Maine Natural History Observatory

Maine Natural History Observatory MNHO is a non-profit research center in Maine increasing knowledge about Maine flora & fauna.

MNHO specializes in collecting, interpreting, and maintaining datasets crucial for understanding changes in Maine’s plant and wildlife populations. We are committed to filling data gaps for Maine’s least understood species and creating a legacy of data for use in nature conservation, land use policy decisions, and expanding scientific knowledge. Our activities include:

- Compile and publish s

ummaries of Maine's natural history.
- Coordinate local and regional inventory and monitoring efforts of Maine's flora, fauna, and habitats.
- Facilitate cooperation and exchange of information among organizations, agencies, and individuals conducting natural history research in Maine or caring for natural history collections.
- Engage in other activities related to the advancement of scientific knowledge and education of the public regarding the flora, fauna, and habitats of Maine.

Check out MNHO's Nature Notes episodes from August!(links in the comments)- 8/9/26: Maine Frogs with Steve Ressel, part ...
09/01/2026

Check out MNHO's Nature Notes episodes from August!
(links in the comments)

- 8/9/26: Maine Frogs with Steve Ressel, part 4
Glen joins herpetologist Steve Ressel beside a pond at dusk to listen to the breeding chorus of Maine’s frogs and learn how to distinguish the calls of Spring Peepers, Bullfrogs, Green Frogs, and Pickerel Frogs.

- 8/16/26: Surveying Plants on Maine Islands, part 1
Glen begins a multi-day botanical inventory of Little Spruce Island off the coast of Downeast Maine. He describes the logistics of reaching remote islands, the slow pace of searching for plants, and why botanists rely on scientific names to accurately document the diversity they find.

- 8/23/26: Surveying Plants on Maine Islands, part 2
Glen explains why each island supports a unique plant community shaped by its history and environment. He reflects on the importance of documenting these remote floras today to provide the baseline data needed to understand ecological change in the future.

- 8/30/26: Snowy Egret and Cormorant Commensal Feeding
An essay by Lewis Holmes describing an unusual feeding association between Snowy Egrets and cormorants on the tidal flats of Scarborough.

"Nature Notes: A Maine Naturalist Afield" is a 5-minute radio program produced by MNHO staff that discusses natural history topics relating to Maine’s flora and fauna from the perspective of field biologists and naturalists. It is broadcast on Community Radio WERU 89.9 FM on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. You can listen to past episodes anytime on the MNHO website: www.mainenaturalhistory.org/nature-notes/

Photos:
- Snowy Egret by Lewis Holmes
- Lysimachia maritima by Glen Mittelhauser
- Spring Peeper by Logan Parker

With the approach of the publication of The Maine Bird Atlas this fall, here is a peek inside the finished book!This har...
08/18/2026

With the approach of the publication of The Maine Bird Atlas this fall, here is a peek inside the finished book!

This hardcover, 9" x 12", 743-page book contains:
- 315 bird species accounts written by 74 contributing authors.
- 824 maps showing breeding and wintering evidence, species occupancy and density, and changes since the first Maine Bird Atlas.
- Nesting phenology graphs.
- Maine Conservation status.
- Hundreds of color photos...and more!

Preorders for the Atlas will open at the Final Atlas Presentation on September 16th at 7 PM. Stay tuned for details!

The Maine Bird Atlas was a collaborative effort directed and funded by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, with coordination, editing, and publication led by Maine Natural History Observatory in partnership with Maine Audubon and Biodiversity Research Institute. The Atlas is not only a bird book, it represents the largest natural history collaboration and statewide resource assessment ever undertaken in Maine.

We have a new mini-guide to the Asteraceae family! Learn how to spot the common features among all species in the Aster...
08/17/2026

We have a new mini-guide to the Asteraceae family! Learn how to spot the common features among all species in the Asteraceae (aster) family.

