WESTPORT ISLAND — During this fall’s Great Maine Outdoor Weekend, the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust invites birders of all abilities to the Carl and Barbara Segerstrom Preserve at Squam Creek on Westport Island on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8 a.m.. Led by volunteer and local birding enthusiast, Robert Carnicella, folks will scout for both fall migrant and resident bird species in KELT’s newest preserve. This free event is light rain or shine.

At 159 acres, Segerstrom Preserve includes field, forest, and wetland habitats. It is an area rich in tidal waterfowl and wading bird habitats and contains terrain attractive to a variety of songbirds. The two-mile trail is relatively flat and provides for a relaxed hike with plenty to observe along the way, including historic cemeteries and cellar holes. Birders should wear footwear that can get muddy and bring a pair of binoculars. Please sign-up for the walk by visiting www.kennebecestuary.org/birdingatsegerstrom or call (207) 442-8400.

This autumn walk is a kickoff event to invite local birders to learn more about KELT’s new volunteer bird monitoring program. This year KELT received funding from the Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative — formed by the Cornell Land of Ornithology and the Land Trust Alliance — to create 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.

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 about 0.5 miles to the property. The parking lot and kiosk is located on the left after crossing the causeway over Squam Creek.