Wildlife Watch

Hot enough for ya? This is the question I used to hear when I was growing up in Washington, D.C. And it was hot–in the 90’s most summer days. When we moved north  to New England, we didn’t have nearly as much hot weather–only about two weeks a year when it was in the low … Read more

The Dinosaur vs. the Mammal This month we have been witnessing an ongoing battle between a dinosaur and some mammals, which reminds me of tales of the Jurassic era. Making a complex subject overly simple, here’s the way I learned it: about 200 million years ago, when dinosaurs ruled the earth, tiny mammals had to … Read more

Where Have All the Fireflies Gone? Do you remember running around on the lawn at dusk, catching fireflies in a jar, looking at them with wonder, and then releasing them? Are these nostalgic summer childhood memories a thing of the past? Will our children and grandchildren have a chance to make these same memories? There … Read more

Spring Migration For ardent birdwatchers, nothing can be more exciting than seeing the first spring migrants. First to come in February are the blackbirds, red-winged blackbirds, grackles and cowbirds. Next the phoebes arrive in March, first seen here on March 29. In April we say good-by to the northbound juncos, last seen here on April … Read more

Spring Pools Spring has sprung in a way typical of New England: on and off rain, alternating warm and cold days, occasional spits of snow. This is the time of year that amphibians most love. On rainy nights at the end of March or early April that are 40 degrees or above, frogs and salamanders … Read more