Summer 2019 HABITAT

The Audacity Salmon of IN THIS ISSUE Maine’s Salmon Story Kids v. Balloon Litter Birding Oaxaca TABLE of CONTENTS

4 News and Notes 6 The Inspiring History of the Atlantic Salmon 13 Species Spotlight: Pandion haliaetus 12 Kid-powered Advocacy 16 Calendar of Events 20 Naturalist HQ 22 Poem: The Goldfinch and Her Mate

Habitat Volume 35, Issue 2 Jeremy Cluchey, Editor The journal of Maine Audubon, Nick Lund, Assistant Editor ISSN 0739-2052, is published Jenn Schmitt, Events Editor quarterly. Brandi Sladek, Designer & [email protected] Layout Editor

Staff Directors Officers, Board of Trustees Andy Beahm, Executive Director Stacy Stitham, President Peter Baecher, Properties David Littell, Vice President Dori Barnes, Finance & HR Alyssa Hemingway, Treasurer Kate Lewis, Development Richard McKittrick, Secretary Sally Stockwell, Conservation Eric Topper, Education Jan Weyant, Retail

Maine Audubon Headquarters 20 Gilsland Farm Rd., Falmouth, ME 04105 (207) 781-2330, maineaudubon.org A NOTE from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Maybe it’s because we’re inching into the to become an activist for whales and wildlife, warmer months, but lately I’ve found myself and against balloons and plastic litter. thinking a lot about glaciers. Summer is of course the perfect time Glaciers deserve much of the credit for to appreciate water in Maine. As you creating what we now think of as “Maine.” head outside this season, be sure to find The last glacial remnants were gone about opportunities to visit Fields Pond in Holden, 11,000 years ago, but their impact on our or the magical ponds at Borestone Mountain. state’s unique geography is substantial and Get out on the water as part of our Annual enduring. Loon Count on July 20, or on hundreds of Enormously thick and heavy glaciers streams and ponds as a volunteer angler with completely reshaped Maine’s landscape. They our Brook Trout Survey. carved our lakes and ponds, and sculpted Of course, despite its abundance, water is those characteristic fingers and islands into not a resource we can take for granted. Clean our coastline. Today, Maine is blessed with water is essential to us, and to wildlife. On abundant water, which covers 10 percent of the next page, you’ll see an update on our our surface — more freshwater surface area advocacy work in Augusta on clean water than 46 other states. On the salty side of issues. We need your help — if you don’t things, Maine’s tidal shoreline measures 3,478 already receive our Action Alert emails, be miles — also ranked fourth in the nation. sure to sign up at maineaudubon.org/act. Water shapes us, sustains us, and defines us. Thank you for all you do to support Maine’s In this issue of Habitat, we dive right in. As wildlife! part of the Year of the Salmon, Catherine Schmitt shares the story of the persistent Atlantic Salmon, including its surprising role in presidential politics. And Kennebunk High School senior Will Jones tells his own story of inspiration and persistence that led him Andy Beahm

3 NEWS and NOTES

OUR 4TH ANNUAL NATIVE PLANTS SALE & FESTIVAL

Are you a gardener or homeowner looking to integrate native species into your yard? Ready to turn your yard into a wildlife sanctuary? On June 15 at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth, we’ll be hosting this popular annual event to help you do just that! We work with state and regional vendors to source naturally-propagated plants that are easily adaptable to a variety of landscape uses. We also grow many plants ourselves, and we’ll have experts and resources on hand to help you select the best plants for you. Join us and choose from over 60 species of potted native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. This event is the signature program of Maine Audubon’s “Bringing Nature Home” community engagement and native plant restoration initiative, based on the best-selling book of that title by entomologist Doug Tallamy. It is funded by generous support from Jim and Ann Hancock. Hope to see you there!

4 DOING GOOD NEW LOON COUNT LEADERSHIP! WITH MAINE AUDUBON AND We are thrilled to welcome wildlife biologist Tracy Hart DOWN EAST to our conservation team. Hailing from Freeport, Tracy The “Great Maine has worked as a biologist in Scavenger Hunt” the U.S. and abroad — from from Down East studying the effects of pesticides magazine is back for its third on birds in Botswana, to coral year, and we’re taking part! Participants fan out studies in American Samoa, to around Maine to accomplish a wide variety of tasks — from assisting whale research in Alaska and Mexico, to (most scenic hikes, to restaurant crawls, to candlepin bowling recently) the biosecurity of several coastal islands — and share selfies along the way. As the sponsor for the in California. “Doing Good” category, we’re asking Mainers to volunteer in communities around the state, including sharing selfies Among other projects, Tracy now leads our Loon Project of them filling bags with plastic litter and other trash. Join work — which means she is managing our Annual Loon the fun at downeast.com/greatmainescavengerhunt. Count, taking place this year on July 20. Learn more at maineaudubon.org/looncount.

