NORWAY – The 13th annual “way-too-early-in-the-morning” Western Foothills Land Trust bird count will get under way at 7 a.m. Saturday at 265 Old Stage Road.

“Well, it’s not really that early in the morning,” said Mary Van Nest, who with her husband, Bob, hosts the annual event. “Most bird-watches start at 6 a.m.”

The annual fundraiser is to raise money for the Roberts Farm Preserve project and to identify as many bird species as possible.

“Bob and I are both birders,” said Van Nest, who moved to the farm in 1971. “It’s a good way to raise money and awareness of the Land Trust and to introduce people to the world of birding. All you need is binoculars and birds.”

Bird-watchers will walk through parts of the 80-acre Van Nest farm’s pastures, fields and woodlands. “It will be wet,” warned Van Nest, who said participants should bring boots or old shoes.

They expect to see about 50 bird species, the same number that has been viewed for the past 13 years.

The birds people will most likely see are bobolinks, which nest in grass. But even these birds are in danger of losing their habitat because of development and old fields growing into woods, Van Nest said.

The trust is asking for a donation of $10 per person, which includes refreshments around the stove in the farm kitchen following the walk. The event will be held rain, snow or shine. All ages are welcome to attend.