Bird the Boreal Forest with Us
From Boreal Chickadees in our vast forests to Loons on our magnificent lakes to the rare Bicknell’s Thrush in the high peaks above, the Rangeley Region is rich with birds. Add in both migrating and breeding warblers, and you have a unique opportunity to see and learn about birds that are difficult to find in other parts of Maine, all in one weekend.
Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust has partnered with Saddleback Mountain to make the 2025 Rangeley Birding Festival bigger and better than ever! Get ready for four days of incredible birdwatching and unforgettable experiences. Explore some of the best boreal birding spots in the Northeast with expert biologists and seasoned birders as your guides. Plus, enjoy festival highlights, including:
-- A special welcome reception at Saddleback
-- Lift access up Saddleback Mountain for breathtaking views and birding opportunities
-- An inspiring keynote speaker dinner
-- A delightful brunch at The Nest, Saddleback’s high-elevation restaurant
Trips & Activities
Highlights
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Scenic Chairlift Rides
This year, festival goers will enjoy lift transportation up and down Saddleback Mountain. Ride the Rangeley Quad to high-elevation habitat, home to Bicknell's Thrush and Boreal chickadees.
Activities for Young Birders
The Kid’s Banding Station is a hands-on activity where participants (of all ages) learn about bird banding by receiving their own unique “band” (a beaded bracelet) based on real bird banding data collection methods.
Brunch at The Nest
Join us for a Bicknell's Brunch at Saddleback's high-elevation restaurant, The Nest. Acclaimed by Downeast Magazine, The Nest is perched high atop Saddleback at 3,620'—a dining experience like no other.
Full Trip Schedule
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Saturday, 6:15 AM | Bicknell's Thrush, Saddleback
This trip focuses on birding the high-elevation spruce-fir forests of Saddleback Mountain for boreal birds. New this year! Chairlift access will be offered on the Rangeley Quad. Ride up and down for easy access to this trip! Chairlift access is provided to the top of the mountain. Participants will bird the summit area for 2 hours and then the group will bird on the hike down the mountain. Participants may opt to skip the hike down the mountain and take the chairlift instead. Participants are welcome to hike if they wish. In addition to standard birding gear, participants must bring a small day pack, water, bug repellent, sunscreen, a raincoat or windbreaker, and a head net. Second Bicknell's Thrush trips up Saddleback Mountain on Friday and Saturday morning will be added based on demand. To get on the list for a second trip please email Nick Leadley, Event Coordinator, at [email protected]. The second trip will start at 7:00 a.m.
Saturday, 6:15 AM | Boy Scout Road
Over 60% of all the species ever seen in Franklin County are documented on Boy Scout Road. This dirt drive cuts through prime boreal habitat. It allows you to walk up to nesting warblers, compare vireo species nearby, and even pick up waterbirds along the Kennebago.
Saturday, 6:15 AM | Perham Stream Birding Trail
Perham Stream Birding Trail | Perham Stream Introduction to Bird Identification, Behavior, and Conservation
Join avian research ecologist, Peter McKinley, for a walk through lowland northern hardwood and spruce-fir forest to begin the ecological tour of the western Maine High Peaks ( take the chairlift or hiking trails to see the upper reaches of this region’s diverse ecology on other Festival trips ). We will stay in the lowlands for this trip but will have great views of the mountain ranges around us as we stroll near where the Perham Stream meets the Orbeton Stream, both successfully welcoming Atlantic Salmon returning to breed from the North Atlantic Ocean. Also returning to breed are the wood warblers, thrush, vireo, and kingfisher who will be well into their breeding season busy foraging for their young and singing to mark their territories before the next few months disappear and they (neotropical songbirds) return to Central America for the winter. Pete will include stories from his 35 years of conservation and avian research ecology dedicated to conserving the forests of Maine and along the entire Appalachian range to Georgia. The walking conditions are gentle and rolling over mixed fields and forest passing by the centuries-old settlement site of Madrid, Maine which still includes some cellar holes and stories from the 7th generation of the family that settled the area and kept journals of all the happenings in the natural world over that time period. All levels welcome, novice to expert, we have a trip you will all enjoy.
Return to Parking: 10:30 AM Unreliable cell service prevents contacting participants. Please review the directions for distance and travel time from your accommodations.
