FALMOUTH – Maine Audubon will hold a statewide Birdathon from Saturday to Monday, May 17 to 26. A fund-raising event similar to a walkathon, Birdathon participants count birds and collect pledges, from 25 cents to $10 or more, for each bird species seen.

“Anyone can participate in the Birdathon, even if they’ve never birded before,” said Judy Walker, Maine Audubon’s staff naturalist. “It’s all about getting people outside and enjoying nature.”

The public is invited to participate. Those interested can collect pledges and form a birding team, scheduling a day between May 17 and 26 to go birding; go on a birding field trip organized by Maine Audubon on Saturday, May 17; take a Business “Bird Break,” counting birds on a lunch break at work during the week; be a backyard birder; or pledge to the Audubon’s staff Birdathon team.

To kick off the Birdathon and celebrate the annual spring migration of birds back to Maine, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 Maine Audubon will hold “Migration Celebration!” at Gilsland Farm. The day of programs about watching and photographing birds and other wildlife is open to the public.

For details call 781-2330, extension 234, or e-mail [email protected].