So, one of our neighbors builds and installs birdhouses for #CaliforniaFields in #HollisME (conservation land owned by #PolandSpring / #BlueTriton). The owners recently cleared out a bunch of pine trees, making more grasslands for endangered birds. Here is one of my neighbor's creations (taken yesterday, when it was more hazy).

Read more about the restoration here:
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/poland-spring-hollis-maine-endangered-birds-grassland-habitat-inland-fisheries-wildlife/97-915df0f7-e07f-46cc-93a1-e9149e18d4b4

#BirdConservation #GrasslandRestoration #Maine

In other news... It's #Chompie season! First #MonarchButterfly #caterpillars were sighted in #CaliforniaFields today!

#MonarchButterflies #GardeningForPollinators

Before and after...
#GrasslandRestoration #Grasslands #Maine #CaliforniaFields

Some of the species that benefit from the tree removal and grassland restoration -- #GrasshopperSparrow #UplandSandpiper #NorthernHarrier, #HornedLark, #Kestrel, #Meadowlark, #Bobolink, #Bumblebees, #MonarchButterflies

I took a lunch break in a nearby meadow today. The corporate landowners (#PolandSpring / #BlueTriton) kept their word and got rid of most of the pine trees they had planted years ago (to hide the water source?) -- returning #CaliforniaFields back into, well, fields! Lots of butterflies and bees were enjoying the abundance (there will be more native grasses and milkweed next year). Soon, there will be caterpillars chomping away!

#Restoration #Rewilding #Nature #EndangeredSpecies #Maine #Grasslands