Jimmy Haller, instructor from Maine BoundOutdoor Adventure Center, returns to present paddling strokes, rescue techniques and assist participants in their practice. You will have the opportunity to practice re-entry of capsized boat, if you choose too. Wear appropriate clothing.
Registration and cancellation requested by July 13, call 994-9259 or 827-2230. Meet in the parking lot at Gate 3. (35 Hudson Rd (Rte. 43) Alton/Old Town.
Hirundo is proud to offer canoe tours for up to 20 people in two, 28 foot war canoes, made possible through the support by Penobscot River Keepers, Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department and Bucky and Sue Owen.
The Penobscot Riverkeepers, Mike and B.J. Maybury, kindly loaned the Refuge two of their war canoe fleet to allow safe exploration of the Hirundo waterways. These boats are extremely stable, with seats mounted higher than in a regular canoe, comfortable for people of all ages. The boats are able to hold up to twelve paddlers and require a minimum of six paddlers.
A group of strong volunteers were on hand to move these 300 pound canoes to their summer location, the new canoe shelter. It was built by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department with materials donated by Bucky and Sue Owen.
We would like to thank Mike and B.J. Maybury for lending us their canoes. Without the generous donation of Bucky and Sue Owen and the building expertise and labor of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department we would not be able to properly protect the boats. Thank you all for your tireless support of Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, allowing us to offer expanded programming.
If you would like a guided group tour in a war canoe please call 207-944-9259.
This introductory program covers plant use, identification and collection protocol. On our walk along the the meadows and trails we search for edible and medicinal plants and prepare a snack of what we will find.
Event is free and open to all ages. Suggested donation $4 dollars for adults, school-aged children are free. Reservations and cancellations requested, call 207-944-9259 or 207-827-2230.
Directions to Hirundo Wildlife Refuge from the south: Take the I-95 N and ME-43 exit 197 to Old Town/Hudson. At the stop sign, turn left onto Rt. 43 (Hudson Rd). Go west 5.2 mi and take a right at the large red sign (Gate 1) on your right (north side of Rt. 43). Follow gravel road 0.5 mile to the Pine Tree Parking area. Meet at the Parker Reed Shelter, which is further on the left, along the shore of Lac D’Or.
Celebrate Father’s Day by spending the afternoon paddling along Pushaw and Dead Streams. Hirundo Wildlife Refuge offers a Father’s Day guided canoe tour from 2pm – 3:30pm on Sunday, June 17th, 2012. The tour is open to all fathers and those who are father figures in children’s lives.
Bucky Owen, wildlife ecologist, will guide you through this unique ecosystem, talk about the great diversity of bird, aquatic plant communities, conservation issues and efforts, and observe mammal behavior in the tranquil beauty of the Refuge.
Canoes, paddles and life jackets are available, call to reserve (207) 944-9259, (207) 827-2230, or bring your own canoe.
Hirundo Wildlife Refuge is located on Hudson Rd (Rte. 43) Alton/Old Town. Meet at Gate 3 (35 Hudson Rd, Alton).
This paddle starts our guided canoe trip season, every Sunday from 2-3:30pm.
Come and explore the use of native tree and shrub species, and flowering plants as sustainable food source for birds. During our walk we will search for some of the species covered in this talk. Meet at the Parker Reed shelter in the Hirundo Wildlife Refuge. Include insect repellent in your backpack!
Program is free and open to all ages. Suggested donation $4 dollars for adults, school-aged children are free. Reservations and cancellations requested, call 207-944-9259.
Directions to Hirundo Wildlife Refuge from the south. Take the I-95 N. Take the ME-43 exit 197 to Old Town/Hudson. Go 0.3 mi to the end of the off ramp. At the stop sign, turn left onto Rt. 43 (Hudson Rd). Go west 5.2 mi and look for the large red signs on your right (north side of Rt. 43). Enter at Gate 1, follow gravel road 0.5 mile to the Pine Tree Parking area. Meet at the Parker Reed Shelter, which is further on the left, along the shore of Lac D’Or.
Danielle D’Auria,wildlife biologist, offers this “Early Bird Paddle” at the Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, on Saturday, June 2 at 7am. As with any adventure at Sunkhaze Meadows NWR we will be looking and listening for all forms of wildlife, but this paddle trip will have an added focus on listening for secretive marsh birds like bitterns and rails. Bring your own canoe/kayak, paddles, PFD, sunscreen, water, snacks, bug repellent, and your listening ears. Meet at Milford On-the-Run (convenience store at 12 Main St.in Milford) to caravan to the access point.
Contact Danielle (info@sunkhaze.org, 745-0676) to sign up, and if you have any questions.
Learn to recognize the most common invasive herbaceous plants and how to distinguish them from the native lookalikes, at Hirundo Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, June 3rd from 1pm – 2:30pm. Dr. Berg Stack, from Cooperate Extension Service program, will lead you along Hirundo’s trails looking for invasive plants. Included is a discussion on management strategies for homeowners and suggestions on alternative plants for landscaping, reproduction and seed dispersal. Bring a hand lens or magnifying glass & tree/shrub identification book if you have them.
