That’s Not Normal, Is It?
By Sarah Spencer, MDIFW Wildlife Biologist All Photos Courtesy of Donna Melanson If you’ve been a regular reader of the MDIFW Blog, you may recall a post from Region C Wildlife Biologist Henry Jones about growths called fibromas which are observed on a variety of wildlife.
Chickadee Checkoff helps Piping Plovers Enjoy Another Excellent Summer on Maine Beaches
[caption id="attachment_2655" align="alignright" width="499"] A piping plover chick blends well into its surroundings.
What Is Forest Succession?
By Lands Management Biologist Eric Hoar Forest succession is the process where vegetation establishes and progresses over a time. It frequently occurs following a disturbance whether it be natural such as a wind or fire event, or caused by people, such as a timber harvest. Regardless of cause, forest succession typically begins a period of renewal and progresses through a series of stages. Following a significant event where large openings occur, grasses may initially populate the site, followed by shrub species and, over a period of time, trees will begin to establish. T
Wildlife Watching: Trail Cameras Offer A Special Way To Enjoy Maine's Wildlife
By Wildlife Biologist Nate Webb [caption id="attachment_2605" align="alignleft" width="300"] Umaine/MDIFW Research Image[/caption] Wildlife watching is a popular pastime in Maine, and contributes nearly $800 million to the state’s economy every year.
Habitat Enhancement At Scarborough Marsh WMA Will Benefit New England Cottontails
[caption id="attachment_2448" align="alignright" width="291"] Some native plants, such as alders, willows and dogwood, can be planted using the live stake method, which is basically a branchless stick.
How To Live (And Win) With Beavers in Western Maine
By Regional Wildlife Biologist Chuck Hulsey and Assistant Regional Wildlife Biologist Bob Cordes, Region D For the past 28 years the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) Region 3 in Dixfield has been supplying our regional wildlife program in western Maine with salvage channel posts. These are the heavy duty metal posts to which DOT affixes stop signs. Instead of going to scrap metal, we give old rusted posts a new life as part of a simple fence and water leveling structure to keep beavers from plugging road culverts. After a plugged culvert is cleared of mud and stic
Spring-time Thunder-Pumpers
By Tom Schaeffer, Regional Wildlife Biologist Ever heard of a “Thunder-Pumper?” How about “water-belcher?” I hadn’t either until I did some online searching. These colloquialisms for a Maine marsh bird come pretty close to describing the spring courting call of the male American Bittern. I was treated about a week ago to a rare opportunity to view both a male and female bittern in a relatively open set
Monitoring Black Racers, The Largest Snake In Maine
[caption id="attachment_2341" align="alignright" width="1024"] Black racers are Maine's largest snakes.
GPS Collars On Lynx Provide Valuable Information As Maine's Lynx Population Grows and Expands Its Range
[caption id="attachment_2263" align="alignright" width="518"] This lynx with an attached GPS collar, was collared and released earlier this winter.
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