MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 21, 2022
Sadly, most aerial insectivores, especially swallows, are declining across the state. Bank swallows are showing some of the most dramatic declines, as the habitat they use to nest is becoming increasingly scarce. Another obvious change in our breeding birds is the arrival of southern species. Since the first atlas was done in Maine (which ended in 1983), some new species to establish breeding populations in Maine are red-bellied woodpecker, Carolina wren, fish crow, and orchard oriole. We’re also seeing changes in the other direction: species whose southern limit is in Maine are being pushed north out of the state, including Olive-sided flycatchers and Boreal chickadees. ~ Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist Doug Hitchcox