Please e-mail Frank
Wihbey, Editor: menature@maine.maine.eduVol. 2, no. 17 Tuesday, April 29, 1997
Quick jumps: | This week's reports | Downeast Birdline -- discontinuation announcement | Meeting of new group: Greater Portland Naturalists Forum | Publication announcement: Biological Diversity in Maine: An Assessment of Status and Trends in the Terrestrial and Freshwater Landscape |
You are invited to participate in our weekly "black fly report" network during May and June. It's very simple. Send me an e-mail with:
Location, Maine Atlas Map
number, and black fly severity on a scale of 1 to 3 (1=none or
few, 2=some, but tolerable; 3=many, a royal pain). The more
reports we get the better, for statewide coverage in the weekly
maps.
Please e-mail Frank
Wihbey, Editor: menature@maine.maine.edu
This week's reports
Report format = Day, date, [time]. Location (Maine Atlas Map number) Report text. Initials of correspondent.
Wednesday, April 23. Stockton
Springs (Map 15) Fort Point State Park. Near the mouth of the
Penobscot River: for all practical purposes this is a part of the
Atlantic Ocean, with full action of the tides, marine life and
sea birds all in evidence.
Ants are active now in the lawns of the Park. At least one great
ant hill was in process of being rebuilt by the many busy
residents. F.W.
Wednesday, April 23. E. Orland (Map 23) Toddy Pond near the dam: Yesterday certainly was the dramatic ice out day, but only mildly dramatic. The Pond progressed from about 1/3 to nearly full open water, at least on Toddy One. The 60 degree temperature brought mosquitoes buzzing me. Today swallows buzzed the water surface. The loons surveyed an old nest they haven't successfully used for about 4 years; we haven't seen them near our artificial loon-nest island on this side of the Pond. A pair of wood ducks were exploring near our projected loon island. A pair of hooded mergansers swims nearby too. W.D.
Saturday, April 26. Bar Harbor
(Map 16) Pemetic Mountain. Porcupine sighted near summit, but not
before a loose dog spotted it first. We saw the owner dragging
"Chance" away with at least three quills in its maw.
Living up to its name, it took its chance and lost. Perhaps the
lesson will not be lost on the dog, and more importantly on its
owner, who disobeyed the posted dogs-on-leash regulation. The
porcupine dashed out of the brush and remained a few yards away,
barely concealed by overhanging fir branches. It seemed to be in
shock from the attack.
The trails in Acadia National Park still have ice and snow, and
wet spots. F.W.
Saturday, April 26. Bangor (Map 23) Heat mirages have started to appear again on the roads, whenever the Sun is out. K.W.
Monday, April 28. Farmington (Maps 19/20) Two weeks ago we had heavy rains. Rivers came up quickly (the Sandy River and the Kennebec), but no flooding of any concern around here. One back road in Farmington Falls area was briefly under water. Some young lads had gone down the Sandy in a canoe a few days earlier. They were unfamiliar with the river and went over in the rapids in New Sharon. The Fire Department had just finished a water rescue project and hauled them out: one went to the hospital with hypothermia (the water is COLD) and the others cheerfully said they'd try it again later. Don't know if the Fire Department plans to keep rescuing such folk. The roads are drying up nicely. Lots of geese and ducks. We still have snow in our woods and edges of our fields. Beginning to turn green in some fields. Skunks out. S.M.
Monday, April 28. E. Orland (Map
23) Toddy Pond near the dam: About 3 hours of afternoon
horizontal snow was followed by equally as much horizontal rain,
bringing the Pond up slightly from an unusually low level. In
this weather it was hard to believe we saw large painted turtles
sunning themselves on two different days this last week. Others
sunned this weekend.
Out-of- staters and in-staters poured petrol as they passed-by in
greatly increasing numbers: A walker can travel past more than he
can ever enjoy in a lifetime; no less than in indulgent travel.
W.D.
Tuesday, April 29. Garland (Map 32) Maple sap was all done for the season about two weeks ago. Our honey bees are feeding on pollen, mostly pussy willow and domestic flowers. M.J.
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