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experience: is there anything worse than pouring your heart into writing a bird guide, then watching it go slowly out-of-date?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

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Published

2 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?

A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.

This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.

Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine

According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.

Wondering what’s in the burrito?

The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”

Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.

The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.

As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.

Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.

Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant

First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.

Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.

A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.

READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew

And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.

So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.

You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods

Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

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Maine

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

Published

14 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

1 day 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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