By the light of the full winter moon, the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) welcomes the public to explore Thorne Head Preserve in Bath for owls on Friday, March 2 at 5:30 p.m. Led by Maine Master Naturalist Alan Seamans, participants of all ages will listen to different owl calls, explore what makes a good owl home, and learn fun facts about these nighttime birds of prey. This is a free event.

Maine is home to eleven owl species, who spend all or part of the year in the state. These nocturnal predators can live in a variety of habitats from dense woodlands, to marshes, to urban environments like gulf courses or airports. Seamans will share recordings of various owl calls as he leads prowlers on a walk through the preserve. Meeting at dusk during a full moon will optimize chances of seeing or hearing owls as wintertime is their mating season. Owls will be listening for possible mates and more eager to respond to calls, even if they come from a recording.

Prowlers should bring snowshoes or microspikes (for traction) and a headlamp as well as dress to spend 1 – 1 ½ hours outdoors. Please sign up at www.kennebecestuary.org or call 207-442-8400. To get to Thorne Head Preserve from Bath, go north on High Street, which dead ends into the parking lot of the preserve.