World-wide, conservation groups have worked to identify, monitor and conserve critical habitat for birds through the Important Bird Area (IBA) program spearheaded by National Audubon and Birdlife International. IBAs are ranked by their importance at the state, continental or global level. Maine has 77 IBAs. Only one is of global significance, and that IBA is here on our doorstep. Almost 18 million acres of western and northern Maine forest form the Northern Maine Forest Block IBA which has been recognized as essential bird habitat since 2013.

Why essential? Even before the snow starts to melt here, birds from as far away as South America start to feel that annual restlessness that guides them north. In just a few weeks, many of these birds will flood into our area. (Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). They come to our forest for the hordes of insects, caterpillars and other food they need for raising the next generation. The Western Maine Mountains and the forested areas that extend to Canada are so productive they have sometimes been referred to as a “baby bird factory”. This is the reason our area of Maine has been designated as an Important Bird Area of global significance.

What does this mean for you? For those interested in birds, it means you have unique habitat on your doorstep. This provides opportunities to find an incredible array of warblers, flycatchers, thrushes, finches, ducks, raptors and many others – especially in the spring. Maine has documented over 400 breeding species. Over half of these occur in Oxford County and roughly one-third of Maine’s species have been seen at Valentine Farm Conservation Center, just a mile from Bethel center. Most of those were found while walking a one mile universally accessible trail. So, our area is an excellent place to learn about and see birds.

Such an important IBA on our doorstep means we have added responsibility. Bird populations have plummeted in the past few decades. This signals something is wrong. Scientists point to a variety of reasons with habitat loss, along with collapsing insect populations, as major contributors. We are in a position to ensure that healthy habitat continues to be available for birds. And, healthy habitat for birds means healthy habitat for trees, fish, deer and humans. To learn more  about how you can get involved, visit the Habitat for All section at www.mahoosuc.org. There are a variety of upcoming programs and citizen science projects on pollinators, gardening and birding where you can practice habitat conservation while learning more about what makes our region so important.

James Reddoch, of Albany Township and Boston, leads birding events for the Mahoosuc Land Trust. Visit Mahoosuc Land Trust at 162 North Road, Bethel, ME. To contact James, send your emails to [email protected].