Habitat - Summer 2023 : simplebooklet.com

MOVING TO VOTES After the hearing, we weigh in on any amendments that are needed, and then, if things go well, begin the process of working to educate the rest of the legislature about the bill before a full vote. Sometimes that work happens with just a few days’ notice, and must be completed for each of the dozens of individual bills we’re actively engaging with.It’s a long and dicult process, but we’re proud to do it. The busiest legislative months—April through June—coincide with the publication dates for Habitat, so it’s dicult to get updates into print. For up-to-the-minute information, and to nd out how to join our Advocacy Alert system, visit maineaudubon.org/advocacy. Sign up for alerts and we’ll email you with regular summaries of our legislative action and let you know when your voice means the most. Follow us on Twitter at @MaineAudubon for real-time updates straight from the State House. We’ll be back in Habitat with a full legislative report in the fall, including updates on legislation with loons, endangered species, a new state buttery, climate action and renewable energy, and more. PREPARING FOR THE SESSIONThe First Regular Session of the 131st Maine Legislature began Dec. 7, 2022, and is scheduled to run through June 29, 2023. Before and during the session, Maine Audubon sta are hard at work helping to craft bills. On our own or in coordination with partners, we draft legislative language, identifying exactly how existing law needs to be changed to accomplish our goals. We work with legislators who share our goals, want to sponsor these bills, and will submit a bill or bills to the Maine Legislature for its consideration.Thousands of bills are introduced each session—more than 2,100 individual bills this session!—including ones that would weaken protections for Maine wildlife. Our advocacy sta diligently combs through notices of new bills and identies bills we must defend against, in addition to supporting our own priorities. PUBLIC HEARINGS Getting legislation passed takes a lot of work. Once a bill is submitted (or even before it is submitted) we identify and educate potential stakeholders and receive feedback from potential opposition. That dialogue builds to the bill’s Public Hearing, which means drafting testimony, organizing others to testify, educating legislators on the bill’s designated Committee, and working to ensure Maine Audubon members and supporters, and the press, if necessary, are aware of the bill and its importance. 3SUMMER 2023 • MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT

Page 4

That’s a Whole Lot of LeadThis spring, we were able to collect a total of 31 lbs, 13.1 oz between the three Sportsmen Shows for an estimated total 2,050 pieces of lead shing tackle! Augusta pulled in the most with 30 lbs, 4 oz, almost 2000 pieces; Orono had 15.7 oz, 27 pieces; and Presque Isle brought in 9.4 oz, 22 pieces. One big misconception about lead tackle that we heard a lot at these shows: “You can’t buy lead tackle these days anyways in Maine.” WRONG! Lead tackle is still being sold throughout the state. The only lead tackle that is banned for sale in the state is the small sizes—sinkers and bare jig heads 2.5 inches or less in length or 1 ounce or less in weight. It can be easily overlooked and end up in your tackle box. Be sure to take a close look when you’re purchasing tackle and remember lead poisoning is one of the leading causes of death for adult Common Loons in Maine. Our Conservation team received lots of great feedback from the hosts of the shows, vendors, and attendees and were able to get the lead out, educate about the lead tackle law, promote the use of biodegradables, and educate about properly securing soft plastic lures.More: ﬁshleadfree.org/meWhat’s the Buzz About?What’s going on with insect populations? A few years ago, we heard the news that insect populations were in decline, possibly even crashing and it seemed like the “insect apocalypse” was here. Concerned, Maine Audubon gathered local insect experts and pulled together long-term datasets to see if we could identify population trends occurring in Maine. We found that it really depends on what kinds of insects you’re looking at, where the surveys were conducted and in what habitats, and how the habitat had changed over time. Now we’re diving in again and joining more than 100 researchers across the continent to examine how climate change may be aecting insect abundance, and how we can better design future studies to answer basic questions about how insect populations change over time. As part of the North American Insect Abundance Network, we set up collection tents called Malaise Traps in May at the Gilsland Farm, Fields Pond, and Hamilton sanctuaries to collect ying insects, which will be weighed and identied along with other samples from all across North America. We look forward to sharing what we nd here in Maine and how it helps us understand what’s happening across North America. Stay tuned for more exciting “bug” news!More: maineaudubon.org/insectsNEWS & NOTESConservationMalaise Traps like this one, set up in Lynchburg, VA, were set up at three Maine Audubon locations this spring to collect insects. Lead collected at the three shows. Many of these packages contain over hundreds of small lead sinkers and jigs.Photo: Danielle Radke4MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT • SUMMER 2023

Page 5

We are so excited to have the Piping Plovers back on local beaches! Endangered in the state of Maine, these birds require plenty of space in order to build their nests and raise their families. Human disturbance, roaming dogs, and wandering cats are among the top threats to their survival. Fortunately, there are many ways for people to contribute to conservation eorts to help these birds.This year, local pet owners will have the opportunity to take our Pets for Plovers pledge, and show their love of Maine’s wildlife with complementary dog bandanas and other gear. Members of the Pets for Plovers team pledge to spend quality time with pets away from beaches when possible, leash dogs on beaches where they are allowed, and provide an indoor-only lifestyle for cats—this keeps our pets and the plovers safe! Cats are exposed to a number of deadly threats in the outdoors, including other cats, foxes and other predators, vehicles, harsh weather, and disease, just to name a few! Luckily, there are many wonderful strategies cat-owners can use to give their feline family members an adventurous, enriching, and safe life, all PETSFORPLOVERSPETSFORPLOVERS.ORGPhoto: Sarah Geislerwithin the walls of their home.Piping Plovers can only nest on broad, sandy beaches. While spotting one on the beach can be a special and exciting experience, plovers are best viewed from a distance of at least 100 feet due to their sensitive nature. Even dogs who do not attack wildlife can split up plover families. While many beach-goers can identify a dog who is friendly and gentle, plovers cannot! To a Piping Plover, any dog, cat, or human who comes too close is seen as a deadly threat to themselves and their babies. Parent plovers are frightened into leaving their eggs or their chicks, or waste precious energy reserves trying to ee from the threat.Pet owners are an integral part of our conservation efforts. For more information on how you can simultaneously care for your pet and help endangered species, visit petsforplovers.org. Follow us on Instagram @mainecoastalbirdsproject for updates on our local Piping Plover population and Pets for Plovers resources.More: petsforplovers.orgTake the Pets for Plovers Pledge5SUMMER 2023 • MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT

