MOUNT VERNON — The Kennebec Land Trust will sponsor the Maine Audubon annual loon count and a littoral walk on Saturday, July 17.

The loon count will take place at Bearnstow on Parker Pond. Volunteers will use Bearnstow’s boats, leaving at 7 a.m., and follow an assigned course on the lake. On a map provided by the Maine Audubon Society, the group will chart the time, location and number of loons observed. The route will finish at 7:30 a.m. All are welcome to stay for the buffet breakfast following the loon count.

The littoral walk at Bearnstow will be conducted by Clyde Walton and Ruth Grauert. Participant should meet in the clearing at 4 p.m.

In a walk along the trails beside the lake and the brook, there is a vast variety of vegetation, according to one state forester, “more than any other site I have visited.” Since 1922, the property has been protected, first by Colby biology professor Webster Chester and then by Bearnstow. 

There is a registered State of Maine “big tree” (an Alleghany service berry), erratic boulders, clay subsoil, ground pines, trailing arbutus, five kinds of native evergreens visible from one vista, a path through ledge, reindeer moss and lichen used to make lavender dye. More information is available at www.bearnstow.org/littoral.htm.

The loon count is a volunteer event and there is no admission for the littoral walk, but participants should phone 293-2280 to register for both activities.