LISBON – The third in a series of fall guided bird walks, conducted by the Stanton Bird Club, will be held in partnership with the Androscoggin Land Trust at the Packard-Littlefield Farm on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

The seven-event series will take in a variety of diverse local habitats and is free and open to the public. Walks will be led by Stan and Joan DeOrsey, who will identify and comment on birds seen or heard.

Susan Hayward, Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary naturalist, will share her knowledge of plants, and Michael Auger, director of land protection and stewardship for the trust, will discuss the farm and its environs.

The Packard-Littlefield Farm is a working family farm with fields and woods as well as riparian frontage along the Sabattus River and No-Name Stream.

In 2004 the Androscoggin Land Trust received funding from the Land for Maine’s Future Program to purchase a conservation easement from Bob and Ella Mae Packard that protects in perpetuity the 195-acre historic farm that has been active since 1790.

At this time of year, the farm is home to white-throated and song sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, American goldfinch, and possibly white-crowned sparrows, early American tree sparrows and late chipping sparrow.

For botanical enthusiasts, the fall asters and goldenrods are beginning to fade with the first frost of the season, but there are other treasures to be found. Many of Maine’s wildflowers have a survival strategy of setting buds for the next year and growing basal rosettes.

Those interested should meet at Staples parking lot at 855 Lisbon St., Lewiston. The group will leave Staples at 8 a.m. to be at the walk site at 8:20. Walks end by 11 a.m., but those wishing may leave early.

Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. Walks are approximately two miles on an even and basically dry surface. Call Stan or Joan DeOrsey at 933-2266 or e-mail [email protected] with questions.

For information on the trust, visit www.androscogginlandtrust.org. For more information on the bird club, call 782-5238 or visit www.stantonbirdclub.org.