Site Discussions

I have two in my yard in Montpelier that I bought from East Hill Nursery. They were selected from local stock in Berlin that is still doing well. The one I planted five years ago is now 20’ tall and bore a nut last year. The other, 4 years old, is coming along nicely too. Both flower profusely and the flowers are gorgeous!

Great article. I found it because we have a nesting pair of goshawks on my grandmother’s land in South Wheelock.  Their nest is apparently right next to our main walking trail.  One attacked our neighbor and cut open her head.  Yesterday the big one kept buzzing within a few feet of us while we worked on the spring. I am afraid one of the kids will be attacked next.

Any advice for making their nesting area less desirable? There is plenty more woods away from the trail. I need this pair to relocate.

Encouraging news and a great way to start my weekend.

This is really good news. When I was a kid growing up by a creek in Van Buren County, Cummingsville, Tn., there was a big chestnut tree just up the hill from the creek, and each year, we would eat the nuts from the tree.  I suppose that was about the time the blight came through. We moved away while the tree was still alive.  I went back some years later, to see what looked like a lighting struck tree. Other than the poem about the blacksmith under the chestnut tree, that was the only chestnut tree I was ever aware of.  But I am glad they might be making a come back.  And I hope I live long enough to see some of them. Thanks to these people who are planting them up in Vermont.  May it be…

Where did the Chestnut seedlings come from? I’d like to try a planting on our property in SE Minnesota.

Would this same drive cause birds to tear up window screens? Never had a problem before, but a friend had a bird destroy a dinner plate size area of a window screen in the south side of her house.

Another pitch pine fan. Everyday on my bus ride home, I admire these gnarled but graceful trees, evoking wilderness and calm. By cover of night I dug up a smallish tree from the nearby woods, about 4 feet tall. I dug around it, then pulled, bringing the taproot with it. I planted it a couple of days ago, when the heat just started to kick in. Wonder a) if it will survive, b) if it will grow at a moderately fast rate. Thanks.

My house was framed with Garland Mill lumber purchased from Tom Southworth in the late 1970’s. Every time I look at the timbers, I think of that wonderful old mill and its wondeful owners and operators.

Bruce Kirmmse

I see a mud nest about six inches high near a creek water flow area near a grass field in country type setting. Is that a red winged blackbird nest or robin or walking type bird nest? Or is it for snakes because it is dug in ground about 1 1/2 inches wide?

Hello Penelope,

It sounds like your Titmouse is as determined as my Junco - who is still at it!

Thank you for writing and for the compliment.

Carolyn

Your article on frog metamorphisus is interesting.  I am just now learning about their development as they laid eggs in my little dogs plastic pool.  Looks like I will be tending tadpoles all summer.  However I have noticed that new tiny tadpoles keep hatching, so it looks like the frogs have been returning at night to lay even more eggs.  I currently have about several hundred in a 4’ wide pool.  I hope this will be large enough for them to complete their transition to frogs.

To:  Nancy Verba → in Wonder Lake Illinois

Hi Nancy:

Most likely you’re seeing meadow voles and/or shrews. Meadow voles often frequent the ground beneath feeders to eat seed.

Short-tailed shrews can often be seen in similar locations, but would most likely be stalking a meal of meadow vole.

If, when the snow melted from around the base of your feeder this springtime, you noticed shallow burrowings along the surface of the ground, and little piles of bunched up grass, then you definitely had meadow voles.

Best,

Michael Caduto

Patricia → in Bridgewater, NH

The ultrasonic echolocation sounds made by a shrew are above the range of human hearing.

Shrews do, however, make several other sounds that humans can hear, especially when they’re being territorial. It’s possible that, with the number of critters you had living in your roof space, the shrews were encountering other animals and marking their territories with calls.

Thank you for sharing your interesting experience.

Best,

Michael Caduto

To: Lisa Jean → in Ontario, Canada

Dear Lisa Jean:

It’s hard to tell for certain without more details, but—judging from the size, color, boldness of the animal and it’s fondness of dog food—the animal that was eating your dog’s food was likely a northern short-tailed shrew. Hungry shrews will commonly come out into the open to get food.

Best,

Michael Caduto

To: Kendra Moll → in Du Quoin, IL
Nov 14, 2015

Dear Kendra:

From your description—yes, it sounds like you had a northern short-tailed shrew. The fact that you couldn’t see any eyes or ears is a major clue, plus the short tail. I also know from experience that, when distressed, shrews emit a piercing, high-pitched call.

Good observation skills!

Best,

Michael Caduto

To: Lois Hoyt → in United States
Oct 28, 2015

Hi Lois:

Setting aside the nursery rhyme, Three Blind Mice, there are no short-tailed mice. You likely saw a vole or mole, but it’s hard to tell without more specifics. Both can reach the size you describe.

Keep looking!

Michael Caduto

To Barbara →
Oct 25, 2015

From your description, and the fact that your critter was going after seed, it does sound like a meadow vole.

Shrews are largely carnivorous, but they will eat seeds, especially when food is scarce during winter months.

Thank you for writing,

Michael Caduto

To Nancy Goodenow:

It does, indeed, sound like the small mammal that your dog brought home is a shrew. Please email the photo to me and I’ll try to identify it.

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Thank you for writing,

Michael Caduto

Hi Carolyn, Every year a male Titmouse lands on a lilac and fights his reflection in the window of a “people” garage door. We finally had to put a blanket up on the window to stop his frenetic actions. There was a small corner that we didn’t cover and didn’t he start up on his reflection there!  This year he gave up pretty quickly. Must be learning…thanks for a great article

This is yet another in a string of recent studies that describe the critical role beavers play in our ecosystems and their potential value as an ally in the fight against climate change.