Squam Lakes Natural Science Center Blog

Flying Into Winter

2012-01-23T12:33:00.000-05:00

By Margaret Gillespie

A thick hemlock tree thrives just outside my office window and I am pleasantly surprised when birds unexpectedly appear on its branches to open sunflower seeds from the nearby winter feeding station. At a time of year when tracks in the snow are the major evidence of local wildlife, these lively visitors are a welcome burst of color and action. During this frosty, snowy, windy season, it is amazing how birds survive without all the technology that we humans depend upon for warmth and food. We might be tempted to call their existence the “simple life” but birds’ winter adaptations are far from simple!

Black-capped Chickadees are frequent and entertaining visitors to bird feeders. Have you ever noticed that they come in a flock and seem to be on a schedule? This winter grouping generally includes about six birds consisting of a dominant pair that nested during the summer, some of their offspring, as well as other juveniles and adults. Specific bird feeding stations become preferred sites on their daily circuit of three or more good foraging spots. Chickadees may be the ultimate “weight-watchers,” except that they need to gain about 10 per cent of their weight in fat per day in order to stay warm over cold winter nights. Don’t even think about how you could compete by adding 12 or 15 pounds of fat to your frame from sunrise to sunset! At night these birds turn into the ultimate energy conservationists by lowering their body temperature. Peter Marchand in Life in the Cold describes how chickadees become hypothermic by reducing shivering to the point where their temperature lowers 10 to 12 degrees Celsius, with the result that they use 20 per cent less energy in heat production.

A key component of winter survival for birds is their insulating feathers. In late summer, many birds begin molting or losing their summer breeding plumage and replacing those feathers with new ones. Although often more drab, the new plumage in winter resident birds has been found to weigh 25 per cent more than the old plumage, providing needed insulation. Smaller birds have more surface area for their size from which to lose heat but birds like Chickadees and Kinglets actually have proportionally more feathers than much larger birds. In addition, as birds fluff out their feathers, air is trapped and warmed near the body. Birds preen to take care of their feathers and to spread oil from a gland near the base of their tail, preventing rain and wet snow from getting through to their insulating down.

Where is a good sheltered spot for the night? Chickadees retire to thick evergreens which protect them from wind. A tiny tree hole makes a good spot for one chickadee although the bird emerges the next morning with a temporarily curved tail! But what about those exposed legs and feet? Winter birds have a special trick under their scales -- it’s a wild version of a heat exchanger! In the legs and feet, arteries bringing warm blood from the heart are right next to veins bringing cold blood back from the feet. Arterial blood is cooled somewhat so not so much heat will be lost to the air through the feet. Venous blood is heated somewhat so cold blood will not be returning to chill the bird’s core. Of course there is always the one-legged bird trick where one foot is drawn up into the feathers. Perhaps the most secretive ploy is one the habit ruffed grouse have of tunneling into the snow to spend the night under an extra insulating blanket – a good spot during snowstorms too.

With all these winter adaptations tucked under their feathers, do birds really need our help? Hibernating insects, winter berries and seeds can be challenging to find. As we all know, winter can be unpredictable. While providing a bird feeding station is not essential, it may give birds, especially first year birds, that extra boost needed to get them through our harshest season. Besides, bird feeding is an opportunity for us to observe birds and their behaviors – a fascinating pastime. Watch the parade of Nuthatches, Goldfinches, Tufted Titmice and Cardinals, to name a few. Put out black, not striped, sunflowers that give birds lots of food energy. Don’t forget to hang some suet or peanut butter to keep the Woodpeckers coming. Birds will place your feeder on their internal daily map so try to be consistent with your feeding and be sure food is out early in the morning when they need to replenish their energy, even if it means loading feeders in the evening.

Winter isn’t just for the birds! Check out the winter landscape on foot, snowshoes or skis. Take some of the lessons you learn from birds with you – insulate, eat well and be active!

