Author Archives: Harlequin

About Harlequin

Harlequin is a pseudonym for content not attributed to a specific author. It echoes the name of the YCAS newsletter, The Harlequin. Watch for Harlequin Ducks along the rocky portions of the York County coast in winter. ¶ The avatar is by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, who sketched and painted the species during the Harriman Alaska Expedition. ¶ "When we got before the glacier, I saw my first pair of harlequins... the glass showed them plainly to be a ♂ + ♀ histrionicus." — L.A. Fuertes, June 7, 1899

For the Sake of the Birds

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Change is in the air! The days are getting longer, the snow is leaving for another year, and the temperature is rising. Best of all, early arrivals signal the coming of spring and the beginning of migration. It’s the time of the year for which we have been eagerly waiting. As we enjoy another season of being out delighting in the sights and sounds of spring and the beauty of Maine, we are encouraged to take stock of our accomplishments and the challenges that face us. During school vacation week, YCAS co-sponsored a Winter Wildlife Day with the Wells Reserve … Continue reading →

Full House for Winter Wildlife Day

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On February 24th the auditorium at the Wells Reserve was filled with the sounds of joyful kids and thankful parents, Yes, it was our Winter Wildlife Day! We cosponsored this event with the Center for Wildlife and the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. A total of 106 individuals of which over half were children attended the morning session for the Center for Wildlife presentation. This well received live animal show included a Red-tailed Hawk, a Barred Owl, and Edna the albino porcupine. Kids and parents were delighted with these guests, as confirmed by their many pertinent questions and their quiet, respectful … Continue reading →

Who did you introduce to birding today?

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I had a call at at 8:30 this morning. It was my 7-year-old granddaughter excitedly telling me that they had a Barred Owl in their yard (Maine woods)… right then! She wanted me to bring her little Peterson bird book over that I started for her, so she could put a Barred Owl in it. I did, and gave her a little notebook to write in, since she is now learning to read and write. I was nearly 50 before I was introduced to birding, thanks to the Beaver Lake Nature Center near me in central New York. So, here … Continue reading →

YCAS Annual Meeting

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Our annual meeting will be held at the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, 7 Gravelly Brook Road, Kennebunkport. 6:45pm: Annual Business Meeting 7:00pm: Social Time & Refreshments 7:30pm: Program — Songbird Migration in the Gulf of Maine: Past, Present, and Future For our program, Rebecca Holberton and Adrienne Leppold from the University of Maine Laboratory of Avian Biology will help us to see how what happens in the Gulf of Maine affects us, our birds, and other wildlife. One of the nation’s leading bird biologists, Rebecca Holberton, and her graduate student Adrienne Leppold have discovered a ton of new information about Maine’s songbird … Continue reading →

Photographing Birds and Natural History

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Phippsburg writer, gardener and natural history photographer Robin Robinson will entertain us with beautiful photos and video of birds, beasts, wildflowers and natural history she has taken in Maine. The program will include a smattering of hints and techniques for those who would like to get better photos. Robin’s photographs have been in numerous publications. On Open Salon.com, her combined work has earned Editor’s Pick several times and has been selected three times for the prestigious Maine Photography Show. Select photographic prints will be available for sale after the program. robins-chaos.blogspot.com

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From Cosmos to the Back Yard

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Internationally known for his amazing photos of the night sky, Kirk Rogers also takes beautiful photos of birds and wildlife. Please join us for a talk about birding with lenses and observing the heavens with cameras and telescopes. Kirk’s photos will help us appreciate our place in the grand scheme of the universe. kiroastro.com

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Grassland Birds in New England: Causes of Decline and Reasons to be Optimistic

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How do we explain the disappearance of Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and other birds of our farmlands? Dr. Noah Perlut will explore the life histories of resident grassland species and discuss how their ecology is affected by agricultural management. He will also describe diverse management options that can benefit both land managers and birds.

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For the Sake of the Birds

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As indicated by others, the health and vitality of York County Audubon depends upon the commitment of officers and board members as well as the membership at large. We need everyone if we are to achieve our mission of fostering understanding, appreciation, and conservation of the natural world through education. No one person, or even a few, can address all the opportunities for resource conservation and respond to the environmental challenges present in today’s fast paced world, much less do them justice. Fortunately, new board members have come forward to assume leadership roles. We welcome Linda Eastman as our new … Continue reading →

Birding Challenge 2010

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York County Audubon would like to thank all those who pledged toward the 2010 Birding Challenge. Due to their generosity, YCAS is pleased to make these disbursements: $1500 Stratton Island Internship $750 The Center for Wildlife $750 The Nature Conservancy — to help support the repair to the boardwalk at the Saco Heath $500 The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust — to supply the bird feeders York County Audubon thanks the businesses who helped make the 2010 Birding Challenge a success: Alfredo’s Italian Pizzeria, Wells B & B Burner Service, Biddeford Bluethroat Birdtours LLC, Sierra Vista, Arizona Bob & Mike’s Mini Mart, … Continue reading →

Meet Our New Board Members

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Monica Grabin is a musician and educator. She is the creator of historical programs called “Singing History,” which she has presented for thousands of students and many libraries, museums and other organizations throughout New England since 1986. These programs use authentic songs and stories to teach about many aspects of American history. She is a featured artist with the Maine Arts Commission’s Touring Artists and Arts in Education Programs, and the New England Foundation for the Arts. She is also an avid birder and amateur naturalist. She and her husband, Bill, have spent countless hours in the Maine woods and … Continue reading →

Birds Galore: Stratton Island 2010

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Stratton Island is special! It is York County’s most northerly island and is the only island managed by Project Puffin in York County for tern survival. YCAS visited the island July 31 and six participants enjoyed spectacular looks at Common, Roseate, Least and Arctic Terns. The magic of being on an island dominated by tern sounds versus the busy sounds of summer cannot be given enough press. What a respite from the mainland! Our Birding Challenge contributions to Project Puffin made this field trip possible. Thanks to all who contributed as well as the island researchers who made difficult logistics … Continue reading →