Researchers will compare the abundance of marsh plants and birds before and after Super Storm Sandy from Maine to Virginia.

Plant and Insect Biodiversity Day
Join local experts on August 10 from 9 - Noon and survey the marsh for the many different types of plants and insects, including butterflies. We will have a training session before we head out. Participants can choose plants or insects to survey. After the surveys the two groups will reconvene and discuss their results.  The data collected will be compared to previous surveys and will serve as an indicator of the health of the marsh. 

Important Bird Area Survey
Want to do some birding at Maine's premier birding spot and help gather data on Maine's first Important Bird Area? Join us on August 24 from 9 - Noon for a marsh-wide survey of birds to document the numbers of individuals and species. Timed to catch the beginning of shorebird migration, each group of monitors will be assigned a portion of the marsh to survey. Depending on the assignment, surveys may be done on foot, by car or from a canoe (provided at the marsh or bring your own), and could last up to several hours. Beginning birders are welcome! The morning will start with a brief introduction to the marsh and the survey methods, and after that, monitors will disburse to their assigned sections. 

Both of these volunteer monitoring projects are made possible through a grant from the Prout's Neck Association to Maine Audubon. Please call Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center at 883-5100 or email smac@maineaudubon.org for more information or to register.