Once again, as they have every year since 1983, volunteers across Maine set their alarm clocks early, gulped down some coffee, and were out on lakes by 7 a.m. to record observations about Common Loons in the Annual Loon Count. For half an hour, more than a thousand volunteers were paddling kayaks, …
News & Notes
Monitoring Bird Illness (July 2021)
There is an unknown disease that has been causing bird deaths in parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States over the past two months. This blog post will be used to share updates and useful information about the disease, particularly as it pertains to Maine birds. At this time (11 July …
July Plants Update: Plants for a Changing Climate
The heat has finally broken. Those final few days of June were certainly tough on people, plants, and animals. While that heat wave was clearly a weather event, it’s a good reminder that things seem to be changing much more broadly; it’s more than just record highs on specific dates and what’s doing …
Maine Audubon and partners receive grant for loon restoration
In 2003, 98,000 gallons of oil spilled in Buzzards Bay from a tank barge called Bouchard B-120. An estimated 531 Common Loons, overwintering in Buzzards Bay (off the coasts of MA and RI), died from direct or indirect impacts from this spill. Now, a natural resources damage settlement from this …
Andy’s blog: Allagash trip reinforces need to act on behalf of wildlife
Slosh, slosh, slosh. As I lay on my back in a tiny backpacking tent just steps away from the gently flowing Allagash River, I could hear a steady sloshing. At first, the rhythmic sound made me think of my grandchildren and the sounds they make as they splash through springtime puddles in their …
Nature Explorer Backpacks open up a world of wildlife
Make your outdoor family time a science-based experience that fosters environmental literacy with our new Nature Explorer Backpacks. Nature Explorer Backpacks include tools, resources, and activities to encourage deeper exploration of the wildlife and ecosystems found at Gilsland Farm Audubon …
Legislative Update: successes, but still some work to do!
Things are happening quickly in Augusta, as legislators hope to wrap up their session this week. I wanted to keep you and all of our advocacy supporters up to date on what's happening with Maine Audubon's priority legislation. Much of the progress we've made this year has been thanks to the messages …
Trip Report: Matinicus Rock 2021
After having to cancel in 2020, we were thrilled to be on the water on Friday, June 11, for our annual “Seabirds of Matinicus Rock” trip out of New Harbor. Aboard the Hardy III, captained by Al Crocetti of Hardy Boat, we took a full day ride out of Muscongus Bay, cruising 25 miles to one of the …
Maine Audubon Annual Loon Count Set for July 17
A loon glides across a still lake, the white dots on its black wings appearing to sparkle in the reflection off the water. But suddenly it gives out a quavering laugh. This “tremolo” usually means the loon feels alarmed or threatened. What has bothered this loon? It might be another loon intruding …