This year, 2018, marks the 100-year anniversary of the signing of our own Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It’s because of this treaty that many bird species—including some for which Maine is well known—are still with us. In fact, without the MBTA, species such as the Common Eider and Wood Duck likely would have disappeared from Read More
Protecting Wildlife
Maine Puffins on the Rebound
by Fred Bever Maine Public news story Scientists have been closely watching puffin populations in the Gulf of Maine in recent years, in an effort to restore the species on certain islands. This summer, puffins and other seabird populations appear to have rebounded, but are still facing a threat from predation. Dr. Steven Kress is Read More
Belfast Council Scraps Plastic Bag Fee Idea, Eyes Stronger Ban
By Nick McCrea, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story BELFAST, Maine — Deeming their first plan too weak, the Belfast City Council has mothballed a proposed fee on single-use plastic bags and instead wants to consider an outright ban. “We were not brave enough in our initial approach,” Councilor Eric Sanders said during a Read More
Federal Endangered Species Act Targeted for Constraints
For many creatures, their saving grace was the 1973 law that some congressional Republicans now would like to relax, if not put to bed. by Darryl Fears Washington Post news story The federal Endangered Species Act has been called the world’s gold standard for environmental protection. Passed in 1973, it strengthened earlier federal protections for Read More
Agreement Calls for Dam Removal, Fish Passage on Presumpscot in Westbrook
An agreement between Sappi Fine Paper and conservation groups is intended to improve passage for river herring, shad and other fish in the Presumpscot River. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Sappi Fine Paper has agreed to remove dams and improve fish passage along the Presumpscot River in Westbrook under an Read More
Obama Creates What Could Be The Last Large National Park Site On The East Coast, In Maine
By Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis, staff writers Washington Post news story President Obama designated a large swath of Maine’s North Woods as a new national monument Wednesday, creating what is likely to be the last large new national park ever established on the East Coast. In a statement, the White House said the move Read More
Windham Middle School Students Observe the Birds!
Check out the next installment of Windham Middle School’s Bird Blog! Each student in their three observation groups has been making careful observations at Windham’s new bird feeder stations! Tayshawn~ This week we have not seen any birds but we have been looking at the bird cams. We saw a lot of Hairy and Downy Read More
Celebrating Birds and Birders
By Jeff and Allison Wells Boothbay Register column On Saturday morning, May 16, we led a bird walk at Acadia National Park, a special Natural Resources Council of Maine event planned to honor the park’s centennial, and to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD). IMBD was created to highlight the fact that birds know no Read More
A May Daydream
By Jeff and Allison Wells Boothbay Register column Now that the season has crept into May, the trickle of migrant birds returning north is gaining strength and moving closer to the wave that will arrive by mid-May. Already, birders from across Maine are reporting their first-of-year rose-breasted grosbeaks and black-throated green warblers and great-crested flycatchers. Read More
