Maine

Maine snowbirds may want this new Florida bird identification book

Published

1 year ago

October 24, 2024

Maine snowbirds may want this new Florida bird identification book

I don’t usually review books, but this is a rare exception.

I was asked to review a recently published guidebook, Kristen Hine’s “Birds of Florida.” It’s part of the Helm Wildlife Guides series, offered by Bloomsbury Publishing.

Frankly, I’ve never heard of Hine, Helm or Bloomsbury.

But I’ve heard of Florida. And birds. This could be fun, I thought. Writing a bird guide is a uniquely difficult challenge. I should know. I wrote one.

Most books are species identification guides, covering a broad geographic area. Nearly everyone who enjoys birding has a comprehensive guide to the birds of North America on the bookshelf — or one each for eastern and western species.

In 2000, David Sibley published one of the most famous — “The Sibley Guide to Birds.” It’s a large, heavy reference book, too big to fit in a pocket, or even a backpack. Because of that, the book was republished as two books for portability: “Sibley Birds East” and “Sibley Birds West.”

Naturally, as a bird nerd, I own all three. I also bought the Sibley app for my smartphone.

Other books are location guides. These explain where to look for birds, rather than how to identify them. They are typically limited to small geographic areas. On a trip to Tucson last May, I relied on my “Birds of Southeastern Arizona” guidebook. It had been sitting on my bookshelf since I bought it in 2010.

There are several good location guidebooks for Maine. The newest book came out last year: “Field Guide to Birds of Maine,” written by Nick Lund. The second edition of “Birdwatching in Maine: The Complete Site Guide,” edited by Derek Lovitch, was published earlier this year.

My own book, “Maine Birding Trail: The Official Guide to More Than 260 Accessible Sites,” debuted in 2009.

Here’s my personal experience: is there anything worse than pouring your heart into writing a bird guide, then watching it go slowly out-of-date? Much has changed In just 15 years. Boreal chickadees could be found along the Maine coast as far south as Vinalhaven when my book came out. Since that time, they’ve vanished all the way to the Canadian border.

Bank swallows have nearly disappeared from Maine altogether. Cliff swallows are likely right behind them. Even barn swallows are declining precipitously.

Meanwhile, southern birds continue to push north as the climate warms. Red-bellied woodpeckers and Carolina wrens are routinely surprising birders north of Bangor. The tufted titmouse was a southern Maine bird when I wrote the book. Now it nests in my yard.

So, could this “Birds of Florida” guide pull off the difficult feat? In just 224 pages, could it help the reader both identify and locate Florida birds? I’ve been birding in most of Florida. I’ve seen all of Florida’s nesting species. I figure I’m qualified to judge.

I think the guide works, for a couple of easily overlooked reasons. Foremost, it emphasizes habitat. The best way to find birds is to know where to look. Birds are picky about habitat. Each species has a preference. Before the book mentions a single bird or site, it describes the 10 major habitat groups in the state. Next, it goes on to describe the top 17 birding sites aligned with those habitats.

When the book finally starts describing each species, it takes only one paragraph to describe where to look.

Secondly, the book is concise. It covers the basics of identifying each bird, while resisting the temptation to over-describe it. An identification-based guidebook points out all the basic field marks, as well as plumage variations that occur with age and season.

Such detailed complexity is beyond the scope of this book. It seeks to be a handy pocket guide to the birds most likely to be encountered in Florida.

Likewise, the book does not waste pages on rarities. It describes a few Caribbean birds that regularly stray into Florida, and that’s all that’s necessary. It also doesn’t squander pages on rare migrants passing through to the tropics.

In short, it’s the kind of guide that a Mainer might find useful during a Florida vacation this winter. Snowbirds might keep a copy in the RV.

Experienced birders may miss having identification details for immature offseason birds. They may want more specific information on where to find particularly difficult species or rare wanderers. But there are other resources for that.

When I seek a bird I’ve never seen before, I lean heavily on eBird. I confess that’s how I got my last Florida lifer — a bird I had seen and identified for the first time in my life.

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Maine

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

Published

7 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.

Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.

“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.

For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.

Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”

If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.

You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.

You can also call 941-2800.

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Maine

Arizona Sen. Gallego endorses Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner

Published

19 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Arizona Sen. Gallego endorses Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid to flip a key Senate seat blue, marking another sign of the oyster farmer and combat veteran’s political resiliency even as he continues to face controversy throughout his campaign.

Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego announced Monday that he was backing Platner, saying that the first-time candidate “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine.”

“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” said Gallego, who won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2024 by more than 2 points while Trump carried the state by nearly 6 points.

Platner has previously been endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat.

However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed Platner’s main opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills.

Both Platner, 41, and Mills, 78, are hoping to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, 73, a five-term incumbent who announced last month that she was running for another term. A victory in Maine is crucial for Democrats’ efforts to take back control of the Senate. The Democratic Party needs to net four seats to retake the Senate majority, and they are aiming to do that in Maine, North Carolina, Alaska and Ohio.

READ MORE: Maine’s Graham Platner thinks voters will overlook his past to support a new type of candidate

Platner has gained traction with his anti-establishment image and economic equality message. He’s pressed forward despite controversies over old social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he recently had covered up.

Gallego is among the Democrats named as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Last fall, he stumped in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections.

“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner said in a statement.

Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.

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Maine

Building Hope: A Community Film Event to End Homelessness

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Building Hope: A Community Film Event to End Homelessness

On March 2, Spurwink will join community partners for a special viewing of Building Hope: Ending Homelessness in Maine at the University of Southern Maine’s McGoldrick Hall.

Directed by Richard Kane and produced by Melody Lewis-Kane, the film shines a compassionate light on the realities of Maine’s homelessness crisis. Through deeply personal stories, Building Hope explores the challenges faced by unhoused individuals and families, while highlighting the hope that emerges when communities come together to create solutions. It’s been praised for its honesty, dignity, and inspiring message: change is possible when we work together.

Following the screening, a panel of local leaders and advocates will discuss the film and the ongoing effort in Maine to end homelessness. Panelists will include Katherine Rodney, Director of Spurwink’s Living Room Crisis Center; Cullen Ryan, Chief Strategic Officer at 3Rivers; Donna Wampole, Assistant Professor of Social Work at USM; and Preble Street staff. Catherine Ryder, Spurwink’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, will bring her expertise in trauma-informed care and community collaboration to the panel as the moderator.

This event is free and open to the public.

McGoldrick Center, USM Portland campus

05:00 PM – 07:30 PM on Mon, 2 Mar 2026

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