023

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Friends From The Field Webinar - Maine Is Weird!

Join Blue Hill Heritage Trust and Island Heritage Trust for another Friends from the
Field Webinar!
Bob Duchesne is a birding guide, author, and spearheaded the creation of the Maine Birding Trail. Bob writes weekly birding columns in the Bangor Daily News and produces YouTube videos about birding in Maine and beyond.
Maine's peculiar history explains why the state has so many birds. Some surprising reasons date back 300 million years. Others are brand new. Register at the link above the schedule to attend this online this webinar!

Click here for Registration

May 19, 2023

11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Natural History Walk at 191 Oceanville Rd, Stonington
Join George Fields from Blue Hill Heritage Trust for an inspiring walk at a protected, abandoned quarry to learn about geologic, human, cultural and natural history. Bring binoculars, a bag lunch, and enjoy the scenic views!

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Found Object Sculpture at 598 Sunshine Rd, Deer Isle
Peter Beerits demonstrates how he makes bird sculptures from "junk" at his Nervous Nellie's Jams & Jellies studio. Using scrap wood and metal, Beerits captures the essence of birdness in unexpected ways.

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Happy Hour Welcome at 420 Sunset Rd, Deer Isle
Pick up a bird guide and binoculars or just stop in to say "Hi." The WWW hat and reusable bags will be available for purchase. Stick around to learn from Jonah Levy's talk (below) to follow directly after Happy Hour Welcome.

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: 30-Year Bird Project Presentation at 420 Sunset Rd, Deer Isle
Nearly 30 years ago, a team of bird researchers began studying and documenting the impact of commercial forestry on bird populations, for the first time, in Maine. Researcher, Jonah Levy, joins the festival with a presentation in the Island Heritage Trust barn where he will be reporting on thirty years of change in forest management and boreal bird communities in Northern Maine's commercial forests, the largest tract of forest east of the Mississippi.

7:30 pm - 8:30 pm: Timberdoodles and Night Flights at Fire Road 506A, Deer Isle
Join Gordon Russell and Jane Rosinski for an evening seeking the elusive and secretive American Woodcock as they vocally "peent" and perform their unique spiraling flights to attract a mate. Also enjoy listening for thrushes, sparrows, and other night migrants. This walk will take place at Mariner's Memorial Park, owned by the Evergreen Garden Club; Bring flashlights and listening ears. Coordinates: 4.214873709308556, -68.67016451828647

May 20, 2023

7:00 am - 9:00 am: Pressey Village Bird Walk at  94 Pressey Village Road, Deer Isle
Bonnie Bochan leads a walk in this mixed habitat neighborhood that has proven to be a hot spot for migrants: Orioles, Scarlet Tanager, and many warblers.

7:30 am - 9:00 am: Scott's Landing Bird Walk at 823 North Deer Isle Rd, Deer Isle
Leslie Clapp explores the 22-acre Scott's Landing Preserve, a birding favorite: brushy habitat, hardwood stands, and a tidal shore offer diverse species. This guided bird walk will take advantage of the morning's peak birding hours. Bring a coffee and an appetite for adventure.

9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Chase Emerson Memorial Library at 17 Main St, Deer Isle
The Deer Isle library loves celebrating the Wings, Waves & Woods Festival! Stop in and pick up your free copy of Maine Audubon's "A Maine Birds Checklist for Young Birders." These terrific handouts are a great way for young birders to get started. You can enjoy our Adirondack chairs on the deck and watch for birds, or just enjoy the view!

9:30 am - 11:00 am: Bird Photography Walk at 823 North Deer Isle Rd, Deer Isle
Michael Good of Down East Nature & Birding Tours will explore IHT's 22-acre Scott's Landing Preserve. A birding favorite: brushy habitat, hardwood stands, and a tidal shore offer diverse species. Michael will help to strengthen your field identification and photographing skills, while the group captures photos of neotropical migrants. Cameras not provided.

11:30 pm - 1:30 pm: Boat Shuttle to Campbell Island Reach Beach at Gray's Cove, Deer Isle
Enjoy a short, guided boat ride and hike with experienced bird guides, Gordon Russell & Jane Rosinski. Island Heritage Trust is partnering with Maine Island Trail Association to shuttle small groups to and from Campbell Island! There will be plenty of opportunities to explore an uninhabited island and MORE. Participants must be physically able to board a small motorboat. Life vests will be provided. Limited spots are available; $10 per person. Phone Registration Required. Call IHT Office at 207-348-2455. More information will be provided upon registry.

