Great Backyard Bird Count

The Windham Public Library and the Windham Parks & Recreation Department invite you to join them for the four-day Great Backyard Bird Count. From Feb. 12-15, you can become a citizen scientist and help yourself and others learn more about the birds in our area.

Take about 15 minutes to observe the birds in your own backyard. Count how many of each you see and report your sightings to birdcount.org. You can do this one day, two days, three days or all four days if you choose.

Each report received helps researchers at the National Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada to learn more about how birds are doing and how to protect them and the environment that we share.  For more information, go to the Bird Count website.

Snowshoe under full moon

Be prepared to put on your snowshoes and get outside to enjoy a full moon snowshoe hike Feb. 26 or 27. To participate, simply go to any of Windham’s outdoor trails and enjoy an evening excursion in the crisp, fresh air. This is a wonderful way to spend some quality time with your family. If you don’t have snowshoes of your own, you can reserve them through the Windham Parks & Recreation office. Youth and adult sizes are available, but be sure to reserve early, as supplies are limited. The first 15 families to sign up will receive a free snowshoe kit that includes head lamps and hand warmers to keep you comfortable on your adventure. For more information, call Parks & Recreation at 892-1905.

The story continues

If you haven’t been to the Windham Historical Society’s Facebook page yet, now is an interesting time to do so. Throughout 2021, the society is posting daily diary entries from the 1898 journal of Lena Megguier, a 19-year-old South Windham woman employed as a housemaid in Portland’s prestigious West End. See how Lena spends her days and learn some interesting facts as you read through Lena’s observations of life more than century ago. This is a very unique way to take a trip back in time.

Haley Pal can be contacted at haleypal@aol.com.