Programs

New Hog Island One-Day Adventures and Puffin Tours in July and August

BREMEN, Maine, July 11, 2006 — This summer, Maine Audubon is launching new half- and one-day adventures to explore nature on and around Hog Island Audubon Center in Muscongus Bay.

Since 1936, Hog Island residential summer sessions for adults and young people have been led by some of the most respected naturalists and environmental educators in the nation. Maine Audubon has created the new half-and one-day adventures to give more people the opportunity to connect with nature at the center, which is located on a 330-acre island and accessible only by boat.

“So many people in the midcoast region have told me they’d like to experience Hog Island for the day — this is the perfect chance,” said Seth Benz, director of the center.

From 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on July 15 and 29, Audubon naturalists will lead boat cruises past bald eagle and osprey nests and harbor seals hauled out on ledges to an active seabird colony featuring Atlantic puffins. Each trip is $30 per participant.

Led by experienced Audubon naturalists, new one-day adventure programs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 18-21 and August 21-25 include boat transportation, a bay cruise and a hot lunch in The Bridge, Hog Island’s historic dining room. Each program is $50/adult, $35/youth under 17 (youth must accompanied by an adult).

One-day adventure themes are:

July 17: Find That Butterfly

Search for and identify butterflies in Hog Island’s seaside meadows.

July 18: Exploring the Shore

Discover Hog Island’s tide pools, rocky beaches and salt marshes.

July 19: Puffins, Terns, Guillemots, and Gulls

Discover how these seabirds live on Maine islands.

July 20: Lobster Up Close

Learn about a lobster’s life while hauling traps from Audubon’s boat.

July 21: Eagles and Osprey

Visit several nests of these large and fascinating raptors.

Aug. 21: What’s in that tide pool?

Spend the day exploring Hog Island’s myriad tide pools.

Aug. 22: Forest and Field

Learn how to identify common Maine plants.

Aug. 23: Feathers and Wings

Discover Maine’s seabirds and shorebirds.

Aug. 24: Nature, the Incredible Teacher

Learn techniques to teach others about nature.

Aug. 25: Lobster Up Close

Learn about a lobster’s life while hauling traps from Audubon’s boat.

For details or to register, call 1 (888) 325-5261, ext. 215.

For more information about Maine Audubon programs, visit www.maineaudubon.org or call (207) 781-2330.