Welcome to the Vinalhaven Sightings Report – January 21, 2020

Brought to you with the support of VLT and MCHT – Thanks to both organizations!

Another in the series of blips

 

old tail ducks

 

 

Highlights – Snowy Owl, otter trails, ferry ride, red and white-winged crossbills. Everything really

 

 

 

Contact us – with all the observable nature stuff going on around Vinalhaven it feels good to have a safe place where you can unload and share your sightings with other humans. Send your photos, sightings and whatnots to vinalhavensightings@gmail.com . The place to be really, and to share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PSA – Hey – be careful on the trails these days! Ice is a common occurrence – “ice happens!” – be aware and take things slow! Grippy, spikey boot bottoms can be helpful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

snowy owl and excavator
photo by Kerry Hardy

 

 

 

 

Sightings – VLT Steward Kerry Hardy was kind enough to send in this photo he took of a Snowy Owl while checking boundaries at VLT’s Watershed Preserve. The preserve borders Louds Quarry, which is not open to the public and Kerry was able to take this photo of the Snowy in its classic habitat – near an excavator! With all the forested habitat around the quarry, its classic the snowy picked where it did to perch. Quarry is more like the tundra than the spruce forest! Thanks for sharing Kerry!

 

 

river otter takes to the road
photo by Banner Moffat

 

 

 

 

Otter trails and tracks – Banner Moffat sent in these photos of a River Otter trail and a set of tracks he came across up Crockett Cove way. Great detail on the set of tracks, and the belly slides the otter made are clearly seen even with the tire tracks cutting through the scene. I’m guessing the otter was on the road! Very cool – winter is a great time to learn about the river otters in your neck of the woods!

 

nice set of otter tracks
photo by Banner Moffat



 
 
 



Ferry ride – 1/14/20 – 8:45 from Rockland – nice ride with lots to see. Old tail ducks stuck out today, lots in flight and lots to see. Otter prints and activity easily seen from the ferry, right outside the classic under stump den on Lairey’s island.

Lairey's Island, always worth checking for otter sign from the ferry

 

otter tracks coming out of the water (bottom center)
 visiting a latrine (top left)
and heading to the local den (right)

 

 

river otter tracks in the middle of this phoo

 

 

more old tails

 

 

 

Seal Bay – spent a couple of days working on Seal Bay. Lots of Red Crossbills (broken record, I know!) and Common Goldeneye to be found.  Pileated Woodpeckers were around and loud and their sign – holes in trees – was a common sight.

 

 

raccoon print in Seal Bay marsh mud

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pileated holes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

six spotted fishing spider on the ice in St George

Off island – a couple of shots of stuff on the ice in the marsh in St George.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

new lodge and recently open waters

 

 

 

 

Beaver activity above the ice in January – I have not observed that on Vinalhaven or in St George other winters. This particular den appears to have been worked on after the (1/16) snow, but before the deep freeze the next day (1/17). I took this photo of (1/18). This is a new den for the marsh. Fun.  

 

 

 

cool new den!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s some recents of Leif – sledding and belly sliding – this kid knows how to have fun!

Welcome to the Vinalhaven Sightings Report – December 19 2019

Brought to you with pleasure by MCHT and VLT

Blip – sent in – winter moth, pileateds, and some limited editions

 

“You know it’s warm when you see snow fleas!” – Estonian motto

 

This should have been posted in December. A lot of things should have happened in December! Anyway, with some recent editions

 

 

 

PSA – PSA – hey – its winter and the preserves on Vinalhaven are ready to be explored. Animal tracking and snowshoeing are the two activities most normal people get do after a snow, but regardless of whatever gets you out there, here’s a word of caution. At certain times each winter, puddles that have formed in trails freeze up and create slippery situations (for stretches). The ice is not constant for the winter (some winters it may feel like it) and any ice may come and go, or only be found in select locations.  Grippy, spikey shoe things that prevent slippage may come in handy, but usually just being ready for the ice and adjusting walking style can be enough to prevent a fall.  Just a heads up!

 

 

 

Thanks of course to all those who have shared and continue to share sightings – natural and beyond – because sharing is what the VSR is all about. Send your photos, stories and emails to vinalhavensightings@gmail.com – its what the cool kids are doing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

winter moth
photo by Linnell Mather I think! its been too long!

New stuff – Winter moth – David Wylie and Linnell Mather sent in photos of Winter Moth adult males that took flight November 25-28, or so.

 

Word on the street  - It always has to do with timing when it comes to Winter Moth. This same week Winter Moths were active on Watts Avenue in Tenants Harbor. easily missed 

 

 

 

 

pair of pileateds
photo by Kerry Hardy

 

 

 

Pileated Woodpeckers at Marcuse Wetlands  - VLT Steward Kerry Hardy this photo of a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers working over a tree at the VLT’s Marcuse Preserve. Pileated numbers have increased on Vinalhaven over the last ten years. Will be fun to see where they turn up in 2020!

 

 

 

otter slides
photo by Linnell Mather

 

 

 

 

Otter Sign abound – out on the east side of Vinalhaven, an active otter den with a view of Isle au Haute has been discovered.  Linnell Mather sent in these photos of well used trails and a well place spraint or two just feet away from the den opening. The message is clear – we are home!

 

 

spraint strategically located between den access points
photo by Linnell Mather

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also have some photos from a sweet tracking session, early December – way back then! Mill River area – river otter turned up again. They do not like to go through culverts – and who can blame them! – so island bridges can be good areas to look for their trails as otters cross bridges when they get to them.

 

 

 

otter trails coming out of the water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bounding/lopping in crusty snow

 

 

 

 

crusty conditions made belly slides difficult

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love seeing where this raccoon slid down
this small rock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mink and raccoon were certainly part of the fun tracking that day.

 

raccoon track

 

 

 

 

 

 

mink track

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

more mink

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

where a mink hit the brakes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

snow fleas!

 

 

 

 

Warmth inspired snow fleas – our favorite winter insects (trust me, it’s your favorite). “You know its warm when you see snow fleas” is a classic Estonian saying.

 

they come out from openings in the snow like
this exposed root system



deer track with snow fleas

Red Crossbills were everywhere as well. And will continue to be if things continue the way they are currently! Can’t argue with that!

 

 

photo by Mike Windsor

 

 

 

Limited Edition – long time reader, and even longer time friend (hazard pay!) Mike Windsor sent in one of the more disturbing limited editions we have received. It’s pringles and its gross. Thanks Mike!

 

photo by Erik Gentalen

Unlce/brother Erik sent in an limited edition Oreo flavor that includes the word bark in its name. What is this world coming to?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

playing with Erik and Julius

 

And some of Leif – Christmas concert and other shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Uncle Tom and Aunt Linda!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good times!