Red-Headed Woodpecker – Skowhegan (Map 21)
I was very excited to have a Red-headed woodpecker visiting for a day last week. JF
Red-Headed Woodpecker
Vixen – Carroll (Map 45)
We watched this vixen through the brush in Carroll early Saturday morning. She was sitting with her eyes closed, seeming to nap in the sunshine. She heard my husband walk up behind me, turned to look, then closed her eyes again.
A vixen, napping in the early morning sunshine.
The vixen looked over her shoulder at us.
Unfazed by us, she closed her eyes and ignored us.
Horse Hair Worm
This horsehair worm was in a puddle on a dirt road. Also known as gordian worms, the horsehair worm is a parasite to insects, arthropods, and other invertebrate animals in its immature state. As adults, they don’t require a host. They’re harmless to humans. They can grow up to 14″ long, though this worm was only 4″.
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Nature in the Quoddy Region
Chunky the snowshoe hare on July 5, 2011.
Chunky the snowshoe hare on May 6, 2012
A diamond droplet on a lupine plant.
My first bat of the season. Pretty hard (for me) to take a picture of a bat. I think it's a Little Brown Bat (hopefully no White Nose Syndrom).
Blue Eyed Moose – Topsfield (Map 45)
While hiking in Topsfield, Emma and Ricky Irish were surprised to see this blue-eyed moose this week. What a treat! Thanks to Emma for allowing me to publish her photo. 
Black Fly Report – May 9
I expected a lot more reports this week but it looks like we’ve been given a break. I’m sure it won’t last but for now, it’s very nice. I spent four hours outside without black flies today.
Lincolnville. 3. I went out on the deck to enjoy my coffee and before two steps they were IN my coffee.
Mount Vernon. 1 After the mild winter and early spring, I expected them to be worse sooner than this. So far, I would say the black foes are light or none. I noticed some a week back, when I was working in the garden. But the black flies have not been noticeable more recently. Presumably they are waiting for Mother’s Day to swarm.
Argyle (Map 33) 1
Talmadge (Map 45) 1
Molunkus (Map 44)
May 12, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Quoddy Nature Notes – Tree Swallows
Old man winter is finally defeated when the Tree swallows nest. The Canada geese may already have goslings; the ravens
have three pretty homely heads sticking out of the brush pile way up in a spruce near our house, and the robins have set up housekeeping on a shelf I built on the side of our barn, specifically for robins. I have to travel around Pembroke a bit to see that the Tree swallows are starting to nest, since we haven’t had any at our house since the early 1990‘s. The population of Tree swallows has dropped since then, and I haven’t been able to learn the reasons why. At the time English sparrows were accused of using the nest boxes put up for Tree swallows or Bluebirds, but English sparrows themselves have suffered a decline in numbers. Such are the mysteries of nature.
Tree swallows are very widespread across North America. They have been known to breed in almost every state in the Union, and winter along the Gulf coast and into Mexico. The primary food of Tree swallows is small flying insects such as mosquitoes and other beasties like black flies, so with the onset of these pests the swallows are always welcome. We have four other members of the swallow family (Hirundinidae) that we see here in the Quoddy region and these are the Barn, Cliff and Bank swallows and the Purple Martin. The Barn swallow has the forked tail; the Cliff swallow has a light spot above its tail; the Bank swallow has a dark necklace, otherwise, with white underneath and dark above, looks like a Tree swallow, and the Purple Martin is the biggest and mostly all dark. Of these additional swallows, the Barn swallow is the most common, but with the decline of agriculture their numbers are pretty low. Purple Martins are pretty rare, and Rough winged swallows may be spotted, but I have never heard of them nesting in the area. We also have the Chimney Swift, which looks like a swallow (or more like a cigar with wings) but the swift is in the family Apodidae and more closely related to the hummingbirds.
Tree swallows like open fields and a pond or two nearby. I have put up hundreds of nest boxes over the years with the hope of attracting Tree swallows or Bluebirds. These birds may use the same type of area, but harvest different types of insects. Chickadees also use these nest boxes, especially if they are near some woods. Tree swallows are generally individual nesters, but sometimes, like along East River road in Pembroke, they might set up a small colony. Every April I like to check some of the nest boxes I had set up for necessary repairs and to read the results of last year’s efforts. Years ago I got permission from Moosehorn to put a series of boxes in Hobart meadow, and this year I conscripted a few Boy Scouts to help me with the chore. It was a little discouraging, because last year was a poor year for Tree swallows and all seven boxes had been used but were unsuccessful in their attempts for a new generation. With high hopes we cleaned out the boxes and even put up another.
In late August and September our Tree swallows will leave for the south. Huge flocks of them will stop at Cape Cod for a while to see if there are any late flying insects and to gorge on the many bayberries growing on the dunes. Tree swallows are one of the few animals that can digest the wax in the various bayberry species. From there they will winter along the Gulf coast, and largely surviving on more species of bayberries, until next year when we will welcome the Tree swallows back to the Quoddy region. We won’t even care if they smell a little like bayberry.
