Barred Owl

Barred Owl in Harpswell (2007)

One of about a dozen species of owls in Maine, the Barred Owl is relatively large at 20 inches. It moves about at night to feed on small animals such a rodents, frogs and birds.  This owl has also been found to take fish from a lake. Though usually hidden in dark reaches of swampy…

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

This is the smallest bird in Maine.  Amazngly, this tiny, energy-burning bird migrates thousands of miles each year between Maine and the southern United States, Mexico and Central America. In southern Maine it appears in early summer for a brief period, then apparently moves north only to reappear in late summer, presumably on its long…

Eagle, Bald

Bald Eagle Surveying the Kennebec River (2005)

The Bald Eagle, symbol of the United States of America and once threatened with extinction, has made a substantial comeback. It is now listed as “threatened” rather than “endangered.” The St. Croix River, bordering Canada in Washington County, has a thriving colony of Bald Eagles.  They fish the river just as humans are doing at…