ADVOCATING FOR CLEAN WATER

We are excited to be making good headway on water quality. On Earth Day, Governor Janet Mills signed LD 216 into law, requiring septic system inspections for any property transfer in the shoreland zone. When septic systems fail, bacteria and excess nutrients can leak into groundwater, ending up in our lakes, streams, and coastal waters. The passage of LD 216 is great news for wildlife. Another bill — LD 235 — would increase funding for programs that prevent and control the spread of invasive aquatic plant species. Wildlife that would benefit from this bill include the Common Loon, as well as many other birds, fish, and plant life that call our lakes home. This bill had unanimous support from the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee. We are optimistic that it will be law by the time you read this!

5 By Catherine Schmitt

With

Extraordinary

Persistence

and Force

Inspiring Histo on he r y lm T of t c Sa he Atlanti

6 Early spring was once a hungry time. Stored food would be running low, and many animals and plants still dormant. Slowly, the snow melted, the rivers begin to flow again. And even before the ice had fully cleared, like magic, the fish returned, a gift of food from the sea. Among those that migrated between freshwater and the ocean, the Atlantic Salmon was one of the largest and most prized food fish.

Their food value, combined with their history on the landscape and incredible migratory

journey, earned salmon the title “King of Fish” and inspired cultures across the Northern

Hemisphere. But these same characteristics are today among the reasons why Atlantic

Salmon are on the Endangered Species List — and the focus of the International Year of the

Salmon in 2019.

Salmon have been here far longer than humans. The Atlantic species, Salmo salar, shares

a heritage with other species of salmon and trout and evolved around 250,000 years ago,

just as the planet was plunging into a series of ice ages and alternating warm periods. For

hundreds of thousands of years, as the human race was emerging in Africa and dispersing

across the globe, Atlantic Salmon lived with the ice, and learned to adapt to challenging

conditions. Some of these adaptations include eggs that incubate in freshwater streams through long, cold winters; fast growth during short summers; and an ability to tolerate

fluctuations in water flow and temperature found in the river landscapes created by glaciers.

The modern history of salmon is intertwined with the history of humanity, as ancient

peoples memorialized salmon in carvings, paintings, and stories passed down through generations.

on o alm f the Atlantic S

7 Their migration is one of the greatest in the animal kingdom. Young salmon hatch from eggs and spend several years in again and again, sending adult Salmon back to Northeast the upper reaches of freshwater rivers, where predators are rivers every spring. Their natural range extended from New few and far between, before traveling thousands of miles to York to Labrador, Iceland, Russia, and Portugal, and includ- grow into adults in the productive, food-rich waters of the ed all of the major rivers of Maine. North Atlantic. Adults then migrate back to the very same rivers where they were born to spawn and lay eggs. Un- The Atlantic salmon’s ability to live in saltwater and freshwa- like Pacific salmon, Atlantic Salmon don’t always die after ter, to leap up waterfalls, to journey from mountain to sea spawning. Many survive to repeat the cycle again and again. and back again, generated stories and rituals throughout its range, from the Celtic Salmon of Knowledge to indigenous With extraordinary persistence and force, they make steady North American burial traditions and origin stories. progress, swimming against swift rapids, climbing cata- racts and launching themselves up unbroken falls as high Of course, part of the reason salmon were such a part of as twelve feet. They rest in shady pools and lakes along the culture is that they also were an important source of food. way. Only the strongest succeed, and sometimes only after Hundreds of thousands of salmon used to ascend Maine repeated attempts. Why go through so much effort? One rivers. The Wabanaki people fished for salmon with spears at hypothesis is that if the habitat worked before, it must be a waterfalls and rapids, often at night by torchlight. The fresh suitable place for fish supplied a feast; the rest were smoked on racks over the making salmon fire and stored for winter. —returning home is a kind When European colonists arrived, they recognized the fish of insurance that and began fishing for and eating salmon, which quickly reproduction will became a commodity. “No fish of its magnitude brings so succeed, the young large a price per pound, and is so universally regarded as a will be adapted to chief delicacy,” U.S. Fish Commissioner Spencer Baird said the location, and in 1874. Fresh salmon was served on the Fourth of July with the family lineage fresh peas and new potatoes, and could be easily purchased will live on. in Maine markets. Many things have The Penobscot River was the center of the commercial fish- to fall into place ery for salmon, with hundreds of weirs extending from the to make such a shorelines of the estuary. Shipped to Boston, New York, and lifestyle work. And Philadelphia, “Penobscot Salmon” was a recognizable and yet somehow they fancy brand name. do fall into place, The Penobscot was also the center of fly fishing for salmon. President Herbert Hoover is presented the presidential salmon caught by Between Opening Day on April 1 and sometime in July, an- Horace Chapman, 1931. glers vied for who could catch the first fish, the biggest fish,