Early Spring Butterflies
The American Lady and the Red Admiral apparently don’t hibernate here but migrate from the south. I have not been able to find out how far south. The Mourning cloak does hibernate here.
In anticipation of two more summers of butterfly survey work, we are considering another Saturday MBS training workshop this coming June (date to be announced) at Colby College. This workshop is designed for people who would like to participate in MBS for the first time, people who have been contributing but never attended a formal training session with us, or members who have been to a workshop in the past, but have not participated actively in sampling and feel they might like a refresher session before going into the field during the next two summers. If you or someone you know fits this description, then please have them contact Herb Wilson at Colby College ASAP (WHWilson@colby.edu) so that we can determine whether there is sufficient interest to schedule the workshop.
- American Lady Butterfly
American Lady Butterfly, wings closed
Mourning Cloak
Red Admiral Butterfly
Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs
Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs instructor training today. I’ll be on my way to Penobscot County Conservation Associationsoon.
The Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs Program is a national program sponsored by the Future Fisherman Foundation and has been active in Maine for over 17 years. This training workshop provides certification to become a Hooked on Fishing instructor and teaches the skills needed to implement the program in your community and work with the curriculum.
Wild Strawberries – Topsfield (Map 45)
Wild strawberries were blossoming on April 26. This area of the woods often still has snow banks along the side of the road in late April.
Wild strawberry blossoms on April 26, 2012
A Partridge in an Apple Tree
I use my “outdoor office,” which is the picnic table by the pond, on nice days. A nearby partridge drums off and on all day. This partridge was budding in an apple tree.
This partridge was budding in an apple tree.
Chewonki Traveling Natural History Program
Emma Balazs, from the Chewonki Foundation, will share a presentation called, “A Zero Waste World: Imagine That!” at the next meeting of the Stanton Bird Club of Lewiston and Auburn. The public is invited to attend this free presentation on Monday, May 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring Street.
Humans generate trillions of tons of waste every year in homes, schools, offices and communities around the world. Many of us, before buying an item, do not always carefully consider whether we need it, or what will be its ultimate destination. “Zero Waste” is a movement designed to reduce trash in landfills and incinerators to zero, by safely and economically recycling, reusing or composting our waste.
Balazs will speak about the way that not only what we buy, but also how we buy it, can affect the earth that is our home. She will offer ideas on finding other uses for items no longer needed for their original purpose, and on composting food scraps and yard waste. The focus of the “Zero Waste” movement is to minimize the burying and burning of the waste we generate—the last resort in the choices we have for what we do with an item when there is no longer a purpose for it.
Balazs graduated from Colby College with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. In January 2010, she began working for the Chewonki Foundation, where she spends time in its lab caring for residential animals. In addition, she visits groups who want to learn from Chewonki’s many informative educational programs about the natural world. Recently, Balazs worked on a diversified organic farm in Skowhegan, Maine and for “Farm and Wilderness” in Vermont, leading educational activities for young girls.
The Stanton Bird Club is a conservation organization offering monthly natural history programs, and field trips throughout the state of Maine, free of charge. We welcome new members whose dues help to support land stewardship at three sanctuaries totaling 782 acres in Lewiston and Monmouth. For more information, please visit us on the web at www.stantonbirdclub.org.
Black Fly Report – Talmadge (Map 45)
I’m sitting outside, minding my own business, working along and OUCH! A black fly landed in my eye. The attack has begun.
Lewiston Early Morning Bird Walks
The Stanton Bird Club of Lewiston/Auburn will host a series of five Tuesday morning bird walks from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.—rain or shine—April 24, May 1, 8, 15, and 22. Each will go from Hathorn Hall on the Bates College campus in Lewiston, past Mt.David and to Riverside Cemetery. Leader: Tom Hayward (782-5238). Meet at Hathorn Hall (four white pillars), Campus Ave., Lewiston at 6 a.m.
The Stanton Bird Club of Lewiston and Auburn will host a series of Tuesday morning bird walks in Lewiston, from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., beginning on April 24. All are welcome to attend.
Rabbit with Ticks
In the Quoddy Region: This snowshoe hare has at least seven ticks on its face. Fewer ticks than normal were killed during the mild winter and reappeared in late winter rather than spring.
This snowshoe hare has at least seven ticks on its face.
Maine Master Naturalist Program
The Maine Master Naturalist Program is currently completing its first year in Maine. This fledgling organization is dedicated to developing a network of trained naturalist volunteers to teach natural history and encourage the stewardship of Maine’s natural environment.