Saturday, 6:15 AM | Rangeley Lakes Trails Center
The Rangeley Lakes Trail Center (RLTC), located on Saddleback Mountain Road, offers miles of trails along Saddleback Lake with transitional forests. The trails provide birders with opportunities leading to the Saddleback Mountain Lodge and Saddleback Lake.
Saturday 6:15 A.M. Kennebago River
Winding through prime riparian habitat, the Kennebago River offers great birding opportunities. The trip on this flat river lasts approximately four hours by canoe and covers a 3.7-mile stretch of the Kennebago between Steep Bank Pool and Route 16 west of Oquossoc. Species sightings include American Bittern, Veery, Northern Waterthrush, Alder Flycatcher and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. A rest stop in the boreal forest surrounding the Boy Scout Camp offers chances to see Boreal Chickadee and Gray Jays, multiple warbler species including Magnolia, Nashville, Tennessee, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue and Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows and both Kinglet species. Bear in mind you may get your feet wet so plan accordingly. Canoeing experience is required. Kayaks available on request. Participants will meet the day before at Rangeley Adventure Company to get fitted for life vests. Time TBA.
Saturday, 6:15 AM | Quill Hill
The scenic Quill Hill overlook offers the opportunity to bird in various habitats as you climb above the treeline. Birders will meet halfway up the mountain to bird lower elevations, and then drive to the top to explore the accessible hiking trail. Last year, birders on this trip saw a Blackpoll Warbler singing—on both days! This trip provides the easiest access to the widest variety of habitats of any of the weekend trips.
Saturday 6:15 a.m. Redington Road
Passing along and through a productive stretch of Boreal habitat, Redington Road offers a wide edge and easy walking with the chance at a good variety of boreal specialties, including Canada Jay, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, and warblers ranging from Wilson’s to Palm to Cape May. It’s a good place for crossbills, too, if they are around this year. It's also a good place to view many of the more common species of the area.
We’ll walk about 4 miles round-trip, and while the wide gravel road provides lots of easy edge viewing, keep in mind that there is little shade and we’ll be on our feet the whole time. Shortly after turning onto Redington Road from Stratton Road, there will be a few places to park on either side of the road. We’ll meet along the line of boulders on the right side.
Return to Parking: 10:30 AM Unreliable cell service prevents contacting participants. Please review the directions for distance and travel time from your accommodations.
Saturday, 1 PM | Forestry for Maine Wildlife
Did you know that fish depend on healthy forest habitats in addition to birds? Join Sally Stockwell of Maine Audubon and Jason Latham from Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust to learn about the importance of shoreland habitat with big old trees and lots of shade for both birds and brook trout and visit some sites that are managed or recently restored to improve both shoreland habitat and in-stream habitat.
Saturday 1 p.m. Activities for Young Birders
The Kid’s Banding Station is a hands-on activity where participants (of all ages) learn about bird banding by receiving their own unique “band” (a beaded bracelet) based on real bird banding data collection methods. We show them bird bands, explain the process and why we do it, then collect data on them like age, "wingspan" (arm length), etc. and give them unique color codes based on the value of the collected data. It’s a great way to engage people in conversations about how banding helps track populations, monitor migration, and inform conservation efforts in Maine. Presenters: Mackenzie Roeder and Adrienne Leppold
Saturday, 2 PM | Loon Paddle
Spend the afternoon on Rangeley's Haley Pond with the Rangeley Adventure Company. Expect a leisurely paddle on the 170-acre pond in the heart of Rangeley Village. All gear will be provided. Prior on-the-water experience is recommended.
Saturday, 4 PM | Birds on Tap ?
Join Derek Lovitch for a free introduction to the common town birds of Rangeley. Open to all (including first-time birding residents!), we’ll discuss the basics of bird identification by focusing on some of the most common and conspicuous birds in the area. We’ll keep an eye out overhead for eagles and other raptors, listen for fly-over boreal finches, and marvel at the aerial acrobatics of Chimney Swifts. Then, at 4:30 pm, join Derek for a guiding beer-tasting session. A specially curated flight of three samples will be offered for purchase and Derek will explain each style and guide you through a dedicated comparison. Participants will cover the cost of their flights (and gratuity) at Parkside & Main.
Saturday, 6 PM - Evening Social & Keynote Speaker
Join us at Saddleback Mountain in the Fireside Room for a truly informative presentation on The Response of Montane Bird Population to Climate Change in the Northeast by Jason Hill of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.
Additional Dates:
