We woke up this morning to the thin, quivery whistles of the “Old Sam Peabody” song of one of the two White-throated Sparrows that have made it through the entire winter in our yard. The songs were not the strong, perfect version that we all know as a quintessential sound of summer in Maine but Read More
Mindfulness Birding: Our Maine Big Year
Mindfulness birding. That’s how we’re describing our Maine Big Year. The Natural Resources Council of Maine has worked hard to protect many beautiful areas throughout Maine, covering a range of habitats that are important to hundreds of species of birds that breed in our state or pass through during migration. Maine is a terrific place Read More
Maine Bird Enthusiasts: Let’s Bird Hard for the Great Backyard Bird Count
With the Great Backyard Bird Count taking place Friday (Feb. 15) through Monday (Feb. 18), we bird enthusiasts—and we know there are many among supporters of the Natural Resources Council of Maine—have a great excuse to get out (or stay in!) for some extra birding. That’s because the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) invites everyone, Read More
Celebrating National Wild Bird Feeding Month
Millions of Americans – ourselves included – enjoy feeding and watching birds up close. In celebration of these fascinating creatures and the activity that provides us with an opportunity to get to know, February is National Wild Bird Feeding Month. We thought we’d celebrate it with members and supporters of the Natural Resources Council of Read More
Pine Siskins, Year of the Bird Ambassadors
As we near the end of the 2018 Year of the Bird celebration that commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the famed Migratory Bird Treaty and its implementing legislation in the U.S. and Canada, it is well that we think of the future of a bird like the Pine Siskin whose populations know no human political Read More
A “Winter Finch” Holiday for Birders
For birders, especially those of us here in Maine and the eastern U.S., a holiday of sorts is fast approaching. Bird enthusiasts anticipate it the way many youngsters look forward to Christmas morning. But this fine-feathered special occasion takes place just once every two years or so. Staffers at the Natural Resources Council of Maine Read More
Squirrel Booms and Passenger Pigeons in the Year of the Bird
A time of abundance is often an opportunity to reflect, especially during the Year of the Bird, a special name given to 2018 in celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the signing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that has helped keep many bird species from becoming extinct. This month, we’re putting the spotlight on Read More
Postcard from Vienna, Austria in the Year of the Bird
Since Jeff has just returned from a conference abroad, we decided to share his experience and perspective with readers of our column. Members of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) have seen firsthand the power of working with like-minded allies. The recently completed Penobscot River Restoration Project is a great example. NRCM, a founding member Read More
To Brazil and Back: Nighthawk Migration Revealed
Birders in Maine have recently begun noting the first pulses of southbound, migrating Common Nighthawks. In fact, staff at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) could very well see one while leaving the office in Augusta after a long day! Based on checklists submitted to eBird, the online database housed at our old stomping Read More
