By Glen Mittelhauser

By Fisheries Biologist Jacob Scoville

By Commissioner Judy Camuso

This year I opted to celebrate the winter solstice by watching the sun rise over the ocean off Prouts Neck in Scarborough.  The scene was incredible and no matter how many times I watch the sunrise, I am always rewarded with nature’s beauty and solace and glad I dragged myself out of bed at 3:30 am. 

By Regional Fisheries Biologist Jason Seiders

The Winter Atlas is here! December 14th launches the winter season so grab your binoculars and get out for some winter atlasing.

New to atlasing?

By Wildlife Biologist Sarah Spencer

I have a confession to make: I’ve never participated in Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC)…until now. I don’t have a good excuse why I never before donned my binoculars to collect data during this nationwide event that occurs every December, I just never prioritized it. That all changed on a recent warm, rainy, Saturday in December.

By Regional Wildlife Biologist Shawn Haskell

We have recently made the decision to keep 2 state-based eBird portals for Maine. Although having 2 portals for entering Maine eBird records may seem confusing, deciding which portal to use is quite simple. If your checklist includes one or more species with a breeding code of Confirmed, Probable, or Possible, enter the entire checklist  in the Maine Bird Atlas eBird port

By Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist Nick Kalejs

Three years ago, MDIFW embarked on a heron tracking project, which has since redefined how many Mainers view great blue herons, understand their habitats and movements within the state as well as beyond our nation’s borders. Prior to this project, we knew little about where herons wintered, how many years they may nest in the same colony, how far they fly to forage. Additionally, we knew little about nesting, post-breeding, migration and wintering seasons.