It’s The Magical Mystery Tour — Birder Edition every Friday morning at Massachusetts Audubon Society’s South Shore Sanctuaries.
At 8:15, bird lovers gather at the North River Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield, where a van picks them up for destinations and sights known only to their guide.
For the next three hours, they’ll hike various trails as the van makes stops anywhere from Plymouth to Quincy.
This month marked the 30th year of the Friday bird walks. Because of the time of day, many of the 15 to 25 participants are retirees. Sue MacCallum, director of the South Shore Sanctuaries, estimates that more than half are in their 50s through 70s.
The society also offers various seasonal walks, such as the Early Migration Program at Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary last month. And, again, older adults are among the biggest enthusiasts.
“They’re lifelong learners. They’re excited about being outside and sharing experiences. And they’re fun to be around,’’ said Douglas Lowry, an educator for South Shore Sanctuaries.
As an outgrowth of the Friday walks, Audubon launched the Birding by Van program three years ago. It’s held Monday mornings as frequently as twice a month.
“We noticed that some of our regulars were not showing up anymore because there was a little more walking than they wanted to do,’’ MacCallum said. “We wanted to keep them involved with the sanctuary and give them an opportunity to socialize and get out.’’
She brings along two key pieces of equipment: a step-stool to make the van more accessible and a spotting scope for seeing birds up close.
Lasting up to three hours, the excursion goes along and near the coast from Plymouth to Cohasset.
Nancy Criscitiello, who moved from Newton to Linden Ponds in Hingham last August, has been birding for 60 years — ever since her husband, Cris, introduced the hobby to her when they married.
“It’s a hobby based on hope,’’ she said, noting that you never know what you’re going to find. But she said even when she spots a bird she’s seen a thousand times, she’ll learn something new.
She recalled watching terns courting. Several males wooed a female, who had planted herself on a floating dock. One of them offered her a small fish, which she accepted before sending him on his way. But when he came back with another, “she decided he was OK,’’ Criscitiello said.
Last spring, the society opened an All Persons Accessible Sensory Trail at North River Wildlife Sanctuary. Visitors can use Braille and audio guides, and follow a tactile map.
A popular program for older adults is the society’s Little Naturalist Story Hour, which features a different animal each month. Open to any adult with a preschooler, the event draws many grandparents. “We have one set of grandparents who often bring their twin grandchildren,’’ said Sharon L. Seeg, an Audubon receptionist. “The grandparents enjoy the program as much and maybe more than their grandchildren.’’
Many of the volunteers for the South Shore Sanctuaries are older adults. They help staff the reception desk, tend the grounds, greet visitors at events, and lead some of the classes.
MacCallum said birding has enjoyed an “explosion’’ of interest over the past 15 years. “You can do it at any age and at any level,’’ she said. Participants just need binoculars and a guidebook.
And besides enjoying the birds, the hobby is a good way to meet people. Right now, the van groups tend to be mostly female. MacCallum suggests that men take note: “There are a lot of lovely women on these trips.’’
For more details, visit www.massaudubon.org/southshore.