Page 6

NEWS & NOTESEducationFields Pond Celebrates 25 YearsMaine Audubon opened Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden in 1998, making this our silver anniversary summer! In four dierent decades, Maine Audubon and Penobscot Valley Audubon Chapter have partnered to serve our shared mission in the Bangor area at this incred-ible 229-acre wildlife sanctuary and education center. We will be celebrating all summer long with special events, new programs, and announcements about what the next 25 years and beyond will hold. We’ll top things o in late August with a special gathering of friends and supporters, and a public celebration for all ages at the Fields Pond Buttery Festival on Saturday, August 26. More: maineaudubon.org/ﬁeldspondMaine Audubon is pleased to welcome Jane Affleck Fitz as our new Community-Based Education Programs Manager. Jane and her young family recently relocated to Portland from Seattle, WA. She has rich experience teaching STEM, lead-ing ecology field trips, guiding wilderness adventures, and being a school admin-istrator. Jane will oversee our programs in Portland, Lewiston, and beyond, working closely with Portland Public Schools, Learning Works, and Maine Community Integration. This summer, you’ll find Jane teaching ecology and leading hab-itat stewardship activities with Portland Youth Corps, Sprout Lewiston, and the Portland Public Schools Summer Language Academy.New & Expanded Programs for SummerAfter a few years which included a pandemic, a steady increase in demand for our properties and programs, and a cautious return to some semblance of normalcy, Maine Audubon education programs are once again bursting as we return to maximum capacity, as well as new oerings, sta, and resources this summer. Look for more naturalist-led walks, talks, and trips, especially at and around our four Centers—Gilsland Farm, Fields Pond, Scarborough Marsh, and Borestone Mountain. We’re also thrilled to be expanding our partnership with L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Programs, and also collaborating on their Summer in the Park series.Welcome New Community Programs ManagerJane Aeck Fitz

Page 7

SanctuariesAnnouncing Brush with Nature 2023Making meaningful connections to and with nature through art has always been a priority for us. This summer, we invite you to get creative and join us at one of our centers for Brush with Nature 2023! We’ll have Maker Days at three centers in July and August, Brush with Nature workshops, and a juried art show and sale in October. Twenty juried artists will create works at one of the Maine Audubon sanctuaries over the summer, and the work will be on display and for sale at a fundraising event in the fall. More: maineaudubon.org/artProperties Department ExpandingVisitors to our sanctuaries may see some new faces this summer as the Properties Department welcomes two new sta. The expansion of this department underlines our emphasis on meeting visitors’ needs and making our sanctuaries and physical spaces accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all visitors. Noah Gleason-Hart is stepping into a newly-created position of Land Steward. In this role, he will be responsible for implementing a land stewardship program across our sanctuaries, including active land management and volunteer engagement. He comes to Maine Audubon most recently from Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association where he worked as the Forestry Program Specialist. He has worked in a woody perennial nursery, as a forestry technician, as a wildland reghter, and as an apprentice for a horse logging operation! Check the website for volunteer stewardship opportunities he’ll be organizing this summer. Cullen Wegman is the new Grounds and Facilities Manager, responsible for property maintenance at Maine Audubon’s grounds, buildings, and associated structures. He comes to us from the City of South Portland’s Parks Department where he was a Seasonal Park Ranger and Senior Parks Maintainer. An artist who holds a bachelor’s degree in Studio Ceramics and a MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts, Cullen has an acute eye for detail and creativity that informs his approach to crafting natural landscapes. Please reach out to him if you’d like to get involved with stewardship at Gilsland Farm! Cullen WegmanNoah Gleason-Hart7SUMMER 2023 • MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT

Page 8

Est. 1983LOON COUNT40 Years and CountingBY SALLY STOCKWELLDirector of Conservation, Maine AudubonWith its distinctive and soulful call and dramatic red eye, the Common Loon has become one of Maine’s most iconic species. But there’s nothing common about it. lakes in the state. A statistically rigorous survey protocol was used to survey adults and chicks all across the state at a time when most loons would be o the nest and with chicks.Volunteers were recruited to survey the southern lakes by foot or boat between 7 and 7:30 am, on the third Saturday in July, and volunteer pilots were recruited to y aerial surveys for the northern lakes. Initially, the plan was to hold the count for three to ve years, to establish a baseline, then count every three to five years afterwards to track population trends and determine if loons were at risk. But the hardy volunteers would not be stopped! Since then, volunteers have headed out early on the third Saturday of July every year to count the number of both adults and chicks they nd on these and other lakes to help monitor population trends and spread the word about how to help these alluring birds thrive. IN FACT, back in the 1970s, loon populations across the Northeast were dwindling. Declines were documented in southern Maine due to loss of nesting habitat from shoreline development, an increase in human disturbance, and an increase in predators, and in 1977, these concerns gave birth to the Maine Loon Project. Volunteers started tracking loons on lakes in southern Maine, and Maine Audubon wildlife biologists worked to spread the word about the plight of these magical birds.But the problem also seemed to be spreading north. That’s why, in 1983, the Maine Loon Count was established in a partnership between Maine Audubon, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and the University of Maine. Two hundred lakes (100 south of Bangor, 100 north) were randomly selected from seven dierent lake size categories for monitoring as representative of the more than 6,000 8MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT • SUMMER 2023

Page 9

The dedication of these volunteers has gone far beyond just participating in the loon count, to include sharing outreach materials with friends, family, and lake association members; posting Look Out for Loons signs at boat ramps and high trac nest sites; collecting lead shing lures and monolament line; testifying in support of bills to reduce boat trac, wakes, lead shing tackle, and the spread of invasive aquatic plants on lakes; The Annual Loon Count is supported in part by the Spellissy Foundation and by a gift in honor and memory of Kathy Ann Saunders, a sensitive and ardent bird watcher, who loved all her “birdies” but had a special place in her heart for the cardinals of Virginia and the hummingbirds and Steller’s Jays of Colorado and who, during her summer and fall vacations to Maine, was captivated with observing the full life cycle of the Common Loons.Hear more from Loon Count volunteers in our specialLOON COUNT 40video! Use your smartphone camera to launch the video, or visit maineaudubon.org/looncountvideo.IN THEIR OWN WORDSJan Cutter is one of the original loon counters. She has counted loons on Pleasant Pond in Turner for every year of the loon count’s history. She says, “I am incredibly fortunate to have been involved with the preservation of these amazing birds which symbolize the wildness of the north. I applaud Maine Audubon for its stewardship in sustaining them here in this beautiful state of Maine. My husband Paul and I have been a team for 40+ years starting with the construction of our ﬁrst nest, counting the loons every year with our family, and monitoring their time on the pond. They know my voice and my kayak as I am on the pond several times a week. The pond is our sanctuary and I am their guest.” and, most recently, helping build and site loon nesting platforms to increase nesting success where needed.Fortunately, with 40 years of count data behind us, we can safely say the population is doing much better, with almost three times as many adults and 1.5 times as many chicks out on our lakes than when we rst started back in 1983—thanks in large part to the dedication of our loon counters.Photo: Gail Smith9SUMMER 2023 • MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT

