Beyond Birdseed: Making your backyard a haven for birds – Saturday, January 27th

Backyard birders who want to attract birds and help them thrive will learn what it takes at a get-together from 2-4:30pm on Saturday, January 27, at Kennebunk Town Hall. Backyard birding is becoming more and more popular, with many people interested in attracting more birds year-round.  Several local environmental organizations are hosting an environmental event to provide inspiration and ideas on this topic.

Two noted naturalists – Doug Hitchcox and Andrew Tufts – will provide lively talks on how to make your backyard safe and attractive for birds twelve months a year.

Prior to their presentations, artist Rebekah Lowell will first read from her children’s book “Catching Flight” and then facilitate a free and fun workshop on how to draw a cardinal, designed for children but open to adults.  Children under 12 must be accompanied by someone 18 or older.

Also available will be drawings for various items – with the premier raffle featuring three home consultations by Shawn Jalbert of Native Haunts in Alfred. These consultations will provide customized guidance in making your yard more inviting to birds and pollinators. The consultations will be chosen for three different types of backyard habitat (shade/woodsy, sunny/open, small/contained).

Rebekah Lowell is an award-winning author/illustrator with a passion for the natural world. Her artwork has been featured on the Maine Duck Stamp five times and the Common Ground Fair poster. When not in her studio, you can find her outside—birding, gardening, nature journaling, rescuing birds for Avian Haven, and serving on the York County Audubon Board. Rebekah will begin her drawing workshop for kids at 2:00pm.

Maine Native Plants for Birds will be covered by Andrew Tufts ofMaine Audubon.  He will explain which native plants best support birds’ year-round needs in Maine backyards and where they can be obtained. Andrew’s job is to restore and rebuild natural biodiversity by planting the native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees that support the widest array of wildlife. “This trend is a paradigm shift in the gardening world,” he says, and he is excited to provide insights and answer questions.

Doug Hitchcox, Press Herald nature columnist and staff naturalist for Maine Audubon, will focus on food – what birds eat and what they need in backyard environments. Doug is one of Maine’s eBird reviewers, owner and moderator of the ‘Maine-birds’ listserv, and member of the Maine Bird Records Committee and the York County Audubon Board.  He also served as the Outreach Coordinator for the Maine Bird Atlas and is considered one of the most knowledgeable birders in the state.

Talks begin at 3 pm.

The event is sponsored by the Kennebunk Conservation Commission in partnership with York County Audubon, the Kennebunkport Conservation Commission, and the Planeteers of Southern Maine. For more information, please contact Jen Shack at jenelshack@gmail.com.