Most songbird species only form flocks in the non-breeding season. Think of American robins, red-winged blackbirds, or chipping sparrows as a few examples. In migration or in winter, any of these species can be in flocks ranging from dozens to hundreds, or in the case of red-winged blackbirds, in the thousands.

Last week, we stopped under the shade of a roadside tree at our local grassland to listen to the sounds of summer breeding birds—the bubbling songs of the bobolinks, the sizzly tunes of the savannah sparrows. It was then that we noticed that the gravel roadside was sprinkled with

As many Pen Bay Pilot readers know, the next federal budget bill passed the House by one vote and is now before the Senate. But readers might not know that the bill would throw tens of thousands of Mainers off Medicaid, would cut funding for the Department of Education, and would cut funding for food and nutrition programs for Maine children and Maine families - and would give yet more tax breaks to billionaires.

Billionaires already pay far less in taxes than the rest of us. The average worker pays about 14% in federal income tax, while, according to ProPublica, the 25 richest Americans pay

To the No Kings March by the Democrat Party:

Where were you when Firemen, Police, Nurses and Armed Forces were fired for not taking the Covid shot?

Doctors who criticized the way Covid was being handled were censored under Biden.

Biden poured Covid money into the economy even it was not needed and caused nine percent inflation.

Biden withdrawal from Afghanistan; 13 Marines died and many were injured.

Lost millions of dollars’ worth of equipment left in Afghanistan.

Ukraine was invaded and Biden said it was a minor incursion and would not be serious.

Biden lifted Iran sanctions which gave them

Thank you, PBP, for your editorial on the No Kings Rally in Rockland. There is much there of interest. I was at the one in Belfast.

My very serious concern about all this is that most of those attending these rallies seem to believe that the current situation is because of Republicans and specifically MAGA supporters.

It is not.

Many, if not most, Democrats and Independents who voted for Trump were promised that their vote would get rid of the Deep State, reduce taxes on middle and lower classes and stop the constant wars, occupations and regime changes  the U.S. has recently waged.  

What is

The Knox County Fire Training Academy proudly announces the successful completion of its 2025 Firefighter I & II class. This dedicated group of 16 students, representing towns across Knox County and beyond—including Owls Head, Hope, Rockport, Rockland, Thomaston, Belfast, Freeport, Searsmont, Cushing, Union, Gardiner, and St. George—has completed one of the most rigorous foundational programs in the fire service.

The course demands approximately 180 hours of classroom instruction, in addition to countless hours of self-study and hands-on practice. Each student has shown exceptional commitment

Those of us who love birds and nature, and who recognize that the oxygen we breathe, the food we eat, and the clean water we need, are only possible because of nature, are always more than a little perplexed by the fact that government budgets never provide more than a minuscule token toward nature conservation and protection.

We’ll leave that conundrum for social scientists and politicians to explain.

Meanwhile, it’s already a given that, literally, only a tiny fraction of a penny of your tax dollars goes to programs that help the birds you love and that help keep the world healthy. On

 In his later years, the poet Walt Whitman wrote an essay entitled "Democratic Vistas", in which he posed a crucial question: Is there a great moral and religious civilization — the only justification for a great material one?

This query is timely in the era of Trump.

Whitman wrote in a time of economic excesses and concentrationof power in the hands of "Robber Barons."

Mark Twain labeled it the"Gilded Age" — shiny surfaces to cover deep injustices, public greed,and phony piety. 

This pattern is echoed in the Trump Administration with power vested in the ultra-rich — especially the tech

In our current Trumpian moment, anyone who criticizes the Dear Leader or his subservient toadies is targeted for bullying. Defiant ones are discredited as evil communists or socialist left-wing radical extremists. This is now the norm for undermining any attempt at civic discourse. Speaking for myself and other wild-eyed extremists that I know, we would love to be proud of a government that:

• Provides generous humanitarian assistance. America First should mean that U.S.AID leadership is always first in offering worldwide, compassionate aid where needed.
• Builds collaborative relationships with

The PenBay Pilot reporting on the June 14 parade in Washington, D.C., is among the most dishonest and biased depiction of the reasons for the event that I've seen anywhere.

On June 10 you wrote, The rally and demonstration will join with the nationwide No Kings events to be held in communities across America as a counterpoint to the planned military parade scheduled that day to honor President Donald Trump’s birthday."

