Nathaniel Austin
Photo courtesy of Nathaniel Austin/em>
The State of Maine’s Loons
Nathaniel Austin, Community Outreach, Maine Audubon
October 8, 2026 at 1:00 P.M.
Birch Bay Retirement Village
25 Village Inn Road, Bar Harbor
The Bar Harbor Garden Club is pleased to announce Nathaniel Austin as the guest speaker for its October meeting on Thursday, October 8th, at Birch Bay Retirement Village in Bar Harbor. Nathaniel’s presentation will offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of Maine’s loons with a special emphasis on the loons of Mount Desert Island.
Far more than the background soundtrack to a night on the lake, Common Loons are one of Maine’s most unique and charismatic birds. Learn about the biology and ecology of these incredible birds while exploring the challenges they face from both natural conditions and human impacts. Share your loon stories, learn about the meaning behind their behavior, and discover what organizations such as Maine Audubon are doing to advocate for and conserve loons in Maine and beyond.
Nathaniel has been a Naturalist with Maine Audubon since December 2025, leading education programs for all ages. He earned a B.S. in Ecology and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maine in Orono and has lived in the Northeast, enjoying wildlife and the outdoors, his entire life. Nathaniel spent multiple summers working with the Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary on MDI, studying loon nesting success and behavior, tracking alewife migration, and assisting with education programs. An avid birder, he can most often be found in the field looking for new and uncommon bird species.
Mr. Austin’s presentation will begin at 1:00 P.M. and will include time for questions. Registration is required to attend the event. Since seating is limited, the Club is pleased to offer an in-person or zoom option for participants. Please email Pam Bowie at [email protected] or call 207-244-3436(H) and indicate whether you will be attending in-person or via zoom.
Promoting educational opportunities is an integral part of the mission of the Bar Harbor Garden Club. This informative presentation is one of the monthly programs offered by the Bar Harbor Garden Club that is open to the public.
The Bar Harbor Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Maine, New England Garden Clubs, Inc. and National Garden Clubs, Inc.