Tomorrow evening's Greater Portland Naturalists Forum at Maine Audubon in Falmouth will feature filmmaker Daniel Breton and his stories, photographs and film clips from his latest film Fish Out of Water, on the lives of Maine coast puffins, and Arctic and common terns.

It'll no doubt be another interesting and informative program for sure.

Last month's forum illustrated the threatened status of the New England Cottontail rabbit, which lives only in Maine. Different from the Eastern Cottontail and the Appalachian Cottontail, the New England Cottontail is in serious decline and is being considered for endangered species protection.

Why the decline?

Turns out that the NE Cottontail has smaller eyes than its cousins, so it can't see very well. It likes brushy habitat, and tends not to venture more than 5 meters or so out of the security of the thick cover. But when it does it quickly becomes prey.

And since the NE Cottontail's desired habitat is also in fast decline due to urban sprawl, more highways, and parking lots--open areas that aren't friendly for the rabbit--there's a real problem with regard to its future survival.

Audubon and Maine DIFW scientists are studying the problem and possible solutions, one of which is to preserve more large areas of brushy habitat (25 acres or more) before they've all disappeared.

It's estimated that there are 250 NE Cottontail rabbits left.

These naturalists forums are terrific and I urge anyone interested to check them out, as well as the many other wonderful programs and events going on.