PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook Birders have announced two June outings to spot local winged wildlife and invited interested birdwatchers to join them.
The group will meet Saturday, June 3, for an Aroostook State Park excursion from 7 to 10 a.m.
The park, just south of Presque Isle, is an excellent stop for migrating birds in early June. Earlier arrivals will have already started nesting, and participants will look for nest builders as well as birds just passing through. The leaves will probably be out by then, but the birds will be busy, so viewers can hopefully catch a glance in the high branches.
Attendees should bring good walking shoes, a hat, water, bug spray and binoculars. Hikers will mostly stay on the road or paths, but might venture onto the lawn, which could be soggy.
The following Saturday, June 10, the group will host a paddling outing at the Hodgdon Deadwater from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
This will be a leisurely paddle along the deadwater in Hodgdon in the Gordon Manuel Wildlife Management Area, which is summer home to a number of species of waterfowl. There is an established pair of bald eagles whose nest can be seen from the water. Members hope there will be eaglets to view.
Participants should bring a canoe or kayak, drinking water, bug spray and sunscreen, and will meet in the parking lot next to Anderson’s Dairy Bar right at the dam.
For more information, please email thearoostookbirders@gmail.com.
