The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust invites birders of all abilities to join KELT and Maine Audubon Staff for a walk at KELT’s Sewall Woods Preserve on Saturday, June 16 at 8 a.m. to learn about these two organizations’ collaboration for the Forestry for Maine Birds Program. Participants will get a tour of the eight survey points set up at the Sewall Woods Demonstration Forest as well as the opportunity to learn about helping monitor birds’ responses to the forestry practices implemented at the site.

Completed in June of 2017, the Sewall Woods Preserve timber harvest was designed to serve as an example of sustainable forest management for other woodlot owners. The timber stand improvement that took place creates opportunities for healthy trees to grow stronger, creating improved wildlife habitat. Patch cuts, thinning, and other practices can provide a diversity of habitats for wildlife to access.

Maine Audubon’s Forestry for Maine Birds program works with landowners, foresters, and loggers to guide practices that promote healthy forest management and benefit birds and other wildlife. As part of this program, eight survey points were placed to monitor the impact of the forest management practices undertaken at Sewall Woods Preserve. These points hit on the no-harvest zone, forest thinning, patch cuts, vernal pools, and snags. The survey points are “hotspots” on eBird and we need your help to collect data!

Come learn how to conduct the point counts, record your observations, and hear and see some cool birds! Meet in the Sewall Woods Preserve parking area just before 8 a.m. with binoculars, a small field notebook, and bug spray. This is a light rain or shine event. Please register by contacting Anna Christie-Carnicella at acarnicella@kennebecestuary.org or (207) 442-8400. To reach Sewall Woods Preserve, take High Street north out of Bath and turn left onto Whiskeag Road. The preserve driveway will be on the right.