Maine Nature News

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Volunteer natural history correspondents

Butterfly poised above beach pea flower ©1996 Karen A. Wihbey Would you like to be a natural history correspondent?  It's very easy and fun. From time to time you send e-mail notes on Nature observations in your area.  Examples: ice-out on local lakes, ponds; first bloom of the major native wildflowers; other evidence of the progress of the seasons; weekly "black fly reports" (on a scale of 1 to 3: 1=none or few, 2=some, but tolerable, 3=many, a royal pain); unusual species of birds sighted in your area (be selective!); wild blueberry ripeness; observation of "sundogs" (rainbow like effects approximately 22 degrees to the right and left of the Sun due to ice crystals in high altitude clouds); earth tremors; aurora sightings; turtles North of the Penobscot River watershed; etc.  Weather per se, is well-covered elsewhere, but unusual changes or trends (e.g. "Baxter Peak is covered with snow earlier this year than usual") are appropriate.  Educators are invited to contribute, and to encourage the participation of motivated students.

When you submit a photo and report you should assume it will be used.  Maine Nature News does not pay for any kind of submission; it is a free publication that does not generate any kind of profit. The expenses are paid by Robin Follette and Frank Whibey. Reporters agree to have their submissions, both text and photography, used without any kind of compensation.  Photographs are uploaded to the Maine Nature News domain. Photographs are not linked to outside the Maine Nature News domain in regular reports.  Other links are at the editor/publisher's discretion.  You are welcome to add your name to each photo.  You retain copyright.  

Requested report format = Date, [time if important]. Location (Maine Atlas Map number) Report text.  Initials of correspondent.  We use initials to protect privacy.
Example:  Tuesday, September 30  Talmadge (Map 45)  Text Here.  ABC.
If you don't know the Map number the town is sufficient.  I'll look up the map number for you.  Photos are not required.  Text is always great!

Please resize photos to approximately 600 pixels on the largest size.  Photos will be resized to fit available space.  

Please e-mail  reports to Robin.      


Useful telephone numbers


What else have you observed, or do you know about, concerning the Maine natural world? Let Maine Nature News know by e-mail.

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