Author Archives: Bill

“How to Love a Forest” with Ethan Tapper” – Tuesday, May 6th at 7 p.m. in person and via Zoom (and a walk at 2 p.m.)

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What does it mean to love a forest? In this talk, Ethan Tapper, a forester, author and content creator from Vermont, will draw from his work as a forester and his bestselling book — How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World — to discuss what it means to care for forests and other ecosystems at this moment in time. How do we respond to the harmful legacies of the past? How do we use our species’ incredible power to heal rather than to harm? How do we reach towards a better future? In a … Continue reading →

A Video of our April Program: The Yellowstone River Osprey Project with Marco Restani

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This program was presented on April 15, 2025 at the Wells Reserve and via Zoom. For a description of the program, you can scroll down to the original post for the program. To access the recording, please click on the image below to watch it on this page, or you can click on “Watch on Youtube” at the bottom of that image. (We also recommend clicking on the little white square in the bottom right corner of that viewing screen to convert the image to “full screen”).

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The Yellowstone River Osprey Project with Marco Restani – Tuesday, April 15th at 7 p.m. – in-person and via Zoom

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In 2009 a few members of the Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society in Billings, Montana initiated a field study of Ospreys. They were interested in monitoring the distribution and abundance of the local population, and in helping management agencies and electric utilities reduce human-Osprey conflicts. That first year 3 members found 22 nests. Today over 40 volunteers monitor nearly 100 nests along the Yellowstone River in collaboration with power companies, landowners, and government agencies. This presentation will describe how nest monitors are trained to become proficient in Osprey observation and data collection. From the efforts of these dedicated volunteers, you will … Continue reading →

A Video of our March program: Behavior, Society, and Sex in Adolescent Birds with Dr. Liam Taylor

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This program was presented on March 18, 2025 at the Wells Reserve and via Zoom. For a description of the program, you can scroll down to the original post for the program. To access the recording, please click on the image below to watch it on this page, or you can click on “Watch on Youtube” at the bottom of that image. (We also recommend clicking on the little white square in the bottom right corner of that viewing screen to convert the image to “full screen”).

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Behavior, Society, and Sex in Adolescent Birds with Dr. Liam Taylor – Tuesday, March 18th at 7 p.m. – in-person and via Zoom

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Most birds have some growing up to do before they start to breed. Despite reaching full size within weeks or months of hatching, some species will not raise offspring for years, or even decades. Dr. Liam Taylor explores the strange things that some birds need to do before they reproduce—from developing a territory on a rocky island to finding a dance partner on the rainforest floor. Looking back through millions of years of evolution, we will uncover how behavioral, social, and sexual development continues to create new challenges and opportunities for adolescent birds. Liam Taylor is an ornithologist and evolutionary … Continue reading →

A Video of our January program: Old Forests: Jewels in the crown of the Maine landscape? with Malcolm Hunter

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This program was presented on January 21, 2025 at the Wells Reserve and via Zoom. For a description of the program, you can scroll down to the original post for the program. To access the recording, please click on the image below to watch it on this page, or you can click on “Watch on Youtube” at the bottom of that image. (We also recommend clicking on the little white square in the bottom right corner of that viewing screen to convert the image to “full screen”). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ungxRFjS2QA?t=120s

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The Hidden History of American Shorebirds – An online talk with Kenn Kaufman – Monday, February 10th at 6 p.m.

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The shorebirds – sandpipers, plovers, and their kin – are beautiful, but telling the many species apart can be a confusing challenge for birders. However, the level of confusion was much greater in the early 1800s, when naturalists were struggling to classify all these birds for the first time. Some species were described to science over and over, under different names, while some other species were overlooked completely for decades. And for many years, everyone underestimated the amazing migrations of these long-distance travelers. In this program, based on a chapter from his most recent book, Kenn Kaufman will describe the … Continue reading →

Old Forests: Jewels in the crown of the Maine landscape? – a Zoom program with Malcolm Hunter – Tuesday, January 21st at 7 p.m.

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The Maine landscape remains widely covered by forests but our current forests are very young compared to the pre-European landscape, when large, old trees were dominant.  These old forests may be treasure troves of hidden biodiversity.  Why this matters and what we should do about it will be discussed by Malcolm Hunter, Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine. Dr. Hunter’s research experience covers a variety of ecosystems and organisms – birds, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, insects, vascular plants, rivers, lakes, wetlands, grasslands, and more – but his major focus is on forest ecosystems and the maintenance of … Continue reading →

A Video of our November 2024 program – Wandering Rivers, Nameless Mountains-Drawing the Arctic – with Michael Boardman

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This program was presented on November 19, 2024 at the Wells Reserve, but we had difficulty with the video feed for our Zoom link. Michael was gracious enough to present it again for us via Zoom on December 3rd, and a recording of that encore presentation is available below. For a description of the program, you can scroll down to the original post for the November program. To access the recording, please click on the image below to watch it on this page, or you can click on “Watch on Youtube” at the bottom of that image. (We also recommend … Continue reading →

Wandering Rivers, Nameless Mountains-Drawing the Arctic – with Michael Boardman – Tuesday, December 3rd at 7 pm via Zoom

