Editor's Column
Notes, Announcements & Reflections

Hello Everyone!

I've made a few changes and repaired links that didn't survive August's software change.  If something doesn't look right in your browser please let me know. 

A young moose has been wandering the farm for over a week.  I find its tracks but haven't seen the moose yet.  It came near the house Monday morning, just before sunrise.  I didn't get a look at it because the farmcollies that had been quietly sleeping on the enclosed porch minutes earlier just couldn't resist barking ("Look!  We don't know what it is, but we could put it in the barn if you'd just LET US OUT!!").  I'm seeing moose quite often lately.  The rut has begun and bulls in my neck of the woods are on the move. 

KB sent two photos to choose from along with his report.  I really like the photo I've used with his report, and I like the photo below, too.  So, I'm using both.  Thanks Kirk!

bull and cow moose at the edge of the river

Til next week,

Robin Follette, Editor
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 		Tuesday, September 26, 2006    Vol. 11, No. 38
bullmoose walking in waterWednesday, September 20 Rangeley (Map 28)
Rutting season. An early morning walk  by the Kennebago River, gave me the nice little present of 3 moose. Two bulls and one cow. The first bull was a spike horn, and no match for the second. He very quietly walked off. I managed to watch them for about 15 minutes before they disappeared into the alders.  The moose are getting pretty active over here.  The leaves are changing at a fairly good clip, the colors are not as vivid, but it is still early, and there is leaf drop going on too.  KB
Saturday, September 23 Waite (Map 35)
A spruce grouse, a buck and a doe all in one wood yard off US Route 1.  The buck and doe took off into the woods quickly and the grouse flew to the top of a tree.  SF

Tuesday, September 26 Alton (Map 33)
A hen turkey with nine half-grown babies were chasing bugs in the grass on the side of I-95.  DO

Q & A

Q   I have very little information so this might be a hard question to answer.  About this time every year I hear a bird chirping both day and night.  It's a single very loud "CHIRP."  Sometimes there are two or three birds but usually only one.  I've never been able to see what this bird.  I know this is vague, but can anyone tell me what about this bird?  R.F.

A  It's kind of hard to really say what bird is making the chirp. Birds have this annoying little habit (to some) of having a different call for migration, or late summer night flying. Prior to making the migration, birds get pretty restless, and will fly about at night, calling. They also spend  more time eating.  It could be warblers, sparrows, vireos, or  the flycatchers. I know, clear as mud. I like the little bit of mystery, it just shows us how little we know.  KB
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