February 8, 2019 at 4:08 pm
By Sarah Spencer, Wildlife Biologist
On a recent site visit to a property on the mid-coast, I was rewarded with a great view of a small mammal I don’t often encounter. I discussesd with two foresters at the site the value of a “wolf” white pine and the importance of these types of trees to a number of wildlife species who use them for foraging, breeding, raising young, and for cover. The lot we were on had a history of farming and practicing forestry. This white pine had likely grown in what was once pasture and was left when the plantation was planted years later. The white pine had snapped off approximately five feet off the ground several years ago, leaving a tall decaying stump with many cracks and crevices starting to form, as well as the trunk and branches of the tree laying horizontally along the ground.
When presented with the opportunity, I always take a closer look at these features because you never know what you’ll find. When I was a student at the University of Maine, I watched as a classmate approached a snag and a northern flying squirrel launched from the top of it. Since then, I’ve often found evidence of a stump or snag being occupied by wildlife, and have seen several pileated woodpeckers and other cavity-nesting birds, but never a mammalian tenant. That all changed during this most-recent encounter, when a short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) made its presence known by appearing from one of the decaying crevices. I froze and watched as it repeatedly showed itself then disappeared. Perhaps it had been hunting mice or shrews, or had taken cover in the snag for some rest.
Also known as ermine, stoat, or weasel, their winter coat is pure white with a black-tipped tail while their summer coat changes to brown with a black-tipped tail. The smallest members of the family Mustelidae found in Maine, they’re capable of taking prey larger than themselves. Sometimes those “wolf” pines provide a reward if you’re willing to be quiet and patient.
When presented with the opportunity, I always take a closer look at these features because you never know what you’ll find. When I was a student at the University of Maine, I watched as a classmate approached a snag and a northern flying squirrel launched from the top of it. Since then, I’ve often found evidence of a stump or snag being occupied by wildlife, and have seen several pileated woodpeckers and other cavity-nesting birds, but never a mammalian tenant. That all changed during this most-recent encounter, when a short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) made its presence known by appearing from one of the decaying crevices. I froze and watched as it repeatedly showed itself then disappeared. Perhaps it had been hunting mice or shrews, or had taken cover in the snag for some rest.
Also known as ermine, stoat, or weasel, their winter coat is pure white with a black-tipped tail while their summer coat changes to brown with a black-tipped tail. The smallest members of the family Mustelidae found in Maine, they’re capable of taking prey larger than themselves. Sometimes those “wolf” pines provide a reward if you’re willing to be quiet and patient.Categories