We compared the mean spring arrival dates of 80 species of Maine migratory breeding birds between the interval 1899–1911 and the interval 1994–1997. Arrival dates for the earlier interval were extracted from records in the Journal of the Maine Ornithological Society. Dates for the latter interval were collected by volunteers across the state of Maine. Our prediction of a trend toward earlier arrival as a function of global warming was rejected. Of the 29 species that showed significant changes in arrival date, 20 (69.0%) arrived earlier in 1899–1911 than in 1994–1997. Spring arrival dates do not at present provide any signal of the effects of global warming in the state of Maine.

We studied the spatial pattern of seed predation across a forest-old field edge in both fall and winter to assess the potential for seed predators to influence plant spatial patterns. We used a 100 × 100 m grid that began 30 m inside the forest and extended 60 m into the old field. Inside this grid we placed seed stations at regular 10 m intervals and monitored seed removal. Seed predation varied significantly across the edge gradient in both fall and winter with the highest rate of seed removal at the edge in both trials. The spatial pattern of seed predation also differed between seasons. The field portion of the site (≥ 30 m from the edge) was characterized by high seed removal rates in winter and low removal rates in fall. This spatial and temporal variation may alter tree establishment, causing long-term changes in plant community composition and structure.

Paracyclops canadensis (Willey) (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) is not common in collections and is considered rare. We sampled purple pitcher plants, Sarracenia purpurea L. (Sarraceniaceae) from ten geographically separated sites to determine how common P. canadensis is. Ninety specimens of Paracyclops canadensis were recovered from 660 leaves of the purple pitcher plant, between March 11, 1996 and November 11, 1997. Specimens included immatures and male and female adults. Most copepods were alive when collected. This report documents that P. canadensis is more widespread and prevalent than previously thought. Its frequency in S. purpurea leaves suggests that it has a species-specific association with this pitcher plant. The material in this study represents the most widespread collection of P. canadensis in North America.

Two species of the genus Vaucheria, V. lii Rieth and V. racemosa (Vaucher) DC., are reported from Connecticut and New England for the first time. Despite sampling over 150 freshwater habitats in Connecticut, each species has been located only at a single site. Culture conditions in the laboratory stimulated growth and, after extended periods of time, the production of gametangia allowing for the identification of each species. Despite its worldwide distribution, V. lii is shown to be a rarely collected species throughout its range.

Some 92 terrestrial gastropods, representing 2 orders and 19 families, have been reported from Maine. These animals consist of 76 species of snails (16 families) and 16 species of slugs (3 families). The taxonomic status of two of the snails is questionable. Twelve species and varieties of snails have their type localities in Maine. Four of the snails and 11 of the slugs were introduced into Maine from Europe. An additional 21 species are apparently native to both Maine and Europe. Sixty-three terrestrial gastropods have been collected in Cumberland County alone, followed by Aroostook County with 57 species. Four snails have been reported from all 16 of Maine's counties: Strobilops labyrinthicus, Discus whitneyi, Novisuccinea ovalis, and Zonitoides arboreus.