You can download a PDF of this mini-guide and explore many others at: www.mainenaturalhistory.org/guides

The Maine Bird Atlas compiled over 2.6 million eBird records from birders around the state. But unfortunately, not all b...
08/10/2026

The Maine Bird Atlas compiled over 2.6 million eBird records from birders around the state. But unfortunately, not all birds make the cut; sorry, Mrs. Featherbottom! 🐓

To ensure we are only accounting for wild, breeding birds, Atlas staff created custom data visualization tools and algorithms to easily spot outliers (is that a White-eyed Vireo… in Aroostook County?!). Data validation efforts also included multi-day proofing retreats where Maine birders joined Atlas staff to resolve irregularities and ultimately reach a consensus.

A huge thank you to ALL the volunteers who dedicated their time and effort towards data collection and review! While 100% perfection is impossible for an effort of this size, the rigorous quality assurance means that we are highly confident this data is representative of Maine's bird populations. 🐦🦉

Directed by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, led by Maine Natural History Observatory, in partnership with Maine Audubon and BRI, the Maine Bird Atlas is the largest natural history assessment ever undertaken in the state. 🪶Preorders for the book open in September — stay tuned!

Submit your nature writings and photos by September 1st to be considered for the fall issue of The Observer! Submission ...
08/10/2026

Submit your nature writings and photos by September 1st to be considered for the fall issue of The Observer!

Submission guidelines: www.mainenaturalhistory.org/observer-submissions

The Observer is an online natural history journal published by MNHO where naturalists of all experience levels can connect, share nature observations, and expand upon their collective knowledge about Maine biota.

Download a free copy or subscribe: www.mainenaturalhistory.org/field-journal-maine-natural-history-observer/

We look forward to seeing those who can make it at MNHO's Member and Supporter Appreciation Event this Saturday in Bucks...
08/06/2026

We look forward to seeing those who can make it at MNHO's Member and Supporter Appreciation Event this Saturday in Bucksport!

You'll get a rare chance to talk to the MNHO ecologists and staff and learn about the latest natural science projects they're working on. As a small nonprofit, we depend on our members and supporters to help make our research possible. Thank you!

If you want to attend this event, here is the link to register: https://mainenaturalhistory.app.neoncrm.com/forms/61
(the event is free, but space is limited)

Photos:
Elliot Johnston (Coastal island research)
Glen Mittelhauser (Data collection and archiving for the next generation)
Jordan Chalfant (Seaweeds of Maine)
Logan Parker (Aerial insectivores)

Check out MNHO's Nature Notes episodes from July!(links in the comments)- Sandhill Cranes in Maine, part 2 (aired July 5...
08/01/2026

Check out MNHO's Nature Notes episodes from July!
(links in the comments)

- Sandhill Cranes in Maine, part 2 (aired July 5th)
An essay by Sandra Mitchell, describing the breeding biology and spectacular courtship dances of Sandhill Cranes while following a nesting pair through the spring breeding season.

- Sandhill Cranes in Maine, part 3 (aired July 12th)
An essay by Sandra Mitchell, reflecting on nesting behavior, chick rearing, and her hopes for the future of a growing Sandhill Crane population in Maine.

- Maine Frogs with Steve Ressel, part 1 (aired July 19th)
A conversation with herpetologist Steve Ressel, who reflects on a career studying frogs from the tropics to Maine. Along the way, they explore the unique mix of amphibians found on Mount Desert Island, the mysteries behind the absence of some familiar species, and the beauty of Maine’s Gray Treefrog.

- Maine Frogs with Steve Ressel, part 2 (aired July 26th)
Continuing a conversation with herpetologist Steve Ressel, this episode explores the breeding ecology of Maine’s frogs, from the brief, explosive breeding season of Wood Frogs to the territorial calls of Bullfrogs.

