Spring is a glorious time of year with so much going on in the out of doors for humans and wildlife. A summer tanager arrived on a Tremont feeder this past week. Probably most people know the beautiful scarlet tanager with its scarlet red body and black wings. It is often described as a tropical …
Frogs and salamanders are very active now. Even in mid-afternoon. One day I was able to watch many frogs actively engaged in courtship and mating rituals in a small vernal pool next to the road. The peepers and wood frogs have been singing their love songs and the females have come from far and near …
Peepers are getting louder these spring nights and their chorus will swell to mighty heights as the evenings are warmer. It is my favorite sound to hear after a long winter. This little frog has a mighty voice! Take time to listen as they and the wood frogs call in island pools and ponds. A …
In spite of these unnecessary late snow storms and wintry weather, nature moves along in the spring schedule. Migrants are returning. Winter wrens are singing lustily in the Maine woods. More will be heard as we move on in April. The wren, a very small bird, is quite like a feathered ping-pong ball, bouncing about …
This is the season for love songs in the bird world! Friends told me of hearing a wren singing outside their house and just this week they heard a phoebe’s call. Migrants are returning and getting ready to nest. Listen to all the sounds of spring. Woodpeckers calling and tapping on whatever surface suits them …
Barred owls seem to be abundant this year. There are many reports in Maine of this owl’s appearance. One sighting recently was especially interesting; it showed a barred owl trying to get to a caged bird in someone’s house. According to the experts the increase in owls is due to the unusual abundance of squirrels …
Friends are important to all men and beasts and the different friendships formed are sometimes astounding! A friend told me about his pigs and a flock of mallards at his farm near Blue Hill. Every morning his dozen or so pigs eagerly look forward to breakfast and every morning a flock of wild mallard ducks …
March came in like a lion and has been roaring ever since. In spite of the snow, ice and cold temperatures there is a change in the air when you go outside. Nature is stirring. Woodcocks are doing their courtship rituals and sky dancing. Great horned owls are nesting. The female often has to sit …
Several questions this week have been about deer antlers. It is always exciting to see a buck with antlers and you just know he is proud of them! White tailed deer shed and re-grow a set of antlers each year. These antlers are shed sometime in the winter. As soon as they are shed, new …
March has arrived along with more snow. This month has the reputation of being capricious — one day will be warm and the next one will be freezing. Whatever the weather, this is the time to watch or listen for woodcocks to arrive. They will be with us throughout the summer. Their courtship antics start …