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Thoroughfare Lighthouse Cruise at 37 Seabreeze Ave Stonington
Photographer, Michael Good will be aboard to draw attention to potential bird sightings, and Captain Garrett Aldrich will share history and anecdotes as we tour the Stonington Archipelago. From the Isle au Haut Boat Service Landing, the cruise will go up to Barred Island, to Eagle Island light, and then back to seal ledges ending at Mark Island light. Depart from Isle au Haut Boat Services. Online Registration Required. $60 per person.

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Spanish Storytelling with Joshua McCarey at 420 Sunset Rd Deer Isle
"Lo Que Los Animales Me Dicen" is an interactive and immersive Spanish Storytelling performance for all ages by storyteller Joshua McCarey. Join us at the Island Heritage Trust barn for this enchanting, educational experience. Costume Design: honna b. designs. Original Music: Meg Chittenden and Joshua McCarey

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Birder's Dinner & Great Blue Heron Tracking Project Presentation with Danielle D'Auria at 627 N Deer Isle Rd, Deer Isle
Join fellow birders for a catered, sit-down dinner followed by a poetry reading by Marnie Reed Crowell and an inspiring presentation by Waterbird Biologist, Danielle D'Auria about Great Blue Herons. Presentation will immediately follow dinner.

Birder's Dinner & Great Blue Heron Tracking Project Presentation
with Danielle D'Auria St. Brendan the Navigator Episcopal Church 627 N Deer Isle Rd Deer Isle

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Birder's Dinner is Served
Limited seating available with an advance ticket for $55 per person which includes appetizers, a dinner option of baked haddock, turkey dinner, or vegetarian curry, dessert, refreshments, and tax/gratuity.

6:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Opening Poetry by Marnie Reed Crowell
Local conservationist, natural history writer, and poet Marnie Reed Crowell will open our evening presentation by sharing some poems from her most recent poetry book, "Outside" - a collection inspired by the protected lands of Deer Isle - Stonington. Get your own copy of Outside with a minimum $20 donation to Island Heritage Trust!

6:45 pm - 7:45 pm: Tracking Maine's Great Blue Herons Beyond State Lines Danielle D'Auria is the MDIFW Waterbird Biologist and focuses on statewide populations of colonial wading birds, secretive marsh birds, black terns, and loons, as well as land management issues affecting wetland habitats.

May 21, 2023

7:00 am - 9:00 am: West Side Bird Walk
Join Bob and Sandi Duchesne to explore a private property that includes a meadow, woods, fresh water, and shore. Such diverse habitats promise some great birding! From Route 15 in N. Deer Isle, turn onto Gilmore Lane (about 0.3 miles north of The Galley and high school). Follow signs to bird walk parking.

9:30 am - 10:30 am: Beginner Birder's Walk DISES School Nature Trail at 249 N Deer Isle Rd, Deer Isle
Join educator, Mickie Flores, and student, Naomi Duke, for a family-friendly adventure at the Deer Isle Stonington Elementary School Nature Trail. No experience needed! We are aiming for learning and fun. It is possible to see at least two dozen species here; let us see what we can do! Bring binoculars! Trail entrance is straight back, past tennis courts.

9:30 am - 10:30 am: Landscaping for Wildlife at 94 Pressey Village Rd Deer Isle
Professional landscapers Bonnie Bochan and Guillermo Diaz, who specialize in bird and butterfly gardens, invite you to this workshop! Discuss creating gardens, share resources, and look at native species that are important for wildlife on the property. Bring binoculars; carpooling encouraged.

10:00 am - 2:30 pm: Pelagics and Puffins Cruise at 37 Seabreeze Ave, Stonington
Take a trip with birders Bob and Sandi Duchesne and naturalist photographer, Sandra Mitchell through the archipelago to remote Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge, a nesting site for thousands of pelagics, puffins, arctic and common terns, great cormorants, razorbills, and murres. We may also spot gannets, Wilson's storm petrels, shearwaters, seals, dolphins, and possibly whales en route. While landing is not permitted, there will be many opportunities for viewing and photographing. Dress warmly for an open boat on the ocean. Depart from Isle au Haut Boat Services. Online Registration Required. $75 per person.

10:00 am - 11:00 am: Wild Medicinal Plants of Deer Isle at 823 N Deer Isle Rd, Deer Isle
Come for a walk with community herbalist Brighid Doherty at Scott's Landing Preserve in Deer Isle. Brighid is the founder of The Solidago School of Herbalism, located on Deer Isle. On this walk, you will learn how to identify, ethically harvest, and prepare medicinal plants.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Birdhouse Building at 420 Sunset Rd, Deer Isle End the festival with IHT Environmental Educator, Martha Bell, in the Island Heritage Trust barn for bluebird house building! Kits generously donated by Charlie Cannon of Holbrook Island Sanctuary. Limited spots. Phone Registration Required. Call the IHT Office at 207-348-2455.

Date: May 18-21, 2023

Location: Various Towns in Maine, 04627

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