The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) invites the public to explore the Carl and Barbara Segerstrom Preserve at Squam Creek on Westport Island for owls on Friday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. Led by Maine Master Naturalist Kit Pfeiffer, participants will walk the habitats of the preserve scouting for owls and exploring what makes these nocturnal birds so fascinating. This walk is appropriate for adults and children 10 and older.

At 159 acres, the Segerstrom Preserve includes field, forest, wetlands, and edge habitat, making it an attractive spot to potentially hear an owl. The well-established two mile trail is relatively flat and is appropriate for snowshoes. Prowlers should bring snowshoes and a headlamp and dress to spend 1 – 1 ½ hours outdoors. Space is limited so registration is required. Please sign up at www.kennebecestuary.org or call 207-442-8400.

This owl prowl is part of KELT’s new volunteer bird monitoring program. This past year KELT received funding from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to establish a bird monitoring program and promote the use of eBird, an online birding observation tool. The land trust plans to incorporate bird conservation into more of its work by developing inventories of bird species and monitoring bird populations on land trust preserves. For more information about this citizen science project, contact Anna Christie-Carnicella, KELT Land Protection Coordinator at acarnicella@kennebecestuary.org.

To get to the Carl and Barbara Segerstrom Preserve: from Route 1, take ME-144 South for approximately 6.5 miles. Turn right on West Shore Road (Upper) and drive approximately 0.5 miles to the property. The parking lot and kiosk is located on the left after crossing the causeway over Squam Creek.

If you would like more information, please contact Anna Christie-Carnicella at 442-8400 or email acarnicella@kennebecestuary.org.