Maine Nature News
Vol. 6, no. 32/33/34, Tuesday, August 7/14/21, 2001

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

Saturday, July 21.  Mount Desert (Map 16) Sargent Mountain.   I was surprised to see a tiger lily-like flower blooming in little niches in the exposed rock near the summit of Sargent Mountain.  About a foot tall, with 5 orange petals per blossom, each with dark spots, on a greenish brown stem with short green leaves, they were a surprising bit of color in this dry place.  The best match in the Audubon guides is the wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum).  Also, in wet places at the summit, were meadowsweet and another wildflower with tiny yellow blossoms and no apparent leaves on its short stems.
    Blueberries were ripe, even at the summit.
    A green snake was seen at the foot of the saddle between North Bubble and South Bubble Mountains.  
    Goldenrod is in flower at Jordan Pond’s edge.  Birds heard included the black-capped chickadee, flicker, winter wren, white-throated sparrow and hermit thrush.
    Mammals noted were Eastern chipmunk, red squirrel, and the varying hare in its brown summer coat.  F.W.

Saturday August 4.  Milford (Map 33) I found 2 bear scats in the Sunkhaze National Wildlife Refuge. Both were tubular and blunt-ended. One was full of raspberry seeds, the other was full of cherry pits.  J.K.M.

Sunday August 5. Orono (Map 23) A Woodcock has been resting during the day on a leaf pile surrounded by bushes and trees in my backyard, since July 29. In this dry summer, perhaps a leaf pile is a good place to find earthworms.  J.K.M.

Sunday, August 5.  Bath (Map 6) West Bath.  During an otherwise unremarkable visit to the Hamilton Sanctuary, my wife and I found a single specimen of a wildflower called Helleborine (Epipactus helleborine). It was growing adjacent to a trail by a bridge over a ravine.  This wildflower is a member of the orchid family.  Not to be confused with False Hellebore.  We had never seen this wildflower before, and it took me some time to identify it. I finally found it in the National Audubon Society Field Guide to New England on page 168.  A.R.S.

Sunday, August 5.  Frenchtown Township (Map 41) Kokadjo.  Blueberry Report - Visited and picked on Sunday, August 5th.  A very good set but small size due to lack of rain.  Fully into middle ripening stage.  J.V.D.

Tuesday, August 7.  Richardsontown Township (Map 18)  Mooselookmeguntic Lake.  Several families of ducks were see, usually mothers with this year’s young.  Since some of the young looked small compared to others, one wonders if they will survive the flight south.  Loons were heard calling at several times during the night.
    The Lake is large enough that its surface can become choppy within 10 to 15 minutes.  In the evening it was usually very calm.
    A red fox was seen along the access road to the Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve.   It seemed to behave as if it were reluctantly giving way to us big intruders.  F.W.

Tuesday, August 7.  Phippsburg (Map 6)  The Monarch eggs hatched a day after I filed last week's report.  I have 15+ caterpillars of various sizes, plus more eggs waiting to hatch.  I witnessed one small larva hanging from a spun thread which sort of explained why the chewed holes might be in a different place than where the caterpillar is found.  It may be kind of an "elevator" going down to a lower, unchewed leaf.  Also, the beautiful caterpillar of the Painted Lady made its chrysalis, which doesn't look at all like that of a Monarch.  It is naked and angular with hornlike points on the head end.  the color of the chrysalis is similar to the foliage of the Everlasting plant upon which it fed.  I shall wait for an emergence... 
    Another story has to do with a Toad.  A kid brought me a very large toad found in a lighted parking lot.  I was with a group and was delighted to share the finding of the toad.  We were getting a close look and feeling its warty skin when all of the sudden, the toad ejected urine! The urine literally poured out.  We all got a good lesson in one way a toad discourages predators (or human beings who get a little too close.)  So be forewarned when handling these animals. We also had an encounter with a large porcupine last week.  It was about 5 in the afternoon and we were following a wooded trail.  We came to a mature Red Oak by the side of the trail.  Looking upward, we saw this black, quilled creature climbing the branches in search of an acorn dinner. Another lesson:  if you want to see porcupines, look up in the trees!  R.K. 

Thursday, August 9.   Saco (Map 4)  Hit 98 degrees here in Saco today, but, as I was leaving for work I heard a strange sound. A cricket!  Guess it is bound to end soon!  J.B.

Saturday-Sunday, August 11-12.  Burnham (Map 22) Unity Pond.  During the meteor shower last night (approximately 12 midnight) over the northeastern side of Unity Pond my wife and I saw a large object burning brightly for at least 8-10 sec just a little above the treeline on the horizon.  It was much larger then your average "shooting star" and much lower too.  Did anyone else see this? Was it a meteor or something burning up in the atmosphere?  I would be interested in any information someone had, and if anyone else saw this "unidentified flying object".  Between the clouds and clear spots we saw a several dozen "shooting stars" in the 2 hours we sat outside gazing at the sky. It was a very relaxing light show.  W.B.S.

Monday, August 13.  Winterport (Map 23) I saw a road-killed opossum on Route 1A near Bald Hill Cove. I have read that they have extended their range into Maine, but this was the first evidence I have seen first-hand.  J.K.M.

Sunday, August 19.  Bar Harbor (Map 16)  Champlain Mountain.  Blueberries are dessicated.  The fruits are like dried blueberries.  Some plants in small soil niches have become completely brown due to the drought.  F.W.

Maine Wild Blueberry Report for August 1-21, 2001

Unripe fruit stage:
Early ripe fruiting stage:
Middle ripe fruiting stage:   Piscataquis County
Late ripe fruiting stage:  Hancock County
Fruit gone by:  
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

Dry times

 The National Weather Service reported climate statistics for Bangor, Maine which showed that precipitation for the year to date was about 15 inches total, which is about 10 inches below normal.  This is a significant shortfall.  They also noted:  "July 2001 was the seventh driest such month in the 1895 to present record for the Northeast region.  Four of the last five Julys have had below normal precipitation. "   For a comparative look across the country, link to this NOAA map.  
    Times of low rainfall may reduce streamflows, stress vegetation, and have effects on animal life.  If you have noted any such changes, please send a report to Maine Nature News.

H a w k w a t c h
Acadia Hawkwatch open to public

Starting Sunday, August 26, visitors may find help identifying the birds passing by the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.  Rangers and volunteer guides will be available 9 am - 2 pm daily at the the Cadillac North Ridge trail, about 200 yards from the Cadillac Mountain summit parking lot.  This is usually a good place to observe hawks in their annual migration, and sometimes falcons, eagles, ospreys and other birds.  The Hawkwatch will run until October 15.  
   For an account of what was seen in past Hawkwatchs, go to the ANP web page.  For further information call Ranger Bryant Woods, 207-288-5459.