Warbler migration has just about peaked and the diversity we’re seeing in southern Maine has been great this year. Our warbler walks at Evergreen Cemetery and Capisic Pond had a slower start but this week we’ve been seeing around 18 species of warblers each day. One of our “dream birds” to find is a Golden-winged […]
Maine's Naturalist
Nature Moments: Packing Leaves into Buds
How do plants pack their growing leaves inside such small buds? Nat Wheelwright explains the four main methods: leaves can be folded, rolled up, coiled, or pleated. The way a particular species packs its leaves has less to do leaf size or shape than with the plant’s evolutionary history. Nature Moments�are filmed with the help […]
Nature Moments: Faith in Trees
Trees provide us shelter, fuel, food, protection from climate change, and beauty. But they also have deep spiritual importance. In a treetop conversation with Nat Wheelwright, forest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni points out the connection between trees and religion. Nature Moments�are filmed with the help of Wilder Nicholson, Rebecca Goldfine, Tom Porter, Paul Benham and Genie […]
Nature Moments: Warm-Blooded Skunk Cabbages
In his latest Nature Moment, Nat Wheelwright asks: What plant has a metabolic rate as high as a hummingbird’s, generates enough heat to melt its way through the snow, and has the ability to regulate its body temperature just like a warm-blooded animal? Here’s a hint: they look like cabbages and smell like skunks, which […]
Nature Moments: House Invaders
If you live in an old house, explains Bowdoin professor and Maine Audubon trustee Nat Wheelwright, you probably are acquainted with these three home invaders: Long-bodied Cellar Spiders, Western Conifer Seed Bugs, and Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles. Although they’re not native to the northeast, they’re completely harmless and really quite companionable. Nature Moments�are filmed with […]
Nature Moments: Wood Frog Thumbs
Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution explains not only how creatures became good at securing food sources and surviving in the wilderness, but also how they produce the next generation. A good example of this, explains Bowdoin professor and Maine Audubon trustee Nat Wheelwright, is the male Wood Frog, whose strong thumbs ensure he has a […]
Marching for Science in Portland [Photos & Video]
Maine Audubon wildlife biologist Laura Minich Zitske, who leads our Coastal Birds Project, was a featured speaker at Portland’s March for Science yesterday. Despite the chilly April temperatures, a dedicated corps turned out to support science and its wider inclusion in public policy decision-making. Laura’s remarks, below, focused on the role individuals can play — […]
Spring Migration Is Underway!
It’s happening! As the days get longer and temperatures rise, we are happy to see migrant birds returning to or passing through Maine. In this blog post I’ll present a quick run-through, grouped by alliterate families in taxonomic order, of some of the birds we are seeing lately. Swans through Swifts April sees the largest […]
Amphibian Xing! Watch out for Frogs and Salamanders on the Road
I got the text at 9:07 last night. I had just finished practicing piano and heard the rain splattering on the roof. I was thinking about making some tea and settling down with a good book before slipping off to bed. The message read: A few moving tonight – we need your help! So, instead […]