raven trips

From the owners of Maine Hunting Today, comes a Legend, a truth, an inspiration, and an experience like no other. Read "The Legend of Grey Ghost and Other Tales from the Maine Woods."

TRIP ANNOUNCEMENTS:
RAVEN Interpretive Wildlife Programs
474 Butter Hill Road, Chatham, NH 03813 (603) 694-2200 Fax (603) 694-2535
e-mail: info@ravenwildlife.com
Two exciting RAVEN adventures to announce!

1. TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT:

The Snow Geese of Quebec City
Explore Quebec City and witness the annual migration of
Snow Geese along the St. Lawrence River
Friday April 29 through Sunday May 1, 2005

Join Chris Lewey and his staff as they journey north of the border for an adventure you won't want to miss. Our destination is Quebec City; a cultural jewel set on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. As winter gives way to spring, and the landscape shifts from white to muted colors, the snow geese stop here before the final leg of their northward migration. Thousands of these stately white birds cover the St. Lawrence and its banks, their biannual staging grounds.
While we will have a chance to witness this spectacle and see these birds up close, we will also have ample opportunity to experience the culture and history of Quebec City.

We depart early on Friday morning from North Conway, NH, and travel by motor coach to Quebec City. Soon after our arrival we will enjoy a tour of the city. Following our tour we will dine in one of the city's finest restaurants. On Saturday, we will visit Cap Tormente Wildlife Refuge to observe the geese and possibly some other early migrants, and if we have time, we will visit the famous Basilica of Ste. Anne de Beaupre and Montmorency Falls.

On Saturday night we will savor some of the cultural and culinary delights of Quebec. Join us on Sunday morning for an early bird walk along the heights of the old city or pursue your own interests. Maybe you would like to indulge in the unbelievable brunch at the famous Chateau Frontenac, walk the Plains of Abraham, or perhaps you would like to visit the quaint shops of Vieux Quebec, before we board our coach for our return trip to New Hampshire.

Our hotel is in the heart of the old city, our pace is easy, yet productive, and there are numerous possibilities for exploration and new adventures! We hope that you'll join us for this fantastic weekend of birding and fun. We will need a prompt response to assure your participation.

Cost of the trip is $355. per person based on double occupancy and includes:
• motor coach transportation
• accommodations for two nights
• leadership
• two continental breakfasts
• picnic lunch Friday and Saturday
• guided city tour
• entrance fees

There are a limited number of single rooms available at a supplemental cost of $95. If you are a single traveler and would like a roommate, we will attempt to accommodate you. If you have any questions about the trip or the area, please give us a call. Detailed joining instructions and further information will be sent to registered participants prior to trip date. For those wishing to stay in North Conway on the night(s) before and/or after the trip we have arranged for a discounted room to be available at the Red Jacket Motor Inn. Inquire for details.

TO REGISTER: email to info@ravenwildlife.com and request an application for a specific trip.

2. TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT:

MONHEGAN ISLAND
ADVENTURE DOWNEAST on the coast of MAINE
SATURDAY MAY 28 - MONDAY MAY 30, 2005

Spring on Monhegan is truly an experience long to be remembered. An exquisite blend of geography, history, and remoteness lays the foundation for a unique setting of wildflowers and birds. Varied interests can easily be satisfied by a visit to this small island ten miles off the coast of Maine. Named by Indians meaning, "island of the sea," Monhegan is well known among eastern birders as one of the finest "migrant traps" in New England. Uncommon species of birds are sited regularly on the island. The small oval island is bounded on the north and east by rocky cliffs 160 feet above the sea, on the south by many small coves, and on the west by the village. Our stay will allow ample time to explore all the diverse habitats on the island.

We'll depart New Harbor, ME for our cruise to Monhegan Island aboard the "Hardy." This trip of about one hour will provide us with an opportunity to see some of the coastal species of wildlife, including several species of birds and possibly a porpoise or whale. After lunch on the Island, we'll start exploring some of the traditional birding spots around the village, including the lighthouse and "ice pond." Bring your cameras for this afternoon stroll!

Sunday - we will explore the various habitats and noted landmarks on the Island including White Head, the Cathedral Woods Trail, Lobster Cove, and Burnt Head. We'll enjoy a mid-day picnic lunch on the cliffs high overlooking the ocean or in a remote cove at the water’s edge. Our ample time will provide us with the opportunities to study many birds up close in their breeding plumage. We'll be able to see different aged gulls in flight (and quite possibly Peregrine Falcons) as they ride the updrafts over the cliffs, watch warblers as they attempt to avoid Merlins dashing by the lighthouse, and also investigate some of the wonderful wildflowers that are abundant at this time.

Once participants get their bearings, there will be some free time to explore on their own or revisit an area that may already have become a favorite spot, or possibly browse the artists' studios.

Monday - After some early birding about the village, we'll return to the Inn for breakfast. Following breakfast we will head for the dock for a short cruise to Eastern Egg Rock, the most southern nesting site of the Atlantic Puffin with hopes of seeing this year's nesting colony starting their season. We'll return to Monhegan for some free time and further explorations before boarding the "Hardy" for our afternoon trip back to the mainland.

This is a tentative schedule subject to change.
Monhegan Island - A Downeast Adventure is designed for participants with various interests and experience in natural history. For the beginning naturalists, skills in bird identification and wildflower "keys" will be introduced as well as general ecological principals which affect our awareness and our way of seeing things. The seasoned nature buff will appreciate a closer look at the interrelations and behavior of the species we encounter as well as the unique attributes of a small coastal Island. There is an ample amount of walking involved in exploring the Island, and many of the trails are somewhat rocky. For those folks that don't wish to go on the longer excursions, the village is a comfortable and enjoyable place to spend some time.

The accommodations on Monhegan are rustic. There are only a few vehicles on the Island used only for transportation of luggage and supplies from the boat to the hotels. There is much walking and some hiking and some early morning birding. Electricity on the Island is kept to a minimum and a small personal flashlight is recommended. There is very limited area for smoking on the Island due to the danger of fire. If you look on these as attributes rather than inconveniences, then this just might be the trip for you.
This is an informal, relaxed trip. Please come prepared to take your time enjoying the birding at a comfortable pace with leisurely meals. Bring comfortable clothing, and be prepared for possible cool and/or wet weather.

Cost of the trip from New Harbor is $355 which includes sea transportation, two nights lodging (based on double occupancy), two breakfasts, two picnic lunches and leader fees. WE NEED TO KNOW RIGHT AWAY IF YOU PLAN ON PARTICIPATING IN THIS POPULAR TRIP SO THAT WE MAY HOLD THE ROOMS WE HAVE RESERVED.

We hope you will join us for this exciting Downeast adventure. There are a limited number of single rooms available at a supplemental cost of $80. If you are a single traveler and would like a roommate, we will attempt to accommodate you.

If you have any questions about the trip or the area, please give us a call. Detailed joining instructions and further information will be sent to registered participants prior to trip date. We will need a prompt response to assure your participation.

Cost of the trip is $355 per person based on double occupancy and includes:
• boat transportation from New Harbor, ME
• accommodations for two nights
• leadership
• two breakfasts
• picnic lunch Saturday and Sunday
• puffin watching boat cruise!

Please call or e-mail if you have any questions regarding these trips.
Hoping to share some wildlife adventures with you this spring!
Sincerely,
Chris Lewey
Director