Exploring springtime birds at the Law Farm May 11
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Join us for a morning birdwalk on Saturday, May 11 as we explore springtime birds at the Law Farm. The Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) will be hosting birding expert Bob Duchesne for a birdwalk starting at 8 a.m. to view year round birds in Maine and also 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 to the wetland observation deck and explore the beautiful 1-mile nature trail, the Looping Trail, all while we experience the joys of birds and their habitat at the Law Farm. The Looping Trail winds through the edge of open fields, softwoods, mixed hardwoods and the edge of a wetland. The Law Farm’s extensive wetlands with natural biodiversity offer ideal habitat for birds.
We may discover, see and hear hermit thrushes, winter wrens, eastern phoebes, yellow-rumped warblers, pine warblers, palm warblers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers and merlins, in addition to chickadees, nuthatches, ruffed grouse and woodpeckers as we traverse the fields, woodlands and wetland at the Law Farm.
Duchesne became interested in birds in the first grade. Interest grew to passion, and today he is one of Maine’s top birding experts. Duchesne is vice president of Audubon’s Penobscot Valley Chapter in the Bangor area. He is a frequent tour leader and has led trips from Atlantic Canada to the Everglades. In 2009 Duchesne completed development of the Maine Birding Trail and has authored a guidebook for the state, published on Down East Books, which the PCSWCD’s Demonstration Forest is listed in. He currently writes a weekly birding column for the Bangor Daily News.
The Law Farm is located at 22 Lee Cemetery Road in Dover-Foxcroft. Since the land was deeded to the district in 2009, the PCSWCD has developed a trail system and created an engaging outdoor space for Piscataquis County residents and visitors to enjoy and actively learn about the benefits of a community forest. This property is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. We have three new benches purchased through a Quimby Grant, with help from The Commons at Central Hall, placed in different areas so you can sit awhile and enjoy the sights and sounds around you.
The Law Farm Birdwalk is a great way for folks to enjoy what the Law Farm has to offer as an outdoor educational and recreational space, while learning first-hand from Duchesne. At the end of the workshop, one participant’s name will be drawn for a bluebird house to help foster their at-home bird watching. We hope you join us for this free family friendly outdoor event! Donations to the PCSWCD are also greatly appreciated. The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District encourages everyone interested in coming to the Birdwalk to register by May 8 by calling our office at 564-2321 extension 3 or emailing us at info@piscataquisswcd.org.