8 The Natural Range of the Atlantic Salmon

The historic range of Atlantic salmon in the United States extends from the Hudson River through New England, including all of the major rivers of Maine. American and European salmon converge in the winter off the coast of Greenland.

the hardest-fighting salmon. Newspapers reported daily dent William Howard Taft as a gesture of honor and respect. on the fishery. Local hotel owners wanted bragging rights The “Presidential Salmon” became an annual tradition, and to serve the season’s first salmon to their guests. Anglers salmon continued to be a source of shared identity and built the Penobscot Salmon Club in Brewer in 1887 pride in the Penobscot River region. (a structure now on the National Register of Historic Places). But even as the tradition of the Presidential Salmon began, salmon numbers in the Penobscot and elsewhere had already In 1912, one of those anglers, a Norwegian immigrant been declining due to commercial fishing (some) and dam and Bangor resident named Karl Anderson, caught the construction (mostly). As soon as people began building “first fish” on opening day and decided to send it to Presi- dams, other people, including members of the Penobscot

9 Celebrate the International Year Photo: Danielle Brigida/Flickr of the Salmon by getting to know your local river!

Join the conversation. Take a photo of your local river and share it using the hashtag: #knowyourriver Photo: Kevin Yank/Flickr 10 Nation, began protesting against dams because of the im- Atlantic Salmon, released by the National Marine Fisheries pact on fish populations. Remember that salmon reproduce Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in February, in headwater streams — the cold, clear tributaries hundreds dams remain one of the most significant threats to Atlantic of miles inland from the coast. As dams followed logging ac- Salmon. The plan contains many actions that individuals tivity from head-of-tide sawmills deeper and deeper into the and communities can take to help salmon. North Woods, they blocked more and more of the salmon’s habitat. Atlantic Salmon are of this place, these rivers. Like so much of nature, they sustained and inspired human cul- Fish ladders and hatchery breeding helped. Pollution did ture throughout history. Salmon have survived ice ages and not. By the middle of the twentieth century, in addition to thaws, and carry within them the wisdom they need to find the harm caused by dams, untreated sewage and effluent their way home. That they are still here says a lot about the from pulp and paper mills nearly quality of Maine’s rivers, wiped out Maine’s salmon. There That they are still here says a lot about the their presence a reflection was zero oxygen in the Penobscot quality of Maine’s rivers, their presence a of the human desire for estuary between Winterport and reflection of the human desire for clean clean water, intact forests, Bangor. Fish suffocated, or turned thriving oceans. They re- away, never to return. People, water, intact forests, thriving oceans. They main a source of wonder too, turned away, as the Penob- remain a source of wonder and mystery . . . and mystery. Survival of scot and other rivers reeked and Atlantic Salmon into the seethed and foamed with waste. future depends on people retelling their story, restoring their habitat, and reclaiming their heritage. But some people remembered earlier times, when the river was a source of sustenance and joy. Those who knew and cared about their rivers spoke up, in Maine and across the country. It is because of them, and the federal legislation they supported (like the Clean Water Act, Endangered Spe- Catherine Schmitt writes about science, nature, and the cies Act, and Anadromous Fish Conservation Act), that wild environment. She holds a master’s in ecology and environmental Atlantic Salmon are still here. science and is the author of three books of nonfiction, includingThe President’s And they are indeed still here. An estimated 769 salmon Salmon: Restoring the King of Fish and returned to the Penobscot River last year — the largest its Home Waters. She currently serves as remaining run of wild Atlantic Salmon in the United States. a science communication specialist with They are still here because their migratory instinct compels Schoodic Institute at them home to their historic landscape. They persist despite Acadia National Park. the presence of dams and myriad challenges in the ocean environment. The Penobscot River Restoration Project and Kennebec River restorations were unprecedented and critical. But more than one hundred dams remain in the Penobscot alone. According to the Recovery Plan for Gulf of Maine Photo: K. Tenga-Gonzalez

