LEWISTON – Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary will hold its fall nature festival beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the sanctuary on Montello Street.

Everyone is invited for a full day of birding, botany, music and mapping activities for all ages, free of charge.

Activities include:

• 8-11 a.m.: Field trip to Sabattus Lake, a hot spot for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Meet at the Sabattus Street Hannaford parking lot.

• 11 a.m. to noon: Trail hike with sanctuary naturalist Susan Hayward.

• Noon to 1 p.m.: Picnic at the Anthony Fireplace. People are asked to bring their own lunch; water will be provided. Music will be provided by the Northfield Players from Bates College.

• 1 to 3 p.m.: Christine Woll, a Bates College student enrolled in a biology course with Dr. Sharon Kinsman, will lead a walk and demonstration titled “Alien Invasives at Thorncrag” to show five invasive plants at the sanctuary, why they are invasive, the ecological problems with invasive plants and how they can be controlled.

During the walk around Thorncrag to see invasive plants, Bates College student Roni Helppie will distribute maps of the sanctuary and will be able to show people how to read a topographical map and what the lines and symbols mean.

The event will be canceled if there is heavy rain or bad weather. For more information, people may call 782-5238.

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