Dear Katie,

We don't want to jinx anything, but it finally feels like spring! Some early plants are starting to flower and migratory birds are on the move. The photos below are just a few of the submissions from the past month. Want to see the rest? Click here to join the Facebook Group.

What are you seeing out there? We'd love to hear from you! Click here for more information about Harpswell Nature Watchers.

With some patience, Ptilidium capsules can often be found in early spring on rotting wood or tree bases (P. pulcherrimum), or on rock or soil over rock (P. ciliare). Generally tiny, liverworts are common and varied in form. The sporophytes—stalk and spore capsule as seen in the photograph—are very short-lived. The name “liverwort” comes from the shape of some species’ leaf lobes which can look like a liver; “wort” is the old English word for plant.

(Submitted by Priscilla Seimer. April 25, 2024)

A Barred Owl waiting patiently for her two eggs to hatch.

(Submitted by Caroll Noyes. April 24, 2024)

On the steward walk at Otter Brook last week we came across some shiny areas on standing water that looked like oil. I had remembered reading something about how if you touch the surface and see the sheen shatter into angular shapes, it's not oil but rather microorganisms. We poked the shiny surface and observed the shattering effect. I couldn't remember what type of micro orgs created this sheen and Nat Wheelwright was excited to look into it. He sent along this article and I wanted to share it with you. Another thing to look out for when you're out and about!

(Submitted by HHLT Lands & Stewardship Director Emma Balazs. April 23, 2024)

Some of my favorite backyard visitors so far this month. Chipping Sparrows, Brown-Headed Cowbirds, Purple Finches, Pine Warblers, Song Sparrows, White-Throated Sparrows, Northern Flickers and the list goes on. Spring is upon us!

To see the rest of Kim's photos, visit the Facebook Group.

(Submitted by Kim Van Zorge. April 15, 2024)

Celebrating Six Years of Nature Watching!

I’m sure you are noticing the first signs of Spring! The crocuses and snow drops have been flowering, the pussy willows are sporting their silvery furry catkins, ducks are assembling in groups to pair up, and the skunk cabbages should be coming up.

I started Harpswell Nature Watchers six years ago, so this month marks the beginning of the seventh year we will have been sharing our observations of nature’s seasonal changes here in Harpswell. The inspiration for keeping my own nature journal and forming an online community to do the same, was the book The Naturalist’s Notebook by Nathaniel T. Wheelwright and Bernd Heinrich, which contains a blank journal formatted for 5 years of observations by calendar day, as well as lots of information and inspiration for journaling.

Looking back at past year’s entries, I expect to hear wood frogs and red-winged black birds singing any day now—in fact they are a little late in my neighborhood. Maybe some of you are already hearing them. In the upcoming week, be on the lookout for blue herons and ospreys returning, turtles emerging and sunning themselves, and spring peepers calling. Also, coltsfoot, a non-native invasive plant will show its yellow, dandelion-like flowers. Always one of the first to flower. But be ready in the following week to walk Otter Brook or Devil’s Back to spot the lovely early blooming native trailing arbutus flowering.

Thanks to all of you who contribute your wonderful photos of nature’s dance with the seasons!

(Submitted by Lynn Knight. April 1, 2024)