11 Photo: Sean Murphy/Flickr Sean Photo: THANK YOU! Maine Audubon Corporate Partners Many thanks to these Maine businesses who have made a demonstrated commitment to Maine’s environment and wildlife by investing in Maine Audubon.

Insource Renewables Lafayette’s Oceanfront Resort Islandport Press Lee International EAGLE$10K+ Lee Auto Malls CARDINAL$250+ Matrix Group Benefits L.L. Bean People’s United Bank Albin, Randall, & Morong Falmouth Portside Real Estate Group Perkins Thompson, P.A. Bennett, CPAs Nappi Distributors Maine Magazine Platz Associates Back Cove Financial New England BioLabs, Inc. ReVision Energy Bangor Savings Bank Norman Hanson & DeTroy Walden Asset Management Bath Savings Trust Co. Norway Savings Bank Wipfli BCM Environmental & Osteopathic Healthcare of Maine FALCON$5K+ Land Law, PLLC Pape Subaru, Inc. Poland Spring BreakTogether, LLC Coastal ACE Hardware Peak Dental Health WGME 13 Ransom Consulting, Inc. LOON$500+ Coffee by Design Cornerstone Financial R.H. Reny, Inc. Axis Natural Foods Royal River Boat Bath Savings Institution Planning, LLC East Brown Cow Mgmt. Scott Simons Architects $2.5K+OSPREY CPRC Group, LLC Steinke and Caruso Giroux Energy Solutions Falmouth House of Pizza Highland Green Gnome Landscapes Dental Care Oceanview at Falmouth Green Clean Maine Sweetser’s Kittery Trading Post Green Bee Soda Martin’s Point Healthcare Havana Restaurant Town & Country Federal Oakhurst Dairy Credit Union Patrons Oxford Insurance Co. HNTB Corporation Inn By The Sea Warner Design Associates Terrence DeWan Associates Well Tree The Maine Sportsman Kennebunk Savings OWL$1K+ Members as of 4/30/19 Allagash Brewing Company Baker Newman Noyes Brann & Isaacson August 1, 2019 Cianbro Save Corporate Partner Networking Event Country Farm Furniture the For information on how to become a Maine Audubon Dow Capital Management Corporate Partner, contact Nick Lund at H.M. Payson & Co. Date! 207-781-2330 ext. 217 or [email protected].

12 SPECIES SPOTLIGHT Pandion haliaetus

When you’re an Osprey, every year is the Year of the Ospreys like to catch their prey alive. They hunt by soar- Salmon. The return of these large raptors to Maine in ing over open water, hovering above their prey, and then April is a sure sign of spring for birders...but it’s bad news dive-bombing with their massive talons outstretched. if you’re a fish. Once snagged, a fish has little chance to escape. Fish make up about 99 percent of an Osprey’s diet, and The work isn’t over for the Osprey, however. Now stuck the birds have been known to eat all kinds. They’ll pull in the water grasping a large, wriggling fish, the Osprey salmon and trout out of mountain rivers, sunfish and must figure out how to get airborne again. By maneuver- mullet out of southern lakes, and flounder and menhaden ing its feet so that one grasps the fish’s head and the oth- from saltwater bays. In fact, the Osprey’s varied diet and er its tail, the Osprey faces the fish forward to improve its fish-catching skills have allowed the bird to become stability and aerodynamics, then pumps its massive wings one of the few bird species occurring naturally on all to pull itself into the air. continents except Antarctica. It’s an incredible display from an amazing raptor — The way an Osprey catches its prey sets it apart, too. even if does leave this Year of the Salmon with one less Unlike the revered Bald Eagle, which (despite its fear- celebrant. some reputation) gets most of its food from carrion,

13 Kid-Powered AdvocacyBy Will Jones Protecting Whales and Wildlife

Many of us have a moment that changes us. My moment came 12 years ago. Had I been just a little bit younger, I might have missed it, since I wouldn’t have been tall enough to see over the ship’s rail. Will Jones is a senior at Kennebunk High School.

