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Maine's Changing Bird Populations

  • Prince Memorial Library 266 Main Street Cumberland, ME USA (map)

March 30, 2024 | 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Location: Prince Memorial Library, 266 Main Street, Cumberland

Join Derek Lovitch of Freeport Wild Bird Supply for a presentation and discussion about the rapid changes Maine's avifauna (otherwise known as birdlife) is undergoing. Largely due to dramatic shifts in the climate and the increased pace of development, some birds are new on the scene while others are disappearing. We'll look at some of the most familiar changes—from increasing Northern Cardinals to disappearing Evening Grosbeaks—and discuss the hows, whys, and what you can do to help our feathered friends.


About the presenter: Derek and his wife Jeannette live in Durham, Maine. They own and operate Freeport Wild Bird Supply, a retail store that caters to birders of all levels. The store serves as a vehicle for Derek to share his enthusiasm for birding, birds, and bird conservation. The store is also the home base for a growing tour guiding operation. His first book, How To Be a Better Birder, was published in 2012 by Princeton University Press. His second book, Birdwatching in Maine: A Site Guide, was published in 2017 by the University Press of New England.  A completely revised and updated second edition was published in 2024. His writing has also appeared in a variety of magazines, and his birding throughout the state for the last 20 years has provided perspective on how rapidly Maine's bird populations are changing.

About the series: Weathering Climate Change: Understanding Shifts in Our Local Landscapes is an educational series of walks and talks aimed at informing, engaging, and uniting community members of Cumberland and Chebeague Island around local climate issues that impact us all. The series is offered in collaboration with Prince Memorial Library, the Cumberland Lands and Conservation Commission’s Sustainability Subcommittee, and the Chebeague Climate Action Team.

Earlier Event: March 27
Get Out! Nature Walk: Signs of Spring
Later Event: April 24
Get Out! Nature Walk: Vernal Pools