Maine Nature News
Vol. 6, no. 30, Tuesday, July 24, 2001

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Quick jumps:  | This week's report | Wild blueberry report |

Wednesday, July 18. Holden (Map 23) I saw a butterfly in willow shrubs near the frog pond at the Fields Pond Nature Center. It was a species I never saw before:  an Acadian Hairstreak. J.K.M. 

Wednesday, July 18.  Biddeford/Saco (Map 3)  Blueberry report - excellent crop. Blueberry pancakes for dinner tonight!  J.B.

Saturday, July 21.  Masardis (Map 58)  Occasional ripe blueberries found along the Sterling Ridge Road leading to the west (outlet) arm of Squa Pan Lake.  Deerflies numerous enough to be bothersome, but seldom biting.  C.B.K.

Monday, July 23.  Lincolnville (Map 14)   I just drove up to Sewall's Orchard in Lincolnville to find out when my 50 lbs. would be delivered.  I was told that they were going to start raking on or about this Wednesday.  We have highbush blueberries in our garden, and I'd say they were closer to a few ripe than to middle fruiting stage, if that helps you.  J.E.

Monday, July 23.  Fort Kent (Map 67) The Blueberry bush I checked is not in full sun, but has a southern exposure. About 5% ripe fruit. The rest are green. The birds have eaten all the Red elderberry Fruit.
    Three weeks ago I found the first water scorpion I had ever seen swimming on the surface of our vernal pool. I did not know what it was at first. Luckily, I did not put it in with the dragon fly nymph I fed for 31 days! Waterscorpions can eat dragon fly nymphs at the rate of 4 per 45 minutes. Well, not eat, but suck out the life juices.
    The Spurred Gentians are in flower.   In my garden on Saturday and Sunday  the black flies were bad enough to leave me with a neck as lumpy as in May. G.F.

Monday, July 23.  Detroit (Map 22) Raspberries, both cultivated and wild are starting to go by and blackberries are ripening.  I'll check them out [blueberries] tomorrow.  J.B.

Tuesday, July  24.   Caratunk (Map 30)  Blueberries are at middle fruiting stage in Caratunk.  At Indian Pond and Moxie Pond area, is a few ripe-middle fruiting stage. Quite a few raspberries also.  C.B.

Tuesday, July  24.  Phippsburg (Map 6) West Point.  Two Monarch butterflies must have taken a hitchhike on this southerly breeze.  I just saw two - a male and a female fluttering around my cultivated milkweed patch.  These were the first of the season, though my daughter in Toronto reported having seen one up there.  It was time.  I recommend your own personal milkweed patch, though I must warn you that they take over.  My veggies are taking a beating from the intrusion of their stalks.  Only the pole beans like them for climbing!  
    Having the patch, however, draws so many interesting creatures to your doorstep.  I've had Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Swallowtails, Fritillaries, Spotted Skippers, Hairstreaks, as well as Hummingbird and Ctenucha Moths and loads of bumblebees.  Incidentally, the milkweed flowers are just starting to pass with the formation of tiny inch long seed pods.  Seen elsewhere this week were a Comma and a White Admiral.  On a more somber note, I also observed Brown Tail Moths laying eggs.  The Monarchs made my day.  Since I couldn't go sailing in this high wind, they made the wind more palatable.  R.K.

Maine Wild Blueberry Report for July 18-24, 2001

Unripe fruit stage:  Northern Aroostook County
Early ripe fruiting stage:  Central Aroostook, central Piscataquis, southern Penobscot, central Somerset, Waldo Counties
Middle ripe fruiting stage:  Hancock, York Counties
No reports:  other Maine counties

What is their stage where you are, or have visited?  Please send an e-mail.
    Thanks,
    Frank Wihbey, Editor
    menature@maine.edu