Below me was a sleepy humpback whale. As I watched, it Imagine our excitement to receive a letter back from Dr. rolled in the water like a log, looking right at me. I got to William T. Hogarth, US International Whaling Commis- look into its eye and saw it sparkle. I held my breath and ev- sioner, informing us that, “I, too, am concerned about the erything around me just stopped — the people talking, the taking of humpback whales by Japan and appreciated the noise of the boat, everything. It was just me and that whale messages written on the many origami whales created by looking at each other. your class. I applaud your interest in this matter.” My class- mates still remember this project and the empowerment it That connection has been there forever. It wasn’t a moment gave them — and me. I expected. Standing on that boat, I had no idea how my life would change — and how many others’ lives would be Soon, I became a junior intern with the Blue Ocean Society affected — because of that whale. for Marine Conservation in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and began working on the whale watch boats, teaching pas- Back on land, my desire to understand that experience drove sengers about whales alongside naturalist Dianna Schulte. me to read every book in the school library about whales. I One day, I heard Dianna tell the story of the “sweatpants drew whales on my notebooks. I wrote letters to scientists whale” — a 37-foot-long Gray Whale that washed up on asking them questions about whales. When I heard Hump- a Seattle beach in 2010 with over 50 gallons of undigest- back Whales were coming off the endangered species list, ed contents in its stomach, including sweatpants, surgical opening them up to hunting, I went to my first grade class gloves, duct tape, a golf ball, and more than 20 plastic bags. for help and asked them to make origami whales to send to the International Whaling Commission. I wrote to John Calambokidis of the Olympia-based Casca- dia Research Collective to learn more. Like Dr. Hogarth, he

14 took the time to write back to me. The necropsy photos learned about balloon of the whale that Mr. Calambokidis sent me became a trash. A year later, the centerpiece of an “info board” I built to help educate two boys stood with people about this topic. Over the past 12 years, that info me before the Maine board has grown with me, and become an important Legislature’s Commit- tool that connects with people of all ages. I’ve brought it tee on Environment Did you know? to summer camps, Rotary Club meetings, my school — and Natural Resources Balloons can travel thousands of anywhere someone would listen to me talk about balloon and testified in favor miles, polluting the most remote trash in the water. of LD 937, An Act and pristine places. Regarding the Sale Blue Ocean eventually invited me to present my project and Release or Aban- When an animal swallows a at the Naturalist Educator Workshop at Seacoast Science donment of Balloons. balloon, it can block its intestinal Center in Rye, alongside scientists from NOAA and That’s the kind of tract, leading to starvation. area colleges. My 15-minute segment was entitled “Kids impact I’m talking Inspiring Kids.” That’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve about. For seabirds, balloons are 32 times learned: When adults take the time to listen to kids and more likely to result in death than support their passions, kids get empowered...and when Time and again, kids ingesting hard plastic. empowered kids take the time to empower other kids, have shown that they they can build an army of volunteers. can understand the Sea turtles and harm balloons do to other marine Last year around Earth Day, I helped organize a “Bal- animals and the envi- creatures are loon-Free b-Earth-day party” at Kennebunk Elementary ronment, and they are known to School for Ladder the Whale. Ladder was a real Fin happy to embrace al- confuse balloons Whale who lived in the Gulf of Maine, with a scar on ternatives to balloons. with jellyfish. his back that resembled a ladder. I brought a full-sized Kids are our strongest Birds, whales, turtles, sheep, and inflatable Fin Whale, which children and their parents voices and our best could walk around and explore. We decorated with paper other animals have all been killed hope at saving more by balloons. streamers — showing how a party can still be a blast whales, turtles, and without balloons. other wildlife. This is Ribbons, flags, temporary signs, Two elementary school students — Arturo and Roman true Kid Power. and flowers are great alternative Grimes — visited Ladder at his b-Earth-day party and ways to advertise birthday parties and other events at the end of your driveway!

