Site Discussions

Informative article. I was wondering why I’m not seeing as many fireflies on my largely unchanged, rural property. Any clues? Also the amount of bees and butterflies seems to have dropped off.

Thank you for this information. A lady ruffed grouse became sociable with me a few days ago, and sort of hung out close, making eye contact. I was concerned she was trying to communicate something. That evening I looked out the bathroom window, and there she was looking up at me. We chatted and by the time I went out she was off somewhere. Next day, I saw small grey, fluffy under-feathers, lots of them, but no bird nor bird remains. Husband thinks she is fine and the scat in the midst is her droppings. I am concerned a hawk or other creature got her. I see that the scat does indeed look like grouse shit, vs predator. I am concerned. I realize no way to know, but do you have an opinion as to why she chose to hang out so close with me (someone said maybe she was eating exposed bugs as I dug a new garden spot) and what may have happened based on the flurry of fluffy little grey feathers on the ground? Thank you.

I recently found what I now believe is a hookaroon at the bottom of a dam/spillway in central Maine.  I’ve cleaned it off, but dont see any identifying markings on the head.  Saw your article, which helped me figure out what type of tool it was, and was wondering if you might have any insight into how old and or who manufactured it.  Cleaned up pretty nicely.

Thanks,
Dave

Hi Susan,
Great article. Unbelievable to have this wilderness in our area of NE. Thanks. - Alan

Enjoyed your story and found it interesting that Jumpy demonstrated that quick moving, jumpy behavior, at such an early age. Red squirrels always seem so in a hurry, on alert, agitated, whenever they are about. Rarely sitting calmly like a grey. Thanks for sharing.

I have a few (half a dozen) cherry trees on my property in southeastern Vermont. They are generally tall and straight, with a 15 or 20 foot trunk before a splitting in a very narrow crotch. By your description they sound like Black Cherry, but I’ve always heard them referred to as Pin. Are there other characteristics that I can look for to help me tell if they are Pin or Black ? Thank you!

What a wonderful and valuable gift you gave to your daughter Ben.  As a child growing up in England ( late 1940’s early 50’s) I played outside in the woods - trees were friends and I created a whole mythology of place. It has left me with a passion for nature and conservation of natural areas.

Back to the present, I have been looking up Sheep Sorrel on google, as a component of Essiac tea. I am not a herbalist, but read it was good for detox of the liver. 

Wouldn’t mind finding some.. but a bit concerned about look-alike plants. Do you know of anywhere where the seeds could be purchased ? The teas and capsules advertised are way beyond my budget.

Thank you Ben for your post, and best wishes.

Sandra

Another great article in TOS!

For me, wintertime was a great time to start birding - before the influx of winged summer visitors. For sparrows, there are basically four: House, Song, American Tree, and White-throated - all easy to ID with a good guide. Then when all their sparrow cousins show up in the warming months, I’ve already removed these four from the yet-to-be -ID’d mix of migrant little brown birds and could focus on the new ones. It’s the same with all the other birds where there are fewer species in the winter to ID than the confusing assortment in the summer.

But it is really the act of discovery that is the most satisfying, no matter the season.

I grew up in Hamilton, New York, gave me a strong connective feeling from the start when reading this fabulous article. I’m in awe of what Ryan has an accomplished!  His gifts in helping those who are struggling to breakthrough their trauma is so powerful!
The programs he has worked with sound so worthwhile, and I only wish there were more of them available and less prisons. There are so many different groups of people that could benefit from this type of approach for treatment and life!

Wonderful information about these hawks’ lives and migration.  Thank you.

Thank you for these beautifully put definitions! My wetland bio class was a few years ago, so this was a needed and very clear refresher :)

Spring peepers signal spring beginning. In my locale, means anywhere from last week of March to mid-April. Ive noticed in recent years they have moved further from the pond and are very high in the woods, probably from eradication of vernal pools and seeps; by property owner about 8 years ago I was shed hunting and happened upon one of the “frogsicles” you describe. I covered him with forest duff so he could come out the RIGHT time of year! In the summer the baaroom! of the bullfrogs is an enjoyable evening chorus. Great article! Unearthed a lot of memories and gleaned new info as well. Thanks!

The first sentence of paragraph four reinforced my joy of subscribing to this publication.

You couldn’t ask for a better, more caring, and more knowledgable mentor than Tom Seeley. I can’t wait to read (more of) his latest book!

Excellent article!  We are so lucky to have the Kilham Bear Center nearby as well as the professional wildlife skills and knowledge of Dr. Walter Cottrell!

I have a skunk in my crawl space. If I leave it alone will it leave the same way it got in. Thanks

I have a pussy willow growing over an electrical conduit so it needs to be removed. Fortunately I live on a lake and plan to take cuttings to replant. Catkins are just coming out now. When would be the best time to do the cuttings? Should I wait till after the plant flowers? Thanks

To the person talking live trap & relocation, that might be ok, if you would be ok with having someone else relocate porcupines to your forest area where they would chew up & kill your trees.
Please, folks, take into consideration if you would like to having something done that you are considering to someone else. That goes for skunk relocation too.
Thank you.

What a beautiful, passionate article!  Laurie has followed her dreams and pursued her love of the natural world and animals, and documented this through photography. Truly inspiring story! Thank you for sharing with NF readers.  Marion Gray, Warren, Maine

Thank you for this interesting article - and special thanks to Adelaide Tyrol for the extra beautiful illustration.  I have loved her work for years, and it’s a joy to see it regularly in The Outside Story.