PCSWCD takes annual bird walk on the road
Register and join us for a morning bird walk on Saturday, May 7 as we explore springtime birds at the Nickerson Tree Farm in Greenville. The Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District will be taking its annual bird walk on the road co-hosting with Forest Society of Maine with FSM Conservation Specialist Kristin Peet and experienced birder Shane Barker. Together, they will be leading a bird walk along the Nickerson Tree Farm trails starting at 8 a.m.
Peet joined the FSM in 2018 as the forestland conservation specialist to assist in developing new conservation projects. She graduated from the University of Maine with a B.S. in wildlife ecology and a master’s degree in forestry. Prior to her work with FSM, she managed wildlife populations and habitat, conducted research projects, and wrote grants for the Penobscot Nation’s Department of Natural Resources. Peet has 16 years of experience networking and collaborating with multiple agencies to complete a variety of projects. She is excited to explore her newfound home in Greenville and showcase the Nickerson Tree Farm with the community.
Barker was led into birding as a hobby and shared how his father-in-law was an avid birder, and his love for this hobby got him involved. He would go on Christmas Day Bird Counts, big days, or just general trips looking for occasional migrants. When he passed away from cancer a few years back, this sparked a stronger interest in his birding and to get more serious about the hobby.
Barker has been birding for the last four years, using any opportunity he can. Whether it’s driving around the state looking for rare birds that show up out of the blue or 18-hour state-wide trips on National Big Day. He has found birding to be a great way to get outside, see all sorts of places that you would otherwise never get to, and meet genuinely interesting people.
Our hope is to view year-round birds in Maine and some returning springtime birds! Bring your binoculars and cameras, wear your mud boots or other sturdy water-proof footwear, and join us as we hike out on the woodlot trails while we experience the joys of birds and their habitat at the Nickerson Tree Farm in Greenville. It is also suggested to explore mobile applications to have installed for the day of the event, such as “Ebird” and “Merlin” which are both birding apps that are useful for this type of workshop.
This annual bird walk is a great way for folks to enjoy what local tree farms have to offer as an outdoor educational and recreational space, while learning first-hand from these experienced bird watchers. Registration is required and we are limited to 25 people for this event. Registration can be made online at www.piscataquisswcd.org or by emailing info@piscataquisswcd.org for more information.
