BUCKFIELD – Western Foothills Land Trust will hold Buckfield Bird Count 2009 on Saturday, May 16, at the trust’s newly protected land at South Pond.

Members will meet at 7 a.m. at the Buckfield Town Garage off the John Ellingwood Road. The group will set out to identify as many species as possible in a three-hour time frame.

The South Pond property provides a range of migratory bird, wetland and waterfowl habitats suited to birding. In 2004, John Gunn of Round River Ecology identified 54 species of birds in a day-long site survey at the site.

The trust is asking for a donation of $10 an adult, which includes hot coffee, tea, cocoa and doughnuts.

This year all proceeds will go toward the South Pond conservation area stewardship fund. The event will be held rain or shine. Those attending are asked to bring binoculars and be prepared for bugs and walking over irregular terrain.

For additional information, call the trust at 739-2124.