Trips, Activities & Guides
2023 Birding Trips
Download your copy of the schedule and register quickly. Trip descriptions are below – please reach out if you have questions! Space is limited (and will sell out!), so save your spot today!
2023 Keynote Speakers
Unraveling the Mysteries of the Eastern Golden Eagle
Each fall an estimated 5,000 Golden Eagles migrate from eastern Canada into the US to spend the winter. Once they pass by the myriad of hawk watches dotted across the eastern US, they vanish into the forests of their wintering grounds only to be seen again as they head back north on spring migration. For the last 18 years, Mike Lanzone and Trish Miller have been watching, trapping, and tracking these enigmatic birds to better understand their behavior and ecology during winter and throughout the year. Through the story of their nearly two-decade long journey studying these amazing birds, Mike and Trish provide an intimate view into the secretive lives of these ghosts of the eastern forests.
Mike is the CEO of Cellular Tracking Technologies, a company that develops high-end animal tracking devices for studies conducted across the globe. He has worked on many research and banding projects across the world and has specialized in technological advancements and applied conservation.
Trish Miller, Ph.D. is a senior research wildlife biologist and executive director of Conservation Science Global. Her research focuses on conservation of raptors with an emphasis on reducing conflicts with human development. She has been studying the eastern population of golden eagles since 2005.
Get to Know Our Guides
Steve Hale
Steve Hale, holds university degrees in marine biology, evolutionary biology, and ecology. He grew up in Pennsylvania but now has lived in New England for over 25 years. Steve is an experienced naturalist and birder. In 2016 he founded Open World Explorers to share his experience with others.
Nick Leadley
Nick is a professional nature photographer, owner of Touch The Wild Photography, and a Maine Recreational Guide. He has recently published Gavia: Tales From Loon Country. The book pairs his photographs of Common Loons with personal experiences from people around the world. Stop by his shop on 2501 Main Street!
Pete McKinley
Peter is a research ecologist and conservation planner with The Wilderness Society (TWS) Research Team based out of the TWS Northern Appalachians office in Hallowell, Maine.
Brendan McKay
Brendan is a long time birder from Portland, ME. He works at Allagash Brewing Company and spends his free time volunteering at the River Point bird banding station in Falmouth, ME.
Ed Jenkins
Ed Jenkins is an avian biologist with the Biodiversity Research Institute in Portland, Maine. He coordinates River Point Bird Observatory and studies birds throughout the state. Originally from the UK, Ed has conducted bird research in New Zealand, Australia, China, Israel, and elsewhere.
Sierra Latham
Sierra Latham started her career with the Fish and Wildlife Service in 2013 when she did a summer internship at Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, the same station where she is now empoloyed.
Jason Latham
Jason Latham moved to Rangeley in 2019 and is RLHT’s Natural Resource Biologist. He attended Unity College and Antioch University of New England where he studied wildlife conservation and environmental science. He’s conducting annual bird surveys on the Kennebago Headwaters Project.
Doug Hitchcox
Doug is the staff naturalist at Maine Audubon and the frequently quoted “go-to” expert on wildlife events and news. After graduating from the University of Maine in 2011, Doug traveled throughout the state to observe as many bird species as he could find. He ended the year with 314, a state record. Doug volunteers as one of Maine’s eBird reviewers, is the owner and moderator of the “Maine-birds” listserv.
Derek Lovitch
Derek and his wife Jeannette of Pownal own and operate Freeport Wild Bird Supply. Derek guides throughout the state and has led tours from Alaska to Hawaii. He has authored numerous articles and has written two books, including Birdwatching in Maine: A Site Guide (2017).
Katrina Fenton
Katrina Fenton does contract work for various nonprofit, federal, and private organizations as a seasonal field technician.“I conduct bird, plant, vernal pool, and other wildlife surveys. I love being out in the field and collecting data. I like analyzing it, too.” Katrina has been deeply involved in the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory, run by the Harris Center in partnership with New Hampshire Audubon.
-from the Harris Center
Sally Stockwell
Sally Stockwell is the Director of Conservation at Maine Audubon. She is a wildlife ecologist with experience in the conservation of nongame, rare, and endangered species in freshwater wetlands, coastal beaches and marshes, and northern forests. Sally holds a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology and an M.S. in wildlife management from the University of Maine and a B.S. in biology from The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington.
Levi Burford
Levi has been enjoying birding in the Rangeley Lakes region since 2018, tricking himself into enjoying wetlands in the Spring. He is been a Technician with New Hampshire Audubon’s Rusty Blackbird project (NH/ME) since 2020 and counter at Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory (NH) since 2019.
