Stanton Bird Club announces October events

The Stanton Bird Club of Lewiston and Auburn has eight events planned in October.

Monday, Oct. 1. Auburn Public Library, 6 p.m. A joint program with the Auburn Public Library featuring Melissa Kim, author of the children’s book “Snowy Owl,” a true story about a snowy owl in Maine. Jada Smith, an artist and birder from Portland, illustrated the book. The owl was cared for at Avian Haven in Freedom before being released. The program celebrates the International Year of the Bird and marks the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Tuesday, Oct. 2. Lewiston. The annual club Dinner Meeting, featuring Jensen Bissell, recently retired director of Baxter State Park. It will be held at The Green Ladle at Lewiston Regional Technical Center, 156 East Ave. Bissell is appreciated for his stewardship of the park and remaining true to the mission of keeping it forever wild. He also improved plans to be able to sustainably maintain the infrastructure of the park, including its roads, bridges, culverts, campgrounds and 215 miles of trails. In all, Bissell worked at the park for 30 years.

Wednesday, Oct. 3. Auburn Public Library, noon. Eric Topper will present “Bringing Nature Home,” focusing on Maine birds, their habitats and what can be done to choose and manage gardens and yards for their full ecological benefit. This will include a discussion on a large selection of native flowers, shrubs and trees that can be planted to attract and support wildlife, including birds and butterflies. Topper is Maine Audubon’s director of education.

Wednesday, Oct. 3. Lisbon, 8 to 11 a.m. Stan and Joan DeOrsey will identify and comment on birds seen and heard along the Androscoggin River Trail. This is the newest section of this paved trail which continues the more well-known and older Papermill Trail farther south. It crosses underneath Route 196 and travels along the Androscoggin River. This has been a fruitful birding walk, yielding over 35 different types of birds on last year’s trip. Free and open to the public.

Sunday, Oct. 14. Lewiston, 1 p.m. Centennial Walk is at Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary with Andrea Lani speaking on nature journaling to improve observation skills while having room for excitement, curiosity and wonder. The Whitefield resident has kept nature journals for 20 years and has taught nature journaling and nature writing workshops. Meet at the Thorncrag parking lot off Montello Street near Highland Spring Road. The turn for Highland Spring Road is off Route 126 at the stone pillar near Hannaford. For more information contact Penny Jessop at 207-782-5467 or missrumphius@roadrunner.com.

Wednesday, Oct. 17. Auburn Public Library, noon. The film “The Albatross” by photographer and artist Chris Jordan will be shown. It tells the story of pollution on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the North Pacific Ocean, combining the beauty of nature at Midway with graphic views of devastation and death caused by the perils of plastic for sea birds. The three small islands host some two million birds as migratory or breeding grounds. This includes two dozen species and is the largest albatross colony on the planet.

Wednesday, Oct. 17. Lisbon, 8 to 11 a.m. Stan and Joan DeOrsey will identify and comment on birds seen and heard. Meet at the Packard-Littlefield Farm, 76 Littlefield Road, Lisbon. The 350-acre-plus farm includes large areas of managed tree growth, hay fields and wetlands. The bulk of the part to be walked will be the 30 acres that have been farmed by refugee and immigrant families for several years. Besides being a great habitat for fall birds, it is also fascinating to see the unusual and abundant remains of these farm crops. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Oct. 31. Sabattus Pond, 8 to 11 a.m. Stan and Joan DeOrsey will identify and comment on birds seen and heard. Park in the Sabattus Antique Mall parking lot, 519 Sabattus Road/Route 126. It’s hoped watchers will see Common Mergansers and Pied-billed Grebes, along with Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal. The open areas along the edge of the lake are sure to have red-winged blackbirds, chipping sparrows and American Goldfinch. Free and open to the public.

For information call y questions, call them at 207-406-4741 or email jsmd@att.net.

The Stanton Bird Club manages the Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary in Lewiston and the Woodbury Nature Sanctuary in Monmouth and Litchfield. It seeks to develop a love of nature in people and create model bird sanctuaries.

More information can be found at www.StantonBirdClub.org.