The 42nd year of Maine Audubon’s Annual Loon Count is fast approaching! Adult Common Loons on their wintering grounds off the coast of Maine are likely already molting their winter plumage and transitioning back into breeding plumage, developing the distinctive pattern and colors many of us associate with loons, as well as new flight feathers […]
News & Notes
Previewing our Priority State Legislation for 2025
A new legislative session has begun in Augusta and our advocates are already in the State House working to advance protections for Maine wildlife and habitat. Our staff of advocates, scientists, and environmental educators has combed through hundreds of new bills submitted at the start of the 132nd Maine Legislature and selected our top priorities […]
Avian Flu in Maine
UPDATE: February 12, 2025 With the recent increase in coverage of the ongoing avian influenza outbreak, we are updating this post to share current information as it pertains to wild birds and precautions you should take. Avian influenza is very rare in our “feeder birds” (chickadees, jays, doves, woodpeckers, etc) so there is no need […]
Maine Audubon Supports Bills to Designate a State Amphibian and Reptile
Legislation to Designate the Spring Peeper as our State Amphibian and Wood Turtle as State Reptile have Hearings in Augusta On February 3, Maine Audubon Policy Advocate Ania Wright will testify in support of a pair of bills aiming to shine a spotlight on some of Maine’s lesser-known wildlife. The Maine State Legislature’s Committee on […]
This February, learn about Maine native plants in this four-part online course
Back by popular demand, the 2025 “Bringing Nature Home” short course will return this February as a four-part online series. This is a great opportunity if you’re new to the world of native plants and are looking to learn more about backyard ecology and the simple actions you can take to create wildlife friendly habitat. […]
Backyard Bird of the Month for February: American Crow
One of the most ubiquitous birds around, the American Crow is a bird often seen from your yard but not often thought of as a “backyard bird” since they rarely come to feeders. Crows are very opportunistic, being both omnivores and scavengers, so they are just as likely to steal a big chunk of suet […]
Snowy Owls in Winter 2024/25
As we begin the new year, though it has felt like a pretty below-average year for snow accumulation so far here in southern Maine, it has turned out to be an above-average year for Snowies. Yes, Snowy Owls are coming south! This is always a fun and exciting time for birders and owl aficionados as […]
Want to Help Wildlife? There’s a Community Science Project for Everyone
Community Science is your chance to join friends, neighbors, students, and teachers in collecting valuable scientific data on wildlife in Maine. Your sightings will help us better understand, protect, and conserve Maine native wildlife and habitat. From projects led by Maine Audubon to others spearheaded by the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, there’s […]
Announcing the Maine Flower Fly Survey
Since the Maine Bird Atlas wrapped up, many of us having been looking for more citizen science projects to get involved in and I’m happy to help announce that the Maine Flower Fly Survey (MFFS) is launching this year! Herb Wilson, Ron Butler, and Beth Swartz are coordinating a new project sponsored by the Maine […]