Solstice Owls

2012-01-17T10:05:00.000-05:00

By Dave Erler

On the evening of the winter solstice, one of my daughters joined me to celebrate the first official day of winter by building a camp fire in the woods behind our house. We got a good blazing fire going and settled in to watch the dancing flames and absorb the fire’s warmth. After sitting quietly for about 10 minutes enjoying the quiet of the night we were startled by the call of a Barred Owl roosting not more than 200 feet away. He repeated his “who who who who, who who who whooo” call about every 30 seconds. After a couple of minutes of listening I decided to answer his inquiry and called back, doing my best to mimic a female barred owl. I hoped he might be curious enough to come closer to find out what weird female was trying to get his attention. That didn’t happen, but he continued to call sporadically from the same perch for the next half hour. We never did see him but his serenade for such a long time was the highlight of our evening.

Now you might wonder why I figured the barred owl in question was a male. It turns out that people more patient than me have listened to this most common of our owls and learned quite a bit. What researchers found is that with about 91 percent accuracy someone with a trained ear can pick out the slightly lower pitch of a male’s call (“who cooks for you, who for you all”), from a female’s slightly higher pitch, which also includes a longer end note with a bit of vibrato added. The owl we listened to stuck to the classic eight-hoot call, but barred owls are capable of at least 13 call variations. They include barking, cackling, shrieking, and gurgling notes. The barred owl also goes by a number of different names. The common name comes from the light and dark barring of the plumage covering the upper part of the chest. The scientific name Strix varia comes from Latin. The genus name Strix meaning to screech and the species name varia referring to the light and dark variegated plumage. Barred owls have other common names including; hoot owls, eight hooters, laughing owls, crazy owls, swamp owls, bottom owls, wood owls, striped owls, round-headed owls, black-eyed owls, and rain owls. All the alternate names refer to their vocalizations, habitat, physical appearance, or in the case of rain owls, from the fact they will actively hunt in the rain. In fact. it is not uncommon to see them in warmer months hunting along roads on rainy, “froggy” nights. Catching frogs on rainy nights is easy pickings for them, although somewhat dangerous as they sometimes end up getting hit by cars.

Right now during winter is the best time of year to listen for barred owls because they are actively establishing territories and recruiting or renewing pair bonds in preparation for their late winter nesting, which typically begins in March. Winter is also the best time to view them. Deep snow conditions may drive them to extend their hunting into daytime. It’s not too unusual to see a barred owl on utility wires next to roads or at bird feeding stations hoping to catch a squirrel or mouse also taking advantage of “free” food.

If you get a chance to go outside after dusk in the coming weeks and barred owls are in your neighborhood you might hear their calls. If you want to learn more about owls and other winter wildlife, make reservations for an upcoming naturalist-led Wild Winter Walk. These guided tours (offered on various dates from January to March) give you a chance to walk our exhibit trail and see owls and other native wildlife, all in their winter glory.

Making Tracks

2012-01-10T09:03:00.000-05:00

By Margaret Gillespie

“A trail is like a string of clues. Every time I kneel to examine a track I feel like I’m bending to pick up a precious stone. Each “stone” is attached to the next one by an invisible thread. Each track is a new clue and each one is unique – sparkling with hints that lead me to the next one. Always at the end of the string, I know, a being is moving. . .” Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Nature Observation and Tracking

Clues? A mystery to solve? That is the essence of seeing tracks and having fun unraveling their story. The time you spend links you to the natural world, at once glimpsing into the past and looking to the future. Try your hand at these “on paper” track mysteries and see if you can identify the main characters. Remember that habitat will help you narrow down the choices. In what kind of natural community did you find the tracks . . . field, forest or wetland? Is the animal hunting or gathering a certain kind of food? Was its shelter evident?

In an old farm field you come across a fairly linear track – the hind feet are tracking directly into the place made by the front feet. On close examination, you notice four claw marks in each track. At this time, the animal is in searching mode, zigzagging across the meadow, stopping to poke its nose into the snow, and even leaving a urine mark by a drooping goldenrod. Unexpectedly the tracks end in a pounce, a spot of red blood on the snow, before winding their way over a stone wall into the woods.

