A busy May for Aroostook Birders group

As winter turns to spring and birds make their return to northern Maine, Aroostook Birders bird watching club in cooperation with the Caribou Parks and Rec Department is offering a series of spring field trips and events. All with an interest are invited to attend and “catch the wave” of returning birds.
According to club president, Bill Sheehan, May is one of the most exciting times to watch birds in Aroostook County.
“Each morning brings new arrivals as northbound migration builds. Ducks, geese, gulls and other waterfowl began appearing on still frozen waterways in mid-April, followed shortly by returning sparrows, hawks, juncos, flickers and Bohemian Wwxwings,” said Sheehan. “Insect-eaters such as fly-catchers, orioles, swallows, vireos, will soon appear and get down to the business of nesting and raising young. By mid-May, waves of colorful warblers will arrive and fill the woods with their songs.”
On Thursday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m., Aroostook Birders will offer a Woodcock Walk at the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge in Limestone. Meet at the Refuge’s Visitor Center for an evening walk in search of the “Timberdoodle,” American woodcock, and its dramatic courting dance. A Caribou Bog Bird Walk is scheduled for Friday, May 16. Meet promptly at 7 a.m. at the Aroostook Valley Rail Trail parking lot, on the Washburn Road near the Carson Road. The short walk follows the rail trail with some excellent woodland and wetland birding.
A casual bird watching stroll through the woods and fields of Presque Isle’s Mantle Lake Park is scheduled for Thursday, May 22 at 7 a.m. and on Friday, May 23 at 7 p.m., birders will visit a Caribou area mature forest for an “Owl Prowl” and “Night Sounds” field trip. Those who wish to attend will meet at the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center by 6:45 p.m., where the Parks and Rec Department will provide a van. Space is limited to 15 participants, on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants are asked to bring flashlights or headlamps for the walking trip.
As a culmination of their spring activities, Aroostook Birders together with Friends of the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge will host the Northern Maine Bird Festival, held this year at the refuge in Limestone on Saturday June 7, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free-admission, rain-or-shine festival features guided walks, bird banding, goshawk falconry, hands-on activities for kids and a special live-bird “Owls of Maine” Chewonki Foundation presentation at 11 a.m.
FMI visit www.aroostookbirders.com or call 764-1801.