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Note: Michael Boardman presented this program for us on November 19th at the Wells Reserve.  However there were technical problems and the zoom video feed didn’t work.  It was a great program, and he has graciously volunteered to re-present it by Zoom only on December 3rd.  Thanks Michael! In 2019, North Yarmouth wildlife artist Michael Boardman was selected to be the artist-in-residence for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Alaska. The landscape has become embedded in Michael’s focus and artwork, and he has returned several times to explore the natural history of the Refuge, recording his experiences through sketching. … Continue reading →

Wandering Rivers, Nameless Mountains-Drawing the Arctic – with Michael Boardman – Tuesday, November 19th at 7 pm – in-person and via Zoom

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In 2019, North Yarmouth wildlife artist Michael Boardman was selected to be the artist-in-residence for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Alaska. The landscape has become embedded in Michael’s focus and artwork, and he has returned several times to explore the natural history of the Refuge, recording his experiences through sketching. In May, 2019, Michael had planned to make a presentation for us on his residency, but we had to cancel it due to Covid.  The following month, he did our first Zoom program.  Since then, he has returned to the Arctic several times, and we’re delighted to host … Continue reading →

A Video of our October 2024 Program – The Science of Watching, The Art of Seeing, and the Power of Nature Absorption

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This program was presented on October 15, 2024 at the Wells Reserve and via Zoom. For a description of the program, you can scroll down to the original post for the program. To access the recording, please click on the image below to watch it on this page, or you can click on “Watch on Youtube” at the bottom of that image. (We also recommend clicking on the little white square in the bottom right corner of that viewing screen to convert the image to “full screen”). Please note that Chris stepped out of the camera view at the beginning … Continue reading →

The 2025 Maine Birds Desk Calendar is available now!

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For many years, our former Board member, Marie Jordan, an avid birder and photographer, has produced a calendar and offered it for sale, graciously donating the calendars to YCA to support our educational programs. As many of our programs are now presented via Zoom, we’re making the calendars available by mail. It’s a desk calendar in a 4” by 6” plastic case that opens into a stand to display each month. Each page features a great photo she took of a Maine bird. The cost is $10 plus mailing costs. They’re wonderful anywhere in the house, and also make great … Continue reading →

A Video of our September 2024 Program – Falkland Islands – The Penguin Adventure – with Shawn Carey

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This program was presented on September 17, 2024 at the Wells Reserve and via Zoom. For a description of the program, you can scroll down to the original post for the program. To access the recording, please click on the image below to watch it on this page, or you can click on “Watch on Youtube” at the bottom of that image. (We also recommend clicking on the little white square in the bottom right corner of that viewing screen to convert the image to “full screen”).

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2024 Bird Seed Sale – Our 26th Annual – Early Bird Pricing Deadline is October 25th

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Keep your feathered friends happy this winter by treating them to tasty and fresh premium-quality bird food and help support two of your favorite environmental organizations.  Proceeds from our annual sale support programs of both York County Audubon and the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve.  A wide variety of types of seed and suet is available, with great pricing, especially if you order early.  Additional items this year include feeders, mealworm suet and Feather Friendly window markers to keep your birds safe. Early bird pricing is available if you place your order by 4 p.m. on October 25th.  Order pick-up … Continue reading →

The Science of Watching, The Art of Seeing, and the Power of Nature Absorption – with Chris Lewey, Sharon Fisher and Jane Lounsbury – Tuesday, October 15th at 7 pm – in-person and via Zoom

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There are profound connections between humanity and our natural world, offering a refreshing perspective that can resonate deeply.  We can connect with Nature on many different levels.  As Benjamin Franklin once said, “What signifies knowing the names, if you know not the nature of things?” We make connections with scientific facts and spiritual relationships that open us to different perspectives and increase the awareness of the sacred all around us. Nature Absorption brings about physical, mental, and spiritual transformations. The Science of Watching, The Art of Seeing, and the Power of Nature Absorption was written by Chris Lewey, Sharon Fisher … Continue reading →

A Nature Journaling Workshop – with Rebekah Lowell & Lindsay Strout – Sunday, September 15th at 4 p.m.

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Nature Journaling can be anything you want it to be, ranging from personal to scientific, from facts & realistic images to scenes and stories you’ve imagined or dreamed.  Journaling should NEVER be a “chore”, or something you have to complete and that must be perfect.  You do not need to be an expert at identifying plants, animals, fungus or even be a professional artist. Remember that the goal is “observations,” not a pretty picture. This is a practice that you will build upon and, in time, your ability to observe, draw and write will improve. Your attention to detail and … Continue reading →

Falkland Islands – The Penguin Adventure – with Shawn Carey – – Tuesday, September 17th at 7 pm – in-person and via Zoom

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The Falkland Islands are located off the southern coast of Argentina and almost to the tip of Tierra Del Fuego. With one flight a week entering and departing the Falklands, and a total of three days travel each way you have to really want to go there. We’re delighted to be hosting Shawn Carey on Tuesday, September 17th, to take us there. The Falklands are a very remote South Atlantic archipelago with two main islands, East and West Falkland, plus an additional 776 smaller islands, most of which are not inhabited. However, several that are host some of the islands’ … Continue reading →

A Video of our June 2024 program – A Seal’s Journey – with Marine Mammals of Maine

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This program was presented on June 18, 2024 via Zoom. For a description of the program, you can scroll down to the original post for the program. To access the recording, please click on the image below to watch it on this page, or you can click on “Watch on Youtube” at the bottom of that image. (We also recommend clicking on the little white square in the bottom right corner of that viewing screen to convert the image to “full screen”).

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