Maine Master Naturalist
This year, 2012-13, there will be a course offered in Lewiston and one in Belfast. The application period began on March 15. The deadline for applications has been extended to April 30. The cost of this comprehensive course is only $300 and includes a starting packet of resources for the student of several books and essential observation equipment.
The program offers participants comprehensive instruction and field experience focused on the ecological principles of wetland and upland ecology, identification of Maine’s flora and fauna, geology; and teaching skills.
Upon completion of the course of study from September to June including Wednesday evening classes for 10 months and 6 full-day Saturday field studies, the certified graduates will commit to 40 hours of volunteer service in their community to teach others about the wonders of the natural world in Maine.
All applicants are invited to visit the website for an application and fully detailed course and schedule descriptions and dates. We can be found at www.mainemasternaturalist.org. You can also contact the coordinators directly. For Lewiston, contact Susan Hayward 782-5238; for Belfast, contact Cloe Chunn, 338-1147.
Song Sparrow – Talmadge (Map 45)
This song sparrow perches on a branch in our brush pile and sings all day. I can walk 10′ from him while working. RF
A song sparrow spends his day singing at the top of the brush pile.
Bobcat Feeds on Deer Carcass
A bobcat sits in brush near Sunkhaze Meadows NWR.
My wife Pamela has been patiently sitting in her photo blind for hours and hours over the past 6 weeks through cold and snow waiting for a bobcat to show up at a site near a deer carcass. Well, this morning the cat finally visited her site! At one point, the cat was within 10 feet of Pam in her blind. She said the cat was only curious about her camera and her hand focusing that he could see through the opening in the blind. Pam was not afraid and the bobcat eventually walked away when it heard a truck pass on the nearby road. This site is on our property in Milford near Sunkhaze Meadows NWR. On the tree next to her in the blind photo, you can see one of my motion-activated cameras where I get video of critters that come by when no one is there. You can view one of my videos of what I believe to be the same bobcat on YouTube:
Bobcats are beautiful cats. Notice the color detail in his face.
You’ll find more videos by Bryan and Pamela Wells at their YouTube channel. Tap here for their website.
Pamela Wells in her blind beside a deer carcass.
Eastern Wild Turkeys – Talmadge (Map 45)
A rafter of 12 wild turkeys strolled through this morning. There are approximately 30 turkeys in the area. There were 38 at the beginning of winter. I haven’t seen all of them together to be able to get an accurate count yet this spring. If half of the birds are hens and each hen successfully raises only eight poults we’ll have 150ish turkeys in the area. Eight is a conservative number. We see most of the hens with a dozen nearly grown poults each year. We’ve counted hens with 18 poults that are about a quarter of full grown size.
An eastern wild tom turkeys gobbling to domestic turkeys.
Four toms and a hen
Cardinal – Talmadge (Map 45)
I’ve seen cardinals here only three times since moving here in 1999. I heard it singing while coming in from chores but it didn’t click. A lot of birds are singing now and I was looking around for Ava. I was reaching for my coffee cup to fill before sitting down to write when a flash of red caught my eye.
Cardinals don’t migrate so I’m hoping this one will find a mate and stay here. I’d love to see them often. The males are beautiful and the females, even though much duller, are also very pretty. We have the undergrowth and brush they like and I keep at least one seed feeder filled most of the year.
A male northern cardinal sits in a budding cherry tree.
Name That Beach Blob!
What is this? On our beach walk we kept seeing these small gelatinous things in the muck and tide pools. Please leave your answers in the comment section or mail them to Robin.
Mourning Cloak – Talmadge (Map 45)
For the third day in a row I’m working at the picnic table beside the pond. The snow has melted everywhere but in the shade. Peter O’Neil brook is roaring to my right, my chickens are clucking contentedly as they eat cluster flies and scratch for worms. The grackles have been here for a week and the phoebes for five days. A song sparrow is singing in the woods to my right. And the best visitor this morning, a mourning cloak that landed near the picnic table. At 10:36 am it is 70*.
Dawn L. Brown operates Second Chance Wildlife, Inc. in New Sharon, Maine. Dawn received four bear cubs on March 10. The three males and one female were abandoned by their mother.
Full Sap Moon
Thank you to Tina Richard for her photo of the full moon. Tina and her husband Jerome are very active in Maine’s outdoors.
March’s full moon is said to represent the start of spring. The earth thaws, earthworms come to the surface and robins appear to eat those worms. In most of Maine the ground isn’t just frozen, it’s covered in snow. More robins are spending their winters here, and who can blame them? Most winters are full of snow and winter fun.
In Maine, the Full Sap Moon of March occurs during maple syrup season. Trees are tapped and sap drips into buckets and tubes. According to Farmer’s Almanac, March’s full moon is also called the Full Crust Moon in honor of the crust that forms on top of snow. In parts of Maine in 2012, it would more appropriately be called the Full Frost Moon because there isn’t any snow.
