|
Editor's Column
Robin's Thoughts and Rambles Hello! A car just drove by and I heard leaves scuffling acrossing the road. They've fallen from the ash tree across the road. It's an old tree that changes before the rest of the ash, though the rest are changing quickly now too. They're always the first to fall. I see some color starting on the maples outside the window. Swamp maples are flaming red and beautiful. I love fall. It's by far my favorite season. The first frost in my yard last year was September 6. The 10 day forecast looks safe for now. I'm hoping farmers are able to make up a little bit of lost time at the end of the season. We really need it! I've been busy in the kitchen. I'm almost to the end of the tomatoes. There's a bushel or two left to do something with (other than eating fresh). I've finished with blackberry jam and jelly and moving on to blueberry and strawberry next. Some of the strawberries picked back in July are thawing in the kitchen sink. There's more time to use them now than there was then. There are tomatillos waiting to be turned into salsa later this week. Part of what I love about fall is the satisfaction of putting food up. The freezers are almost full and the cupboards and pantry are looking good. Take care and have a good week! Sincerely, Robin Follette Editor/Publisher A 26.5" striped bass, caught and released in Phippsburg. RRR  |
Maine Nature NewsSeptember 9, 2008
Vol. 13, No. 32
The Saco River is dumping quite a bedload of silt into the ocean. Natures
way of cleaning out the river bottom. You can see the current is being
forced towards shore by the incoming tide. Saturday, August 30
Lisbon Falls (Map 6)
Was outback this afternoon reading the paper when all of a sudden there was a commotion high up in the tree tops. A few moments later some feathers came drifting down to the ground. About an hour or so later as I came around the corner of the house to the front yard a large bird took flight from the maple tree. At first I thought it was a crow or raven but then realized it was some sort of a hawk. SY  This is an antlion hole. It's in front of the door at the Trolley Museum. JB Sunday, August 31 Fryeburg (Map 4) Went kayaking on the Saco River today. For the most part the Saco is a lazy, shallow river but with all of this year's rain the flow is up. In past years, except for the deeper pools, the river is only a couple of feet deep. This year in most places it's 5 to 6 feet deep. You can still see the high water mark from the flooding rains of a few weeks back which is about 6 feet higher than the river level of today. While on the river or on the sandbars in the breeze you were ok but step into the shade and the mosquitoes would eat you alive. I have never seen so many in my life! On a scale of 1-10 it was a 10+. Also while on the the sandbars there were a number of these tracks coming and going all over the place. You could also see in some spots a line in the sand from where its tail had been dragging. My guess is that it would be a river otter. SY Monday, September 01 Lisbon (Map 6) While kayaking the Sabattus River in Lisbon this weekend, I saw my first-ever Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus), swimming from one side to the other. It was similar in size and appearance to a Garter Snake, but the striping was more conspicuous and contrasting. These snakes are found in wetland habitats. They swim readily upon the surface of water. Other notables were a Broad-winged Hawk and a Solitary Sandpiper. ARS  Tuesday, September 2 Talmadge (Map 45) A young buck deer has been eating in the clearing just past the strip of trees leading into the woods. If I'm quiet while working in the greenhouse I can watch him through the poly. It's not a clear view but it's still nice to watch him. Judging from his spike horns, he was born last year. RF Tuesday, September 3 Perry (Map 27) A dozen seals played in the current at Reversing Falls this afternoon. They'd float with the current and play in the falls then swim underwater back out to the top of the current. One youngster was interested in us. It floated 20' from us and watched us for several minutes before disappearing. I took one last look before we were leaving the shoreline and there he was again! We also watched an adult bald eagle on the opposite side of the falls. It appeared to be upset by something and did a lot of "screaming" but we couldn't see anything it might have been upset with. RF Wednesday, September 3 Phippsburg, Totman Cove (Map 6) This is a Black and White Warbler. The warblers are abundant right now as they are
headed South for the winter. I have seen Common Yellow Throats, Yellow Rumped
Myrtles, Northern Waterthrushes (a type of large warbler), to name a
few. RRR
Wednesday, September 3 Phippsburg, Totman Cove (Map 6) A juvenile common loon stretches its wings.  Saturday, September 6 Talmadge (Map 45)
This doe and her twin fawns are often seen browsing in the power company's right of way. The right of way was cleared recently.  Sunday, September 7 Lisbon Falls (Map 6)
Recieved 6.5" of rain overnight as the
remains of Tropical Storm Hanna passed by. This fell for the most part in a 12
hour period. In my 20 or so years of being a weather spotter for the national
weather service this is the most rain I have seen in such a short period of
time. SY
Sunday, September 7 Talmadge (Map 45) Tropical Storm Hannah was mild here. We had no wind and received only 4" of rain. RF Sunday, September 7 Saco (Map 3)  |
Clubs & OrganizationsClubs and
organizations related to Maine's natural history are welcome to submit
their press releases for consideration in Maine Nature News.
All activities must be free to the public and involve nature in Maine.
MNN is compiled on Tuesdays so please send releases by Monday
evening. email
Stanton
Bird Club Summer Events
Lewiston, ME, The Stanton Bird Club is sponsoring several events in August and September. All events are free and open to the public. Papermill & Ricker Farm Trails Wednesday September 10 – 8am-11am. The Papermill Trail is a newly paved trail in Lisbon. The trail runs approximately ¾ mile. Join trip leaders Stan and Joan DeOrsey as we look for migratory birds as well as other woodland residents. The group will meet at the Lewiston Promenade mall in front of Staples, leaving at 8am and ending around 11am. For more information, contact trip leader Stan or Joan DeOrsey at 933-2266. Pettingill Park Wednesday September 24 – 8am-11am. In this Auburn park the group will be looking for fall migrants and local resident birds. Join trip leaders Stan and Joan DeOrsey as we explore for the residents of Pettingill. The group will meet at the Auburn mall in front of JC Penney, leaving at 8am and ending around 11am. For more information, contact trip leader Stan or Joan DeOrsey at 933-2266. Stanton field trips are free and nonmembers are invited. All experience levels are welcome. The Stanton Bird Club is a conservation organization offering monthly free natural history programs and field trips throughout the state. The organization welcomes new members whose dues help to provide land stewardship at three sanctuaries, owned and managed by the club, in Lewiston and Monmouth. For more information, call 782-5238, visit the Web site at www.stantonbirdclub.org or email questions to StantonPR@yahoo.com. |