Site Discussions

I was delighted to find one of these in my garden last July, so I enjoyed learning about them in your article. Thanks.

One of the most intriguing finds of my years in the woods was a cache of two dead porcupines in the ice below a large beaver dam in Franklin County, Vermont.  I watched them for several months after following a series of fisher tracks to the site, as the quills dragging along and partially covering the fisher tracks luring me in.  The porcupines were buried in mushy ice, belly up, and the smell of fisher was intense.  The site was left alone with occassional scent replenishment and tracks.  In late winter i found the site littered with tracks and the skin, head and quills still frozen in but the bones, meat and entrails all gone, clean as a whistle.  Does any one have observations or stories of fisher caches of this nature?

While I understand the appeal of ‘Forestry/Foresters for Maine Birds’ and enjoy seeing & hearing my feathered trail buddies, may I pose a thought experiment and ask how one might conceive of ‘Forestry/Foresters for Maine Reptiles & Amphibians’, among other potential topics (e.g.‘s, fungi, lichens, moss, etc.)  Herptiles appear to be among the many essential but threatened organisms in healthy ecosystems that may not receive adequate attention as we interact with our diverse environments in the unfolding climate crisis.

Yes, raccoons do have dominant hands…and most use the right one, but there are a few lefties!

Thank you. Such a timely story as I was out on a walk today and noticed so many in bloom. Great information.

My brother-in-law died of Powassan Virus - a few years ago - It was awful seeing him go down hill so fast.  He was such a great guy.

I am interested to learn about Stinging Nestle and where I can get the real plants.

We saw one flying in our backyard at night it was beautiful!!

Thank ou for opening up this world of forest bees!  A world larger than the honey bees in the hollow tree.

A fascinating article - another call for careful and sharp looking. And a call to get out the lichen books.

Thank you.

Best Easter egg hunt story! Such amazing information and lovely writing.

I have assumed I should clear an old nest at the end of summer, whether my pair of phoebes has raised one or two broods .... but last summer I failed to get rid of it. They have decided the top of the light fixture by the front door is a good place and I enjoy watching the activity so much from my kitchen. Should I clean it off now or wait for them to come and possibly reuse the nest from last year?

Thank you for sharing Conrad Baker’s story. He is a local gem!

Great article. I enjoy reading about birds, there is so much to learn. While some see the grackle as an annoyance, I see them as beautiful and enjoyable to watch as well.

I have two very large ant colonies one is at least 4’ or more diameter.  They are on the edges of our wild blue berry field. I would love to know more about them. Are they good for the environment? We are in Twin Mountain NH.

Great story, we have a grouse that’s been sticking around for about 2 years now. I have a lot of pictures.

I have been observing Great Blue Herons at a nearby beaver-made pond over these last few years, nesting in a tree with ten-eleven platforms; I think it has been an established rookery for many years. I’ve been wondering if adults watch over/protect clutches of their tree-mates while they hunt in turn..? The comments from the person above makes me wonder, though, if some of the nine birds I thought were adults were actually juveniles. Approximately when would a first clutch of a pair of Great Blue Herons have hatched in W.MA? Thanks for your thoughts!

Very educational. Thank you!

I found a Luna moth on my porch. 30 miles north of Houston. Exciting to see & read about. I let it fly away.

Great story. I am jealous.