Maine Nature News

Tuesday, April 16, 1996


Quick jumps: This week's reports | Conferences of interest in the state | Downeast Birdline -- transcript of telephone message |


This week's reports
Report format = Day, date, time. Location (Maine Atlas Map number) Report text. Initials of correspondent


Tuesday, April 6. Portland (Maps 3/5) Ice on rivers is gone except for places where large cakes rest upon the riverbanks. Crocuses are up all over--seen in Waldoboro and elsewhere. Sugar maples are flowering. The willow family generally is flowering... pussy willows seen. A few birds seen: red wing blackbirds, robins, phoebes... Z.K.

Wednesday, April 10, 5 p.m. E. Orland (Map 23) About 35 Canada geese rested and bottom fed in the shallow water 100 yards across Toddy Pond. Today's snow has filled in most of the open water half of the lake with a slush. The geese remained at 6:30 and may spend the night [and, in fact, were swimming through a still, misty 5:30 a.m., nearer the house]. W.D.

Wednesday, April 10. (Map 24) Pair of black ducks in ice-free water at Morrison Pond, Otis (have not observed this species on pond previous two years), pair of hooded mergansers too. B.G.

Friday, April 12. Otis (Map 24) Morrison Pond, Otis, ice rotted off pond, this compares with dates of 4/16 and 4/15 for the previous two years when the ice suddenly disappeared due to wind. B.G.

Saturday, April 13, 6:15 p.m. S. Orrington (Map 23) [Observation of the Sun] 22 degree halo, complete above the horizon; distinct sun dogs either side; upper tangent arc brightening was present, but a specific shape could not be discerned.
6:40 pm 22 degree halo, complete above the horizon; sundogs disappeared behind advancing cloud deck; upper tangent arc brightening was present, but specific shape could not be discerned; very distinct sun pillar. A. S.

Monday, April 15. Otis (Map 24) Small flock of pine siskins at feeders (pine siskins are new arrivals), once there was a redpoll and a pine siskin at the thistle feeder simultaneously. B.G.

Tuesday, April 16. Otis (Map 24) Pair of ring-necked ducks on Morrison Pond.
Beaver and deer were observed this week as well as a wood duck and a pair of mallards.
Heard quacking this a.m. and wondering if it was ducks or wood frogs in a nearby vernal pool. Have not seen by first amphibian this year. The snow (3" about) on Sunday was a downer. Maybe these rains will bring out the amphibians. B.G.


Conferences of interest in the state

Vernal Pool Workshop

Maine Bird Conference 1996


Downeast Birdline -- transcript of current telephone message

Downeast Birdline for April 10, 1996


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