LEWISTON — The Stanton Bird Club has announced the fall schedule of guided bird walks. This season will mark the third year for the bird walk series. Last year, more than 50 people participated in one or more walks, and identified 92 species of birds over the period.

All walks are free and open to everyone, beginning naturalist to
advanced birder. Walks are led by Stan and Joan DeOrsey, who will
identify and comment on birds seen and heard and by Susan Hayward,
Stanton naturalist, who will share her knowledge of botany. Walks are held in a variety of interesting and diverse local habitats,
plus some private areas not normally open to the public. Anyone
interested in walking, seeing new places, fresh air and nature is
welcome.

The next walk on Wednesday, Sept. 23, will be in the Lisbon area, to visit the Papermill and Ricker Farm Trails. The trails are paved, following the scenic Sabattus River through wooded habitat then through open farmland allowing a large variety of bird species.

Other dates scheduled are Oct. 7, to Pettingill Park, Auburn, for fall migrants;
Oct. 21, Packard-Littlefield Farm, Lisbon, to study grassland and field botany; Nov. 4, Sabattus Pond, Sabattus, for ducks;
Nov. 18, Beaver Park, Lisbon, for winter residents; and
Dec. 2, Railroad Park, Lewiston and Auburn, for winter ducks and gulls.

Except on Oct. 7, walks leave at 8 a.m. from the Promenade Mall. Participants should meet at the Staples end of the parking lot, 855 Lisbon St., to be at the walk site at 8:20 a.m. The Oct. 7 walk will leave at 8 a.m. from the Auburn Mall parking lot near the JC Penney end, 550 Center St., Auburn.

Walks end by 11 a.m. but participants may leave early. If raining at 7 a.m. and predicted to continue through 10 a.m., the walk will be canceled. Those attending should bring binoculars and dress for the weather. Walks are approximately 2 miles on an even and basically dry surface.

For any questions, call Stan or Joan DeOrsey at 933-2266 or e-mail [email protected].

The Stanton Bird Club is a conservation organization offering free monthly natural history programs and free field trips throughout the state. The organization welcomes new members whose dues help to provide land stewardship at sanctuaries, owned and managed by the club, including the Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary in Lewiston and the Woodbury Nature Sanctuary in Monmouth. For more information, call 782-5238, visit the Web site at www.stantonbirdclub.org or e-mail questions to [email protected].