15 Gilsland Farm Audubon Center Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center on the LAND Fields Pond Audubon Center

Field Botany: Wildflower Walk June 15, 9:30-11 am, Fields Pond daily/weekly Traverse field, forest and wetland habitats to explore Wednesday Morning Bird Walk the diversity at Fields Pond. June 12-September 25, 7-8:30 am, Scarborough Marsh Native Plants Sale & Festival Bird and Nature Walks June 15, 10 am - 4 pm, Gilsland Farm Thursdays, 7 am, Gilsland Farm Climate Change Maine Family Nature Walk: Mummichugs and Marsh Muck with Dr. Ivan Fernandez. U Maine School of Forest Wednesdays, June 26-August 21, 10:30 am-12 pm Resources & Climate Change Institute Scarborough Marsh June 18, 7 pm, Fields Pond

Peony Member Celebration Event june June 19, 4-7 pm, Gilsland Farm Picnic at the Pond For Kids: Tiny Tot Tour June 7, 5-8 pm, Gilsland Farm June 28, 10:30-11:30 am, Scarborough Marsh Explore our favorite aquatic ecosystem Nature Journaling: Wildflowers Mystery Chick Book Signing and Reading: with Maine Master Naturalist Andrea Lani by local author Glennis Chabot June 29, 10 am-2 pm, Fields Pond June 8, 10-11 am, Gilsland Farm

Wild Edibles Walk with Russ Cohen June 12, 2-5 pm, Gilsland Farm july Co-sponsored by Wild Seed Project For Kids: Exploring Nature Through Art Speaker Series: The State of New England Plants July 9, 10:30 am-12 pm, Scarborough Marsh with Arthur Haines June 12, 7 pm, Gilsland Farm Greendrinks Co-sponsored by Native Plant Trust July 9, 5:30 pm, Gilsland Farm (21+)

Calendar of Events Moth Night June 14, 7:30 pm, Fields Pond A “One Health” Approach to Loon Conservation Hands-on participation. (Ages 6+) with Professor Emeritus, Mark Pokras, Tufts University and PhD Student Brooke Hafford MacDonald, U Maine July 12, 7 pm, Fields Pond Full event listings, pricing, and registration at maineaudubon.org/events 16 august

Book Signing: Nature Notes from Maine by local author Night Hike & Bats and Orr’s Island resident Ed Robinson August 1, 8-9:30 pm, Scarborough Marsh July 13, 11 am-1 pm, Gilsland Farm For Kids: Tiny Tot Tour Insect Bio Blitz at Fields Pond (Free) August 2, 10:30-11:30 am, Scarborough Marsh July 13, 10 am-2 pm Calling all bug catchers! For Kids: Exploring Nature Through Art August 6, 10:30 am-12 pm, Scarborough Marsh Sunday Funday Family Nature Exploration July 14, 21, 28, 11 am-12 pm, Gilsland Farm Creating a Seashell Wreath Join a master naturalist for an outdoor adventure. August 7, 5:30-7 pm, Scarborough Marsh

For Kids: Nature Pottery Snowy Egret Day (Most programs free) July 16, 10:30 am-12 pm, Scarborough Marsh August 10, 9 am-5:30 pm, Scarborough Marsh

For Kids: Cat Tales Stories For Kids: Nature Pottery July 19, 10:30-11:30 am, Scarborough Marsh August 13, 10:30 am-12 pm, Scarborough Marsh Join a nature walk, story, and craft. Marsh-wide Bird Survey (Free) Celebrate Summer at Fields Pond! (Free) August 17, 7-10 am, Scarborough Marsh July 20, 10 am- 2 pm Fun activities for kids and adults alike! For Kids: Nature Detectives August 22, 10:30-12 pm pm Marsh-wide Bird Survey Scarborough Marsh July 25, 8-11 am, Scarborough Marsh Snakes of Maine THE For Kids: Pollinator Power August 9, 7pm, Fields Pond July 25, 10:30 am-12 pm, Scarborough Marsh GalleryAT GILSLAND FARM Field Botany: Tree Walk Aquatic Plants of Maine August 24, 9:30-11 am July 25, 7 pm, Fields Pond Fields Pond An overview of the role aquatic plants play in their ecosystem. Note: This program will be an excellent primer Labor Day Weekend for the aquatic plant paddle to follow on Saturday. Extravaganza Portland artist August 31-September 2 Michel Droge Restoring Maine’s Meadows Workshop 9 am-5:30 pm Cyanotypes of with Heather McCargo Scarborough Marsh Native Plants July 30, 2 pm, Gilsland Farm June 1 - July 16 Co-sponsored by Wild Seed Project Opening Reception: June 7

