Maine Nature News
Vol. 11, nos. 18/19 Tuesday,
May 9/16, 2006
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Sunday,
April 23. Limerick (Map 4)
At our place in Limerick this weekend the black flies were definitely
out. I would consider them to be at a moderate level -- a level 2.
E.
Tuesday, April 26.
Springfield (Map 44) Quoting from
M.J.P.'s report of April 26:
"This evening we saw a dark brown wolverine heading
across our driveway into the woods. Appeared to be a little more than three feet
long and a bit over two feet tall. This is the first we have seen in the area. A
local ranger said there are no known wolverines living in Maine. But that is
what is said about wolves and mountain lions. M.J.P."
I strongly suspect that M.J.P. saw a
Fisher (Martes pennanti) rather than a Wolverine (Gulo luscus),
based on the following: there are no known wolverines in Maine and
M.J.P.'s own description of what was seen: "dark brown."
Fishers are dark brown to black, the strongest field mark of a fisher.
That said, I can't tell you how thrilled I would be to ever see a fisher!
Wolverines have noticeable yellow stripes running down the
back. They also have a pale brownish head, but M.J.P. made no mention of
these two obvious field marks of a wolverine.
As an avid bird-watcher, while it is always one's hope to have seen what is
least likely, it is strongly suggested that you go with what is more likely,
rather than what is less likely. Rare and/or unlikely sightings are
certainly made, and confirmed! One such unlikely sighting I made was a
Scissor-tailed flycatcher in Franklin back in 1998. So maybe it was a
wolverine! B.G.
Tuesday, May 2. Springfield
(Map 44) We just have begun to see some black flies. A few days ago
it was warmer and they were coming out and I would have rated them at a level 1
-- you might have to wave the hand once in a while. ( : ) The
mosquitoes were getting annoying about this time too. Now that cooler
rainy weather has come in, the flies are nowhere to be seen. M.J.P.
Wednesday, May 3. Lincoln
(Map 33 ) The black flies are definitely
out in Lincoln. While raking the yard I got about a dozen bites. Oh well,
that's just early indoctrination for the summer!
We have 2 mallards frequenting our feeders this spring. D.K.F.
Thursday, May 4, 5:45 pm.
Franklin (Map 24) Mourning
Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) butterfly in the driveway. Saw 3 Turkey vultures (Cathartes
aura) on my drive home. Eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is
definitely sitting on eggs. Can't confirm how many as the nest is built on the
roof of the nesting platform making it impossible to peek in as it is too close
to the eaves of my house. B.G.
Friday, May 5. Franklin
(Map 24)
5:38
am: This morning I went out for my morning look-see; it
was drizzling. The sun was not quite up yet but producing a gorgeous red glow
over everything. As I walked out to the road, so the angle between the sun and
the rain was at the right degree, I was greeted by a red-bow! A tightly arched
rainbow that was entirely red
6:08 am:
FINALLY! Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) Seen and heard
twittering high over my fields.
7:42 pm:
Butter butts! or as they are actually named: Yellow-rumped warblers (Dendroica
coronata). B.G.
Saturday,
May 6, 5:33 am. Franklin
(Map 24) I saw a cat in the woods and thought it might have been a
neighbor's cat who had nine months ago gone missing, or another cat she might
have gotten. I called her and she came up as soon as she was able to pull on her
ole Bean boots.
As we walked out into my yard to try to find the cat, a
chickadee landed on my head and then slid down my hair trying to pull some out.
The cat turned out not to be hers. But we now know that there is a feral,
long-haired, Maine Coon cat out there somewhere...
...and a tame, wild Black-capped chickadee. B.G.
Saturday, May 6.
Franklin (Map 24)
4:57 am: Northern
Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos). Distinctive, clear, repetitive call.
Most often repeating each bird call twice before singing the next call. What was
most remarkable was the inclusion of a woodfrog's song! (I have only seen this
bird once before in this area: November 17, 1997.)
5:53 am:
Yellow-rumped warblers (Dendroica coronata) and Ovenbird (Seiurus
aurocapillus).
7:27 am:
Black-throated green warblers (Dendroica virens); Blue-headed
vireo (Vireo solitarius).
4:26 pm:
Nashville warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla). B.G.
Saturday, May 6, 4:57 am.
Franklin (Map 24) Northern Mockingbird (Mimus
polyglottos). Distinctive, clear, repetitive call, most often repeating each
bird call twice before singing the next call. What was most remarkable was
the inclusion of a woodfrog's song! (I have only recorded this bird once before
in this area: November 17, 1997.) B.G.
Sunday, May 7.
Waldo (Map14) Here in Waldo, about 3 miles from
Belfast Bay, black flies were mild early, then became moderate - to - bad,
(level 2 on the scale of 1 to 3) as soon as the wind died down. They are
becoming quite aggressive, crawling up cuffs and pant legs. But the worst is yet
to come. Toodle'oo. J.K.
Sunday, May 7. Franklin
(Map 24)
6:56 am:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris);
Black-throated green warbler (Dendroica virens); Tree swallow (Tachycineta
bicolor) high overhead; cock Ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus).
I haven't seen it yet but I hear its call often and occasionally it is close
enough that I can hear the full call, which is the crowing followed by a swift
beat of its wings.
1:55 pm:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) doing its arc display
flight.
4:34 pm:
I knew that I had a Blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) making perfect
Osprey calls but I couldn't see the bird doing it. I finally caught it
vocalizing in my apple tree! It has made me run out more than once to see if
there is an Osprey directly overhead in my yard. Then I realize what's going on
and start looking for the jay. When I lived in Massachusetts the jays imitated
Red-tailed hawks. Here, Osprey!
7:27 pm:
Northern parula (Parula americana) in top of apple tree near house. B.G.
Monday, May 8, 8:12 am.
Franklin (Map 24) A
Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) is checking out the nest box at the
west end of my field. That is the box in which they have nested in the past.
Hope they do it again this year! B.G.
Wednesday,
May 10. Milford (Map 33) This
bittern was on our back lawn this morning. Otter Stream borders our property and
the bittern has been "ka-chunking" on the bank across the stream for
the past few days. Today he was on our side! My father used to call the bittern
"stake driver" because of the sound they made. K.T.
Sunday, May 14.
Bridgton (Map 5 ) A better weekend than Boston had! Lots of
rain on Saturday morning, but great walks Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Even some blue sky.
Black flies are present but variable and not too bad.
Painted trillium (Trillium undulatum), gold thread (Coptis
trifolia), barren strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides), wild
strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), sessile bellwort (Uvularia
sessilifolia), dwarf ginseng (Panax trifoliuus), and starflower (Trientalis
borealis) are all blooming. Also Canada mayflower (Maianthemum
canadense), and fringed polygala (Polygala paucifolia), are just
about to bloom.
Hummingbirds have returned, as well as: magnolia
warbler, blue headed vireo, hermit thrush, barred owl (again in conversation),
and 3 loons on the lake. Water temperature is now 54°F. A
great weekend. M.G.B.
Monday, May 15.
Springfield (Map 44) Would have to rate the
black flies at about a 2. On higher ground it is a lot better as long as there
is a nice breeze. With last winter's mild weather I have been worried we might
be in for a bad season, even considering last year's bad season. M.J.P
Tuesday, May 16. Caribou
(Map 65) For the past few days we had noticed that one of the pine
siskins visiting our feeders seemed to be sick. As it clung listlessly to
the web bag filled with thistle (Niger) seed, its eyes were nearly closed, and
its feathers were partially fluffed and disheveled-looking. It also stayed
there when our movements around the yard caused other siskins and goldfinches to
fly away. Today, as we were setting out flower seedlings in a long bed beside
the garage, we moved a garden bench for better access, and underneath we found
the lifeless body of the siskin. Recalling recent news articles concerned
with avian flu, this made us wonder if this tiny bird might be a victim of that
malady. C.B.K.
Editor's
Column
Away last week
Thank you all for your
faithfulness in sharing your observations of Nature in Maine. The reports
piled up in my e-mailbox and this edition is late 1 day -- or 8 days, depending
on how you look at it.
Plans had been to hike the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey with my
son. But pollen season got the best of him, so we'll postpone until
August.
Arrangements had already been made for my time off, so I used it
for visiting with family and with home and garden projects.
I'll assemble the current black fly report, the first of the
season, tomorrow.
Thanks for your patience,
Frank Wihbey
Editor and founder, Maine Nature News