Page 10

move to a new nesting site within their territory if, for instance, they’ve had low success at a site or the habitat has changed.Do loons mate for life?No, pair bonds last, on average, six to seven years. Pairs often change when a loon challenger takes over a territory or a mate doesn’t return to the territory after the winter. Therefore, loons can be said to engage in serial monogamy.How often do loons have chicks and how many do they have each year?Loons start to breed when they are about six years old. Once they have a territory and a mate, loons can potentially produce one brood of YOUR LOON QUESTIONS AnsweredOver the course of any given year, our loon biologists ﬁeld a lot of questions about loon biology, behavior, and migration patterns. As we count down to the 40th Annual Loon Count in July, we wanted to share answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions!chicks per year. Typically, they lay one to two eggs at a time and both parents incubate the eggs for about a month. Loons can re-nest if their rst nest isn’t successful, but they won’t produce more than a single brood in a season. On average, loon pairs successfully hatch and edge one chick every other year. At rst, chicks are completely dependent on their parents for food, but become self-reliant by 12 weeks of age. How long do loons live?Most common loons live to be about 20, but some die before then, and some live longer, with one doc-umented at 37 years old!Where do Maine loons go in the winter?Because our lakes freeze, Common Loons normally migrate in late fall to salty waters including coastal bays and coves, the mouths of coastal rivers, and sometimes even areas up to 60 miles oshore. Adults leave before their young and both will often gather in social groups before making their way to wintering grounds. Loons that breed on Maine’s lakes often don’t migrate very far, even overwinter-Do loons return to the same lake year after year, and nest in the same place every year?Once a chick edges and migrates to the coast for its first winter, it won’t return to lake breeding grounds until it’s two to ve years old. Then it may wander between lakes over a few breeding seasons before settling on a lake to breed—either the same lake where it was raised as a chick or one within a dozen miles of its natal lake. Once settled on a breeding territory, loons show high site fidelity—returning to the same lake each spring, year after year. Loons typically stick with the breeding territory until they lose to a chal-lenger. Loons will also use the same nesting site repeatedly, though may Photo: Kerry Woodbury10MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT • SUMMER 2023

Page 11

ing right off the coast of Maine. Some of Maine’s breeding loons do travel farther south, however, to overwintering sites in New Jersey, Maryland, and beyond. Wherever they travel, most will return to the same four to eight square mile area every winter.How do they adapt to being in a saltwater environment in winter?Loons likely do not drink saltwa-ter. However, they do have a salt gland above the eye that helps get rid of excess salt they ingest from feeding on marine sh, crabs, and other marine organisms. Is ﬂooding from boat wakes a threat to loon nesting success and chick survival?Because loons’ feet are located far back on their bodies, loons can’t walk on land. As a result, they nest right on the shoreline, which makes their nests vulnerable to ooding by boat wakes. Eggs can also be washed out of a nest by boat wakes. Every year people report eggs o the nest and oating in the water. Wakes are the most likely cause, although loons can sometimes knock their eggs into the water if they are alarmed and leave the nest quickly. To protect shorelines from erosion, all boaters in Maine are required to travel at headway speeds (non-wake-pro-ducing speeds) within 200 feet of shore or islands. This law helps protect wildlife from disturbance and loon nests from boat wakes. However, a recent study looking at a new type of motorcraft known as a wake boat or ballast boat, which produces a wake large enough to surf behind, found that a 500 foot distance from shore may be neces-sary to protect property and wildlife from these larger wakes.What is the present situation with loons and lead poisoning?Based on many years of data on causes of loon deaths in Maine, it appears that the number of lead poisoned loons is going down as a result of legal restrictions on the use and sale of certain sizes and weights of fishing tackle. Public outreach about lead poisoning from lead tackle and opportunities to turn in lead tackle have also contributed to the reduction in loon deaths from lead tackle. Yet, lead poisoning continues to be one of the leading causes of death for Common Loon adults in Maine. Additional steps and cooperation are needed to get lead out of tackle boxes and to curb the use of lead tackle purchased in other states and brought into Maine. Also, painted lead jigs are still legal in Maine even though paint does not protect loons from lead poisoning if ingested, and we are working to close the loophole in this law. Tackle that is heavier or larger than the current restrictions can also contain lead and other metals like zinc and cadmium, which, while legal to use, are also toxic to loons. Are bald eagles becoming a threat to the loon population?Eagles are a top predator and loon chicks can be an easy prey item. However, Common Loons and Bald Eagles have coexisted across the same North American range for many thousands of years. With more eagles all across Maine, loons may be adapting by improving their defensive tactics. For example, Common Loon adults have been seen protecting their chicks from eagle predation, and one eagle was even killed by a loon several years ago when the eagle tried to attack the loon on the nest. If you see an eagle harassing a loon, try to remember that the eagle recovery is a conservation success story and they need to eat too!The answers provided here include input from our loon biologists at Maine Audubon, as well as responses given over the years by our loon partners at Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Tufts Veterinary Clinic, St. Joseph’s College, Maine Lakes, Biodiversity Research Institute, the Loon Preservation Committee and Vermont Center for Ecostudies. Nests are vulnerable to ﬂooding from boat wakes. Photo: Linda Howard11SUMMER 2023 • MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT

Page 12

Above and beyond the Annual Loon Count, Maine Audubon leads other initiatives designed to help Common Loons and to keep Maine lakes healthy.Maine Audubon LOON PROJECTSMelanie Gordon and her husband Eric Hathorne (pictured above) have a raft out on a pond in central Maine. She says, “We were VERY fortunate to have our resident loon pair accept their new raft and lay two eggs last year. Sadly only one of the chicks survived. We look forward to doing it again this season.”MAINE LOON RESTORATION PROJECT The Maine Loon Restoration Project aims to increase loon nesting success and decrease loon mortality by engaging volunteers in a variety of eorts: placing artiﬁcial nests (rafts) and monitoring the productivity of loons on artiﬁcial nests; expanding Fish Lead Free programs to reduce lead tackle use and loon lead poisoning; and launching a Look Out for Loons Program to reduce disturbance to loons and increase nesting success by working with teams of volunteers on education, outreach, and management activities. These projects are funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on behalf of the Bouchard Barge 120 Buzzards Bay Oil Spill Trustees, and are done in partnership with Maine Lakes, Lakes Environmental Association, and the Penobscot Nation.FISH LEAD FREE PROJECTLead that enters our lakes as lost or discarded ﬁshing gear is a leading cause of death for adult Common Loons. Small lead items are sometimes ingested by loons and then cause rapid and often fatal lead poisoning. To protect loons and other wildlife, Maine state law bans the use and sale of lead sinkers and bare (unpainted) lead head jigs that weigh one ounce or less, or that measure 2.5 inches or less. Maine Audubon partners with retailers and organizations to host tackle buyback programs and exchanges, attends trade shows and ﬁshing events to spread the word about lead-free alternatives, and maintains a website: ﬁshleadfree.org/me. Anne D’Errico lives on Three-cornered Pond and is a member of the China Regional Lakes Alliance. An active Fish Lead Free volunteer, she says, “There was a time I ran the Childhood Lead Poison Prevention Program and a Lead Abatement Housing Program. I’ve seen ﬁrsthand the impact of lead poisoning and the damage it causes in children. So when Laura [Williams, Maine Audubon biologist] described the lead found in old tackle boxes—many not packaged but loaded with lead dust—I knew we had to do something. Let’s save our loons from lead poisoning.” Why does she volunteer? “I ﬁgure if every person takes even one action, it will make a dierence.”12MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT • SUMMER 2023

Page 13

IS IT OR ISN’T IT? BY ANDY KAPINOS, Maine Audubon Field NaturalistDOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS (Nannopterum auritum) breed along Maine’s coast, but many disperse to feed in lakes during the summertime. While they are also large, dark divers, they are dark brown or black all over, and generally do not have extensive white patches like loons, though juveniles are tan or light brown underneath. Their bills are bright orange-yellow, compared to loon bills which are black (fading to gray in winter), and thinner with a hooked end, compared to the dagger-shaped bill of loons. Cormorants must dry their feathers after ﬁshing by perching in the sun with wings outstretched, something that loons never do.COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) only breed in the northern lakes of Maine, north of a line extending northeast from Lake Umbagog to Katahdin. They are signiﬁcantly smaller than loons, and have similar coloration to Common Mergansers, being generally lighter than loons in all plumages. Their bills are more similar to dabbling ducks: short and triangular. COMMON MERGANSERS (Mergus merganser) nest and feed in similar lake habitats during the summer, and may be confused with loons at a distance. Plumage-wise, Common Mergansers are much lighter-colored: males have a mostly white body and dark green head, and females have a mostly gray body with a burnt orange head. Both sexes have a similar thin, hooked orange bill, much like Double-crested Cormorants, and in ﬂight, they both show white wing patches that loons do not have. Common Loons (Gavia immer) are perhaps the most recognizable bird in Maine, but there are a few species with which they can be easily confused on lakes during the summer. Like loons, most of these easily misidentiﬁed species are also diving birds that spend part of their time hidden under the surface. These birds may have similar proﬁles to loons when seen from a distance on Maine’s lakes. While they all ﬂoat low in the water, the loon has a heavier proﬁle and holds its straight, thick bill in a horizontal position.Photo: Sherrie Tucker

Page 14

BY NICK LUNDAN INTRICATE ORANGEANDBLACK BUTTERFLY feeding on a bright yellow ower: Is there a more summery sight imaginable? You can almost feel the sunshine. This joyously colorful scene depicts this issue’s spotlight species, the Silvery Checkerspot buttery, feeding on our “Bringing Nature Home” Plant of the Year, the Cutleaf Coneower.Let’s begin with the buttery. The Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) is just an inch-and-a-half wide and named for the patchwork of dots and cells on its upperside. In color and pattern the Silvery Checkerspot is similar to two other Maine butteries, the Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) and Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta), though the checkerspot has more black on its upperside and sports namesake silver edges to its wings. Like the crescents, the checker-spot ies low and perches near the ground in moist woodland openings and along streams in summer. Unlike them, how-ever, the Silvery Checkerspot is uncommon in Maine. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife lists the checkerspot as a “Species of Special Concern,” meaning it is particularly vulnerable due to restricted distribution, low or declining numbers, special-ized habitat needs or limits, or other factors.A contributing factor to the scarcity of Silvery Checkerspots in Maine is a lack of suitable host plants, making our Plant of the Year, the Cutleaf Coneower, also called Green-headed Coneower (Rudbeckia laciniata), all the more important. Silvery Checkerspots get everything they need from Rudbeckia plants: their stems are homes for checkerspot eggs, the caterpillars dine on the foliage, and the adults drink nectar from the owers. They’re a boon for butteries, plus they look great in any garden. The Cutleaf Coneower, like its Rudbeckia cousin, the Black-eyed Susan, is easy to grow, requires little care, and produces vibrant owers that bloom for weeks in mid-summer and early fall. A rare buttery and a gorgeous, low-maintenance ower? Sounds like a perfect combination for a Maine summer.Look for the “Bringing Nature Home” Plant of the Year to be featured on all of our Native Plants Festival and Sale material this summer.This will include a limited edition T-shirt which will be available for sale at the festival on June 17 at Gilsland Farm (see p. 24 for more details), at our nature stores, and online. The artwork is done by Brunswick, Maine, artist Claire Luce Baldwin. Photo: Arthur HainesCutleaf Coneflower SPECIES SPOTLIGHTSilvery Checkerspot14MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT • SUMMER 2023

