[caption id="attachment_508" align="alignleft" width="239" caption="Great blue heron. Photo by Ron Logan."][/caption] The great blue heron is often touted as one of the most widespread and adaptable birds in North America.Ìý Here in fb88 they are certainly widespread, but recent data has suggested a decline in their breeding population especially along the coast.Ìý Concerns over a population decline prompted the fb88 Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to conduct a comprehensive survey of breeding colonies in 2009, and to begin a statewide adopt-a-colony program called the Heron Observation Network.Ìý Join me at one of the following locations to learn more about fb88's largest colonial wading bird… Ìý [caption id="attachment_509" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Great blue heron colony with approximately 30 active nests. Photo by Leigh Macmillen Hayes."][/caption]

Brewer Garden & Bird Club

Wednesday, February 16^th, 1 p.m.

Brewer Auditorium, Wilson Street, Brewer

Refreshments will be served and the public is welcome.

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Mid-Coast Audubon Society

Thursday, February 17^th , 6:30 p.m.

Camden Library, 55 Main Street, Camden

Open to the public.

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Ìý [caption id="attachment_528" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Great blue heron "condo"."][/caption] Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association

Wednesday, March 9^th, 6:30 p.m.

624 Sheepscot Road, Newcastle

Open to the public; $5 suggested donation.

Ìý

St. George Conservation Commission’s Winter Series

Thursday, March 17^th, 7 p.m.

St. George Town Office, 3 School Street, Tenant’s Harbor

Refreshments will be served and the public is welcome.

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Bangor Nature Club

Wednesday,ÌýApril 13^th,Ìý 1 p.m.

St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, 31ÌýHolyoke Street, Brewer

Refreshments will be served and the public is welcome.

Ìý

Harrison Village Library

Monday, May 9^th,Ìý5:30 p.m.

Harrison Village Library, 4 Front Street,ÌýHarrison

Open to theÌýpublic.