Bird day at L.C. Bates Museum at Good Will-Hinckley, today, 1-3 p.m. There will be a guided outdoor bird walk and hands-on activities. Families are invited to drop in to discover sounds and calls of birds, touch feathers, look at bird skulls and feet and construct a paper bird to bring home. FMI: Call 238-4250 or email lcbates@gwh.org.

L.L. Bean Bike Weekend, today, Freeport campus. Bike clinics, group rides, a time trial bike race and more. FMI: Go to www.llbean.com/freeport or call (800) 559-0747, ext. 37222.

Additional Photos

A flock of Orioles visits Betty Dunton in Gardiner during a recent May morning. Many migratory visitors have returned to Maine for the season. Contributed photo

Somerset Bowhunters 3-D shoot, today, 8-11 a.m. registration. The cost is $12 for adults, $5 for youth, $3 for Cubs. Pee Wees are free. Family cost is $22. This will be a 30-target shoot.

Introduction to Sea Kayaking at the Falmouth Memorial Library, Thursday, 7 p.m. This is a meeting geared towards newcomers to kayaking. Come enjoy good company, a slide show of sea kayaking in Maine and refreshments. Experienced paddlers will discuss kayaking safety, necessary gear and how to choose a boat. No charge, no registration, all are welcome. FMI: visit smskn.org or email peggyb@maine.rr.com.

Eastern Trail Alliance annual meeting at the Saco Transportation Center, Thursday, 5:30 p.m. Alix Hopkins, the founder of Portland Trails, will be the keynote speaker. Hopkins will discuss plans for the Biddeford RiverWalk and its connection to the Eastern Trail. FMI: send an email to eta@easterntrail.org or call the ETA office at 284-9260. 

Wings, Waves & Woods, a weekend festival of birding and art, Friday through Sunday in Deer Isle. Events include birding walks, presentations by Maine Birding Trail founder Bob Duchesne, boat and kayak excursions to view eagles, sea birds and puffins, as well as artist studio demonstrations and a chowder supper. For details, visit www.islandheritagetrust.org, www.deerislemaine.com or call 348-2455. 

Tour de Farmington preview ride, 11 a.m. Saturday. starts at Meetinghouse Park, Farmington. This is an unsupported ride of a 30-mile route and will include stops at Robin’s Flower Pot and Whitehill Farm. Organizers hope to gather input from participants on overall route difficulty and road conditions as they cross through the towns of Farmington, East Wilton, Chesterville, Farmington Falls and New Sharon. Due to steep terrain at the start and finish of the route, organizers recommend the event for cyclists who fall into the intermediate level of cycling ability. A map of the preview route is available at tourdefarmington.wordpress.com, via a link on the latest blog to May Plans. For more information, contact Jeremy Luc at 232-4691 or sgraffito@gmail.com.

Wind Over Wings, a raptor education presentation, Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Maine Wildlife Park, Gray. Live birds featured will include an eastern screech owl, a peregrine falcon (the fastest animal on earth), a red-tailed hawk and a great horned owl. All of the birds have overcome serious permanent injuries to lead them into their lives in education. For details, visit www.mainewildlifepark.org, or call 657-4977.

Fly casting demonstration and training session, Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon. Join Georges River Land Trust and Trout Unlimited for a fly-fishing demonstration. Learn how to fly cast or improve your skills at the Canal Path in Searsmont. Bring boots and fly rod if you have them. Suitable for adults and children 10 and older who are accompanied by an adult. The event is open to the public and free to members of GRLT; or $10 for others. Limited to 15 people. Call GRLT office at 594-5166 by Thursday to register.

Spring stargazing party in the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands, Saturday, 8 p.m. at the South Gate on Rte. 1 in East Orland. Bring a blanket or light chair and plenty of warm clothing; binoculars, star charts, telescopes, planispheres and other astronomical gear is welcome. Carpooling is recommended. Please email info@greatpondtrust.org or call 469-2008 for weather updates or more info.

Looking ahead

Breakfast on the Dead River, 6:30 a.m.. May 22 at the Dead River Gate on the Don Fish Trail, a half mile beyond Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery in East Orland. Enjoy an early morning walk in the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands with Connie Tuller. Expect a two-mile moderate walk to the Dead River picnic point. Bring sturdy footwear and breakfast. All ages welcome. For more info, call Connie at 223-5039.

