Author Archives: Bill

A Video of our March 2024 program – Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into the Nest – with Julie Zickefoose

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This wonderful program was presented on March 12, 2024 via Zoom. To watch it, 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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Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into the Nest – with Julie Zickefoose – Tuesday, March 12th at 7 p.m.- by Zoom only

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Why and how do baby songbirds develop so quickly, some launching into flight only 11 days after hatching? In 2002, Julie Zickefoose began to draw and paint wild nestlings day by day, bearing witness to their swift growth. Over the next 13 years, Julie would document the daily changes in 17 bird species from hatching to fledging. Her book, Baby Birds, is the enchanting result, with more than 500 life studies that hop, crawl and flutter through its pages. In this talk, Julie shares her influences as well as her artistic process, a must-see for the aspiring natural history artist. … Continue reading →

Conserving African forest elephants through bioacoustic methods – with Bobbi Estabrook – Tuesday, February 20th – By Zoom Only

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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is world famous for its work with birds, but did you know that it also has an Elephant Listening Project? In recent decades, forest elephant populations have dramatically declined largely due to poaching, habitat fragmentation, and habitat loss. To help conserve west and central Africa’s tropical forests and forest elephants, the Elephant Listening Project (ELP) utilizes passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). PAM is a non-invasive method that enables evidence-based conservation strategies through large-scale monitoring of elusive, acoustically active species, as well as human disturbance, such as illegal gun hunting and logging. Research Analyst Bobbi Estabrook explains … Continue reading →

Winter Wildlife Tracking workshop – with Dan Gardoqui – Sunday, February 4th

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Can you tell the tracks of a fox from a fisher? Ever trailed a porcupine to its den? Join Certified Wildlife Tracker and Registered Maine Guide Dan Gardoqui for an outdoor adventure. Open to all curious adults (& interested teens). We’ll spend the morning seeking out, interpreting and following the tracks, trails and signs of our wild neighbors living on the Wells Reserve. Bring your own food/snacks and dress warmly. Dan Gardoqui has been learning and sharing naturalist skills, wildlife tracking, bird language, and mentoring for over 30 years. Dan has a M.S. in Natural Resources, is a Certified Wildlife Tracker, … Continue reading →

Beyond Birdseed: Making your backyard a haven for birds – Saturday, January 27th

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Backyard birders who want to attract birds and help them thrive will learn what it takes at a get-together from 2-4:30pm on Saturday, January 27, at Kennebunk Town Hall. Backyard birding is becoming more and more popular, with many people interested in attracting more birds year-round.  Several local environmental organizations are hosting an environmental event to provide inspiration and ideas on this topic. Two noted naturalists – Doug Hitchcox and Andrew Tufts – will provide lively talks on how to make your backyard safe and attractive for birds twelve months a year. Prior to their presentations, artist Rebekah Lowell will … Continue reading →

A Video of our November 2023 program – Conserving Broad-winged Hawks from Canada to Colombia

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As noted in our post below, we had a last minute change in our presenter for November, with Dr. Laurie Goodrich filling in for Phil Brown. Dr. Laurie Goodrich is the Director of Conservation Science at famed Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania. In 1984, Dr. Goodrich was the first full-time research biologist hired at Hawk Mountain, and she’s been there ever since, involved with every aspect of the work that goes on there. Her program was presented on November 14, 2023:

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A Last Minute Program Change!

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Phil Brown was scheduled to present a Zoom program tonight on Nest Monitoring, Tagging and Migration of Broad-winged Hawks, but he has been called away to Belize to fill in as a trip leader. We’re delighted to share that he lined up a wonderful replacement: Dr. Laurie Goodrich, the Director of Conservation Science at famed Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania. In 1984, Dr. Goodrich was the first full-time research biologist hired at Hawk Mountain, and she’s been there ever since, involved with every aspect of the work that goes on there. The title of her talk will be: Conserving Broad-winged … Continue reading →

A Video of our October 2023 Program – How the Personalities of Small Mammals Shape the Growth of Forests

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This program was presented on October 24, 2023 in-person at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm and via Zoom. To watch it, 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. Note that the mammals program is preceded by a short description … Continue reading →

Nest Monitoring, Tagging and Migration of Broad-winged Hawks – with Phil Brown – Tuesday, November 14th – via Zoom only

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Fall Migration is considered to be one of the birding wonders of the world.  Well known birder Phil Brown is the Bird Conservation Director of the The Harris Center for Conservation Education in Hancock, NH.  Under his guidance, Harris Center biologists collect hawk migration data as part of an international effort to monitor raptor population trends. The center has been partnering with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania to better understand Broad-winged Hawk ecology.  Phil will explain what has been learned to date about the migration of Broad-winged hawks breeding in New England that travel to their wintering grounds in South … Continue reading →

The 2024 Maine Birds Desk Calendar is on its way!

