This raptor has traditionally summered in Maine but moved south for the winter. However, climate change may have altered that pattern. A bit smaller than an osprey, it is still an imposing sight perched near a house. Its habitat in Maine ranges from deep forests to wooded residential areas. The example below showed up in…
These large, black birds are found in Maine primarily along the coast, on rocky shores, on ledges, and swimming in the water. “Cormorant” is derived from two latin words that mean “sea crow,” but this bird is not actually associated with the crow family of birds. This double-crested cormorant (typically 32 inches long with a…
in Hancock County, incorporated 1830, requires ferries or water taxis to access. The 200 acre cranberry marsh on Great Cranberry Island influenced Governor Bernard in 1762 to name the town as it is. Little Cranberry hosts the Islesford Historical Museum; The Baker Island and Bear Island light stations provide navigation assistance near Acadia National Park. See map.
The American crow is related to crows on other continents, such as Europe, Africa and Asia. Similar to the common raven, also black, it is smaller, up to 18 inches compared to up to 27 inches for the raven. In Maine they are year-round residents in the southern two-thirds of the state, and summer residents…
Basket Island, Cumberland. 9 acres of mixed forest and shell and gravel beaches. Osprey nest on nearby ledges. Watch out for abundant poison ivy. Popular picnic spot. Managed by The Nature Conservancy. Bay Bridge Landing, Brunswick. A six-acre wetland park with a trail and interpretive signs, this area off Bay Bridge Road features osprey and…
[KUR-tis ISLAND], known for many years as Negro Island, is located in Camden Harbor in Knox County. Established in 1835, a light at the station was first lit in 1896 and was automated in 1972. White with a black “lantern” holding a 300 millimeter solar powers lens, the concrete tower stands 25 feet in height.…
Just south of Booth Bay, the island was one of the earliest places along the Maine coast inhabited by Europeans. Even before the Pilgrim’s Mayflower arrived, fishermen from England, France, Spain and Holland caught and dried cod, which was shipped to Europe. By 1605 the English were fishing near the island. In 1622 when the…
The Dead River is one of the longest and most storied waterways in Maine. Its North Branch flows south from the Lower Pond in Chain of Ponds, Through Alder Stream Township and Jim Pond Township. The South Branch flows north from Saddleback Lake in Rangely through Dallas Plantation, Lang Township and Coplin Plantation. …
The bulk of Flagstaff Lake (maps on right) cover Flagstaff, Bigelow, and Dead River townships in western Somerset County. See also Bigelow Township.The North Branch of the Dead River (maps on left) flows through the town of Eustis. Comparing the course of the Dead River in 1928 (upper maps) with that in 1956 (lower maps),…
Flagstaff Lake from Bigelow Mountain (2003) The township is immediately west of Carrying Place Town Township, host to the next northerly section of the AT. Little Bigelow Mountain, Myron H. Avery Peak, and West…
December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1915 Shipwreck of the three masted schooner William L. Elkins off Cape Elizabeth during a northeast gale. 1931 Kate Furbush, noted botanist and…
From “WHITE-TAILS IN THE MAINE WOODS” by Gerry Lavigne, c. 1998 [major excerpts] Wildlife Biologist, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Deer Details Physical Characteristics Maine is home to one of the largest of the 30 recognized subspecies of white-tailed deer. After attaining maturity at age five, our bucks can reach record live weights of…
John Steinbeck on Deer Isle: “There is something about it that opens no door to words.” Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge links the island to the mainland. See photos. The town, in Hancock County and incorporated 1789, includes nature preserves and 77 coastal islands. .
The following heating and cooling degree day normals by month for forty-nine locations in Maine, one aspect of the climate, are calculated by recording the difference between the mean temperature for a month and 65 degrees as the base temperature. (See detailed definition below.) HDD = heating degree days; CDD = cooling degree days; AP…
[DICKS ISLAND] is located three miles off shore from the town of South Thomaston in the Muscle Ridge Islands group of about fifteen islands and a fair number of ledges and reefs. Dix Island Harbor lies to the southeast of the island among ledges and several other islands. For most boaters, the north shore with…
Dragonflies and Damselflies General Description Dragonflies and damselflies are scientifically classified under the order Odonata. These medium to large insects have body lengths ranging from just over half an inch to just under five inches. They are often seen flying rapidly over streams and lakes, or through gardens at dusk, often following regular flight paths…
The Erle R. Kelley Wildlife Management Area encompasses most of Dresden Bog, within the town of Dresden, and much of the adjoining land, some of which is in Alna. The Bog, one of Maine’s many nature preserves, is accessible from the south side of Bog Road in Dresden, where a nondescript, very narrow stream leads…
An article c. 1997 by Pat Corr (retired) Wildlife Biologist, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife DABBLING DUCKS Description Dabbling ducks common in Maine are the American black duck, the mallard, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, and wood duck. Northern shoveler, Northern pintail, gadwall, European widgeon, American widgeon and fulvous whistling ducks also occur in…
SEE: ROBERT E. PEARY
The Bald Eagle, symbol of the United States of America and once threatened with extinction, has made a substantial comeback. It is now listed as “threatened” rather than “endangered.” The St. Croix River, bordering Canada in Washington County, has a thriving colony of Bald Eagles. They fish the river just as humans are doing at…