White-breasted Nuthatches are one of the most charismatic backyard birds. They frequently visit feeders, digging through the seeds and tossing aside undesirable selections until they find a good one. They will often take seeds away and cache them in crevices of trees to save for later. They will also wedge large nuts like acorns into […]
Who’s that turtle in the tank?
Earlier this fall, on September 7, some observant visitors notified our staff at Gilsland Farm that there was a baby Snapping Turtle in the parking lot. Echoing the events of three Septembers prior, we began searching the parking lot and surrounding area for tiny crawling turtles. Female Snapping Turtles secretively dig nests and lay eggs […]
Keep hummingbirds happy with native plants
Late summer is a wonderful time for observing Ruby-throated Hummingbirds foraging in the garden, and an even better time for planning fall plantings to benefit your visiting hummingbirds next summer. There are many native plants that hummingbirds utilize for food, and providing a variety of these plants that bloom throughout the season is a great […]
Commonly Misidentified Species: Vireos
It�s not always easy to identify Maine�s most beloved birds. Maine Audubon biologists and naturalists commonly field identification questions along the lines of �is it this, or is it that?� Many species look similar from a distance, but there are some great telltale signs, both visual markers and behaviors, that can help identify species. This […]
Commonly Misidentified Species: Diving Birds
COMMONLY MISIDENTIFIED SPECIES:�It�s not always easy to identify Maine�s most beloved birds. Maine Audubon biologists and naturalists commonly field identification questions along the lines of �is it this, or that?�. Many species look similar from a distance, but there are some great telltale signs, both visual markers and behaviors, that can help identify species. This […]
Commonly Misidentified Species: Plovers
COMMONLY MISIDENTIFIED SPECIES: It�s not always easy to identify Maine�s most beloved birds. Maine Audubon biologists and naturalists commonly field identification questions along the lines of �is it this, or is it that?�. Many species look similar from a distance, but there are some great telltale signs, both visual markers and behaviors, that can help […]