Page 15

Gilsland Farm Audubon CenterFALMOUTH/GREATER PORTLANDEdible Plant WalksFridays, June 9, July 7, August 4, 4–6 pmCome learn to identify and responsibly harvest edible wild plants at Gilsland Farm.Beginner Bird WalksSundays, June 11, July 9, August 6, 10 am–12 pmWednesdays, June 28, July 26, August 23, 4–6 pmFor those new to birding or who are just getting started; we’ll have extra binoculars and pointers on how to use them. Brush with Nature: Natural Pigment/Paint Workshop with artist Nathan AllardTuesday, June 27, 5–8 pmLearn about the history of pigments while making your own pigments from natural material found in Maine. The workshop will include foraging for raw material and learning how to process it into pigments.Twilight Nature WalksThursdays, June 29, July 27, August 24, 8–9:30 pmJoin us for an exploration of Gilsland Farm’s wildlife at dusk. We will look and listen for ﬁreﬂies, bats, frogs, cicadas, and moths. Pajama Storytime SeriesThursdays, July 6, 13, & 20, 5:30–7 pmWear your pajamas and your hiking boots to our special outdoor evening storytime series, featuring local Maine authors and illustrators. July 6: Marie Miller (Where do you Sleep?)July 13: Jamie Hogan (Oh, Chickadee! written by Jennifer Richard Jacobson and Skywatcher)July 20: Rebekah Lowell (Catching Flight)MONTHLYBI- WEEKLYJUNE27MONTHLYWEEKLYSummer EventsFull event listings, prices, and registration: maineaudubon.org/eventsSummer Wildlife Mingle with Center for WildlifeFriday, August 4, 6 pmMeet live wildlife ambassadors and the experts at the Center for Wildlife who rehabilitate and care for them! Learn about these incredible animals and the work of Maine wildlife rescuers and rehabilitators.21+ only, beer, wine, and snacks providedBrush with Nature Maker DaySaturday, August 19, 10 am–2 pmCome create! We’ll have basic materials but you are encouraged to bring whatever you need to make art inspired by wildlife and habitat. Brush With Nature featured artists will also be creating on site.Summer Plant WalksSaturdays, June 10, July 8, August 5, 10 am-12 pmTuesdays, June 27, July 25, August 22, 4-6 pmJoin us for a free plant walk for all levels to learn about the local plant species at Gilsland Farm. BI- WEEKLYAUGUST19AUGUST415SUMMER 2023 • MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT

Page 16

Fields Pond Audubon CenterHOLDEN/GREATER BANGORFamily Scavenger HuntSaturday, July 15, 10 am–2 pmHit the trails and join the hunt to complete a series of challenging and fun natural history tasks. Native Plant Sale & TalkSaturday, July 15, 9 am–2 pmAndrew Tufts, Maine Audubon’s “Bringing Nature Home” Manager, will help you choose native plants that will support wildlife habitat in your landscape. JULY15JULY15SUMMER NATURALIST SERIESWildﬂower WalkThursday, June 15, 4–6 pmKaren Johnson, Maine Master Naturalist, will lead a leisurely exploration of wildﬂowers blooming along the trails. Geared toward beginning nature enthusiasts.Bring On the Pollinators! Thursday, June 22, 6–7:30 pmJoin Master Gardener and nursery owner Ivonne Vazquez for a talk, walk, and activities designed to help you learn how to attract pollinators to your yards Do Fireﬂies Sleep?Thursday, July 13, 6–7:30 pmJoin Master Gardener Ivonne Vazquez to learn about plants, food sources, and habitats necessary to provide shelter to ﬁreﬂies.Lichen IdentiﬁcationThursday, July 20, 4–5:30 pmJoin Master Naturalist Grace Bartlett to ﬁnd out what lichens are, where they live, and how they work. A talk will be followed by outdoor exploration.Fern IdentiﬁcationThursday, July 27, 4–6 pmKaren Johnson, Maine Master Naturalist, will lead a leisurely exploration of the 16 ferns on the trails at Fields Pond and discuss their ecology and ﬁeld identiﬁcation.Grow Native Plants Thursday, August 10, 6–7:30 pmLearn how to incorporate native plants—which provide food, nesting, and cover for native wildlife—into your growing plans. Talk and walk led by Master Gardener Ivonne Vazquez.SUMMER PADDLE SERIESBring your own canoe or kayak, or reserve a seat in one of our canoes.Packrafting and Hiking AdventureFriday, June 23, 5:30–8:30 pmAlejandro Strong from Packrafting Maine and Maine Audubon sta will lead a hike to the southwest shore of the pond, where we’ll inﬂate rafts, then explore the pond, deﬂate and pack rafts, and hike back. JUNE15JUNE22JULY13JULY20JULY27AUGUST10JUNE23Saturday, August 26, 10 am-2 pmJoin the Party, Join the Parade! Monarch tagging, Insect BioBlitz, butterﬂy crafts, and more. Come dressed as your favorite butterﬂy and join the Butterﬂy Parade at Noon! ALSO: Insects through the Lens of a Camera, 9-10 amNaturalist and photographer Sandra Mitchell will lead a special workshop on seeing the insect world through the lens of her camera. 25th Anniversary Celebration & Buttery Festival AUGUST2616MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT • SUMMER 2023

Page 17

Scarborough Marsh Audubon CenterMany programs are free and open to drop-ins. For information, prices, and registration, visit maineaudubon.org/events, email smac@maineaudubon.org, or call 207-883-5100.BOAT RENTALS AND TRIPSCanoe/Kayak RentalsDaily, 9 am–4 pmDiscover the meandering Dunstan River on your self-guided exploration. We’ll provide a canoe/kayak, paddles and map. First come, rst served walk-in service, no reservations accepted. Guided Canoe ToursDaily, June 28-August 25, 10–11:30 amDiscover wildlife and plants as you paddle along the Dunstan River. See Snowy Egrets catching ﬁsh and Cormorants drying their wings. No reservations needed but check with us rst about the tides.Full Moon Canoe ToursJune 2, 3, 7:30–9 pmJuly 1, 2, 3, 8–9:30 pmJuly 30, 31, August 1, 7:30–9 pmAugust 28, 29, 30, 7–8:30 pmExperience the sights and sounds of the marsh creatures at night under the full moon. Not recommended for children.Sunset Canoe ToursJune 18, 7:30–9 pmJuly 16, 7–8:30 pmAugust 11, 7–8:30 pm; August 21, 6:30–8 pmEnjoy the sunset while paddling the marsh. Observe herons and shorebirds ﬂying back to their roosts.Early Morning Canoe TourWednesday, August 23, 6–7:30 amTour the marsh at this magical time when animals wake up and start to explore.DAILYDAILYMONTHLYMONTHLYAUGUST23Look Out for LoonsSaturday, July 22, 10–11:30 amPaddle the pond with us to learn about loons, threats to their survival, and ways we can help them. Sunset PaddleFriday, July 28, 6–8 pmSpend the evening in the glow of twilight along with fellow paddlers on Fields Pond. Aquatic Plant IdentiﬁcationFriday, August 11, 3–5 pmBy boat, get a close-up view of these unique aquatic species that make Fields Pond their home. SUMMER ART SERIESHummingbird PaintingWednesday, June 14, 6–9 pmExplore the basics of acrylic painting with Valerie Wallace. Develop your artistic expression while completing a painting.Painting Nature Landscape Watercolors Wednesday, June 28, 6–7:30 pmJoin Maine artist Cassie Sano in this introductory class which will cover materials, techniques, and more. Brush with Nature Maker DaySaturday, August 12, 10 am–2 pmCome create! We’ll have basic materials for you but bring whatever you need to make art inspired by wildlife and habitat. Brush With Nature featured artists will also be creating on site.Brush with Nature: Natural Dye WorkshopSaturday, August 19, 9 am–12 pmJoin artist Kim Robichaud to learn how to sustainably gather and prepare natural dyes from the landscape. JULY28AUGUST11JUNE14JUNE28AUGUST12AUGUST19Full Event Listings, Prices, and Registration MAINEAUDUBON.ORG/EVENTSJULY22For more summer art programs at Fields Pond, visit maineaudubon.org/events.17SUMMER 2023 • MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT

Page 18

NATURE PROGRAMSBird Walks at Scarborough Marsh Every Wednesday, 7 amWe start birding at the Nature Center and then head to various local hot spots including Pine Point, the Eastern Trail, Pelreco, and Dunstan Landing. Family Nature Walk: Mummichugs & Marsh MuckWednesdays, June 21 through August 23, 10:30 am–12:00 pm Explore the plants and animals of the marsh through hands-on discovery for the whole family.Bird MonitoringSaturdays, July 22, 8–11 am and August 19, 8–11 amJoin us for a marsh-wide bird survey at Scarborough Marsh to document the numbers of individuals and species of birds that call the marsh home.Insect and Plant Biodiversity DayAugust (date TBA)We will be conducting a marsh-wide survey of plants and insects to document the numbers of individuals and species. Beginners welcome! For the most up-to-date information on events, visit our website: maineaudubon.org/eventsSnowy Egret DaySaturday, August 12, 9 am–4 pmA day of family fun including a canoe tour, nature crafts, bird walks, and much more. Stratton Island Trip(date TBA)Stratton Island is a nesting colony and roosting site for a remarkable diversity of coastal birds. A project site of National Audubon’s Seabird Institute, Stratton is normally inaccessible. On these special outings, we will be able to land and have a uniquely intimate experience.For the most up-to-date information on events, visit our website: maineaudubon.org/eventsWEEKLYWEEKLYMONTHLYAUGUSTTBAAUGUST12TBAART AT THE MARSHBrush with Nature Maker DaySaturday, July 29, 10 am-4 pmCome create! We’ll have basic materials but you are encouraged to bring whatever you need to make art inspired by wildlife and habitat. Brush With Nature featured artists will also be creating on site.ALSO: Brush with Nature Sketching by Canoe 1-2:30 pmAn experienced artist will guide this canoe tour which will give artists of all ages and abilities a unique opportunity to practice nature sketching from the water.Create a Seashell Wreath Wednesday, August 16, 5:30-7 pmJoin a master crafter for a fun evening of making wreaths out of Maine mussels! CHILDREN’S NATURE SERIES AT THE MARSHNature DetectivesThursday, August 10, 1-2:30 pmJoin in on a scavenger hunt, make your own nature notebook, and unlock the wonders the marsh holds. For ages 5+.Exploring Nature Through ArtTuesdays, July 11 and August 8, 10:30 am–12 pmThrough art projects children will discover the wonder of the salt marsh. For ages 6-10.Investigating Marsh Creatures Thursday, August 24, 1–2:30 pm Look for elusive insects, catch some ﬁsh, explore the algae for slippery slimy critters, and search the marsh for mammal tracks and birds. For ages 5+.Nature PotteryTuesdays, July 25 and August 22, 10:30 am–12 pmSearch the marsh for natural artifacts like shells, grasses, and ﬂowers and then incorporate these treasures into handmade pottery. For ages 8-11.Tiny Tot TourThursdays, July 27 and August 17, 10:30–11:30 amInteractive activities will include looking through algae for small critters, jumping in the mud, looking at ﬁsh and insects up close; plus a story and a craft! For ages 3-5 with an adult.AUGUST16AUGUST10MONTHLYAUGUST24MONTHLYMONTHLYJULY2918MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT • SUMMER 2023

Page 19

StatewideForestry for Maine Birds Workshops designed for foresters, landowners, and loggers interested in learning how to manage forestlands “with birds and other wildlife in mind.” Hidden Valley Nature Center, JeersonSaturday, June 3, 9 am–12:30 pmField workshop Rangeley Birding FestivalSaturday, June 10, 1–3:30 pmField workshop Maine Woods Birding Festival, AMC Little Lyford LodgeJune 16–17Presentation (Friday, June 16, 7-8:30 pm) and ﬁeld workshop/forest walk (Saturday, June 17, 8 am-noon) York County AudubonTuesday, June 20, 7 pmLocation: Mather Auditorium, Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm, WellsBirds of Prey: Our Talon-ted Friends (with the Center for Wildlife and their Wildlife Ambassadors)More: yorkcountyaudubon.orgBorestone Naturalist WeekendJune 23–25Join this weekend retreat to Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary, located just 20 miles south of Moosehead Lake. Optional activities: moderate hikes, swimming and canoeing in the sanctuary’s mountain ponds, or relaxing on the lodge porch.Annual Loon CountSaturday, July 15, 7 am Volunteers head out onto lakes and ponds across the state to count loons. Contact conserve@maineaudubon.org to get involved.JUNE23-25JUNE20JULY15Down East Fall Birding FestivalAugust 18–20Location: Cobscook BayBird walks and boat trips focusing on the seabirds and shorebirds that are embarking on their fall migration. More: cobscookinstitute.org/birdfest Save the Date: Bar Harbor PelagicLeaves from Bar Harbor, MESaturday, September 16, 6 am–1:30 pmMaine Audubon’s annual fall pelagic trip out of Bar Harbor is a must-do outing for the region’s birders! OnlineThe Secret Lives of FireﬂiesTuesday, June 20, 7 pmLearn how and why lightning bugs light up, about the dierent species of ﬁreﬂies, and how these beetles can be identiﬁed by their ﬂash patterns. Introduction to Maine’s Wild Edibles WebinarWednesday, June 28, 7 pmJoin us to learn about the edible plants in the landscapes around us, as well as the practical, ethical, and sustainable considerations around foraging.SEPT16JUNE28JUNE20Full Event Listings, Prices, and Registration MAINEAUDUBON.ORG/EVENTSPun CruisesJuly 11 and 21 (tentative)Leaves from New HarborOn this popular boat trip, we’ll circle Eastern Egg Rock several times for great views of puns, terns, and other seabirds.JULY11&21JUNE3JUNE10JUNE16-17AUGUST18-2019SUMMER 2023 • MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT

