Maine Nature News

General information page

World Wide Web and electronic mail make this practical

Maine Nature News appears on the World Wide Web in order to reach its audience in a timely manner. Also, the use of e-mail for receiving reports means that the information would be received promptly and would not have to be retyped for entry into the Maine Nature News. Attempting a similar project as a printed publication would not have been within the capacity of my time and energy.

Volunteer natural history correspondents

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.

Requested report format = Day, date, [time]. Location (Maine Atlas Map number) Report text.  Initials of correspondent.
We use initials to protect privacy.

Please e-mail these reports to me with Nature Report in the subject line.      

Also desirable are clippings of Maine natural history-related articles from local newspapers (include the name of the newspaper, date and page). Be selective! Most newspapers say it is OK to reproduce their article for educational purposes, but check with the newspaper first on whether it is indeed permissible. 

Useful telephone numbers

• Maine Audubon Birding Hotline: 207-781-2332 (message changed on Tuesdays)
• Maine Publicity Bureau, seasonal outdoors information. Spring and summer: river conditions (for rafting); autumn: foliage reports; winter: snow conditions (for skiing) 800-533-9595.
• New England Wolf Hotline (To report observation of a wolf. Sponsored by Defenders of Wildlife, c/o Joni Soffron, North American Wolf Foundation/Wolf Hollow, 114 Essex Rd., Ipswich, MA, 01938) 800-818-9653.
• To report "hot" sightings of wolves that might lead to hard evidence. Rapid response contact: Don Moore, 207-866-3545 (13 Kelly Road, Orono, ME 04473).

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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