Shorebirding By Kayak, Joppa Flats Education Center & Plum Island Kayak, Newburyport, Saturday, July 24th

July 13, 2010

When: Saturday, July 24,2010, from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm.
Where: Merrimack River Estuary/Newburyport Harbor Area

SHOREBIRDING BY KAYAK

Ever wanted to see shorebirds from a different perspective, such as from water level whil in a kayak? If you do, on Saturday, July 24th, Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, and Plum Island Kayak, Newburyport, are offering three hours of kayaking to observe shorebirds.

This is a nice opportunity to observe summer’s shorebirds around Woodbridge Island at the mouth of the Merrimack River. This program concentrates on the shorebirds that use the lower Merrimack/Newburyport Harbor area as a feeding and resting place during their spectacular annual migrations.

You’ll carefully and quietly paddle around Woodbridge Island and the shores of the estuary looking for the beautiful visiting plovers and sandpipers. On foot, you often need a telescope to really see the details of these wary birds. But in a kayak, sometimes you don’t even need binoculars!

Instruction in kayaking techniques and safety procedures is provided.

Fee: $60. Pre-registration is required. Register by phone: with a credit card by calling 978-462-9998. The fee covers single kayak rental. Subtract $10 per person for double kayak rental and $20 per person if you use your own kayak.

Experience Level: Beginner II (no experience required; requires some stamina).

Paddling time: 3 hours with a 20-minute rest.

Where To Meet: Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport.