The Harlequin, Winter 2014
Download Harlequin Newsletter for 2014 (1.1 MB)
Continue reading →About Harlequin
Harlequin is a pseudonym for content not attributed to a specific author. It echoes the name of the YCAS newsletter, The Harlequin. Watch for Harlequin Ducks along the rocky portions of the York County coast in winter. ¶ The avatar is by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, who sketched and painted the species during the Harriman Alaska Expedition. ¶ "When we got before the glacier, I saw my first pair of harlequins... the glass showed them plainly to be a ♂ + ♀ histrionicus." — L.A. Fuertes, June 7, 1899
Download Harlequin Newsletter for 2014 (1.1 MB)
Continue reading →Summer Issue Summer 2013, Pages 1-4 Summer 2013, Pages 5-8 Autumn Issue Autumn 2013, Page 1 Autumn 2013, Page 2 Autumn 2013, Page 3 Autumn 2013, Page 4 Autumn 2013, Page 5 Autumn 2013, Page 6 Autumn 2013, Page 7 Autumn 2013, Page 8
Continue reading →Join Doug Hitchcox for a shorebird extravaganza. Meet and park at Buffleheads restaurant at 122 Hills Beach Road in Biddeford Contact: Doug 207-671-0185.
Continue reading →Meeting to be held at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Come early to socialize Come earlier to sit in on the board meeting The great blue heron is often touted as one of the most widespread and adaptable birds in North America. Here in Maine they are certainly widespread, but recent data has suggested a decline in their breeding population especially along the coast. Concerns over a population decline prompted the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to conduct a comprehensive survey of breeding colonies in 2009, and to begin a statewide adopt-a-colony program called the Heron Observation Network. … Continue reading →
Meeting to be held at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Come early to socialize Come earlier to sit in on the board meeting In 2012 five YCAS members ventured off to Attu…an Island birding mecca 1500 miles from mainland Alaska which some may recall from the movie The Big Year. Robert and Anne Watson, Pat Moynahan. Marian Zimmerman and Doug Hitchcox will share their adventure into the Eastern Hemisphere for rare birds. They saw colonies of over 2 million birds, Song Sparrows the size of robins, 20+ foot seas en route, and a bird recently back from the edge of … Continue reading →
Meeting to be held at Kennebunkport Conservation Trust Birds Do the Darndest Things One of the great pleasures of birding is observing the intimate snippets of birds’ lives. Usually the birds we see are either perched, flying, or feeding. But every so often, we glimpse less obvious behaviors, which hold us spellbound—a meadowlark fleeing a falcon, an oriole constructing a complex nest, or a jay surreptitiously stashing away seeds. Observing bird behavior carefully often leads us to ponder some puzzling questions: Why do Yellow Warblers naively devote themselves to feeding cowbird fledglings twice their size? How do Black-capped Chickadees remember … Continue reading →
Download the Spring 2013 issue of The Harlequin
Continue reading →May 10-11, 2013 marks our 13th annual Birding Challenge fund-raiser. We began very humbly in 2001 by raising a grand total of $262 and peaked in 2007 with a total of $5,038 in donations from individuals and businesses. Throughout many generous donors have supported us with contributions. Also the Birding Challenge has benefited from the dedication of YCAS members who have reached out to invite the community for its support. Our purpose in raising funds is to reinvest them in environmental education, conservation, and research projects in York County. The National Audubon’s Seabird Restoration Project on Stratton Island has been … Continue reading →
YCAS is pleased to sponsor a film in the “York Reads” series, held at the York Public Library. Monica Grabin will introduce “The Making of Winged Migration” and will facilitate the discussion afterward. York Public Library is located at 15 Long Sands Road (363-2818).
Continue reading →The field trip to Thornhurst Farm has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience. Targets: Geese and more Thornhurst Farm on Route 115 in North Yarmouth is just over the Yarmouth line and known as an annual stopover for hundreds of migrating geese. Here’s a story on it from the Press Herald: http://www.pressherald.com/archive/rare-geese-draw-crowds-to-maine_2009-11-03.html
Continue reading →This fast-paced trip is for those seeking the unexpected in as many spots as possible. Contact: Pat Moynahan 284-5487 Please join Derek Lovitch for this annual, fun-filled field trip to seek and search for rarities in York County at the peak of “Rarity Season.” We’ll ply various nooks and crannies looking for lingering and pioneering migrants, while searching for rarities. If none have been reported, we’ll try to find our own. This is a more fast-paced outing than many of our usual field trips. We will stop for lunch, and likely return to our starting point by mid-to-late afternoon. Meet at the Kennebunk … Continue reading →
Offered in cooperation with York Land Trust. Leader: Lyman Page We will be looking for returning migrants and breeding birds. Directions: Take the York exit from Turnpike, Go to Rte 1 at the Stonewall Kitchen’s Light. From this light travel ~ 1 mile south on US Rt.1 to the Route 91. Turn right onto Route 91 and travel ~ 3 miles west to reach the Highland Farm Preserve Parking Lot. Contact: Lyman Page 967-2391
Continue reading →Annual business meeting at 6:45pm, Social time and refreshments at 7pm with program to follow. Natural history writer and popular entertaining speaker Todd McLeish will illustrate an important message about rare flora and fauna. He will tell about the people he has worked with who devote their lives to undoing years of damage to lovely old New England. This outstanding program will conclude with an introduction to some exciting work on the Narwhal. It would be appropriate for adults and children 8+. Todd will bring books to sign or you can get yours autographed. Held at the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust … Continue reading →
Longtime summer resident Ken Janes retired here a year ago and has now combined his lifelong interest in birding and photography with daily walks in our membership area. Ken has a knack of capturing some stunning images of butterflies, dragonflies, mammals and many birds including a rarity that brought birders from far and wide to Kennebunk. Held at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. directions Please Note: All are welcome to attend the YCAS board meeting, which will begin at 5pm before the member program.
Continue reading →Since 1981, naturalist Norman Smith has spent countless days and nights, in every imaginable weather condition, observing, capturing, banding and color marking Snowy Owls at Logan International Airport. Data has been collected on roosting, hunting and behavior while the owls are on their wintering grounds. Most recently satellite transmitters have been attached to owls to learn more about their movements. Find out what has been learned to date, what questions remain and how this project developed to include research on Saw-whet Owls. Held at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. directions Please Note: All are welcome to attend the YCAS board … Continue reading →
Originally scheduled for March 19; postponed due to weather. YCAS member, traveler, and birder Marie Jordan will help us vicariously experience Cuba and its birdlife. While her emphasis is on birds, we will also learn about the beautiful locations these unique birds are found, and get fascinating glimpses of the old city, American relic cars and the Cuban countryside. Held at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. directions Please Note: All are welcome to attend the YCAS board meeting, which will begin at 5pm before the member program.
Continue reading →Leader: Andy Aldrich Target: Early Fall migrants The Sanford Sewer Ponds are one of the most productive sites in Southern Maine for viewing all types of waterfowl and other birds attracted to the surrounding habitat. Over 200 bird species have been seen here. Please sign in at the headquarters building when you arrive. Contact: Joanne Stevens 883-6475
Continue reading →Leader: Bob and Anne Watson Target: Upland Sandpiper, sparrows. As described by Bob Duchesne in The Maine Birding Trail, “This remnant is home to breeding grassland species found almost nowhere else in the state, including Grasshopper and Vesper Sparrows, Upland Sandpiper, Prairie Warblers, Eastern Towhees, Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks and Brown Thrashers.” Meet: Parking area along Route 99 Contact: Bob and Anne 251-1135
Continue reading →Leader: Sue Bickford Target: Butterflies, Dragonflies, Damselflies, and birds Contact: Julie Suchecki 510-1323
Continue reading →Leader: Joe Scott Target: Yellow-throated Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Meet: Store at intersection of Routes 113 and 160 Contact: Doug Hitchcox 671-0185
Continue reading →Leader: Scott Cronenweth Contacts: Bob and Anne Watson 251-1135 Target: Migrants Meeting Place: Bufflehead’s Restaurant, Hills Beach
Continue reading →Download the Winter 2013 issue of The Harlequin.
Continue reading →Leader: David Rankin Timber Point is a part of the Rachel Carson NWR, located at the mouth of the Little River. It contains a diverse array of habitats, including salt marsh, rocky shoreline, sheltered coves, freshwater swamp, and forest, and provides great habitat for a variety of birds. Waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, sparrows and other early migrants will be in evidence. The trail is about 3/4 mile long and is an easy walk. There is a spur leading out to a small island that is accessible at low tide only. Meet at Buffleheads Restaurant on Hills Beach. We will car pool … Continue reading →
Leader: David Doubleday Meet at Dunkin Donuts on the corner of Haley Road and Route 1 in Kittery. We will discuss our plans then carpool, looking for raptors, ducks, winter specialties, and spring arrivals. Contact: Dave 207 205-4041 if you plan to attend or have questions.
Continue reading →Meet at the Cliff House in Ogunquit. Leader: Mike Windsor Contact: Pat Moynahan 284-5487
Continue reading →This field trip was originally scheduled for February 9, but was postponed. This field trip will explore the Saco River area in Saco and various spots on the river out to Camp Ellis. We will be looking for white-winged gulls, Barrow’s Goldeneyes, other sea ducks, and whatever land species can be found along the Saco River Walk. We will meet at the Saco Transportation Center and will plan, after doing the River Walk, to car pool. Please check with the contact person if the weather seems at all unsuitable. Contact: Pat Sanborn (sanborn@gwi.net) 781-9837
Continue reading →On November 3rd, Andy Aldrich and Ken Janes found a Northern Lapwing at the Tuckahoe Turf Farm in Berwick. The bird was observed first around 10:50am and was last seen as it flew of towards the southwest at 12:30pm. I believe this is only the second record for Maine; one was collected in December 1927 in Aroostook County. Here are a few notes from Andy on birding Tuckahoe Turf Farm: NEVER DRIVE ON THE GRASS, OR PARK ON GRASS. Birders and walkers are welcomed to come and walk any where you wish to. You may drive on all the roads, … Continue reading →
Andrew Aldrich to maine-birds… Sanford Sewage Plant, York, US-ME Oct 18, 2012 11:20 AM – 12:40 PM The LALO was near the fence to the right of the gate into the ponds, one half the distance to the power pole.
Continue reading →Download the Autumn 2012 issue of The Harlequin.
Continue reading →Join Andrew Aldrich for waterbirds, sparrows, warblers, and more.
Continue reading →Join Doug Hitchcox at the Scarborough Marsh for a morning of birding. We will be walking the trails of the marsh and the Pine Point area looking for early migrating birds on their way south. Moderate walking. Meet at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center located on Route 9 / Pine Point Rd, Scarborough. For more info contact Doug Hitchcox at 207-671-0185.
Continue reading →Twelve adults and two young folks (Sue Bickford’s grandchildren) met at 9 am at the Savage Preserve in South Berwick for our bejeweled and bedazzled walk. Thank goodness for the young folks. They caught the majority of the butterflies and dragonflies for Sue to identify. The Calico Pendants amazed us with their orange saddlebags, red faces, and wing dots. The butterflies of the day included Cloudless Sulfurs, American Copper, Monarch nectaring on milkweed, one of the Blues, Common Wood Nymph, and Silver-spotted Skipper. Birds included Chipping Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Common Yellowthroat, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, a family of … Continue reading →
Download the summer 2012 issue of The Harlequin.
Continue reading →Enjoy birding at one of York County’s finest birding spots, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve at historic Laudholm Farm. Meet the leader in the parking lot at 7:30 am and plan to spend at least a couple of hours on the trails. More information at the Wells Reserve website.
Continue reading →2012FT+M
Continue reading →Download Spring 2012 Harlequin newsletter (8 MB PDF) Contents include: Birding Challenge For the Sake of the Birds: Get Involved A Piping Plover Experience What Exactly Does York County Audubon Do? Hog Island Scholarship Winner Get Current, Get Organized, Get eBird Winter Wildlife Day February Field Trip The Saco River in Winter Birding Patch: Highland Farm Preserve Laudholm Summer Bird Walks Etymology: Red-winged Blackbird Program Meetings and Field Trips
Continue reading →Join leader Rob Speirs on a quest to see as many birds in Cumberland County as we can. Meet at the Saco Park-n-Ride, on Industrial Park Rd, off of exit 1 on I-95 at 7:30 to car pool. Contact Bob Watson 207-251-1135
Continue reading →Download The Harlequin, Winter 2012
Continue reading →Meet at 7 am at the store at the intersection of Routes 113 and 160 in East Brownfield. Lisa Thurston will lead us in exploring this unique habitat till noon. Information and Updates Marie Jordan 207-799-1408
Continue reading →Join long-time Maine birder Bill Hancock in exploring the beautiful Intervale Marshes of New Gloucester in search of some of the reclusive species characteristic of southern Maine’s freshwater wetlands, such as Virginia Rail, Sora, American Bittern, and Marsh Wren. You’ll see a lot of other birds as well in this wonderful habitat designated as a state Important Bird Area. Wear waterproof boots, as the morning dew in these lowlands can be heavy. We’ll meet at 7 am in New Gloucester and spend the morning there and possibly some other nearby spots. Meeting Place and Additional Details Bill Grabin 207-985-3342 grabin@roadrunner.com … Continue reading →
Mather Auditorium, Wells Reserve at Laudholm Presented by Evan Adams, Migratory Bird Program Director at the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) in Gorham We are aware that mercury is a pollutant. But what do we know about its effects on wildlife? The BRI has recently summarized a decade’s worth of research on mercury contamination in songbirds and bats in the Northeast in a report called Hidden Risk. Evan will discuss how mercury gets into the environment and what the results mean for birds of conservation concern in the Northeast. You’re invited: All members are welcome at the YCAS board meeting, which … Continue reading →
Mather Auditorium, Wells Reserve at Laudholm All are welcome to the YCAS board meeting, to be held at 5pm before the monthly program. A film by Shawn Carey and Jim Grady of Migration Productions. Each year millions of shorebirds make an amazing round-trip journey between the Northern and Southern hemisphere. Migration Productions’ newest video, “Epic Journeys,” looks at three shorebird species—Red Knot, Piping Plover and Semipalmated Sandpiper—and the challenges these species face during each of their monumental annual treks. Interviews and footage were shot on Plymouth Beach MA, the Bay of Fundy in Canada, and Cape May NJ. Migration Productions … Continue reading →
Mather Auditorium, Wells Reserve at Laudholm We all remember when some aspect of bird behavior caught our attention. Naturalist, educator and registered Maine Guide Mike Shannon will illustrate ways that knowledge of basic bird behavior enhances our understanding of birds and aids us in identification. Mike is retired from Unity College where he taught ornithology. A former director of the Audubon Ecology Camp in Maine (Hog Island), he has also served as master naturalist for the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Mike has a long history of sharing his passion and enthusiasm for things natural and we know you will enjoy his … Continue reading →
Join Doug Hitchcox at the Church on the Cape, Cape Porpoise, to find out about eBird. Submit your sightings. Contribute to science. Please call Dave Doubleday if you plan to attend. 967-4486
Continue reading →The Highland Farm Preserve recently opened to the public after being conserved by York Land Trust. Bird the shrublands, forest edge, fields, and marsh habitats with Lyman Page. Meet at the Highland Farm parking area on Route 91 in York. Hosted by York Land Trust. Reservations are requested. For more information, visit the York Land Trust website.
Continue reading →York County Audubon teams up with the Center for Wildlife and the Wells Reserve at Laudholm to celebrate wildlife and their habitats! Join us for lots of family fun with live animal presentations (10am and 12pm), tracking walks (11am and 1pm), and a wildlife project to take home. Explore the trails and treasures of the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. Bring skis, sleds, and snowshoes if you have them! Visit the Wells Reserve at Laudholm website for directions.
Continue reading →Mather Auditorium, Wells Reserve at Laudholm Did you know Maine’s most diverse waterbird colony sits right in Saco Bay, at Stratton Island? Do you know how YCAS supports this program? Paula Shannon, Seabird Sanctuary Manager for the National Audubon Society’s Seabird Restoration Program, will discuss the bird life of Stratton Island and how the National Audubon Society works to protect and enhance waterbird populations on the island. Learn about research currently taking place on Stratton Island, as well as plans for the future. Paula has spent numerous field seasons studying birds and living and working on islands, from Maine to … Continue reading →
Derek and Jeannette Lovitch of Freeport Wild Bird Supply spent 3 weeks in November 2010 on a boat touring the islands of the southern ocean and the Antarctic Peninsula. Join us for a multimedia presentation of their voyage which included the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Orkney Islands, and Antarctic Peninsula. Enjoy penguins, albatrosses, seals, icebergs, and so much more! This program follows the YCAS Annual Meeting, which will be held at the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust headquarters at 53 Gravelly Brook Road. It’s a little tricky to find, but worth it. We hope you will join us. Schedule 6:45 pm … Continue reading →
Marie Jordan is a popular presenter of bird programs. She is an enthusiastic York County Audubon board member who spends hours in the field with binoculars, telescope, and camera. Her photos are fantastic and she will share her extensive knowledge of birds. In her spare time Marie travels extensively. Just back from a trip to Cuba, she will tell us of birds she has seen all over the world but she will also help us learn more ways to enjoy local birds and birding. We meet in Mather Auditorium, Wells Reserve at Laudholm
Continue reading →Stephanie Martin is the programs coordinator for the non-profit Friends of Maine Seabird Islands. Learn how volunteers work with the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge in its efforts to conserve, protect, and enhance a rich diversity of coastal habitats, seabirds, and other wildlife. Think puffins, terns, razorbills, guillemots, and other seabirds! Since the refuge lands are largely offshore islands that are closed to the public during nesting season, this is a great opportunity to find out what they’re like. We meet in Mather Auditorium, Wells Reserve at Laudholm.
Continue reading →Thanks, Daniel Gaucher, for producing this great video!
Continue reading →Chuck Homler leads a field trip along the Saco River. Meet at the railroad station parking lot on Saco Island at 8:30 a.m. to carpool. We will bird from Water St. to Camp Ellis until about 10:30 unless people want to continue later than that. Looking for Peregrine Falcon, Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers, etc. Start and end times subject to change FMI: Joanne Stevens 883-6475
Continue reading →Meeting location: Nubble Light, York Start and end times subject to change. FMI: Dave Doubleday (207) 205-4041 (C)
Continue reading →Field trip with Mike Windsor, naturalist at Maine Audubon. Meet at Nubble Light in York at 8 am and be prepared to carpool to hotspots along the southern coast—the Nubble, Cliff House, Marginal Way—continuing to Fortunes Rocks and Biddeford Pool if time permits. Contact Pat Sanborn.
Continue reading →This is great food for the birds that can be put out all year. Ingredients 1 Cup Lard (shortening may work if you cannot get lard) 1 Cup Peanut Butter Melt in pot large enough to stir in the following: 2 Cups of Oatmeal (regular – not instant) 2 Cups Cornmeal 1 Cup Flour 1/3 Cup Sugar Optional: Bird Seed Pour into a pan (8×8 is good) and refrigerate to solidify. Easier to remove if you line pan with wax paper then run hot water over bottom of pan to help it release. Cut into fourths to place in a … Continue reading →
The 2011-2012 Biddeford-Kennebunkport CBC will be held December 31. If you are interested in joining us, please contact count compiler Marie Jordan at 207-799-1408.
Continue reading →The 2011-2012 York County CBC will be held December 19. If you are interested in joining us, please contact count compiler Pat Moynahan at 284-5487.
Continue reading →The first egg was found during Memorial Day weekend. A Piping Plover egg on Hills Beach! What a treat for some of us that live on this sand spit in Saco Bay. We have waited for years. The young man who found the egg was very excited and shared the news with his mom who called Maine Audubon. We passed out pamphlets titled “How to Live with Endangered Species.” The stake and twine went up the next day and the enclosure followed very shortly. Mother Plover stayed around laying another three eggs for a total of four camouflaged spotted sand-colored … Continue reading →
Download the Autumn 2011 issue of our quarterly newsletter, The Harlequin.
Continue reading →Join Derek Lovitch for the annual Rarity Roundup in southern York County. Meet at the I-95 Kennebunk southbound rest area. FMI call Pat Moynahan at 284-5487.
Continue reading →Meet Andrew Aldrich at the plant office. FMI call Scott Richardson at 698-4461.
Continue reading →Join Doug Hitchcox at the trailhead south of the Audubon nature center. FMI call Al Hodson at 324-4528.
Continue reading →Birding with Marie Jordan at West Buxton Library 2011 from srctv on Vimeo.
Continue reading →Member meeting, Wells Reserve at Laudholm We laud John James Audubon for his remarkable work painting and describing all American bird species known in his era, but he was not the first person to undertake such a project. In this program Paul Wells of West Kennebunk will present an overview of the life of Alexander Wilson, whose own efforts to compile a comprehensive survey of American birds immediately preceded Audubon’s, and have been forever overshadowed by them. Wells will illustrate his talk with examples of Wilson’s art, as well as brief musical excerpts of tunes that Wilson — who is known … Continue reading →
Member meeting, Wells Reserve at Laudholm Located 12 miles off Mid-coast Maine, Monhegan Island has become a top destination for birders because of it beauty, amazing avian diversity and magnetism for rare birds. Join local birder Doug Hitchcox as he talks about how to bird the island and shares pictures tied to amazing stories from his experiences on the island.
Continue reading →As the coordinator for the American Oystercatcher Recovery Project, Shiloh Schulte is responsible for working with diverse partner organizations to identify and foster reserach and management programs that will aid the recovery of beach nesting species. His program will illustrate this exciting work.
Continue reading →The Friends of Hog Island are working to keep the much beloved Hog Island Camp thriving and to prevent the island from being sold to a commercial group. Anyone who has been to Hog Island knows it is a very special place that has changed lives including mine. Hog Island is many things to the people who have attended sessions there. When asked, some mention specific adventures such as the study of tide pools, the fantastic world renowned staff, the birds, etc. Others say “My life has been so much richer since I attended” or “The experience of Hog Island … Continue reading →
Paul Wells is a musician, writer, and photographer who retired to West Kennebunk in 2010 after serving for 25 years as the founding director of the Center for Popular Music at Middle Tennessee State University, in Murfreesboro. He grew up on a farm in Cummington, Massachusetts, and credits his late father, Francis, for instilling in him a lifelong interest in birds and the natural world in general. While in Tennessee he was active in the John W. Sellars chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society. In addition to being an active birder Wells has a strong interest in the history of … Continue reading →
Adapted from an article by Jessica Bloch. Rebecca Holberton was the presenter at our 2011 Annual Meeting. It was 8:10 on a mild, clear October 2009 morning on Metinic Island in Penobscot Bay, and a group of University of Maine researchers was already several hours into a shift collecting, banding and analyzing songbirds migrating off the Maine coast. During the fall and spring migration seasons University of Maine graduate student and bird bander Adrienne Leppold lives on Metinic Island off the Maine coast, conducting research there as part of the Northeast Regional Migration Monitoring Network. Through her research, supported by … Continue reading →
Brownfield Bog is located near the Maine/New Hampshire border in Brownfield, Maine. It is an ideal location for multiple state listers, lovers of pristine Maine woods, and searchers for specific target species. Without question it is one of the top birding spots of interior New England. Maintained by the State of Maine as the Brownfield Bog Wildlife Management Area, it is comprised of 5,700 acres of shallow wetlands that are bisected by the Saco River and interspersed with forested tracts. Spring migration and the early breeding season are ideal times to visit this site. York County Audubon sponsors a field … Continue reading →
Four YCAS members joined Mike Fahay on April 18 for an enjoyable jaunt through the Green Point Farm Wildlife Management Area. The field trip started dramatically when a large flock of Rusty Blackbirds zipped over us. In a stiff breeze, we wandered the area, finding some early warblers, getting excellent views of Bald Eagles, and spotting six species of ducks at various points on Merrymeeting Bay. We had a respectable total of 35 species, along with good conversation and fascinating wildlife information from Mike. His extensive knowledge of flora and fauna was truly impressive. This spot is well worth multiple … Continue reading →
Thursday, May 12, proved to be like so many other days this May — cloudy and chilly, with a biting northeast wind. Nine intrepid birders braved the conditions, in hope of viewing recently arrived migrants. It seems the northerly windflow may have hindered migratory progress; we saw only six species of warblers. Over a period of three hours, we were finally able to tease out a total of 37 species, including some new arrivals, such as Eastern Kingbird, Warbling Vireo, and Baltimore Oriole. Near the “beach,” we were treated with a pair of Eastern Bluebirds, which appear to be nesting nearby. … Continue reading →
Ah yes! It seems the summer really has decided to come to Maine this year after all! And after our very snowy winter and soggy, gray spring we are ready. We are ready for time to relax and enjoy a vacation. But, wait! Our feathered friends are hard at work, settling in after their arduous trip back north, busy setting up home, preparing for and tending their new broods. It is no small task that is fraught with difficulties and peril. So what can we do to support their efforts and encourage success? Sometimes it is just the little things … Continue reading →
Nine teams numbering 20 birders took to the field on May 13th and 14th to raise funds in support of York County Audubon Conservation/Education efforts. We set records this year with numbers of folks in the field and total species seen: 170! Highlights of the day included a Barred Owl while snoozing by the Watsons, a mystery Blackbird that took lots of homework by Nancy Houlihan, and a several hundred bird flock of Brant geese lazing on the sea. The birders did their part — thanks to one and all. The pizza supplied by Alfredo’s of Wells was wonderful and unmatched — … Continue reading →
Good turnout for the walk at the Franciscan Monastery, Kennebunk!
Continue reading →At the (then) thermal nadir of the season sixteen thermally challenged troopers (as it turned out), attracted as moths to light to the instructive birding of Eric Hynes, joined him January 15 after navigating to The Nubble through Arctic smoke and sea fog at subzero temperatures. We flapped arms and rolled up collars while checking out the usual marine suspects around the light for a while, before Eric began to institute his program for keeping us thawed. Such a benign beginning: we thought his plan stopped at wind-breaks and automobile heaters with quick stops at sheltered feeders just inside The … Continue reading →
Dear Ms. Zimmerman, I would like to thank you and the York County Audubon Society for the June Ficker Memorial College Fund. So far school has been going well for me, and in particular I have found a lot of interest for my terrestrial wildlife and wetland conservation classes. My professor, Dr. Perlut, is very interested in birds himself, and has been banding Savannah Sparrows in Vermont for the last nine years. I hope to work with him this summer conducting bird count surveys along the Saco River. I am also looking forward to taking a class on bird banding, … Continue reading →
The American Ornithologists’ Union published the 51st supplement to its check-list of North American Birds in July of 2010. Here is a brief summary of the changes of interest to ABA birders. The updated AOU checklist, now with 2070 species, can be found at www.aou.org/checklist/north. The following splits affected ABA area birds: Black Scoter (Melanitta nigra) was split into American and Eurasian Species. The American species retains the common name Black Scoter (M. americana) and the Eurasian Scoter becomes Common Scoter (M. nigra). The Eurasian species has not yet been reported in the ABA Area. Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus) was split … Continue reading →
Each summer aerial dramas help define the sights and sounds of New England’s agricultural landscape. Male bobolinks, jet black with a bright yellow nape and white tuxedo-like markings on their backs, soar into the air singing so wildly they almost seem confused and then land like butterflies on the tall grass. Female bobolinks, golden and bronze, sleek, with delicate stripes on top of their heads, like to test their mates and neighbors, making a whine-like call and rocketing into the sky to see which male can keep pace. Unfortunately, these dramas are acted out less and less each summer. According … Continue reading →
Did you know that the majority of the York County Audubon financial outreach is supported by our Birding Challenge Fund Raiser. We support great relationships with The Center for Wildlife, The Puffin Project, the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, and other York County conservation organizations. Because of these relationships we can offer exciting community based programs like our “Winter Wildlife Day,” our Piping Plover Educational Program, and we can enjoy a beautiful spot for our Annual Dinner. The 2011 Birding Challenge will happen on the 13th & 14th of May. We search for birds from 5:00pm on May 13th and complete our … Continue reading →
Change is in the air! The days are getting longer, the snow is leaving for another year, and the temperature is rising. Best of all, early arrivals signal the coming of spring and the beginning of migration. It’s the time of the year for which we have been eagerly waiting. As we enjoy another season of being out delighting in the sights and sounds of spring and the beauty of Maine, we are encouraged to take stock of our accomplishments and the challenges that face us. During school vacation week, YCAS co-sponsored a Winter Wildlife Day with the Wells Reserve … Continue reading →
On February 24th the auditorium at the Wells Reserve was filled with the sounds of joyful kids and thankful parents, Yes, it was our Winter Wildlife Day! We cosponsored this event with the Center for Wildlife and the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. A total of 106 individuals of which over half were children attended the morning session for the Center for Wildlife presentation. This well received live animal show included a Red-tailed Hawk, a Barred Owl, and Edna the albino porcupine. Kids and parents were delighted with these guests, as confirmed by their many pertinent questions and their quiet, respectful … Continue reading →
I had a call at at 8:30 this morning. It was my 7-year-old granddaughter excitedly telling me that they had a Barred Owl in their yard (Maine woods)… right then! She wanted me to bring her little Peterson bird book over that I started for her, so she could put a Barred Owl in it. I did, and gave her a little notebook to write in, since she is now learning to read and write. I was nearly 50 before I was introduced to birding, thanks to the Beaver Lake Nature Center near me in central New York. So, here … Continue reading →
Our annual meeting will be held at the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, 7 Gravelly Brook Road, Kennebunkport. 6:45pm: Annual Business Meeting 7:00pm: Social Time & Refreshments 7:30pm: Program — Songbird Migration in the Gulf of Maine: Past, Present, and Future For our program, Rebecca Holberton and Adrienne Leppold from the University of Maine Laboratory of Avian Biology will help us to see how what happens in the Gulf of Maine affects us, our birds, and other wildlife. One of the nation’s leading bird biologists, Rebecca Holberton, and her graduate student Adrienne Leppold have discovered a ton of new information about Maine’s songbird … Continue reading →
Phippsburg writer, gardener and natural history photographer Robin Robinson will entertain us with beautiful photos and video of birds, beasts, wildflowers and natural history she has taken in Maine. The program will include a smattering of hints and techniques for those who would like to get better photos. Robin’s photographs have been in numerous publications. On Open Salon.com, her combined work has earned Editor’s Pick several times and has been selected three times for the prestigious Maine Photography Show. Select photographic prints will be available for sale after the program. robins-chaos.blogspot.com
Continue reading →Meet Paul Dest at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm to experience the aerial courtship display sometimes called the “sky dance.” Registration required at 646-1555 $5 members, $7 non-members
Continue reading →Internationally known for his amazing photos of the night sky, Kirk Rogers also takes beautiful photos of birds and wildlife. Please join us for a talk about birding with lenses and observing the heavens with cameras and telescopes. Kirk’s photos will help us appreciate our place in the grand scheme of the universe. kiroastro.com
Continue reading →How do we explain the disappearance of Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and other birds of our farmlands? Dr. Noah Perlut will explore the life histories of resident grassland species and discuss how their ecology is affected by agricultural management. He will also describe diverse management options that can benefit both land managers and birds.
Continue reading →As indicated by others, the health and vitality of York County Audubon depends upon the commitment of officers and board members as well as the membership at large. We need everyone if we are to achieve our mission of fostering understanding, appreciation, and conservation of the natural world through education. No one person, or even a few, can address all the opportunities for resource conservation and respond to the environmental challenges present in today’s fast paced world, much less do them justice. Fortunately, new board members have come forward to assume leadership roles. We welcome Linda Eastman as our new … Continue reading →
York County Audubon would like to thank all those who pledged toward the 2010 Birding Challenge. Due to their generosity, YCAS is pleased to make these disbursements: $1500 Stratton Island Internship $750 The Center for Wildlife $750 The Nature Conservancy — to help support the repair to the boardwalk at the Saco Heath $500 The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust — to supply the bird feeders York County Audubon thanks the businesses who helped make the 2010 Birding Challenge a success: Alfredo’s Italian Pizzeria, Wells B & B Burner Service, Biddeford Bluethroat Birdtours LLC, Sierra Vista, Arizona Bob & Mike’s Mini Mart, … Continue reading →
Monica Grabin is a musician and educator. She is the creator of historical programs called “Singing History,” which she has presented for thousands of students and many libraries, museums and other organizations throughout New England since 1986. These programs use authentic songs and stories to teach about many aspects of American history. She is a featured artist with the Maine Arts Commission’s Touring Artists and Arts in Education Programs, and the New England Foundation for the Arts. She is also an avid birder and amateur naturalist. She and her husband, Bill, have spent countless hours in the Maine woods and … Continue reading →
Stratton Island is special! It is York County’s most northerly island and is the only island managed by Project Puffin in York County for tern survival. YCAS visited the island July 31 and six participants enjoyed spectacular looks at Common, Roseate, Least and Arctic Terns. The magic of being on an island dominated by tern sounds versus the busy sounds of summer cannot be given enough press. What a respite from the mainland! Our Birding Challenge contributions to Project Puffin made this field trip possible. Thanks to all who contributed as well as the island researchers who made difficult logistics … Continue reading →