What do you think? Did the presence of claw marks indicate the dog family to you? Then place, track pattern, probable meadow vole meal, and behavior all point to . . . a red fox!

On a walk through the forest you enter a shady section even in winter, with pines and hemlocks providing shelter from the wind. Abandoned on top of a fallen log you notice a pine cone stripped down to its core, the bracts mounded in a pile. Leaping away in what seems like a rush, are a set of tracks showing all four paws but with the two leading paws larger than the following two. In a short distance the tracks disappear at the base of an impressive pine tree.

Any ideas? The galloping pattern (front feet landing first and hind feet coming around them to land ahead) indicates you are tracking a rodent, rabbit, or hare but the fact that you also have a tree climber narrows the field. Based on the food (pine seeds hidden at the base of the bracts in the pine cone) and the coniferous forest habitat, all signs point to . . . a red squirrel!

Going for a jaunt along a forest stream, you admire the interactions of snow, ice and tiny patches of open water as the brook meanders under fallen logs and around boulders. Also following the stream are a set of small tracks that pop into a hole in the snow, emerge shortly, and even use logs over the stream as bridges. At one point, the story you see unfolding takes your breath away! While the tracks bound along (small front feet landing and larger hind feet bunching up right behind them), another character enters the scene. Turning abruptly, the bounding tracks are overlaid by a set of delicate but deadly wing prints. Signs in the snow indicate a brief scuffle and departing the scene are a set of small bounding tracks – safe this time at least.

Who is the mystery bounder? Most members of the Family Mustelidae leave track patterns like these but based on the behavior you observed, small size of tracks and the owl predator, it looks like you have been tracking . . . a short-tailed or long-tailed weasel!

If you enjoyed this vicarious trip into nature, plan a real outing, especially after a light snowfall makes fresh tracks prominent. Carry along a track card or tracking field guide and put your sleuthing skills to work.

Nature Tours: Wildlife of New Mexico

2012-01-02T10:08:00.000-05:00

Wildlife of New Mexico
Trip Dates: November 5-15, 2012

Join Iain MacLeod for a spectacular trip to the great southwest. Get away from cold New England weather and delight in the warmth of New Mexico. Visit Carlsbad Caverns, Bosque del Apache, and Bitter Lakes National Wildlife Refuges. Highlights include the spectacular caverns of Carlsbad, breathtaking dusk and dawn flights of sandhill cranes and snow geese, Bendelier National Monument with its ancient cliff dwellings, and the Living Desert State Park (AZA-accredited). The trip ends with a visit to Sante Fe to see the National Forest and explore this beautiful and historic town.

Contact Iain at 603-968-7194 x 23 or iain.macleod@nhnature.org for a full trip itinerary or to book your place on the trip.

Cost: $1,950 per person
Includes all accommodations*, leader fees, van transportation beginning and ending at Albuquerque airport, and admission fees. (Cost of meals and flights NOT included).
*Accommodations are double occupancy rooms (i.e. couples in one room, singles share with one other person). There is a $200 additional fee for a single room.

Your Gift to the Annual Fund is Needed... Now with a Recurring Gift Option

2011-12-26T10:22:00.001-05:00

For every child who experiences an up-close nature moment, for the moms and dads who count on a fun learning place to spend family time, for the volunteers who share their time to teach others, for the good feeling of knowing your gift can make a difference, please support the 2011 Annual Fund at whatever amount you can afford to give. No gift is too small…or too large!

Our Annual Fund goal this year is $300,000 and we need your financial support more than ever to meet that goal. The annual Fund helps to care for and feed our 80-plus ambassador animals, to maintain our buildings, trails, and exhibits, provide excellent educational programs, and makes it possible for us to provide new opportunities for more people to learn about New Hampshire’s natural world.

New this year, you can now make a recurring gift to the Annual Fund. This is a way for you to make a larger gift, spread throughout the year through monthly or quarterly donations. It is convenient for you and provides dependable support for the Science Center. Your donation will be billed to your credit card and automatically renew each year. Once a year, we will send you a record of your giving history for tax purposes and give you an opportunity to update your pledge amount and account information. Of course, you can change or cancel your payments at any time although there is a minimum donation of $10 per donation and a 30-day notice to cancel your authorization.

