You're Invited!
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 Rangeley Birding Festival bigger and better than ever! Enjoy a long weekend 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
Featured Trips
Bicknell's Thrush on Saddleback Mountain
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! Participants are welcome to hike if they wish.
Key Species: Bicknell’s Thrush, Black-backed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Blackpoll Warbler, Fox Sparrow
Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Quill Hill Scenic Overlook
With sweeping views of the Rangeley Lakes Region, Quill Hill offers the opportunity to bird in various habitats as you climb above the treeline. Last year, birders on this trip witnessed Blackpoll Warblers singing!
Key Species: Blackpoll Warbler, Nashville, Chesnut-sided, and Magnolia Warblers, American Redstarts, Kinglets, Ruffed Grouse, Northern Flicker, Swainson’s Thrush
Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kennebago River Paddle
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.
Key species: 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.
Difficulty: ⭐️
Highlights
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.
We’ve world-class guides waiting to bird with you! Guided trips will take you to some of the Northeast’s most renowned birding hotspots.
20% Off Lodging For Festival Attendees
For convenient access to all the fun, look for on-mountain lodging at Saddleback. There are also options available in the Rangeley downtown area.
Our partners at Morton & Furbish Vacation Rentals are offering 20% off lodging for bird festival attendees!
Reduced Rates at The Rangeley Inn
Stay in downtown Rangeley overlooking Haley Pond—a short walk to many shops and restaurants. The historic Rangeley Inn has rates as low as $169/night for 3-night stays.
Make a Nomination
John Bicknell Award for Birding Conservation Excellence
With this award, we seek to publicly acknowledge those individuals who have worked to further birding and conserve bird habitat in Maine. This award is particularly intended to recognize those unheralded people who have labored largely behind the scenes and who may have been overlooked and unacknowledged for their contributions. It is presented to no more than one recipient each year (unless we recognize a collaborative effort by two or more people).
Event Sponsors
Thank you to our 2025 Rangeley Birding Festival sponsors! Would your business like to sponsor or donate? Learn more here.
