This pileated woodpecker has become a more common sight in central Maine.

Bird walk set at Auburn preserve

AUBURN – The second in a series of summer guided bird walks conducted by the Stanton Bird Club will be held in partnership with the Androscoggin Land Trust at the Alexander-Harkins Preserve on Wednesday, June 18.

The seven-event series is taking place every other Wednesday at a variety of diverse local habitats and is free and open to the public.

Stan and Joan DeOrsey, who identify and comment on birds seen or heard, are leading walks. Michael Auger, trust director of land protection and stewardship, will share his knowledge of plants and will discuss the preserve and it significance.

The 30-acre Harkins Preserve features woods, meadows and wetland traversed by a well-maintained network of trails. Located in New Auburn, it was donated to the trust in 2000 by Joseph Harkins.

The preserve is adjacent to Sherwood Heights School, and it used by students for nature study and other educational opportunities. The preserve is part of the trust’s expanding conservation and recreational presence in Lewiston/Auburn, the trust’s urban service area. ALT currently conserves more than 130 acres in this area.

At this time of year, walkers can expect to see woodland species such as warblers, sparrows, chickadees and woodpeckers. The diversity of tree species and other flora at the preserve provide habitat for these birds as well as other residents.

Those interested should meet at 8 a.m. at the Promenade Mall, 855 Lisbon St., parking lot in front of Staples. The group will be at the walk site at approximately 8:20. Walks will end by 11 a.m., but participants may leave early. If it is raining at 7 a.m. and predicted to continue through 10, the walk will be canceled.

The Alexander-Harkins walk can be muddy if there has been recent rain. For more information, contact the DeOrseys at 933-2266 or e-mail [email protected] with questions.

The next walks will be on Wednesday July 2, at the Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary in Lewiston, and Wednesday, July 16, at Beaver Park in Lisbon.

The Stanton Bird Club is a conservation organization offering monthly free natural history programs and field trips throughout the state. For more information, call 782-5238, visit the Web site at www.stantonbirdclub.org or e-mail questions to [email protected].

For more information about the Androscoggin Land Trust, visit www.androscogginlandtrust.org.