We welcome one-time gifts as before by calling 603-968-7194 x12. You can also donate online at our website, http://www.nhnature.org/annual_fund.html.

As we look forward to our 46th year, we thank you on behalf of the many thousands of children and families we serve.

Blue Heron School

2011-12-19T10:08:00.000-05:00

Some pictures of the fun Blue Heron School students have been having over the past couple of weeks!

Summer 2012 Guided Discoveries

2011-12-13T16:16:00.001-05:00

Summer 2012? You may be wondering how we can already be thinking about the summer when the cold weather has barely arrived. We like to plan ahead here at the Science Center and with that we have the Summer 2012 Guided Discovery brochure ready for you to start planning, too!

Winter 2011 Tracks & Trails

2011-12-13T16:11:00.000-05:00

The Winter 2011 Tracks & Trails newsletter is here!

Otter Watching

2011-12-05T10:37:00.000-05:00

By Dave Erler

As winter approaches we sometimes think the best times to view wildlife are on hold until spring arrives. That is true for birds that migrate and cold-blooded ectotherms like reptiles, amphibians, and insects, but the ice and snow help us catch a look at a few animals. River otters are one of these and as well as one of my favorite mammals to watch.

I am fortunate to be able to walk out my front door and within five minutes, get to the three spots that offer excellent viewing opportunities. The first is along a stretch of a good-sized brook where I built a bridge, another is at an old millpond, and the third is from a 40-foot cliff overlooking a beaver pond. Being a morning person, I usually spend a half hour to an hour every morning checking those spots. If I am lucky I might see an otter once every two weeks during the warmer months, but come late fall and winter I can almost count on seeing at least one otter every week.

Why do we see otters more in the winter? I think there are several reasons. The ice limits where otters can pull out of the water, which they need to do periodically to rest, shake their fur out, or eat something too large to handle in the water. Open water along streams and especially where ice has formed shelves along the edges are good places to see otters, as are areas just below and above beaver dams. With the white winter background, they stand out on as opposed to the summer when they quickly disappear in the vegetation.

Another reason has to do with what they eat. The carnivorous diet of otters includes fish, crawfish, frogs, tadpoles, and occasionally birds and small mammals, including muskrats and young beavers. By checking the scat that otters leave in latrine sites on land close to shore I find clues about what they eat. Most of the scat or spoor I check shows evidence of fish scales and crawfish legs. In the summer, when I have seen otters eating, they consume small fish and tadpoles quickly as they surface in the water. In the winter, I see otters on top of the ice eating larger fish, larger frogs, and occasionally turtles. The ice-cold water causes some fish to slow their metabolism, making it easier to catch them. Frogs and turtles are dormant and buried in the mud during the winter; the otters excavate them from the bottom while they hibernate. Several times, using a long fallen branch, I retrieved painted turtles that otters left on the ice. I know the otters have to eat to live, but I have to admit that I feel a little sorry for the turtles. When otters pull painted turtles out of the water, the turtles are tight in their shells, but otters are still able to chew off the legs, tail, and sometimes the head, leaving the rest of the turtle with only teeth marks on the shell. Because the painted turtles are in a state of hibernation, they might not have much feeling, but those that still have their heads are no doubt alive. In cases where I find those painted turtles with heads intact, I put them back in the water, but I doubt very much that they survive. Without legs, these turtles have virtually no chance to swim or to burrow into the mud. I did find one large snapping turtle that an otter had caught. Because snapping turtles have a very small plastron (bottom shell), the otter was able to eat most of it.

