Site Discussions

I didn’t know that phoebes had two clutches and, the first year I had her nest, I took it down and properly cleaned up. I felt so bad when she started to build again in the same spot (next to my door, on top of the light fixture.  I have a great picture of the three chicks all squished in the nest…I don’t know how they all fit!

Dave in Corinth, Are you a Porter?

Just saw bony, reddish fox with long, straight and not bushy tail. It was scratching and scratching itself, also dragging its butt like a dog with worms. Right in my yard, next to wooded area by Mianus River. We have occasionally seen foxes in the yards but they usually run from wooded area to wooded area and do not linger. This guy was in plain sight for about 10 minutes. Very different behavior.

I left a watering can in the garden for a couple days, half-full of diluted fish emulsion. When I went to use the rest of it, out poured six burying beetles that had been drawn to the odor and sadly drowned. Will remember not to do that again, but was really cool to examine them up close. Amazingly complex bodies.

We have a gray tree frog that stays in the side burner of our grill most of the time.  This is the second year he has done this…at least we think it is the same frog. We do have pictures of this frog.  When we grill, we put him on the deck railing and he usually stays there till dusk.  Today we had another tree frog on the deck railing while the original frog was in the grill.  Neither one seems to be bothered by our presence.  Thought you might find this interesting.

This is awesome!  Thank you for sharing.  Do you have any of the photos of the visitors?

I believe some people cannot tell the difference between a splitting maul and a splitting axe. I too was confused when I first saw this tool. A splitting maul is essentially a type of an axe that cuts logs along the grain (the inside of the tree). An axe such as felling axe or camp axe cuts logs against the grain (cutting into the bark).

Exquisite writing! A beautiful hook, and enticement. Great back story that set the stage. This article created an eagerness in me to get out there and discover.

I enjoyed reading Kathy’s story about wintergreen. I have fond memories of my mother making wintergreen tea for me as a child. Do you know where dried leaves can be bought or how I could make wintergreen tea? Thank you for any help you have.

Another fine editorial, Dave. I believe your phrase “cultural conservation” succinctly describes the mission of Northern Woodlands. Keep it alive, it’s worth saving.

My family and I are moving to Concord, New Hampshire in a couple weeks and my 5 year old son really wants to explore and find crawfish. Can anyone offer some tips about where and how to find them in the area? Any help is much appreciated.

This was absolutely fascinating!  We have many fields at our house and I enjoy the fireflies immensely.  Our back yard field is SO full of them that when I walk into the field I get smacked in the face by many.  It is a glorious sight!

A fisher was photographed in the Bronx three years ago: https://naturalsciencesresearch.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/fisher-photographed-in-the-bronx-first-ever-nyc-record-of-this-squirrel-and-rat-predator/

The only difference is that the coal miners life is killing them had. That they are not healthy and happy. The factory workers were getting high union wages and had boats and cars and lived well, not exactly the same but maybe closer. Farmers that will not plant different crops to keep their farms going and are living on government subsidies…The indigenous people were flexible and resilient. They adapted to place. They were free. not sure it is the same. The family farmer of a while ago is close.

What a great editorial. Pictures do say a 1000 words.

I have heard them scream working a a fresh water marsh invoking terror to nesting geese and ducks. I assume raiding eggs while the females are sitting on them. They are no match for this opportunistic feeder.

Great article.  I’ve had the same experience, except in a reverse.  I’m the teacher who gets to stay home in the summer with my little girl.  I find myself thinking the same way though - how am I going to get all of this done today with Laila? Late night planning sessions (mostly mentally) for the things I wanted to get accomplished, odd hour building projects, squeezing efficiency into all my extra seconds…and changing up my usual woods routine for easier paths became the norm.  The next thing I knew it, my little girl was 3.  Now I’m the one with the puffy eyes when I think about how fast it’s going.  I think the mantra for guys like us is ‘be present, be present, be present’ - because that’s just what it is…a present.

Have seen fishers crossing my yard and the road here around Mansfield Hollow Lake. Have also heard a horrible scream a few times and was told it was a fisher cat, but it could also be the fox families that live here. Glad to see all the wildlife around here. There was even a moose photographed here two years ago. Saw three osprey last night, too. And bats live in my house’s fascia boards…not in my belfry!

I have many trees down both sides of my property and a large deer population that is devastating my gardens. If I run the wire across the tress like your picture and then attach mesh fence to it will that solve the problem?

I see no benefit in repopulating fishers. They are vicious killers who I believe have killed more pet cats than porcupines.  Because they are so fast and quick animals don’t even have a fighting chance.  I would be extremely happy if they were to become rare and endangered!