17 Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center on the WATER Fields Pond Audubon Center

Sunset Canoe Tour at Scarborough Marsh Guided Kayak Tour June 30 - 7:30-9 pm July 20, 2 -3:30 pm, Scarborough Marsh July 30, 31 - 7-8:30 pm August 30 - 6:30-8 pm Field Botany: Aquatic Plants Paddle July 27, 10 am-12 pm, meet at Fields Pond boat landing Full Moon Canoe Tours at Scarborough Marsh June 15, 16, 17, 8-9:30 pm Nature Sketching by Canoe July 14, 15, 16, 8-9:30 pm August 8, 1-2:30 pm, Scarborough Marsh August 13, 14, 15, 7:30-9 pm Morning Birding by Canoe Tour Moonlight Canoe Paddle on Fields Pond August 11, 6:30-8 am, Scarborough Marsh June 16, 7:30 pm July 16, 7:30 pm Invasive Plant Patrol Training August 16, 7 pm August 18, 10 am-1 pm, Fields Pond This fun guided exploration takes place on shore and on Daily Canoe/Kayak Rentals the water. Learn about Maine’s native aquatic plants, and June 15-September 2, 9 am-4:30 pm the invasives that threaten them. Scarborough Marsh

Guided Canoe Tours June 22-September 2, 10-11:30 am Scarborough Marsh

AUTUMN BOAT TRIPS SaveTHE Bar Harbor Pelagic September 14

Bald Eagles of Merrymeeting Bay

Calendar of Events Da t es September 21

18 around the STATE

The Portland Press Herald’s Maine Voices Sponsored by the Downeast Audubon Chapter with Doug Hitchcox and Nick Lund Plants of Corea Heath with Jill Weber, botanist and June 4, 7-8 pm, One Longfellow Square, Portland co-author of The Plants of Acadia National Park Saturday, June 22, 8:30 am, Gouldsboro Forestry for Maine Birds Learn about the ecology of this unique 600-acre Integrating bird conservation into forest management Frenchman Bay Conservancy property and its wildlife. and planning. FMI: downeastaudubon.org June 7, 9 am, Farmington June 10, 4 pm, Weston Woods, Madison Sponsored by the Merrymeeting Audubon Chapter June 22, 9:30 am, Skowhegan Field Trip: Maine Bird Atlas Breeding Survey July 17, 9:30 am, Mount Vernon June 23, 6:30-11:30 am, Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell A community science project to survey breeding birds. Seabirds of Matinicus Rock Boat Trip FMI: Gordon Smith, (207) 725-0282. June 7, 8 am-4 pm New Harbor, Maine Maine Audubon Annual Loon Count July 20, State-wide Rangeley Birding Festival June 7-9 Sponsored by the Mid-Coast Audubon Chapter FMI: FLHT.org Field Trip: Pine Point and Biddeford Pool Thursday, August 22, 7 am Sunset Puffin Cruises Meet at Damariscotta’s Hannaford June 13 and 26, 7 pm, New Harbor FMI: Dennis McKenna, (207) 563-8439

Grassland Birds of Kennebunk Plains Native Plants Walk with Arthur Haines June 17, 7 am, Kennebunk Plains Saturday, August 24, 10 am Maine’s top destination for state-rare and uncommon Coffin Wildflower Reservation, Woolwich species. Co-sponsored by Native Plant Trust

Sponsored by the York County Audubon Chapter The State of Maine’s Wildlife with Judy Camuso Commissioner of the MIF&W June 18, 6:45-8:15 pm, Mather Auditorium Full event listings, pricing, and registration at Wells Reserve at Laudholm maineaudubon.org/events FMI: yorkcountyaudubon.org

