As part of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ “Feather and Foliage” collaboration with Maine Audubon, naturalist and author Bob Duchesne will be “in-residence” at the Gardens in Boothbay from Monday-Friday, July 2-6. Duchesne, the birder behind “The Maine Birding Trail” book, website, and map, will share his Maine birding expertise with members and visitors throughout the week through ornithology programs for all ages. He’ll also help expand the inventory of birds on the Gardens grounds.

To register for the programs below, or for more information, call 207-633-4333, ext. 101; visit www.MaineGardens.org; or stop by the Gardens, located off Barters Island Road in Boothbay.

When he is not presenting the programs outlined below during his residency, he’ll be out on the grounds birding and answering questions. To make it easier to find him, he’ll post his general location on the door of the In-Residence Office.

Bird Habits and Habitats – Monday, July 2 (4-5:30 p.m.)

With a few tips, participants in this class in the Education Center will know where to look for their favorite birds and can start discovering them in their own neighborhood where they never realized the birds were present. Prices are $10 for members and $12 for non-members.

Family Bird Walk at Lobster Cove Meadow – Tuesday, July 3 (7-9 a.m.)

Lobster Cove Meadow on Eastern Avenue in Boothbay Harbor is a Boothbay Region Land Trust preserve known for good birding (Site 25 on Bob’s “Maine Birding Trail”). Twenty-one warbler species have been observed on the property. Green Herons, Least Bitterns, Virginia Rails, and Soras have been found in the marsh. This program, co-sponsored by the Boothbay Region Land Trust, is free; but participants are asked to sign up in advance through the Gardens.

Birding for Children – Thursday, July 5 (8:30-10:30 a.m.)

In this fun family program in the Education Center, kids will be invited to pick their favorite bird. They’ll match up the birds with favorite colors and even find out what icky things a bird will eat. Then there will be a treasure hunt to see if they can find where the birds are hiding at the Gardens. Prices, which include Gardens admission, are $20 for member families and $30 for non-member families. Pre-registration is required.

The Maine Birding Trail – Thursday, July 5 (6-7:30 p.m.)

Duchesne refers to this program as “everything you ever wanted to know about birding Maine: the founder of the Maine Birding Trail tells all.” Prices for this class in the Education Center are $10 for members and $12 for non-members, and reservations are requested.

Birding by Ear– Friday, July 6 (7:00-10:00 a.m.)

Where: Bosarge Family Education Center and Gardens Grounds

Just six quick tips will demystify how the experts identify birds instantly by their songs. For newcomers, it’s a great chance to learn a new skill; for experienced birders hoping to brush up, it’s a great refresher course. Prices are $30 for members and $37 for non-members. Pre-registration is required.