Like puffins dropping in for a visit on Petit Manan, my e-mail box is a refuge, on occasion, for a tidbit of value and interest.

Such was the case this week when an electronic tidbit caught my attention. It was from Friends of Maine Seabird Islands. They are looking to raise some funds to support their work in preserving nesting islands for our feathered friends.

What they are offering for sale to help raise money is a pretty sharp decorative map of the Maine coast. Friends of Maine Seabird Islands has published, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a full-color map of the seabird nesting islands off the Maine coast. The 15 by 40-inch map shows both surface and undersea topography, main roads, county boundaries, and towns.

Proceeds from the sale of each $25 map will help Friends of Maine Seabird Islands, a non-profit organization bringing together groups and individuals who are committed to preserving and protecting these islands and the bird species that are dependent on the islands for survival.

You can get your hands on one of these maps at Ducktrap Bay Trading Co. in Camden, Huston Tuttle & Gallery in Rockland, Maine Audubon’s Todd Wildlife Sanctuary in Bremen, Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport, and Hamilton Marine in Portland, Rockland, Searsport, and Southwest Harbor.

Or you could purchase the maps directly from the office of Friends of Maine Seabird Islands housed at the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge, 16 Rockport Park Center Drive in Rockport. Call ahead at 236-3383 to be sure the office will be open.

Friends of Maine Seabird Islands works closely with the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge (formerly known as Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge) to support a wide variety of seabird conservation and restoration projects.

The two organizations recently formed an alliance of seabird nesting island owners who are committed to developing both a community education program and a system of signs to identify seabird nesting islands. This summer, volunteers will install signs on nesting islands to help identify seabird colonies during the summer breeding season. Ultimately, the goal is to post this sign along the entire Gulf of Maine from Massachusetts to Nova Scotia.

For more information about Friends of Maine Seabird Islands and its partner organizations, check out http://maineseabirds.org. Or contact David Cadbury, executive director, at 236-3383 or drop him an e-mail at seabirds@midcoast.com.

Paddlin’ in the rain

Gene Kelly came to mind Tuesday evening as I accompanied a group of neophyte paddlers on the Stillwater River in Orono. I replayed in my mind’s eye his dancing finesse in a downpour while “Singin’ in the Rain” in the 1952 film of the same name starring Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds.

(I have to confess that as a country music fan, I also had overpowering images of Shania Twain in her video Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You) – the one with the kids playing the violins in the constant shower of water and dancing, River Dance-style, splashing up a storm, while a dripping Shania croons her song.)

Suffice it to say it was WET! It was raining when I walked out of work. It rained on the drive to Orono. It rained as we got our boats ready. We paddled in a steady rain. Everyone was a good sport about it, and I found that refreshing since many would have bagged the class because of the rain. Most of us got wet and a few got chilled, but everyone seemed to be in good spirits even as they tied boats atop cars and the trailer in the wet dusk after the lesson. I’ll admit I turned the car’s heater on as I drove back to Bangor in the dark.

After Tuesday night’s drenching, my garage resembled a firehouse hose-drying tower. Paddling clothes and equipment were hanging everywhere, and my towrope, that took a dunking, was draped over the stringers. If it ever stops raining, I need to dry out the Jeep, which is beginning to take on some funky odors.

These weather extremes have me baffled.

However, I could have predicted the rapid switch back to cold. Monday’s heat and humidity drove my wife and I to purchase a small air conditioner. We decided that after some really uncomfortable nights last weekend in the Boston area (90-plus and high humidity) and what looked like a continuation of the same here early in the week, that we’d break down and buy a small unit.

It took a little searching since other folks obviously had the same idea, only earlier. We struck out at Home Depot and Target before walking into a pallet of air conditioners at Sam’s Club. It landed in our cart in an instant.

I thought I was going to melt into a puddle putting it together and adapting our replacement bedroom window to accept the machine. I crossed my fingers after plugging it into a breaker-equipped multi-plug strip and threw the switch. It hummed to life and in a couple of hours our bedroom had cooled to a more pleasant temperature.

We woke up Tuesday morning to overcast skies and outside temperatures in the 50s. Things didn’t get any better Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday and I was about ready to take the machine back to the store to break the weather curse. I’m still hoping for some warmer, dry weather, say in the 70s. Would that be too much to ask?

Bird identification tour

Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge is offering a chance for you to learn how to identify birds by sight and sound on a guided bird walk at Petit Manan Point from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. on June 25. To get there follow Pigeon Hill Road off Route 1 in Steuben for 5.7 miles.

You’ll come to an informational kiosk located near the refuge entrance. The walking tour leaves from there.

For more information contact the refuge at 546-2124.

Borestone open house

If you’ve hiked Borestone Mountain in Elliotsville Township, you may be aware of the historic lodges of Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary. Chances are you could have overlooked them.

Here’s your one chance to tour these Adirondacks-style buildings during an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. on June 26. There will be a cookout as well.

According to a press release sent to me, “Visitors will learn why and how these one-of-a-kind lodges were designed in 1909 for a fox farm, along with stories such as how a baby grand piano was delivered to a site that’s accessible only by foot and small boats. They also will find out more about Maine Audubon’s ongoing restoration of the lodges and its work for wildlife conservation at the 1,600-acre sanctuary the organization became owner of five years ago.”

“This is a rare opportunity to visit these fascinating lodges, relax and have a bite to eat, too, in this beautiful place where so many local residents and Maine visitors love walking, hiking and learning,” said Don Annis, Borestone Audubon Sanctuary property manager and Monson resident, in the press release.

The cookout includes vegetarian options. Reservations are necessary by noon, Friday, and can be made by calling Susy Kist at 781-6180, ext. 231, or e-mailing her at skist@maineaudubon.org.

If you plan to attend you should park your car at the Bodfish Road gate entrance to the sanctuary. Allow an hour for a moderate 1.5-mile hike up to the lodges, sanctuary officials advise.

Alternatively, vehicle and boat transportation to the lodges will be available to those who make a reservation and arrive at the Bodfish Road gate no later than noon.

Here’s how to get to Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary (Map 41 of DeLorme’s Maine Atlas): Coming from the north or south, take Route 15/6 to Monson. Turn left (heading south) or right (heading north) onto Elliotsville Road. After 8 miles turn left, after the bridge, onto Bodfish Road. Parking area is approximately .2 miles on the left, after the railroad tracks. The gate and trailhead are on the right.

Jeff Strout can be reached at 990-8202 or by e-mail at jstrout@bangordailynews.net