On June 14 your reporter Sarah Thompson wrote, "Rockland's rally was scheduled weeks ago and is one of thousands held throughout the country as President Donald Trump held a

To the Voters of Camden:

Last week’s vote to approve the removal of Montgomery Dam by a decisive vote of 1391 to 995 was the result of a five-year long public discussion between the advocates for saving the dam and those who wanted to see it removed. 

The process leading to the vote was open and transparent. Scores upon scores of meetings were attended by members of the public both for and against dam removal.  We commend the diligent process the Town of Camden followed during arduous and often contentious discussions among the members of the public. 

The Town impaneled a citizens committee

The excitement was palpable at South School on Wednesday, June 4 as students gathered for the second annual Future Fair, an inspiring career exploration event that brought together students, staff, and local leaders for a day of real-world, interactive learning.

This year’s event was more than just a success—it was a powerful example of what’s possible when schools and communities come together. What started as one great idea, led by two South School staff members and a committee of seven, grew into a district-wide experience—connecting 475 students from four RSU #13 elementary schools with 19

I  tried contacting  the Knox  Democratic Party. You would think it would be easy but not for me. I sent multiple emails to their  headquarters in Rockland, telephoned the chair of the committee, as well as a representative, and asked if they could send  an email acknowledging my efforts, but have received no replies.

The website suggested sending letters to the editor so here I go. 

I want to propose a bill that entities fraudulently billing the state would be prohibited from entering into any future state contracts. Also it would mandate  any officer of the entity who oversaw the fraud to

It’s a simple call that’s hard to ignore—a single, loud “wheeep,” or sometimes a burry “reeep.” The sound itself seems confident, brash, maybe a little raucous.

Which is why, when you search for the bird making the sound and have trouble actually seeing it, you may feel pretty frustrated. One reason that the bird making that boisterous sound—the great crested flycatcher—is hard to spot is because it is a species that prefers to stay generally within the interior of the deciduous trees and shrubs it inhabits.

But, the great crested is a flycatcher after all, so eventually one will sit out

 I can't be the only one who sometimes has to do a little last minute cramming before a vote. As Camden residents prepare to vote on the removal of the Montgomery Dam, it's clear that many people made up their minds a long time ago, but I know some of you are just trying to figure out the basics. There's a lot of back and forth everywhere  and most of it gets into the weeds, so I will try to answer the most prominent questions I'm receiving here quickly.

1. This proposal is essentially asking if Camden residents agree to remove the dam and restore the free flowing river as long the whole thing

Just a few weeks after launching its brand-new Pediatrics Program, the Knox Clinic is already receiving glowing feedback from patients and families.

Parents have been especially touched by the warm, welcoming environment. One mom shared, “It’s calm, welcoming, and feels like a home,” while another remarked, “Wow, this is the best doctor’s office we’ve ever been to. It’s bright and inviting.”

The early success of the program is a testament to the vision and dedication of Rachel Wilcox, PNP, and Jess Bowen, RN, who have been instrumental in shaping both the physical space and the culture of care

I am interested to have information on the actual Montgomery Dam removal work.

How would it affect Main Street businesses, especially those on pilings?

What would be the impact level of dirt, dust, debris, trucks on the area?

How long is the actual work projected to take?

We should know more about the whole process to evaluate removal.

Karen Hull lives in Camden

When it comes to the June 10 vote on whether or not to save the Montgomery Dam and Falls, there are still a lot of unknowns.  For example:

What happens if … the dam is removed and alewives don’t swim up the new passageway into the Megunticook River?  After all, getting alewives (and/or other sea-run fish) into the Megunticook Watershed is a key requirement for obtaining federal grants to remove or re-engineer six other dams on the river.

What happens if … we don’t get those federal grants or other funding for river restoration, which could cost as much as $35 million?  Who’s going to pay for

As business owners, we have 211 years of collective experience and service to the Camden community. It's been an honor to watch generations of families grow up and visit our unique town. Just like our businesses, the waterfall and millpond at the heart of Camden were built by local hands from local materials. It was designed to integrate seamlessly into Camden Harbor and Park. They are a community resource for people of all ages and incomes to enjoy. This is why we support its preservation.

Camden’s vitality and the preservation of our cherished heritage are at a crossroads. The Montgomery Dam