Page 20

SPOTLIGHT: Maine Community BankMaine Community Bank (formerly Biddeford Savings Bank) has been a Maine Audubon Corporate Partner for more than a decade supporting youth education at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center. Marjorie McAvoy, Scarborough Branch Manager, says, “Our state’s natural resources are important to our future generations. At Maine Community Bank we are proud to support Maine Audubon’s mission to foster environmental literacy among children and adults to help conserve our environment now and for generations to come.” Thank you to Maine Community Bank for helping us educate future stewards of our planet.Maine Community Bank employees volunteer at Scarborough Marsh during a school ﬁeld trip.Back Cove Financial employees learn about Maine native plants from Maine Audubon’s “Bringing Nature Home” project manager Andrew Tufts at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center.SPOTLIGHT: Back Cove FinancialBack Cove Financial has been a Corporate Partner since 2019. Joel Ouellette, Financial Advisor, says, “At Back Cove Financial, we support Maine Audubon’s important work, and the opportunities they provide our community align with our commitment to being stewards for the planet.”We appreciate every nancial donation, gift of products and materials, and the volunteer time donated by these organizations. We use one hundred percent of the Corporate Partner gifts for Maine Audubon education, conservation, and advocacy work right here in Maine.Corporate PartnersMaine Audubon is grateful for our Corporate Partners and their investment in our work to conserve Maine wildlife and wildlife habitat in the state. Maine Audubon Corporate Partners are investors in Maine’s environmental health and future. Depending on the giving level chosen, businesses are eligible for a variety of benefits from half-price individual and household memberships for employees, use of meeting space at our Nature Centers at Gilsland Farm (Falmouth/Greater Portland) and Fields Pond (Holden/Greater Bangor), and employee walks, talks, or presentations with our naturalists and biologists. 20MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT • SUMMER 2023

Page 21

EAGLE ($10,000+)Bernstein ShurL.L.BeanMartin’s Point Health CarePortside Real Estate GroupFALCON ($5,000+)Allagash Brewing CompanyPoland SpringOSPREY ($2,500+)Boston Trust WaldenFree StreetMaine Beer Company, LLCMaine Community BankOceanView at FalmouthPeter Renney’s FashionsOWL ($1,000+)AnonymousBaker Newman NoyesBanded BrewingBrann & IsaacsonCornerstone Financial Planning, LLCDow Capital ManagementDown East: The Magazine of MaineGorham Savings BankH.M. Payson and Co.Lamey WellehanLee Auto MallsM & T BankMoody’s Co-Worker OwnedNew England Biolabs, Inc.Perkins Thompson, P.A.Platz AssociatesReVision EnergySpinnaker TrustTerrence DeWan Associates*New Corporate Partner: Thank you and welcome!LOON ($500+)Androscoggin BankAxis Natural FoodsBack Cove FinancialBath Savings InstitutionBelfast Veterinary HospitalCRPC Group, LLCDevenish Wines *Feather Friendly *Fun and Sun RentalsGreen Clean MaineJade Integrated HealthKittery Trading PostMast Landing Brewing CompanyMorong Falmouth Volkswagen Mazda Porsche AudiNortheast Delta DentalOakhurst DairyOwen Haskell, Inc. *The Naturalist’s Notebook *The Patagonia OutletPeoplesChoice Credit UnionSaco & Biddeford SavingsSteinke and Caruso Dental CareWild Oats Bakery & Cafe *CARDINAL ($250+)Albin, Randall & Bennett, CPAsBath Savings Trust Co.Blue Lobster Urban Winery *Cheese LouiseCianbroCoastal ACE HardwareDoyle Enterprises, Inc.East Brown Cow Management, Inc.Flatbread CompanyGideon Asen LLCGnome LandscapesHoly DonutInn by the SeaKaplan Thompson Associates *Kennebunk SavingsLafayette Hotels/Lafayette Oceanfront ResortLois’ Natural MarketplaceThe Maine SportsmanMindful EmployerNorway Savings BankOn the Vine MarketplaceOsteopathic Healthcare of MaineParis Farmers UnionPat’s Pizza (Scarborough)Peak Dental HealthPrint: A BookstoreSaco & Biddeford SavingsSalt Pump Climbing Co.Scarborough GroundsSimons Architects, LLCTown & Country Federal Credit UnionWellTree Inc.Maine businesses that have made a demonstrated commitment to Maine’s wildlife and habitat by investing in Maine AudubonFor information on how to become a Maine Audubon Corporate PartnerFor a list of Corporate Partnership levels and beneﬁtsVISIT maineaudubon.org/corporate CONTACT Maureen Duggan at mduggan@maineaudubon.org

