Author Archives: Bill

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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Wildlife Track and Sign by the Sea Workshop – with Dan Gardoqui – Sunday, July 14th

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The sands of Laudholm Beach in Wells reveal the stories of a diverse array of birds, mammals and invertebrates. Join Certified Wildlife Tracker and Maine Guide Dan Gardoqui for an enlightening morning of decoding stories in the sand. Participants will need to walk about 3 miles and spend time on uneven surfaces. Please bring your own water and snacks. This program is co-sponsored by York County Audubon and Wells Reserve, with members of either organization (and Maine Audubon) receiving the discounted program pricing. About the Presenter Dan Gardoqui has been studying naturalist skills, wildlife tracking, bird language, and mentoring for … Continue reading →

A Seal’s Journey – with Jessica Woodend – Tuesday, June 18th at 7 pm – in-person and via Zoom

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Join Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) as they take you through a seal’s journey from stranding to release, and all of the obstacles in between. Starting with seal basics such as: whether it’s normal for them to be out of the water and why you might see a baby on its own, and then dive into when and why seals need our help. You will learn what MMoME is, what they do,the animals they care for, and how you can help. Marine Mammals of Maine is dedicated to marine mammal and sea turtle response, rescue, care, research and education. With … Continue reading →

Saturday Morning Bird Walks at the Wells Reserve (Every Other Week from May 11th to August 3rd)

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This photo shows a male Eastern Towhee, a bird regularly seen and heard at the Wells Reserve. Join us at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm every other Saturday this summer starting May 11th for a guided bird walk around the Reserve property.  Beginners are welcome.  Please bring binoculars. These walks are free and open to the public.  However, space will be limited and reservations are required.  Please email suzanne@wellsnerr.org or call Suzanne at (207) 646-1555 x116 to reserve your space. The additional dates are 5/25, 6/8, 6/22, 7/8, 7/22 and 8/3.  We meet in the parking lot at 7:30 … Continue reading →

Serendipitous Travels – Birding Without Blinders – with Sue Keefer & Steve Norris -Tuesday, May 21st at 7 pm – in person and via Zoom

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Sue and Steve like exploring. Winters, when not experiencing new places, they volunteer at the World Birding Center /  Estero Llano Grande State Park in Texas – guiding, assisting with programs and habitat improvement. Summers find them hunkered down in Mid-Coast Maine, exploring, spending time with grandkids and bird-guiding for the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Many of you may know them from their many summers working for the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge at Timber Point, or for the very entertaining program they presented for YCA in 2018 on their travels to the Galapagos Islands.They are avid seekers … Continue reading →

A Video of our April 2024 program – Maine’s Champion Big Trees – with Jan Santerre

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This program was presented on April 16, 2024 via Zoom. Our apologies that the audio quality is not great, as we were having some technical difficulties. 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”). For a description of the program, you can scroll down to the original post for the program.

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Maine’s Champion Big Trees – with Jan Santerre – Tuesday, April 16th at 7 pm – in person and via Zoom

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The 2020 edition of the Maine Register of Big Trees lists 146 champions located throughout the state.  Join us to learn about these trees, and how they and other big trees play a significant role in our environment.  State champion big trees capture people’s imagination for their size and strength, but there is more to a champion than just its size — they are symbols of all the good work trees do for the quality of the environment and our quality of life. Jan Santerre is the Project Canopy director for the Maine Forest Service where she focuses on all … Continue reading →