MDIFW Blog

My First Christmas Bird Count

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.

Is winter weather changing in northern and central Maine?

By Regional Wildlife Biologist Shawn Haskell

Fisheries Biologists Involved with Hydropower Renewal Projects in Maine

By Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist Nick Kalejs

Join Judy Outside: Opting Out Every Day

By Commissioner Judy Camuso

Monitoring Maine's deer population is a community effort

By Assistant Regional Wildlife Biologist, Sarah Boyden

Managing for a Rare Butterfly at Frye Mountain WMA

By Natural Resources Manager Jack Chappen

Training Held to Promote Economical Ways to Win with Beaver

By Regional Wildlife Biologist Chuck Hulsey

Maine’s Threatened and Endangered Freshwater Fishes

By Native Fish Conservation Biologist Merry Gallagher

Maine is home to two freshwater fish species that are listed under Maine’s Endangered Species Act. 

The Swamp Darter (Etheostoma fusiforme) is listed as Threatened and received that designation in 1997. Darters are known to occur in seven locations within two river drainages in Southern Maine. It is very unlikely that you will ever encounter one! 

Mother Nature’s Colors

By Asst. Regional Biologist Amanda DeMusz

Fall is a beautiful time of year. The leaves are changing and colors abound. However, trees are not the only ones with unique colors. With trapping season upon us, I thought it would be a great time to highlight a popular game species that is near and dear to my heart: the American Marten (Martes americana). Many non-trappers have probably never seen one, but marten come in a variety of colors.

Whitefish Research Project: Factors Influencing Early Whitefish Survival

By Research Technician Dylan Whitaker

Years ago, lake whitefish were considered a popular sport fish in Maine and were readily caught in many waters across the state. Whitefish even supported a commercial fishery in northern Maine for a short time at the turn of the 20th century. However, many of Maine’s whitefish populations have experienced significant declines. Since then, whitefish lost much of its notoriety.