CARIBOU — As snow and ice melt and migrating birds return to area woods and waterways, officials with the Aroostook Birders bird watching club will be offering a series of spring field trips targeting birding “hotspots” in central Aroostook County.
Many of these bird walks will be held in the Caribou area during the month of May.
According to club president, Bill Sheehan, birding is at its peak at this time of year.
“May is one of the most exciting times to watch birds in Aroostook County. New arrivals are coming in every day to yards and fields and waterways. Males are out there in prime colorful plumage, setting up territories and calling to attract a mate,” says Sheehan, noting that sunup is the best time to see and hear the show.
The first trip of the month is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, with a 7 a.m. early morning bird walk at Collins Pond in Caribou, known for attracting an abundance of ducks, geese and other shorebirds that are easily viewed from the grassy slopes of the park and boardwalk around the pond. Collins Pond is located near Roberts Street in town.
The next Caribou area walk will take place in Perham on Saturday, May 11. It is a one and a half mile hike up the ATV trails to Salmon Brook Bog, a heavily wooded area known to host warblers, boreal birds, and a variety of waterfowl in Salmon Brook’s ponds. Those who would like to join the group should meet up at the Perham town office at 7 a.m.
Woodland’s Caribou Stream Bog Trail is the location for another bird walk along ATV trails beginning at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15. Birders can expect to see a variety of warblers and other newly-returned songbirds in this brushy, wetland. This moderate hike is approximately one-mile on level trails.
Additional May birding field trips scheduled closer to Presque Isle include a May 9, 7 a.m. bird walk at Mantle Lake Park in Presque Isle; a trip on Saturday, May 18, 7 a.m. to the Arnold Brook Lake dam and recreational area in Presque Isle; and a trip on Thursday, May 23, to view birds at Lake Josephine and Christina Reservoir in Easton.
All members of the public with an interest in birding are invited to attend, with club members on hand at field trips and walks to help with identifications. For further information about Aroostook Birders bird watching club or spring field trips, visit aroostookbirders.com or contact Sue Pinette at 764-1801.