19 NATURALIST HQ A Walk in Oaxaca

Doug Hitchcox, Staff Naturalist

Following our successful trip to South The flock of Least Sandpipers we saw at Presa Piedra Azul Buenos días! Texas in 2018, we’ve continued to build could be scattered along Maine’s beaches, or stopping over Maine Audubon’s trips program, working with Field in the Scarborough Marsh on their way to the arctic. The Guides, Inc. to offer birding tours to distant locales. Blue-headed Vireo spotted outside Monte Alban could be In March, our second tour came together with 14 in your backyard, singing “look-up... over here…” pre- Maine Audubon members journeying to Oaxaca, paring to nest this summer. It was inspiring to see these Mexico, for a week of beautiful birds, historic culture, birds during the winter and get an additional “piece of the and delicious food. puzzle” of their life cycle. In total, we saw 185 different bird species on the trip, I wrote about avitourism in Spring 2018 issue of Habitat, 24 of them Mexican endemics. Some real beauties, following our South Texas tour, and the important role too — my retinas are still recovering from the stun- birders can play in supporting the local economies during ning plumages of Orange-breasted Bunting and Red these trips. In Mexico, our itinerary allowed us to visit Warbler. But perhaps more fun than seeing these important cultural sites, including one of the oldest cities range-restricted Mexican birds was seeing familiar in Mesoamerica — dating back to nearly 500 BCE! From Maine birds on their wintering grounds — migrants small, local restaurants to visiting the famous Mendoza that will be returning to Maine around the time you sisters for a tour of their dying and weaving processes, it was read this article.

20 The Naturalist’s ALMANAC 3 Watch out for Snapping Turtles crossing roads as they are looking for places to lay their eggs. 15 Look (but don’t touch) as Snowy Lady’s Slippers are beginning to bloom. great to be able to support the local people 17 Look for Common Eider ducklings along Maine’s coast. that make a living in these bird-friendly Females will gather their young in groups called creches. locations. JUNE 21 Today marks the Summer Solstice. You can read a full report from our trip to 25 Are you seeing baby birds around? Report them to the Oaxaca at maineaudubon.org/oaxaca. Maine Bird Atlas! Although the summer and its beautiful weather is upon us, now is a great time to 4 What a great time to be at the beach — but watch be planning for an upcoming getaway in out for young Piping Plovers that haven’t fledged yet. the cooler months. We still have space on 6 Now is the best time to look for adult White Admirals our tour to Louisiana this October (24- flying around Maine. 28) targeting Yellow Rails and many other 20 Time for the annual Loon Count! species arriving on their wintering grounds (and you bet there will be cajun food!). 21 National Moth Week started yesterday — try using iNaturalist to identify and ocument moths in your yard. JULY Registration has also just opened for our 26 Juvenile Osprey are leaving their nests for the first time. Costa Rica tour in January of 2020. This will be a custom itinerary to target species 30 Delay mowing your fields. Bobolinks are nesting and like Resplendent Quetzals and Scarlet Ma- Monarchs will soon be looking for milkweed. caws. And in March 2020, we’re heading to Southeast Arizona — hands down my favorite place to bird in the US! 4 Listen for Dog-day Cicadas making their high buzzy song, iconic in the summer months. A list of our trips with itineraries, past trip 12 The Perseids meteor shower peaks tonight, but a nearly lists, and registration information can be full moon may make them hard to see. found at maineaudubon.org/tours. Let’s escape the winter doldrums and see some 13 Woodchucks are fattening up, already planning for winter. birds together! 29 Common Nighthawk migration is peaking, sometimes seen by the hundreds passing over waterways. 30 Jewelweed is blooming and providing a valuable fuel

AUGUST source for hummingbirds getting ready to head south.

21 The Goldfinch and Her Mate

The goldfinch and her mate, they wait for the thistle seed to come. Amidst catbird noise and strong bright leaf, they wait. The last to breed. The seed will come.

In oil-dark eye the owl chick grows and limbs its blinking way to flight. In the sun-short days of summer’s end, she knows Her nest will buzz when the seed is right.

I choose to raise you, she says, in the sweetest of days. The apple is soon to ripen on the bough. For now, the thick rich seed: Eat, eat. Is all she will allow.

Ian Carlsen Portland, Maine Member since 2014

22 Please submit original poems to [email protected] for consideration.

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P A I D P U.S. Postage Postage U.S. Portland, ME Portland, Permit No. 92 No. Permit June is in Org. Nonprofit

and on June 19 we Bloomare celebrating you! 100% PCW & FSC logos 20 Gilsland Farm Road Falmouth, ME 04105

Peony Bloom and Ice Cream Social Member Celebration! June 19, 4-7pm Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Falmouth

This fun annual party is just for Maine Audubon members. Bring your membership card (or give your name at the entrance). New members can join and walk right in, too! Come celebrate our amazing community with ice cream, art, live music, kids activities — and of course the iconic peonies of Gilsland Farm. FMI: maineaudubon.org/peonyday See you there!