Waterville South End Bird Walk set for May 6

The Waterville South End Bird Walk is set for 8-9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 6.

Attendees are asked to meet at 401 Water St., the Kennebec Sanitary Treatment District. The rain date is May 13.

Those who attend can learn to identify by sight and sound many of the bird species in the area year round, such as the cardinal, goldfinch, chickadee, tufted titmouse and bluebirds. They also might spot any nuthatches who climb down tree trunks head-first, or kinglets darting quickly from branch to branch.

May is a special month for birdwatchers when several migratory warblers stop briefly in Waterville; people can learn why these are the crown jewels of birdwatching, according to a news release from Diane Weinstein, Waterville Community Land Trust board member.

On this walk one will find out where bald eagles have a nest along the Kennebec River and learn where ospreys like to nest. They are likely to observe several types of woodpeckers, year-rounders such the downy and hairy, and others just migrating back such as the northern flickers and yellow-bellied sapsuckers.

This walk, led by Ian Lynch, is suitable for intermediate and beginning birders. Books on bird identification will be available to peruse; attendees will be introduced to the free bird ID app, Merlin, which can be downloaded onto a smartphone.

• This walk covers 1.7 miles over grassy fields, paved road, and a dirt road that ends at the confluence of the Kennebec and Messalonskee rivers.

• Dress to avoid bugs and too much sun: repellent and sunscreen, long sleeves, long pants and walking shoes are recommended.

• Bring drinking water and binoculars if available.

Refreshments, provided after the walk from 9:30-11 a.m. by the trust, will be in its new gazebo on Water Street in the South End at Lashus Farm Neighborhood Park.

Participants can decorate bird houses to hang up in the park while having another opportunity to listen to the coloratura trills of song sparrows and the plaintive calls of mourning doves.

The event is sponsored by Waterville Community Land Trust and Kennebec Messalonskee Trails.

For more information, email Weinstein at diane.weinstein@gmail.com.