Maine Nature News

Vol. 8, no. 37  Tuesday, September 16, 2003

Quick jumps:  | This week's report | Home page | Editor's Column |

Wednesday, September 10.  Skowhegan (Map 21)  I am attaching a not-too-good picture of a caterpillar I saw last summer and could not identify. The background color was a nice chocolate brown and the spots were very pale green.  J F.

Thursday, September 11, 4:30 pm. Scarborough (Map 3)  Not far from the Maine Mall I observed a gray squirrel carrying a dead goldfinch which had apparently hit our office window.  At first I thought he began to eat the dead bird, but as I continued to watch it appeared as though he was plucking the feathers and storing them in his cheeks.  He then ran off, still carrying the bird, when he was startled by a human pedestrian.  I lost track of him in the trees so I didn't get to see if he ate the bird or what else he might have done with it.  I'd be interested to know if anyone else has ever witnessed this type of behavior.  J.L.C.

Saturday, September 13. Orono (Map 23) Taylor Bait Farm pond. The low water levels and open mudflat areas at Taylor Bait Farm have been rewarding for birdwatching nearly every visit. On Saturday evening I saw three American Pipits foraging the water's edge apparently eating insects. These 6-1/2" long birds are very drab and blended in perfectly with the mud. They nest on tundra in the north and mountaintops such as Katahdin further south.  During the winter they can be found in flocks on beaches and in fields. The last time I saw them was last fall in the University corn fields after the corn was harvested. I couldn't get a worthy picture as they were too distant from the shore to photograph. They're brownish gray above and faintly streaked with buff underparts that are moderately streaked.  Eyebrow patches are buff.  This bird walks rather than hopping and bobs its tail almost constantly. M.M.L.

Sunday, September 14. Orono (Map 23) University of Maine corn fields. I went birding, hoping to see pipits at the University fields and realized I would have to wait until the corn is harvested, as the only birds visible foraging in the corn were crows.  
    In a swampy area near one of the fields I spotted an unfamiliar flowering aquatic plant and took a picture.  At home I used the Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: Northeastern and North-central North America and Royer and Dickinson's Weeds of the Northern U.S. and Canada: a Guide for Identification, to identify my plant. The flowering plant I photographed is called Water Smartweed.  Its small, stubby flower cluster is usually less than 1 inch long.  It has long ovate floating leaves.  Surrounding the flower in the photo are the tiny floating leaves of common duckweed. M.M.L.

Unidentified orange dust on lawn, with closeups: on grass and on a shoe

Monday, September 15.  Milo (Map  32) An orange powder, that we assume is pollen, appeared all over our lawn. Our lawn is a bit long right now, so it seems to be on the grass that is turning a yellowish color.  It is on the yellow blades of grass. It looks like the pollen that comes off of lilies. There is hawkweed in the yard - but I am not sure that is what is making the "pollen".  It gets all over the shoes when walked through.  M. H.

A response from Stephen Oliveri, Executive Director, Pine Tree State Arboretum, Augusta, Maine
    Pollen is ordinarily very difficult to see with the naked eye.   Except for when the large and numerous Eastern white pines release huge amounts of pollen all at once, pollen generally doesn't occur in a large enough quantity to accumulate as described.  Even pine pollen -- which involves thousands of large trees sporting hundreds of cones creates a barely noticeable yellow dust -- we notice mostly when it concentrates on puddles that subsequently dry up and leave yellow rings.  It's hard for me to imagine that any species could produce enough pollen in so concentrated an area as to leave an orange powder that would be as visible and extensive as described.   I'm not sure if hawkweed pollen is orange, but again, I just can't imagine that they would produce enough to cause the powdery effect described.   It could be some sort of rust, which is a fungus that infects a variety of plants.  But without seeing an actual specimen, I couldn't tell.
    Sorry, but this phenomenon is a new one to me and I don't have any explanation except to say that I would be surprised if it is pollen.   Road dust, brick dust, mould, sawdust.  It could be any or none of those.

Volunteerism at Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
for National Public Lands Day

   Volunteers are asked to join the Friends of Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, the Stillwater Montessori School and the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation to celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 20, 2003.
   Please meet at the Refuge Office, 1168 Main Street , Old Town, Maine (about 1/4 mile North of the "Welcome to Old Town" sign on Route 2) at 9:00 am.  (If you wish to volunteer but cannot be there at 9 am, proceed directly to the Refuge, via the County Road in Milford, Maine.  Click for directions.)
   Helpers will work with site managers and their staff at Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on clearing and marking trails, litter clean-up and helping  to carry an informational sign about the bog to the observation deck overlooking the meadows.  There will also be activities for children.
  These improvements will enhance the refuge for public use.   Volunteers will receive a commemorative poster celebrating 100 years of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and a certificate of participation.  To volunteer or for more information, call Joanne Alex at 207-827-2404.