Community science is a fast-growing approach of engaging people in nature and getting big, important data to scientists and decision-makers. Rather than relying on a few scientists to collect data, which is a huge and time-consuming task, community science projects utilize an army of volunteers with varying level of familiarity with science – from kindergarteners Read More
protecting Maine wildlife
Critter Chatter – Release Updates
Although spring always brings admissions of injured, sick and newly orphaned wildlife to the Wildlife Care Center, May and June are also the months that find Don and his volunteers releasing rehabbed critters back to the fields and woods where they belong. The animals have depended upon human assistance to regain their health or simply Read More
Critter Chatter – Vicious Vermin or Rodent Regulator?
You never know what you’ll find in Don Cote’s living room at the Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center. When I visited him a few weeks ago to decide on a topic for this month’s article, and as soon as I walked in, I knew what it would be: weasels. I’ve never seen one in the Read More
Avian Flu and Maine Birds
As we’ve been talking to friends and meeting fellow birders along the trails, two words seem to be making it into our conversations: avian flu. While we humans have been dealing with the tragic implications of COVID-19, birds have been dealing with their own deadly virus. It’s called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). For more Read More
Exploring Maine’s Beaches in the Offseason
For most people, “beach season” is a very specific time of year in Maine: that luxurious four-month spell of warm weather from June to September when the sun convinces visitors to brave the icy bite of the Gulf of Maine. For some more intrepid recreationists, the off-season holds promise for surfing as winter swells bring Read More
Critter Chatter – An April Reminder
When visiting at the Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center a couple of weeks ago, I asked Don Cote if he had any thoughts about what we should submit for the April column. Without missing a beat, he said spring is the time we need to alert people that not all young animals that appear lost Read More
New Law Will Expand Maine’s Ecological Reserve System
Maine Audubon and Natural Resources Council of Maine news release A bill that will expand Maine’s network of ecological reserves to protect more habitat for the state’s rich array of plants, animals, and other species was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills on Tuesday March 29, 2022. State-owned ecological reserves cover less than 1% Read More
Expansion of Maine’s Ecological Reserve System
A bill that will expand the Maine Ecological Reserve System and thereby better protect the state’s natural habitats and resources was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills on March 29th, 2022. This law, titled An Act To Enhance the Ecological Reserve System, enables Maine’s Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) to add to its Read More
Critter Chatter – Preparing for Spring
While the recent signs of an early spring encourage most of us to anxiously look forward to warmer days and more outside activities, this time of year is one of mixed emotions for Don Cote and the volunteers at Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center. These last weeks of winter still require shoveling, plowing, and sanding; Read More
