Accessible Birding at Hirundo

Accessibility in Birding - Experiencing Birding Together

Join us for a birding event created to support a variety of access needs, offering a welcoming way to enjoy and learn about birds in nature together. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just curious about birds, this event invites you to explore our hard packed trails while observing birds in their natural habitats.

Date: Thursday, July 11

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Location: 1107 West Old Town Road, Old Town Maine, Gate 1 Hirundo Wildlife Refuge (MAP BELOW)

Free

All ages are welcome. No prior experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to learn!

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Station-to-Station Birding: Wander at your own pace between three volunteer-led birding stations along our Trail of the Senses:

• Welcome Station: Check in, grab birding materials, sunscreen, bug spray, and water. This is also the place to ask questions or take a break.
• Meadow Station: Look and listen for swallows, sparrows, and other open-field favorites.
• Pond Station: Spot ducks, herons, and other water-loving birds.
• Forest Edge Station: Keep an eye (and ear) out for warblers, woodpeckers, and woodland songbirds
• Rest Stations: Extra seating and shaded spots will be available along the trail for comfort and rest.
• Sensory-Friendly Options: Visit the Parker Reed Shelter for a quiet sensory table featuring feathers, nests, bird calls, sound buttons, and more.

NOTE: Bring your own binoculars or viewers or borrow ours for your visit (supplies limited)!

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MORE Event information:

How to prepare:

Prepare for mosquitos and ticks - we suggest bugspray, head nets, and light but long pants. Bring along any birding materials you might like to have. Bring along a water bottle. We will have a refill station available.

Event/Trail Conditions:

This event will be entirely outdoors. This event is station based. If you spend time visiting each station you will travel about 1 mile total. The parking lot and trails are almost entirely flat and have hard packed fine gravel. We will be using out Trail of the Senses (our Pond Trail & Meadow Trail). You can learn more about those trails HERE, and see more about them below.

Bathrooms:

There will be two outhouses available. One has a ramp into the bathroom and a stablizing bar next to the toilet There are no lights or running water in this outhouse.

Accessibility:

If you are attending with a caregiver, support staff, or personal aid, they do not require a separate ticket. Please register only for the participant.

Feel free to reach out with specific accessibility questions or questions about accomodations! Email: YnJpYW5uYSB8IGhpcnVuZG9tYWluZSAhIG9yZw==

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Policies:

Weather Policy

Hirundo will cancel a program when weather presents an unsafe condition for participants. In most cases, decisions for afternoon or evening programs will be made 4 hours prior to the event. For morning programs, the decision will be made by 6pm the evening prior. Due to the unpredictability of the weather, Hirundo reserves the right to cancel programs at any point when it is deemed unsafe. Participants will be notified of cancellations via the contact info provided at registration, refunds will be given for cancellations on Hirundo's part.

Refund Policy

If Hirundo cancels a program/event a full refund will be issued to every participant. The refund will be issued via Eventbrite and may take several days to complete. Cancellations and notice of refunds will be sent to the email provided on eventbrite at time of registration.

Ticket Holder must request a refund on a program they can no longer attend 5 days prior to the event.

Requests for refunds less than 5 days before the event or after the event will not be honored.

Rain Date Policy

Hirundo may choose to offer an alternative rain date for some events. This date will be posted at the time of event advertising and the ticket holder commits to being available for either date. No refunds will be given to ticket holders who cannot attend the rain-date unless they request a refund more than 5 days prior to the rescheduled date

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Old Town.