South Portland Conservation Commission and South Portland Land Trust are presenting a free guided birding walk of Clarks Pond Trail on Saturday, May 24, at 7am.

Led by South Portlander and frequent birder of Clarks Pond Trail, John Lorenc, this walk is open to all birders and will be especially good for beginner to intermediate birders. In addition to seeing and hearing the numerous species along the trail and on the pond, birders will learn a bit about bird behavior, preferred habitat, and some of the tools available to help you continue to learn and enjoy birding. We will have some binoculars available for use if you don’t have your own.

Accessibility and Safety Information

We will meet at the trailhead off John Roberts Road, next to the Home Depot garden center. The first half of our walk will be on accessible trails, both paved and packed dirt. These paths are accessible to people who use a wheelchair or mobility aid. These paths are wide and quite flat, and afford walkers sure footing. After a short walk, there are benches available for those who need to sit. The benches offer plenty of great birding while seated. Most of the walk will feature ample shade. The second part of our walk will take us on narrow trails, with some small hills, stairs, roots, and potentially wet, slippery ground. Participants should be comfortable with a range of conditions. We may encounter leashed dogs. This trail is rated easy to moderate.

Any time you are out in nature in Maine, you should guard against ticks. Some ways to do this are:

- Wear closed-toed shoes and light-colored clothing; tuck pant legs into socks.

- Use a tick repellent such as DEET (20% or lower is recommended) or treat your outdoor clothing with permethrin.

- After being outside, do a thorough tick check.

- Change clothes and shower as soon as possible.