I don’t remember that I’ve ever written back-to-back articles about the same species, but sometimes things just naturally fall into place. Both of these recent rescues have a happy ending, so how could I resist? As a follow-up to August’s column about the raccoon that underwent surgeries for a broken leg, fractured jaw, and dislocated Read More
Protecting Wildlife
Maine is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and, for some species, Maine makes up a vast majority of their range or provides essential habitat that can’t be found elsewhere. NRCM works to protect Maine’s wildlife by advocating for policies that ensure they have healthy habitat and abundant resources to thrive.
Critter Chatter — Cautiously Optimistic
As is often the case, I wasn’t sure what this month’s article would be about and had asked Don to give it some thought so we could talk about it last week. And, as is often the case, it didn’t take very long for that question to be answered! When I stopped by Duck Pond Read More
Critter Chatter – A New Chapter
As noted in last month’s article, rehabber Don Cote at Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center was hospitalized for a week in late May. I’m relieved and happy to report that his recovery at home is going well and as we expected, it didn’t take long before he started taking calls about orphaned and injured critters. Read More
Critter Chatter – It Takes a Village…
“It takes a village to raise a child” is an African proverb referencing the need for a community of people to provide and assure its children grow in a healthy, safe environment. It’s not limited to children, however, as evidenced by all that has happened at Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center since last month’s column. Read More
Alewives Abound at Benton Falls
At the end of May we were lucky enough to join our colleagues on a field trip to the Benton Falls Dam on the Sebasticook River to see the alewife (river herring) run. Alewives spend the majority of their lives in the ocean and only follow freshwater routes to spawn in interior lakes and ponds Read More
Critter Chatter – New Neighbors!
In my typical fashion, I wasn’t sure what this month’s column would be about. After Monday (May 13), however, there was no doubt in my mind. What was just another day in the life of a wildlife rehabber was special for me! For those who read Critter Chatter regularly, you may remember that last October Read More
Maine Big Night: Among the Amphibians
Spring in Maine is a special time for a variety of reasons. The days are longer. The sun is warmer. Bird song returns, and sure, the flowers are beginning to come into bloom. But for me, nothing is better about spring in Maine than the annual migration of our native amphibians known as “Maine Big Read More
Draft EIS for Kennebec River Fails to Meet the Moment
The Kennebec River experienced a dramatic resurgence in sea-run fish populations, water quality, and wildlife with the removal of the Edwards Dam in 1999. The restored river has also helped revitalize riverfront communities. We need to continue this success by restoring access for sea-run fish to the Kennebec above Waterville. Right now, the Federal Energy Read More
Critter Chatter – A Springtime Reminder
As we’ve done for several years, this month’s column is a reminder from Don Cote at the Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center that not all young animals that appear lost or orphaned actually need to be rescued. Despite people’s good intentions, some babies do not need human involvement other than careful observation. Again, I’m going Read More
