One of the joys of spring is the return of birds of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Who doesn’t love stepping outside to a chorus of birdsong or catching a glimpse of bright red or yellow in the trees? Join the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust’s land protection specialist and birding enthusiast, Anna Christie-Carnicella, on Saturday, May 7 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. for an exciting and interactive program on birding phone applications. This is a program designed for beginner birders!

The program will start in the KELT conference room in downtown Bath and will conclude with a short stroll at the Thorne Head Preserve. At KELT's office, Christie-Carnicella will lead participants through the process of downloading and configuring the Merlin Bird ID and eBird applications, both from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, before discussing how to best use both in the field. Participants will then head to the Thorne Head Preserve in Bath to try out the applications in the field. This free event is light rain or shine. Group size is limited so registration is required. Register via www.kennebecestuary.org/upcoming-events or call 207-442-8400. Directions and details will be emailed to registrants leading up to the event. Participants will need to arrange their own transportation.

This event is part of the Birding Extravaganza, an annual collaboration between several Midcoast conservation organizations: KELT, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust. All events are free and open to all, but advance registration is required. Visit the website for each organization for more information.