LEWISTON — The Stanton Bird Club of Lewiston and Auburn will hold its next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 1, in room 285 at the USM Lewiston/Auburn College, 55 Westminster St., Lewiston. The subject will be Maine Mushrooms, presented by Alan Seamans. Maine is home to a fascinating variety of edible, toxic, and interesting mushrooms.
This will be the last meeting with a speaker until fall. The meeting is free and open to everyone.
Seamans is a lifelong nature enthusiast. He has been a volunteer for the Stanton Bird Club since 2006 and helped monitor vernal pools, conducted field trips, taught Junior Naturalists, and assisted with stewardship. He was editor of the club newsletter, The Chickadee Chronicle, and coordinator of monthly public programs. He graduated from the Maine Master Naturalist Program in June 2013. He is a member of the Maine Mycological Association. He and his wife have a son and live in Lisbon. He will be leading four nature walks at Thorncrag later this summer, including two on mushrooms, as well as ones on ferns and wildflowers.
Stanton Bird Club will host 10 field trips in May. All of the field trips are free and open to everyone. Those interested are encouraged to bring binoculars and dress for the weather. All trips include carpooling from the meeting place, unless otherwise noted. The leaders identify and comment on birds seen and heard, with everyone pointing out birds that they notice.
Weekend walk, 7 a.m. Saturday, May 13, to Evergreen Cemetery/Capisic Pond in Portland: The group will meet at the Promenade Mall, 855 Lisbon St., Lewiston, at the end of the parking lot, by Staples, across from Marquis Signs. Plan to return at noon. Trip leader is Dan Marquis. For any questions, call him at 207-513-8213.
Leader’s Choice trip, 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 20, at the Staples, Lewiston, parking lot: The leader is Steve Reed. He will choose the destination nearer to that date. Reed can be reached at 207-319-6630.
The Warren Warbler Walk, 7:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday, May 21, at J.C. Penney’s, Auburn Mall, 550 Center St., Auburn: this trip offers multiple locations with short walks through riparian, woodland, and farm fields in search of the warblers. Leader is Stan DeOrsey, 207-406-4741.
Tuesday Lewiston/Bates Bird Walks, 6 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays, April 25, May 2, 9, 16, and 23: These are early morning walks in the Bates College area. These walks meet each Tuesday morning, starting at the front of Hathorn Hall on the Bates College campus, then past Mount David to Riverside Cemetery. The trip finishes by circling Lake Andrews, frequently seeing mallard ducklings, red-winged blackbirds, and sometimes an osprey diving for fish. The walk leaders include Judy Marden, Doug Boyd, and Steve Reed. For any questions, call Reed at 207-319-6630.
Wednesday Guided Bird Walks are held every other Wednesday from spring into the late fall in a variety of interesting and diverse local habitats. These walks are about two miles long and on a fairly even, dry surface. Leaders are Stan and Joan DeOrsey, 207-406-4741.
First Wednesday Walk, 8 to 11 a.m., May 3, at the Paper mill and Ricker Farm Trail in Lisbon: This is a smooth paved trail, running along the river through wooded areas and by farmland. Meet at the Promenade Mall, near Staples.
Second Wednesday Walk, birding from 7:30 to 11 a.m., May 17, at Sylvester and Benjamin Farms is at the on Wednesday, May 17: The group will meet at the Sylvester farm with its prime riverside habitat, 1128 Riverside Drive, Auburn, at 7:30 a.m., and continue down the road to the Benjamin farm.
Third Wednesday Walk, 8 to 11 a.m., May 31, at the Small-Burnham Conservation Area: The group will meet right at that farm, on Pine Tree Road, Litchfield.
FMI: www.StantonBirdClub.org.
Mushrooms will be the topic of the next meeting of the Stanton Bird Club, which is set for May 1.
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