"Nature Notes: A Maine Naturalist Afield" is a 5-minute radio program produced by MNHO staff that discusses natural history topics relating to Maine’s flora and fauna from the perspective of field biologists and naturalists. It is broadcast on Community Radio WERU 89.9 FM on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. You can listen to past episodes anytime on the MNHO website: www.mainenaturalhistory.org/nature-notes/

Photos:
- Sandhill Crane by Sandra Mitchell
- Wood Frog by Logan Parker
- Gray Tree Frog by Logan Parker
- Juvenile Sandhill Crane by Logan Parker

Big dreams and binoculars build historic achievements. We’re proud of Maine’s volunteer community scientists – the backb...
07/28/2026

Big dreams and binoculars build historic achievements. We’re proud of Maine’s volunteer community scientists – the backbone of the Maine Bird Atlas.

The Atlas is not only a bird book; it represents the largest natural history collaboration and statewide resource assessment ever undertaken in Maine – an impossible challenge without the extraordinary ambition, adaptability, and dedication of volunteers, and the power of community science.

Thousands of volunteer community scientists shared our vision of the Atlas, directed their enthusiasm for birding toward conservation action, and built a lasting legacy:

🐦 Over 2.6 million bird records already contributing to research and conservation.
❄️ 232 wintering species documented in Maine’s first wintering bird atlas.
🏆 Statewide survey goals surpassed, providing a comprehensive baseline for Maine birds.
😎 Expanded outreach inspiring curiosity and support form a growing birding community.

The Maine Bird Atlas was a collaborative effort directed and funded by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, with coordination, editing, and publication led by Maine Natural History Observatory in partnership with Maine Audubon and Biodiversity Research Institute. Preorders for the book will drop this September!

The Maine Bird Atlas has been sent to the Printer! We expect the atlas to be printed over the next month, and then ship...
07/28/2026

The Maine Bird Atlas has been sent to the Printer! We expect the atlas to be printed over the next month, and then shipping the books to the U.S. should take around 3 months. If everything stays on schedule, the finished Atlas will arrive in October.

Preorders for the Maine Bird Atlas will open at the final Atlas presentation in September. Stay tuned for more details!

The Maine Bird Atlas was a collaborative effort directed and funded by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, with coordination, editing, and publication led by Maine Natural History Observatory in partnership with Maine Audubon and Biodiversity Research Institute. The Atlas is not only a bird book, it represents the largest natural history collaboration and statewide resource assessment ever undertaken in Maine.

Photo: Blackburnian Warbler by Logan Parker (Here in the Wild: Field Notes and Photography)

With the Maine Bird Atlas publication around the corner, we want to help put this enormous project in perspective, and ...
07/28/2026

With the Maine Bird Atlas publication around the corner, we want to help put this enormous project in perspective, and thank the organizations and volunteers who made it possible.

The Maine Bird Atlas is more than a book. It is the largest natural history assessment ever undertaken in Maine. It can't be overstated how important it is (and will be) for bird conservation, and the tangible benefits it will have for how we study and protect Maine bird populations for generations to come.

What do we mean when we say that the Maine Bird Atlas is Maine's largest natural history assessment ever?

To complete the Atlas, it took:
- 6,551 volunteers
- 2.6 million bird observations
- 206,650 people hours completing over 25,000 square miles of survey blocks

It took Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Maine Natural History Observatory, Maine Audubon, and Biodiversity Research Institute 9 years of intensive collaboration, coordination, data analysis, and writing to complete this 743 page book.

We can't begin to express how grateful we are to the volunteers and staff who worked on this project. Thank you!

Preorders for the Atlas will open at the Final Atlas Presentation on September 16th at 7 PM. Stay tuned for details!

The Maine Bird Atlas was a collaborative effort directed and funded by MDIFW, with coordination, editing, and publication led by Maine Natural History Observatory in partnership with Maine Audubon and Biodiversity Research Institute. The Atlas is not only a bird book, it represents the largest natural history collaboration and statewide resource assessment ever undertaken in Maine.

Photos by Logan Parker (Here in the Wild: Field Notes and Photography)
Maine Bird Atlas logo by Jada Fitch (Jada Fitch Illustration)

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317 Guzzle Road
Gouldsboro, ME
04607

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+12079632012

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