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
Sunday, June 8, 2025
Sunday, 6:15 AM | Hunter Cove Wildlife Sanctuary
A relatively easy way to sample the diversity of breeding warblers of the area, along with the chance to see Common Loons, breeding Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Ruffed Grouse, and Moose. Numerous Blackburnian Warblers are often the star of the show here, with great views readily available throughout much of the trail as Winter Wrens serenade us from the shadows. Expect some muddy sections and lots of slippery roots.
Sunday, 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.
Sunday, 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.
Sunday, 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.
Sunday, 6:15 AM | Rangeley Lakes Trails Center
The RLTC, located on Saddleback Mountain Road, offers miles of trails with transitional forests. The trails provide birders with opportunities leading to the Saddleback Mountain Lodge and Saddleback Lake.
Sunday, 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.
Return to Parking: 2:30 PM Unreliable cell service prevents contacting participants. Please review the directions for distance and travel time from your accommodations.
Sunday, 6:15 AM | Mingo Springs Bird Walk
Recently conserved by Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, the Mingo Springs Birdwalk provides an open space with meadow and edge habitat otherwise scarce in the Rangeley area. This walk will target species that thrive in these open spaces and provide some diversity to our festival totals.
Return to Parking: 10:30 AM Unreliable cell service prevents contacting participants. Please review the directions for distance and travel time from your accommodations.
Sunday 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.
Sunday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saddleback Mountain | The Nest at 3,620’
Join us for a Bicknell's Brunch at The Nest, perched high atop Saddleback Mountain at 3,620' in elevation. Take a scenic chairlift ride to brunch and enjoy a special menu overlooking the western Maine mountains and lakes. Brunch is an add-on option for $65 when you purchase by May 1, 2025. Purchase Brunch tickets here.
Additional Dates:
