Lynx observed in Woodland Dma&g 64
Highlight of the week was in Woodland Dma&g Map 64 – when Harry McCarthy observed 4 lynx in his yard. Lynx sightings are increasing due to a healthy population in Northern Maine and these handsome wild cats are not as shy as their smaller cousins, the Bobcat found elsewhere throughout the state. Read more here…. http://outthere.bangordailynews.com/2013/01/17/outdoor-recreation/lynx-on-parade-woodland-man-photographs-elusive-cats/
Sunday started the week with a beautiful winter day in January. When out cross-country skiing in Shirley, Dma&g 41, the Blackstone family have been seeing Ruffed Grouse in the woods. The picture is of a track where the grouse left wing marks in the snow when taking flight.
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- Winter Stream
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- Ruffed Grouse track & wing mark where it took flight. Shirley Dma&g 41
Monday brought a change of weather with temps in the 50’s across much of the state. The Dandelion and fresh growth of Queen Anne’s Lace was found on a sunny south facing bank in Kittery, Dma&g 1.
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- January Dandelion Kittery, Dma&g 1
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- January Queen Anne’s Lace growth Kittery, Dma&g1
Highest Temperature recorded for the week was 59 degrees F in Portland on Jan 14 map 5 Lowest Temperature recorded for the week was -30 F in Escourt Station on Jan 18 map 67
This week watch the Waxing Gibbous moon pass below Jupiter on Tuesday night, January 21st before it is full next Saturday, January 26th.
Adding to this week’s excitement, a very large lobster was caught by the F/V Snowballed out of Spruce Head. After a quick photo-op elevating this crustacean to celebrity status, it was released back into the ocean.
Giant Lobster caught off Spruce Head Island Dma&g map 8
Last week I posted about Robins vocalize in a predawn wake-up. On Tuesday I heard a flock of Robins in Kennebunk, Dma&g map 3. There was a flock in the highest branches of an Oak Tree vocalizing at noon. Some quick research noted the term ‘laughing’ which labels the call well. Now to wonder why do they do that? My favorite website to follow Robin migration along with many other latitudinal changes by season is Journey North. You can participate as a citizen scientist and report your observations as I did. http://www.learner.org/jnorth/robin/spring2013/update011513.html
Maine Wildlife Videos posted on YouTube by Sunkhaze give us a look at a fisher and coyote from December. These videos are an excellent opportunity to view animal behavior first hand. Note the difference between the eating habits of the two animals. Both the fisher and coyote are common throughout the state and after this week’s snowfall it is a great time to get out and do some tracking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfytPdVx0pc&feature=youtu.be
