Hirundo Wildlife Refuge

Hirundo Wildlife Refuge Hirundo is a 2,400 acre nature preserve located only 10 miles from the University of Maine, Orono.

All are welcome to hike the trails, free of charge, and enjoy the beauty of Maine seven days a week, year round!

*NOT A WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER*

Any season, all ages, all abilities - Hirundo Wildlife Refuge visitors love our trails, waters and woods for their acces...
09/15/2026

Any season, all ages, all abilities - Hirundo Wildlife Refuge visitors love our trails, waters and woods for their accessibility, beauty and diversity. You don't have to take our word for it, though: check out these reviews from our guests recently.

Are you a Hirundo lover? Leave a review on Google, TripAdvisor, Facebook or AllTrails to let people know!

We're buzzing about this BEE-autiful bee hotel built and installed this weekend at Hirundo Wildlife Refuge by Girl Scout...
09/14/2026

We're buzzing about this BEE-autiful bee hotel built and installed this weekend at Hirundo Wildlife Refuge by Girl Scout Troop 1806 from Orono! Bee hotels are the insect equivalent of a birdhouse. These structures provide nesting spaces for certain solitary bees and wasps. Did you know that the majority of bee species are solitary? We hope the species found in Maine - like mason, carpenter and leafcutter bees - find a sweet home at their new Hirundo hotel.

This project allowed Troop 1806 to finish their Bronze award Girl Scout project. We love partnering with local organizations to connect the community - especially youth! - with nature. Visit hirundomaine.org/kids-in-nature to learn more about all the ways you can learn and have fun with Hirundo.

There's still a week left to enter our fall photo contest! Need some inspiration? Here are some of the beautiful images ...
09/12/2026

There's still a week left to enter our fall photo contest! Need some inspiration? Here are some of the beautiful images captured from the 2025 contest.

The deadline to submit this year is Saturday, Sept. 19. Finalists in both adult and youth categories will be voted on by our social media followers and winners chosen by guests at our annual Fall Fest on October 3. Got a beautiful image you've captured of Hirundo recently? Enter it into our contest by clicking the link in our comments or visiting linktr.ee/hirundowildlife.

📸 by (in order) Isabella Sferra, Henry Wagner, Tom Armstrong, Kendra Harless, Audrunas Gricius, Anika Cox, Alan Harless, Izzy Bouchard and Emma Wellington.

Fall colors are already beginning to show in parts of Maine - we see more reds, yellows and oranges every day! Join us a...
09/11/2026

Fall colors are already beginning to show in parts of Maine - we see more reds, yellows and oranges every day! Join us at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 for a guided leaf peeping paddle. Register online at hirundomaine.org and click "Events," or check out the link in our comments.

We’re also still taking requests for free, self-guided paddles on Saturday. Visit hirundomaine.org/paddling to start your weekend outdoors — requests are due by Thursday!

We're still accepting registrations for both vendors and activity partners for our annual Fall Festival, which is coming...
09/10/2026

We're still accepting registrations for both vendors and activity partners for our annual Fall Festival, which is coming right up on Saturday, October 3!

Want to sell your handmade items at the festival? Or perhaps you're a naturalist, scientist or Maine organization that wants to lead a fun nature-themed activity for all ages? Visit hirundomaine.org to sign up. We hope to see you there!

Looking to make an impact in the community in a way that benefits people and nature? We have lots of opportunities and w...
09/10/2026

Looking to make an impact in the community in a way that benefits people and nature? We have lots of opportunities and would love your help!

Have dinner and drinks and support Hirundo in the process! Our friends at  are hosting us for the evening of Thursday, S...
09/09/2026

Have dinner and drinks and support Hirundo in the process! Our friends at are hosting us for the evening of Thursday, Sept. 24, where for one night only, 10 percent of all orders at OBC will support HRW and our programming and conservation efforts! HRW staff will also be on hand between 5 and 7 p.m. to sell tickets for annual raffle, which this year includes some seriously great prizes - more info on that to come!

We hope to see you there, when you can dine out for a cause. Thanks to OBC for being such awesome community partners!

Isabella Sferra, a graduate research assistant at UMaine, has been sharing beautiful photos of Hirundo with us for the p...
09/08/2026

Isabella Sferra, a graduate research assistant at UMaine, has been sharing beautiful photos of Hirundo with us for the past year, documenting the changing seasons and the myriad species both plant and animal that make HRW their home.

Last week Isabella captured some photos of goldenrod, which bloom from late August into early September at Hirundo and throughout Maine. Lighting up the landscape with their vibrant yellow blooms, these native wildflowers are part of the Solidago genus and play a vital role in supporting local pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and other insects rely on goldenrods as a crucial nectar source during this transitional season.

Despite common confusion, goldenrod is not a major cause of seasonal allergies—its pollen is too heavy to be airborne, unlike ragweed, which blooms around the same time.

Bonus images of the Pushaw Stream, some avian visitors, and a fruiting tree follow. Thanks, Isabella, for your fantastic photos!

Hirundo Wildlife Refuge's 7th annual Fall Fest is coming up in just a few weeks! It's one of our signature events, with ...
09/07/2026

Hirundo Wildlife Refuge's 7th annual Fall Fest is coming up in just a few weeks! It's one of our signature events, with fun for nature lovers of all ages - from interactive activities from our educational partners, to games, paddling, craft and artisan vendors and tasty treats from local food trucks. Rumor has it there will be jack o'lanterns, hot c***r and donuts. Does it get more fall than that? 🎃🍁🍎🍩

Grab your tickets today at hirundomaine.org or at the link in our comments - it's $15 per car, with up to seven people in each car, so bring a crew!

September 4 is National Wildlife Day! This is a yearly opportunity to learn more about endangered species, preservation ...
09/04/2026

September 4 is National Wildlife Day! This is a yearly opportunity to learn more about endangered species, preservation and conservation efforts around the world. This is at the heart of our mission at Hirundo, which is to enjoy, understand, and protect our natural and cultural environment for the well-being of both people and wildlife.

Here's just a few of the many species that make Hirundo their home for all or part of the year. Have you spotted any of them before?

Visit us to explore our trails and waterways and to learn how you can help protect the habitats we all share. You can also make a difference by volunteering your time or donating to support our conservation efforts. Learn more at hirundomaine.org.

Address

1107 West Old Town Road
Old Town, ME
04468

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