Handgun safety class, 6-9 p.m. May 25 at the Gardiner Sportsmen’s Club. This class meets the requirements for a safety class to qualify for a concealed firearms permit. The cost is $60. Call 441-7870 to register.

Hunter safety course, Winslow Fire Department. This is a 12-hour course. Classes are held 6-9 p.m. May 31 and June 2, and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on June 4. Call Don Perrine at 660-6382 to register and for details.

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust offers explorations to learn about a watershed from its source to the sea. Field trips will investigate Nequasset Brook in Woolwich, from its clear waters that filter through forest soil to the reservoir that supplies Bath’s drinking water, to a historic fish ladder and out to Hanson Bay and the sea. Next trip is 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Registration is required. Call 442-8400 or email aheyburn@kennebecestuary.org.

Family fishing festival, June 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., sponsored by Upper Andro Anglers Alliance in co-operation with Trout Unlimited. The festival will be held at Angevine Park on the North Road in Bethel. Free casting workshops and fly-tying instruction will be available. FMI: Call 824-3694 or email fish@upperandro.com.

New England Sporting Clays Championship, June 5, 10 a.m., sponsored by the Ruffed Grouse Society. The competition will be held at Addieville East Farm, 200 Pheasant Drive, Mapleville, R.I. Registration for this 100 target, 15 station shoot is $150 per shooter prior to May 30, $175 after, or $575 per four-man squad. Along with the targets, each entry fee includes a continental breakfast, traditional New England-style lobster or steak dinner, one-hour open bar after the shoot, one-year RGS membership. FMI: call Sally Hayter at 401-568-3185. Reservations will only be accepted by fax at 401-568-3009 or by email at addieville@wildblue.net. No telephone reservations.

Beginners’ Mountain Bike Ride, 5:30 p.m. June 13 at Inland Woods/Pine Ridge trails behind Inland Hospital, 200 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville. The Central Maine chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association is hosting a free skill-building, introductory mountain bike ride; people of all ages on full-size bicycles welcome. Helmets required. FMI: call 861-3292 or email ewells@emh.org. 

Ongoing

Maine Guide training programs: June 6-8 at the Bingham North Country Rivers Headquarters; June 7-10 at the Penobscot County Conservation Clubhouse in Brewer; June 9-12 at the Windham/Gorham Rod and Gun Club; July 7-10 at the Penobscot County Conservation Association Clubhouse; July 28-31 at the Phippsburg Sportsman’s Club. The course prepares students for taking the state’s licensing exam for recreational, hunting and fishing guides. The cost is $475, and a $200 deposit is required upon registration. To register, contact Carroll Ware at Fins and Furs Adventures at 474-5430.

The Kennebec Land Trust Outing Club offers events for active adults age 21 and older. The club is a great way to explore the outdoors, get to know Kennebec Land Trust properties and socialize. Excursions are free to trust members or $5 for non-members. For a schedule, go to www.tklt.org, and call 377-2848 to register for outings.

Weekly Bird Walk, 7 a.m. Thursdays at Gilsland Farm, off Route 1, Falmouth, $5 for Maine Audubon members, $8 for nonmembers. Bring binoculars and a field guide and meet in the visitor center parking lot. For more information, call 781-2330, ext. 209.

Spring Hawk Watch, Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal. Freeport Wild Bird Supply teams up with Nikon Sport Optics to collect data while providing an educational experience for visitors. The hawk watch is free, but there is a park entry fee. Go to www.freeportwildbird supply.com to learn more. 

Guided trail walks with local Kennebec Messalonskee Trails volunteers at various locations in the Waterville area, offered several days a week throughout the summer and fall. Free; all welcome. For walk locations and times, visit www.kmtrails.org. 

Fundraiser Fridays rafting trips with Northern Outdoors. On every Friday, Northern Outdoors will contribute $20 per person in a rafting group to their designated charity. Groups must pre-register in advance of their trip and each member chooses a designated nonprofit. For more information on Northern Outdoors and Fundraiser Fridays, visit www.northernoutdoors.com/site/groups/fundraiser-fridays.html. 

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