Page 22

Naturalist HQDOUG HITCHCOX, STAFF NATURALISTTHIS YEAR MARKS the tenth year that I’ve led a weekly guided bird walk at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth. Every Thursday morning, all year round, I’ve led people around the meadows and shores on a guided bird walk. That’s 52 walks for 10 years, a ballpark of 500 walks, and I’ve only missed a handful! When I started leading the weekly walks in 2013, I had already helped on many of these over the years (I think the weekly walks began in 2007), and learned so much from Eric Hynes and Mike Windsor, my predecessors as Sta Naturalist. It has been amazing to see the changes in birds (and birders) over the past 10 years of leading these walks. A Decade of Gilsland Farm Bird WalksThe Thursday bird walks take place in winter as well! Here are some highlights:Declining Species: One of the most obvious declining species from Gilsland Farm is the Bobolink. Invasive plants, like bedstraw, and even native owers like goldenrod, are taking over the meadows and reducing the amount of wild grasses that Bobolinks need for nesting. Our last conrmed nesting was in 2019. Northern Rough-winged Swallows have also all but disappeared. They used to nest annually on the blu o the West Meadow, but increased erosion along the river has kept them away for the last few years.New Species: We’re seeing the obvious trends of climate change shifting species’ ranges northward, with more Red-bellied Woodpeckers (now breeding here) and the arrival and genetic mixing of egrets has been fascinating to watch. I found a Little Egret, the Old World counterpart to our Snowy Egret, at Gilsland Farm in June of 2015, only the third time one had been seen in Maine. It has returned every year, and beginning in 2018 we started noticing an apparent Little x Snowy Egret hybrid! The water has gotten muddier each year, but it is fascinating to see these sister species apparently pairing up here in Maine.New birders: The popularity of the bird walks is my favorite change. After a short break during COVID, we started the walks back up, oering them for free, and are thrilled with the increased interest. We’ve also added “beginner bird walks” led by Field Naturalist Andy Kapinos. Both walks are open to anyone. These new beginner-focused walks are a great option for people who want to come learn about the hobby; we’ve got binoculars you can borrow so please join us! Once you’re hooked you can graduate up to our other walks. Who knows what we’ll be seeing 10 years from now! Red-bellied Woodpecker at Gilsland Farm22MAINE AUBUDON HABITAT • SUMMER 2023

Page 23

June3WILD COLUMBINE and NORTHERN BUSH HONEYSUCKLE are blooming now. These native wildﬂower species are important early nectar sources for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. More info: mainenativeplants.org10Ground-nesting birds, from OVENBIRDS in deep woods to PIPING PLOVERS on sandy beaches, are nesting. These species are especially vulnerable to predation, and their nests can be destroyed by a dog or cat in a matter of seconds. Keep your dogs and cats leashed or contained when outside, and please do not bring them to our sanctuaries! 25CEDAR WAXWINGS can be seen most easily this time of year, as they come down from the treetops to feast on ripening berries like serviceberries. 30When the temperature is consistently above 68°F (20°C), GRAY TREEFROGS begin to mate. You may hear a male singing its loud trilling song but good luck seeing one; these masters of camouﬂage can change the color of their skin from gray to brown or green, depending on their surroundings.July3Tonight is the ﬁrst of three SUPERMOONS that will occur this summer, when the moon is especially close to Earth and appears larger than normal in the night sky. This breath-taking spectacle is nature’s alternative to ﬁreworks, which can disturb numerous species of animals, especially those that are nesting.23Two similar butterﬂies, VICEROYS and MONARCHS, are ﬂying around now. Viceroys are smaller and have a black horizontal line across their hindwings. The two can sometimes be seen together, since their larval host plants, native willows (for Viceroys) and milkweeds (for Monarchs), often grow in the same edge habitats.29BLUE VERVAIN has begun to bloom. This spectacular native wildﬂower grows near wet areas and attracts numerous native bees and other pollinators to its dainty blue ﬂowers. It can often be found blooming near CARDINAL FLOWER, which attracts hummingbirds and butterﬂies with its bright red, tube-shaped ﬂowers.August1Second SUPERMOON of the summer. Look for hunting bats as the moon rises.9Emerging purple ﬂowers at the edges of ponds and lakes are the blooms of PICKERELWEED. This strictly aquatic species is the only known pollen source for the Pickerelweed Shortface, a solitary bee species that nests in sandy soil near water bodies where Pickerelweed grows.15Late-season wildﬂowers, like goldenrods and asters, are ﬁlling meadows and edges with their blooms. Take a few minutes to observe the dizzying array of native pollinator species that visit these ﬂowers, especially native bees, wasps, and ﬂies. You may even see an AMBUSH BUG or a CRAB SPIDER preying on a much larger pollinator species.24Wasp species, like YELLOWJACKETS and BALD-FACED HORNETS, can be observed feeding on fallen apples and pears. While these species will aggressively defend their nests, they are quite docile while feeding on fruit and can be observed closely, if not disturbed! 31The third and ﬁnal SUPERMOON of the summer.Photo: Nick LundThe Naturalist’s Summer AlmanacOVENBIRDBy Andy Kapinos, Field Naturalist

Page 24

20 Gilsland Farm RoadFalmouth, ME 04105 Penmor Indicia% PCW or FSC logo Maine Audubon Headquarters20 Gilsland Farm Road Falmouth, ME 04105(207) 781-2330maineaudubon.orgVolume 39, Issue 2The journal of Maine Audubon, ISSN 0739-2052, is published quarterly.habitat@maineaudubon.orgEast Point, Biddeford PoolScarborough Marsh, ScarboroughGilsland Farm, FalmouthMast Landing, FreeportHamilton, West BathJosephine Newman, GeorgetownFields Pond, HoldenBorestone, ElliotsvilleVisit Maine Audubon’s Centers and Sanctuaries which are free and open to the public from dawn to dusk.Magazine StaffMelissa Kim, EDITORNick Lund, ASSISTANT EDITORJenn Schmitt, EVENTS EDITOR PELLE Graphic Design, DESIGNStaff DirectorsAndy Beahm, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOREliza Donoghue, ADVOCACYErin Evans, FINANCEPeter Grebowski, PROPERTIESMelissa Kim, COMMUNICATIONSKate Lewis, DEVELOPMENTSally Stockwell, CONSERVATIONEric Topper, EDUCATIONOfficers, Board of TrusteesJohn R. Dolloff, CHAIR Michael Catania, VICE CHAIR Alyssa Hemingway, TREASURER Sean Trahan, SECRETARYSanctuariesNative Plants Festival & SaleSaturday, June 17, 9 am to 3 pmGilsland Farm Audubon Center, FalmouthFeaturing more than 75 species of native wildﬂowers, shrubs, and tree seedlings, plus workshops, info tables, expert advice, books, and more! Can’t make it June 17? Order online for pick-up in Falmouth and Holden, starting June 23. shop.mainenativeplants.orgNative Plants Finder mainenativeplants.orgLearn about Maine native plants on our custom website, which features more than 80 plants you can sort by size, soil conditions, bloom month, caterpillars hosted, wildlife beneﬁtted, and sunlight. COMMON LOONCOVER PHOTO BY ERIC YAHNFESTIVAL SALENATIVE PLANTS&

Habitat - Summer 2023

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3