Join us July 24th at 10 a.m. for an exploration of the pond and trails at Fields Pond Audubon Center. The sanctuary provides year-round habitat for wildlife ranging from salamanders and tree frogs to birds, bears, and even moose. At least 20 varieties of butterflies have been recorded at the sanctuary and July should be peak time for grasshoppers, beetles, bees and leafhoppers to name a few more. Our objective will be to search for any insect or arachnid that we can identify. In keeping with the wishes of the center we will do our best to identify in the hand and only collect those that will require a scope and key to identify. We will also be putting together a list of creatures we identify so please keep notes of your observations.

Our day will begin at 10am in the parking lot - look for the nets. If possible, please try to carpool as the parking lot is not huge and it could be packed on a beautiful July day. Bring lunch and plenty of liquids and we will gather by our vehicles for a mid-day break. The day will informally end around three but feel free to come early or stay later to explore.

As a courtesy, please let Pete Darling (petedarlingii@yahoo.com) know if you're planning to join us!

Fields Pond Audubon Center 216 Fields Pond Rd.
Holden, Maine 04429

Directions: At Exit 5 from I-395 headed towards the coast, go RIGHT on Parkway South for 0.3 mile. Go RIGHT on Dirigo Drive for 0.5 mile. Go RIGHT on Green Point Road 0.8 mile. Go LEFT on Wiswell Road 1.5 miles. At Fields Pond Road, go RIGHT 1 mile. Audubon Center is on the LEFT.

From the North or South via I-95: Take Exit 182A to I- 395, direction of Brewer. Proceed about 3 miles (crossing over the Penobscot River) then take the “Parkway South” exit from I-395. Turn left from the exit, continue on Parkway South to a four-way junction. Turn left on Elm Street, which becomes Wiswell Road in about a mile. Continue on Wiswell Road to Fields Pond Road (on right). Nature Center is well marked on Fields Pond Road.

From the East and the Coast: from Route 1A take a left onto either Copeland Hill Road (in Holden) or Green Point Road (near McDonald’s in Brewer). Turn onto Wiswell Road, follow to Fields Pond Road. Audubon Center is well marked on Fields Pond Road.

Photo by Crystal Kane on alltrails.com