What Is Stanton Bird Club?

Updated

Stanton Bird Club is a nonprofit conservation and birding organization based in Maine's Androscoggin and Kennebec County area. It owns and protects over 850 acres of land, runs nature and birding programs for the public, and organizes regular walks and citizen-science events. If you live in or visit that part of Maine and want to bird, learn about local wildlife, or support land conservation, it is a group you can join as a participant rather than just read about.

What the club actually does

The club describes its work as three connected activities:

  • Land preservation — it owns and protects more than 850 acres across Androscoggin and Kennebec County, with trails open to visitors.
  • Natural science research — it contributes to bird and wildlife study, including organized counts.
  • Education and events — lectures, hands-on activities, and family-oriented programs for the general public.

The stated purpose behind all three is to protect birds and other wildlife and to foster appreciation and respect for the natural world.

Ways to take part

You do not need to be a member to show up to many activities. The site lists public events and programs, including:

Type Example from the site Who it suits
Guided bird walks Wednesday Bird Walks at Sabattus Pond and Chirp Creek/Packard-Littlefield Farm Beginners and experienced birders
Seasonal counts Fall Big Day Walk at Lake Auburn; Lewiston Auburn Christmas Bird Count Birders who like structured, data-contributing outings
Family programs Thorncrag Nature Week (July 20–24, for ages 6–12, registration required) Families with children
Talks and lectures Public nature-inspired events Anyone curious about local ecology
Governance Annual Meeting Members and those interested in the organization

Walks are typically early morning — the listed Wednesday walks start at 8:00 am — so plan for an early start and check the current schedule before going.

What a walk is like

The club's own trip reports give a realistic picture. A June walk at Papermill Trail drew ten people on a mild day in the low 70s along the Androscoggin River. A walk at Hallelujah Farm in Lisbon also drew ten. A September outing at St. Peter's Cemetery in Lewiston brought out eighteen people under sunny skies. The 2025 Lewiston Auburn Christmas Bird Count organized six teams totaling 20 birders spread across the area.

The pattern: small-to-medium group sizes, weather-dependent turnout, and locations that mix trails, farms, ponds, and even cemeteries — anywhere birds concentrate. If you are new, a group of ten to twenty is easy to join without feeling lost.

How to decide whether it fits you

  • You want to bird with others in central Maine — the recurring walks and counts are the main draw.
  • You want your outings to contribute to something — the counts feed into organized birding data.
  • You have kids aged roughly 6–12 — the nature week and family events are aimed at you.
  • You care about land protection — the 850+ acres and trail access are the concrete result.

If instead you are looking for a national organization, a bird-rehabilitation service, or a paid tour operator, this is a local club with a different scope. The best next step is to check the Upcoming Events list for a date and location near you, then simply show up — or register first if the event, like Thorncrag Nature Week, requires it.