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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, so 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 this year of a Maine bird. The cost is $10 plus mailing costs. They’re wonderful anywhere in the house, and … Continue reading →

2023 Bird Seed Sale – Our 25th Annual – Early Bird Pricing Deadline is October 27th

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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 27th.  Order pick-up … Continue reading →

How the Personalities of Small Mammals Shape the Growth of Forests – with Maisie Merz and Ivy Yen – Tuesday, October 24th – In-person and via Zoom

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An entertaining exploration of the role that small mammals play in forest regeneration and the movement of trees in Maine. We all know our cats and dogs have personalities, but have you ever wondered about the squirrels in your backyard? How would you even go about evaluating personality traits in squirrels, mice, or voles and why would you bother? These small mammals play an important but often unseen role in forest regeneration and the movement of trees, dispersing the seeds of the towering forests here in Maine. While this role is known at the species level, unique individuals display varying … Continue reading →

A Video of our September 2023 program: The Birds of Guatemala – with Doug Hitchcox

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This program was presented on September 19, 2023 in-person at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm and via Zoom. To watch it, 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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Intro to Foraging – with Dan Gardoqui – Saturday afternoon, September 23rd

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Are you curious about wild foods and foraging during this season of abundance? Does uncertainty and concern stop you from sampling healthy, wild foods? Join us at the Wells Reserve with forager and expert naturalist Dan Gardoqui of Lead with Nature. We’ll stroll the fields, forests and shorelines, all the while connecting with the wild plants, trees, fungi and more with all of our senses. Participants should be prepared to walk a few miles, dress for the weather, and bring along a water bottle. Please note that foraging is NOT permitted at the Wells Reserve outside of this program. We … Continue reading →

The Birds of Guatemala – with Doug Hitchcox – at the Wells Reserve and via Zoom – on Tuesday, September 19th

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Guatemala is a wonderful birding destination with many avian specialties, beautiful scenery, a colorful culture (including the proud Mayan, perhaps the richest indigenous culture remaining in the New World), and some of the best coffee in the world. In March of this year, Doug Hitchcox was a leader of a spectacular trip to view the birds of Guatemala.  The areas that they visited were varied, from the cool pine-oak forests near Antigua and Tecpan (think Pink-headed Warbler) to humid tropical lowland forests in the Petén (the Caribbean slope). The tour started in the Petén with a visit to the Classic … Continue reading →

Wildlife Track and Sign by the Sea – with Dan Gardoqui – Sunday, July 23rd

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The sands of Laudholm Beach 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. About the Presenter Dan Gardoqui has been studying naturalist skills, wildlife tracking, bird language, and mentoring for nearly 30 years. Dan has a M.S. in Natural Resources, is a Certified Wildlife Tracker, Registered Maine Guide, and served as Science Faculty at Granite State … Continue reading →

Birds of Prey: Our Talon-ted Friends – with the Center for Wildlife and their Wildlife Ambassadors – Tuesday, June 20th – at the Wells Reserve, in-person only

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What is the difference between a hawk and a falcon?  Do we have vultures in Maine?  What is our smallest owl?  What is our largest hawk?  Where do they live?  Using our amazing live non-releasable bird ambassadors, posters, and hands-on materials, we will discuss the kinds of birds of prey found in Maine, their habitats, habits, place in the food chain, and why we need to protect them.  This program will connect the audience with these beautiful ambassadors of their species as well as provide their natural and personal histories and empower audience members to help to steward the environment … Continue reading →

Annual Election of Officers and Directors

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The Nominating Committee has presented a slate of Officers and Directors to the YCA Board, and that slate has been approved by the Directors:  Bill Grabin, President, Laurie Pocher, Vice President, Kathy Donahue, Treasurer, and Monica Grabin, Secretary, as well as the following slate of Directors: Britney Fox, Dan Gardoqui, David Doubleday, Doug Hitchcox, Heather Rutledge, Joyce Toth, Marian Zimmerman, Marion Sprague, Mary Bateman, Rebekah Lowell, Seth Davis. This slate will be presented and proposed to our members for their approval at our June 20th annual meeting, which will precede our June 20th program.

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