Eastern Bluebirds are becoming an increasingly common sight during the winter in the southern-half of Maine. I wrote about this when we started this blog back in 2015 ("It's Winter in Maine! Why do I see robins and bluebirds?") and we've seen the trend continue since. Let's take a look at a few …
News
How to Tell Crows from Ravens in Maine
Maine is home to several species of large, smart, loud, occasionally obnoxious, sometimes eerie, endlessly fascinating birds called corvids. Our two species of jay belong to this family, Canada Jay and Blue Jay, as well as three similar-looking black birds: American Crow, Fish Crow, and Common …
New Report: Renewable Energy and Wildlife in Maine
Tackling climate change is one of the most difficult and pressing tasks Mainers face, both personally and collectively. Maine's lawmakers have set some ambitious goals for reducing the state's greenhouse gas emissions and for procuring retail electricity sales from renewable energy sources. This …
ANDY’S NOTE: Energy Matters
We turn the clocks back this weekend, so we can't deny it any longer: winter really is coming. Last November, we had 16 inches of snow in the Portland area! With these shorter days and colder temperatures, our thoughts inevitably turn to keeping warm. But those thoughts clash with news …
Introducing Our New Roommate: A Baby Snapping Turtle
Each summer, adult female Common Snapping Turtles haul themselves out of the pond here at Gilsland Farm and look for a place to lay their eggs. They climb the hill and slowly probe around looking for an appropriately dry and sandy spot, checking the pollinator garden, the parking lot, and around the …
Through the Lens with Nick Leadley: The Quality of Light
Welcome back to Through the Lens with Nick Leadley, our continuing series on wildlife photography. Read the rest of the series here, and see more of his work at Touch The Wild. Light is the one constant all photographs have in stock and something all photographers must learn to work with, though …
National Audubon Reports on Climate Risks to Maine Birds
Today the National Audubon Society released a new report, Survival By Degrees: 389 Species on the Brink, which gives detailed projections for how climate change will impact the ranges of hundreds of bird species. The report contains state-by-state breakdowns of these projections, and the Maine …
Andy’s Note: A new season brings hope
The autumn equinox has passed. It is a good time to reflect upon a summer well-lived and to ponder the promise of a new season in Maine. A few weeks ago, an evening trip in my car coincided with a massive flying ant swarm. These swarms are an annual late summer event, as alates (the breeding …
“Bringing Nature Home”: Blooms, Berries, and Seeds
Fall is in the air and news. A couple of crisp mornings, the first foliage maps, and migrating birds all spell the final weeks and months of what has largely been a great growing season. However, it's not over yet! In fact, judging by the blooms, berries, and wildlife we're seeing around us, one …