So have I seen any otters lately? In the last week, I was fortunate enough to see at least four different otters on three occasions. The first was a small otter, clearly a youngster. It was busy porposing through the water in pursuit of something when I lost sight of him around a corner of the millpond. The second one was on an ice shelf in the same pond eating an 8 to 10-inch pickerel. The last two I saw when I was up on the cliff overlooking the beaver pond. Two yearling otters put on a great show. When I first saw them, they were spinning and splashing around and around in the water about six feet from the near shore. I caught a brief glimpse of something in one of their mouths. They appeared to be fighting as they spun around in the water for a good two or three minutes. One apparently swallowed what it had its mouth. That done, the otters ceased the skirmish and both beached themselves. They proceeded to roll around in the snow, followed by a brief mutual grooming session, and then back to chasing each other and finally back through the sedges and eventually into the water, where I left them swimming off toward the beaver dam.

If you want to see a wild otter, keep checking those places where open water meets the ice. You might get a chance to watch an otter, an experience you’ll long remember. And, if you can’t wait to see an otter in the wild this winter, make a reservation to check on the Science Center’s otter exhibit on one of our weekend “Wild Winter Walks.” Good luck otter watching.

Outside Connections

2011-11-28T16:01:00.000-05:00

Check out this great video from Outside Connections at Pennichuck Middle School in Nashua, NH about their visit to Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Thank you for your visit!

Eyes On Owls

2011-11-21T10:22:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday we were very pleased to have Mark and Marcia Wilson of Eyes On Owls visit us for two exciting programs. Attendees saw some of Mark Wilson's incredible owl photography and learned about some of the different types of owls. Participants also got a hooting lesson from Marcia. The program concluded with the showing of live owls including the Eurasian Eagle Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, Great-horned Owl, Snowy Owl, Spectacled Owl, amongst others.

Animals and Earthquakes

2011-11-14T10:00:00.001-05:00

This is a reprint of a press release from the National Zoo about how the animals there responded to the earthquake in August.

National Zoo Animals React to the Earthquake

The vibrations from yesterday’s 5.8 earthquake were keenly felt at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park; all animals, staff and visitors were safe and no injuries were reported. Zoo buildings were closed to the public and checked by safety personnel for structural damage. Zoo gates were closed to incoming visitors but exits were open for guests to leave at their leisure. The Zoo reopened this morning on time.
Animal care staff recognized changes in animal behavior.

Great Apes

The earthquake hit the Great Ape House and Think Tank Exhibit during afternoon feeding time.
About five to ten seconds before the quake, many of the apes, including Kyle (an orangutan) and Kojo (a Western lowland gorilla), abandoned their food and climbed to the top of the tree-like structure in the exhibit.
About three seconds before the quake, Mandara (a gorilla) let out a shriek and collected her baby, Kibibi, and moved to the top of the tree structure as well.
Iris (an orangutan) began “belch vocalizing”—an unhappy/upset noise normally reserved for extreme irritation—before the quake and continued this vocalization following the quake.

Small Mammals

The red ruffed lemurs sounded an alarm call about 15 minutes before the quake and then again just after it occurred.
The howler monkeys sounded an alarm call just after the earthquake.
The black-and-rufous giant elephant shrew hid in his habitat and refused to come out for afternoon feeding.

Reptile Discovery Center

All the snakes began writhing during the quake (copperheads, cotton mouth, false water cobra, etc.). Normally, they remain inactive during the day.
Murphy, the Zoo’s Komodo dragon, sought shelter inside.

Invertebrates

One of the volunteers at the Invertebrate Exhibit was feeding the cuttlefish and it was not responsive. The water is normally very calm in the tank, but the earthquake caused the tank to shake and created waves, which distracted the cuttlefish during feeding.

Beavers

Keepers were feeding the beavers and hooded mergansers (a species of duck) when the earthquake hit. The ducks immediately jumped into the pool. The beavers stopped eating, stood on their hind legs and looked around, then got into the water, too. They all stayed in the water. Within an hour, some of the beavers returned to land to continue eating.

Great Cats

The lion pride was outside. They all stood still and faced the building, which rattled during the quake. All settled down within minutes.
Damai (a female Sumatran tiger) jumped at the start of the earthquake in a startled fashion. Her behavior returned to normal after the quake.

Bird House

The Zoo has a flock of 64 flamingos. Just before the quake, the birds rushed about and grouped themselves together. They remained huddled during the quake.

