Maine
Nature News
Vol. 11, no. 35 Tuesday, September 5,
2006
Editor's
Column
Notes, announcements and reflections
Hello!The Q & A column
caught on quickly. There are two photos this
week. Do you know what they are?
Webworms damage is heavier than normal this year thanks to last winter's mild weather. A lot of trees in my area are completely defoliated, looking like tall skeletons. Small numbers of webs can be removed by hand. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an effect pesticide listed for use against webworms but now that we're into September we're late for spraying. It might still be helpful though. We'll see the results of all of this year's worms as next year's millers. Ahhhh...something to look forward to...or not.
Have you listened to the migrating birds at night? They're very busy right now. Some nights you might be able to hear hundreds of bird calls a night. If the sky is clear for Thursday's full moon you might be able to see a few birds flying in front of the moon.
Enjoy your week!
Sincerely,
Robin Follette, Editor
Maine Nature News
Monday, September
4 Freeport
While walking to and from work one day last week, my wife spotted several interesting salamanders crossing her path near a wooded area. From her description I believe what she saw were Eastern Newts (Notophthalmus viridescens), in their juvenile “red eft” stage, in which they become terrestrial for 2-7 years. I was quite envious of her because I have never seen this species of amphibian! ARS
Monday,
September 4 Windsor
(Map 13)While walking to and from work one day last week, my wife spotted several interesting salamanders crossing her path near a wooded area. From her description I believe what she saw were Eastern Newts (Notophthalmus viridescens), in their juvenile “red eft” stage, in which they become terrestrial for 2-7 years. I was quite envious of her because I have never seen this species of amphibian!
We have had new robbins fledging during the past ten days. Their flying has evened out---they are not so erratic, but they are still quite excitable! Their sharp peeps and upset chirpings fill the front yard's hedges and trees in the afternoon and evening.
Late summer hornets are here, but don't seem to be out of the ordinary in
numbers. Today's temperature above 65° most of the day. Probably reached 70° in
early afternoon despite a cloud cover. Cooling nights and some notice of color in the low swampy areas, plus a few falling leaves remind me of the time when our robbins will fly---either to hide close by in the woods or further south for more warmth.
Q&A
Q I find these on a sandy beach on a
lake in Western Maine. There is only onespot on the lake that I find them. Any idea if they are made by an insect, a Native American object or something else? There were Indians living in this area once.
Thanks LL
Q
Saco, Map 4Old age strikes. What is the name of this guy? I used to know... They are here by the hundreds on the Saco Beaches since that storm blew all sorts of weed, etc. up on shore. J.B
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