Directions to Hirundo Wildlife Refuge from the south. Take the I-95 N. Take the ME-43 exit 197 to Old Town/Hudson. Go 0.3 mi to the end of the off ramp. At the stop sign, turn left onto Rt. 43 (Hudson Rd). Go west 5.2 mi and look for the large red signs on your right (north side of Rt. 43). Enter at Gate 1, follow gravel road 0.5 mile to the Pine Tree Parking area. Meet at the Parker Reed Shelter, which is further on the left, along the shore of Lac D’Or.
http://www.streetoverjen.com/web/DEV/hirundev/directions
Events are free and open to all ages. Suggested donation $4 dollars for adults, school-aged children are free. Reservations and cancellations requested, call 207-944-9259.
Join Jimmy Haller, instructor from Maine Bound Outdoor Adventure Center in his Canoe Skill Clinic on Sunday, May 27, 1pm – 3 p.m at Hirundo Wildlife Refuge.
Participants will learn paddling strokes, rescue techniques and be assisted in their practice on Pushaw and Dead Streams.
Registration and cancellation requested call 827-2230.
Meet in the parking lot at Gate 3. (35 Hudson Rd (Rte. 43) Alton/Old Town).
First full Moon Paddle of the season. Evening is also the time when beaver, muskrat, mink and otter become active. You might see lingering shadows on shore or in the water and hear that familiar slap of a beaver’s tail.
Meet at Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, Gate 3 in the parking lot (35 Hudson Rd., Alton).
Reservations and cancellations requested, call 207-827-2230. Bring a flashlight, water and a snack.
On Saturday May 19, early in morning around 7am, Rad Mayfield, Master Bander unfurls his mist nets to catch and band birds. He is supported by Molly McLean of UMaine Upward Bound, Lillie and Auralee Mayfield, and AFS Swiss exchange student, Mirjam Wahlen. The nets will be set up in the grassy field along the Thornplum trail early, since birds are most active during this time of day. Bird banding is a method to study bird biology, movement, behavior, breeding productivity and age. Get a close-up look at local and migratory birds, learn key identification features, how a bird is aged, and safely handled. Program is dependent on good weather condition.
Meet at 7:00am in Hirundo Wildlife Refuge at the entrance of Thornplum Trail, located along the gravel road. Call for weather update and to register (207)827-2230.
Directions from the South
Take the I-95 N and then the ME-43 exit 197 to Old Town/Hudson. Turn left onto Rt. 43 (Hudson Rd). Go west 5.2 miles and look for the large red sign (Gate 1) on your right (north side of Rt. 43). Enter at Gate 1, follow gravel road for 0.5 miles to the Pine Tree Parking area. Watch for signs to the banding site.
Did you know?
The oldest eagle in the country, in 2011, was a 32-year-old Bald Eagle from Maine.
A hearty THANK YOU to all the volunteers, who dared the blustery wind and stray snowflakes, and helped out at Hirundo this past Saturday.
Fifty-two hands busily hammered and nailed signs, placed poles, cleared trails, cut the unforgiving hawthorn back and removed invasive honeysuckle. Together we enjoyed Fred’s excellent chili and finished posting signs in mid-afternoon.
Next time you see our new trail signs think of and thank the members of the Lifejackets program and Stephen Madera, Sam C., the Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, Bruce B., Gerry L., Mike W., Katie N., Bucky Owen,Dick Andren, David Clement and the ones who did not sign their name.
May 5, 10am – Noon
Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, Gate 1
Apple trees that have not been pruned in the recent past generally have a crowded canopy of branches that bear fruit sparsely. Renae Moran, University of Maine Tree Fruit Specialist, will demonstrate the renovation of old apple trees to improve their appearance and ability to bear fruit. Glen Koehler of the UMaine Extension Pest Management Office will also be on board to discuss preventing pest damage to apple trees and fruit.
This is a hands-on workshop, please bring saws and pole pruners.
Please call to register (207)944-9259 or (207)827-2230.
Directions from the South Take the I-95 N. Take the ME-43 exit 197 to Old Town/Hudson. Go 0.3 mi to the end of the off ramp, and turn left onto Rt. 43 (Hudson Rd). Go west 5.2 miles and look for the large red sign (Gate 1) on your right (north side of Rt. 43). Enter at Gate 1, follow gravel road 0.5 miles to the Pine Tree Parking area. The shelter is further on your left, along the shore of Lac D’or.
University of Maine
Renae Moran, Highmoor Farm umaine.edu/pse/faculty-directory/moran/
Glen Koehler, Integrated Pest Management umaine.edu/ipm/
Did you know?
The crab apple is the only apple native to North America.
If apples are not for you try our …
Saturday May 5, 9am – 12pm
Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, Gate 3
Enjoy a morning paddle along Pushaw and Dead Streams, listen for the peculiar sound of the American Bittern and observe the seemingly immovable Great Blue Heron fish. Don’t forget your camera for the photo contest. The best photos will be posted on Hirundo’s website and Facebook.
Registration requested at (207)944-9259 or (207)827-2230. Feel free to bring your own boat.
Directions from the South
Take the I-95 N. Take the ME-43 exit 197 to Old Town/Hudson. Go 0.3 mi to the end of the off ramp, and turn left onto Rt. 43 (Hudson Rd). Go west 5.5 miles and look for Gate 3 (35 Hudson Rd) red sign on your right (north side of Rt. 43). Meet in the parking lot.
Did you know?
Hirundo Wildlife Refuge has the only Interpretive canoe trail in the region. Watch for the Grand Opening in June.