LEWISTON — The Stanton Bird Club of Lewiston and Auburn has announced its events for December.

Saturday, Dec. 1, field trip surveying “Lewiston/Auburn Lakes and Rivers.” Folks will meet at 8 a.m. at the parking lot by J.C. Penney, Auburn Mall, 550 Center St. From there, carpooling will be arranged to visit the various locations. The trip will explore open water from Lake Auburn to Sabattus Pond for ducks and other late migrants. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring binoculars. The trip will end back at the mall around noon. The trip leader is Dan Marquis and can be reached for questions at marquis.dan.j@gmail.com or 207-513-8213.

Monday, Dec. 3, Room 103, USM Lewiston-Auburn College, 55 Westminster St., Lewiston. The general meeting, features renowned photographers John and Cynthia Orcutt. They will speak on “Photography and Conservation.” The talk will focus on the relationship between art, especially photography, and conservation. Their recent book, “Enduring Heights, The High Peaks of Maine,” has already sold out. The Orcutts have been photographing Maine’s High Peaks Region for most of the past decade and capture the breathtaking landscapes in all four seasons. 

Sunday, Dec. 9, Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary, Lewiston, 1 p.m. The Centennial Walk, “Mammals of the Sanctuary,” will feature Maine Master Naturalist Penny Jessop leading the walk. Meet at the Thorncrag parking lot off Montello Street, near Highland Spring Road. Then, turn for Highland Spring Road is off Route 126 at the stone pillar near Hannaford. FMI, contact Jessop at 207-782-5467 or missrumphius@roadrunner.com.

Saturday, Dec. 29, Bates College, Lewiston. The Club will host this year’s Christmas Bird Count starting at about 7 a.m. and running until about 4 p.m. The event takes place within a 15-mile diameter circle centered on the Bates College campus. The circle is divided into six sectors. Anyone who may be interested in participating should contact Linda Seamans at seamans.linda@gmail.com or 207-240-1380. 

All events are free and open to all.

The Stanton Bird Club is made up of people from a wide range of ages and backgrounds, but they all share a love of nature in general, and birds in particular. Today there are some 200 club members, including 20 Junior Naturalists. The Club manages the Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary as well as the Woodbury Nature Sanctuary in Monmouth and Litchfield. More information can be found at www.StantonBirdClub.org.

An adult peregrine falcon sitting on the steple of the Franco Center on Cedar Street, Lewiston. In the 1970s peregrine falcons were nearly lost due to DDT usage. They made a great comeback with a pair often found near the Franco Center or the old Continental Mill. Locally their diet often consists of pigeons. (Dan Marquis photo)