A video of our September 2020 program: Seabird Sentinels in the Gulf of Maine – with Dr. Don Lyons
This program was presented on Sept 15th. Scroll down for a full description.
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Seabird sentinels in the Gulf of Maine: What they can tell us about the state of our oceans – with Dr. Don Lyons – Sept 15th
By the middle of the 20th century, the populations of many species of seabirds in the Gulf of Maine had been decimated. Puffins had last nested on Eastern Egg Rock in 1885 and terns in 1936. In 1973, National Audubon started a program to reintroduce and establish the Maine breeding grounds for these species, led by seabird visionary Steve Kress. In 2019, forty-five years later, Steve retired and turned over the program to new leadership. The program has proved exceptionally successful. The population of Atlantic Puffins has grown to more than 1,000 nesting pairs on five coastal Maine islands, and … Continue reading →
A Video of our August 2020 program: 23 Reasons to Go Outside – with Josh Fecteau
23 Reasons To Go Outside: Snapshots from a Daily Practice of Nature Observation – with Josh Fecteau – an online program, Tuesday, August 18th at 7 p.m.
Interested in discovering some of the birds, plants and nature that are often hiding in plain sight all around us? Local naturalist Josh Fecteau will share some of the wild treasures he’s found near his home in Kennebunkport, and encourage all of us to go outside to make rewarding discoveries of our own. On Tuesday, August 18th, at 7 p.m., York County Audubon will be presenting this program online. The program is available free of charge, but advance registration is required. Please use the link in red below. Josh grew up along the southern Maine coast. In his early 20’s, … Continue reading →
A video of of our July 2020 program: Bird Photography – with Laurie Pocher
Thanks so much to Laurie for this great program (which starts about 30 seconds into this video):
Continue reading →Online via Zoom: Improving Your Bird Photography – with Laurie Pocher – Tuesday, July 21st
Bird photography has never been more popular, and we’d like to offer some help to improve your results and your enjoyment as well! On Tuesday, July 21st, at 7 p.m., we’ll be presenting our second online Zoom program, this time on Improving Your Bird Photography. To register for this event, please click on the link in the paragraph in bold font at the bottom of this post. If you’ve ever tried to photograph birds, you know it’s often not easy. Your subjects are small, fast, and shy… they move around a lot, they’re most active early and late in the … Continue reading →
A Video of our June 2020 program: An Artist’s View of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge – with Michael Boardman
On June 16th, Michael Boardman presented a wonderful program on his experiences in Alaska. He had been selected by the US Fish & Wildlife Service to be the Artist-in-Residence at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. While we don’t have a video of that program to share, here’s a link to the program he presented for the Alaska Wilderness League in May, which was virtually the same as the one he presented for York County Audubon. Enjoy! Note: there are a couple of introductions related to the Alaska Wilderness League at the beginning of the video. Michael’s program starts at the … Continue reading →
Online via Zoom: An Artist’s View of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge – with Michael Boardman – Tuesday, June 16th
For the past several months, we have had to cancel our programs and workshops to help ensure everyone’s health and safety. Now, we are very pleased to present our first Zoom Online program on June 16th at 7 p.m. To register for this event, please click on the link in the paragraph in bold font at the bottom of this post. Michael Boardman is a wildlife artist and member of the Maine Master Naturalist program. In spring of 2019, he was selected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be the Artist-In-Residence at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He … Continue reading →
Annual Election of Officers and Directors
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, Joyce Toth, Vice President, Kathy Donahue, Treasurer, and Monica Grabin, Secretary, as well as the following slate of Directors: Mary Bateman, David Doubleday, Doug Hitchcox, Ken Janes, Marion Sprague, Seth Davis, Eileen Willard, Marian Zimmerman, Laurie Pocher
Continue reading →An Artist’s View of Glacier Bay National Park – with Michael Boardman – Tuesday, May 19th
Due to concerns about the coronavirus, we have cancelled this May 19th program. However, an online program has been scheduled for June 16th; please go to the post for that event to register for it. Thanks for your understanding, and take care. In 2015, local wildlife artist Michael Boardman spent 2 weeks as the artist in residence in Glacier Bay Alaska. He spent time studying the wildlife and unique geology of the park with scientists and wildlife biologists. On Tues, May 19th he will give a presentation on the park, its wildlife and the experience of creating art in such … Continue reading →
Reptiles with Ed LeClair – Tuesday, April 21st – CANCELLED
Due to concerns about the coronavirus, we have cancelled our April 21st program. Thanks for your understanding, and take care. Every spring, as temperatures warm and rain arrives, amphibians begin their eons-old tradition of migrating from upland habitats to wetlands to breed. These migration events, when timed correctly with the weather, can have thousands of amphibians within a mile of a pool hopping and crawling in synchrony towards their goal. However, their journey is increasingly impeded by a new barrier – roads. Amphibian populations have anecdotally been in decline because of vehicle impacts, and until recently were left relatively unnoticed. … Continue reading →
Sanford Sewer Ponds closed
FYI, the Sanford Lagoons/Sanford Sewer District has closed its facilities to visitors for the time being. The Lagoons are a wonderful spot for birding, and we have greatly appreciated their efforts to accommodate visitors for many years! We support their efforts and look forward to returning when it is safe to do so.
Continue reading →Botswana Safari: A Wildlife Lover’s Dream Come True – with Suzanne Kahn – Tuesday, March 24th – CANCELLED
Due to concerns about the coronavirus, we have cancelled our March 24th program. Thanks for your understanding, and take care. Explore the wonders of elephants, leopards, giraffes, and more on a photographic journey through northern Botswana. In March of 2019, Education Director Suzanne Kahn traveled to Botswana for an eight-day safari. She visited three different regions: the Okavango Delta, the Savute Channel, and Hunda Island. Come explore this remote and wildlife-rich area of Africa with Suzanne as she shares her photos and stories from this once in a lifetime adventure. Suzanne is the Education Director at the Wells Reserve at … Continue reading →
The Harlequin – Winter 2020
Please click on the link below to view the Winter 2020 issue of our Harlequin newsletter (with photos in full color!) https://www.yorkcountyaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Harlequin-Winter-2020-1.pdf
Continue reading →2020 Hog Island Scholarships
Our scholarships for the Hog Island Educator’s Week program, and for the Hog Island Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens have been announced. Full details and the application forms can be found on our Scholarships page: https://www.yorkcountyaudubon.org/scholarships Applications are due by March 15th.
Continue reading →Bird Seed Sale and Barn Social – Saturday, November 9th, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Warm up this Saturday as the Wells Reserve at Laudholm will provides cider and donuts to ward off the chill. Feeding birds in winter is a fun way to see chickadees, woodpeckers, blue jays, cardinals and other birds up close. If you’re getting ready to welcome feathered friends to your yard, stop by for good advice, fresh seed, and select feeders. A representative from Blue Seal’s Rochester store will answer bird-feeding questions, members of York County Audubon will offer bird-watching tips. Seed pickup is also available on Friday from 1 – 4 p.m. To view an order form, click this … Continue reading →
The State of Maine’s Loons – with “The Birdist” Nick Lund – Tuesday, November 19th
The Common Loon is an iconic denizen and for many epitomizes a Maine summer. But how well do you actually know the Common Loon? Do they migrate? What do they eat? How long do they live? How many Common Loons are there? Why are loons important? This program will start with an in-depth look at the physiology and habits of the Common Loon, including how its body is built to be an effective underwater hunter, and the timing of its arrival on Maine breeding lakes. We will also take a look at the threats faced by loons. Nick Lund is … Continue reading →
Bird Sketching Workshop with Michael Boardman – Wednesday, October 30th
Sketching birds is a great way to increase your appreciation of birds and your abilities to identify them. This fun and low pressure workshop will allow you to explore sketching birds using mounted specimens. Michael Boardman is a wildlife artist and master naturalist who will introduce you to or help you develop further your ability to sketch birds and nature. Open to both beginners and those with more experience, we will work to loosen up your artist hand to eye coordination through fun exercises, talk about and practice some sketching techniques for making visual notes when watching birds in the … Continue reading →
Rare Birds in Maine – A Workshop with Doug Hitchcox – Saturday, Nov 2nd
Rare birds capture our imagination. They draw crowds, appear on headlines, and offer a unique opportunity to see something foreign to your area. Join Maine Audubon’s Staff Naturalist, Doug Hitchcox, for a workshop to learn how and why some birds appear out of their normal range, tools you can use to predict their occurrence, and tips on what to do if you find something unusual. During this, we will begin our day with a bird walk to check for any unusual sightings during “rarity season”, gather inside for a slideshow, then follow up with a second walk nearby. Advance registration … Continue reading →
Oaxaca Mexico: Rare Birds and Ancient Cultures – with Doug Hitchcox and Ken Janes – Tuesday, October 22nd
In March 2019, Maine Audubon, in association with Field Guides Birding Tours, made a trip to south-western Mexico in search of rare species that are unique to the Sierra Madre mountains area. Based in the beautiful colonial city of Oaxaca, known for great birds, authentic food, and amazing human history, the group explored many habitats including the semi-arid deserts near Teotitltán and the pine forests of La Cumbre at altitudes of up to almost 10000 feet. Doug and Ken will report on the successful search for rare endemic species like Dwarf Jay, Gray-barred Wren, Mountain Trogon and Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo in … Continue reading →