Front Royal

During the quake all Eld's deer and tufted deer immediately ran out of the barns and appeared agitated.
The Prezwalski’s horses and scimitar-horned oryx hardly noticed although those that were inside did amble outside eventually.
Immediately after the quake the female Eld's deer herd began alarm calling (a high staccato barking sound) until they were called by their keeper and subsequently all congregated in the corner of the pasture nearest the keeper for a short time.

Giant Pandas

According to keepers, the giant pandas did not appear to respond to the earthquake.

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Thank you

2011-11-07T10:23:00.000-05:00

Thank you ladies of Admissions and the Howling Coyote Gift Shop! You help to make a visitor's experience at the Science Center even more enjoyable and informative. Thank you for all that you do!

L to R: Deb Joyce, Priscilla Fletcher, Laura Fletcher, Kirsten Pickel, Pam Clark. Missing: Abby Horton

Saco Does What Ospreys Do

2011-10-31T09:23:00.000-04:00

By Iain MacLeod

Saco, the young New Hampshire Osprey that was outfitted with a satellite backpack in July is now well on her way to South America. The last blog I wrote about her described her August 22 departure from the Ayers Island Dam nest (where she was born in early June), to her arrival on the Virginia coast on August 28.

Here is an update of her progress since then:

She hung out on the Rappahannock River just south of Tappahannock until 9:00 a.m. on the 29th working her way along the tidal edge (fishing), but by 10 a.m. she was on the move again and crossing the Mattaponi River near King William. By 4:00 p.m. she was at Big Island along the James River having traveled 168 miles point to point. On the 30th she kept heading west up and over the George Washington National Forest ending the day along the Greenbrier River near Buckeye in Pocahontas County, WV. By noon on the 31st she was on the move again and by the late afternoon she had reached the Elk River near Sutton in Buxton County, WV (another 109 miles under her belt/wing). No surprise, she was hunting just below a large dam (just like home). Her point-to-point total distance since leaving the nest was about 926 miles.

Saco then decided to take a break – an extended break -- and stayed in Sutton along the Elk River for more than a month. It was a relief that she found somewhere safe and familiar. The spill way and impoundment of the Sutton Dam, must have looked a lot like home in New Hampton where she learned to fish. As I reviewed the data of her journey in Google Earth it was really interesting to see how she seemed to deliberately choose dams along rivers as fishing stopovers. She obviously sought out the familiar as she explored this strange new world.

On October 5th Saco finally decided to leave the Elk River and the town of Sutton and follow the urge to head south again. At 11 am, she was hunting along the river for the last time. By noon she was heading due south and by the end of the day she was 129 miles away in West Virginia. She roosted hear Buffalo Mtn. in southern Floyd County. On the 6th she moved another 207 miles all the way through North Carolina, passing just east of Charlotte. She roosted just south of High Island near Wateree in Sumter County, South Carolina. On October 7 she continued south through South Carolina, past Savannah and ended the day roosting along the Altamaha River in McIntosh County in Georgia. Since leaving Elk River she had travelled over 500 miles in two and half days. Her overall, migration route since leaving Ayers Island (excluding most of her month of back forth along the Elk River) is just over 1,500 miles.

On October 8 she left Georgia and headed south through Florida, ending the day roosting just north of Gainesville, FL (Alachua County). From roost to roost she travelled 120 miles. On the 9th she continued her southward journey, going another 85 miles to end the day roosting next to Rt. 98/50 near Brooksville in Hernando County. On the 10th she was on her way between 9 and 10 am. She continued her southern push through Florida, ending the day near Peace River (after a little fishing) just north of Arcadia in DeSoto County -- another 90 miles under her belt. On the 11th she pushed on in a more south-easterly route over Labelle and the Big Cypress National Preserve, ending the day in the middle of the Everglades about 35 miles west of Miami (127 miles from her previous night's roost). By 1 pm on the 12th she was 54 miles south near Plantation Key; 13 miles from Key Largo. By 3 p.m. she had started out over the Caribbean Sea just south of Vaca Key and made the 100 mile water crossing over to Cuba in 6 hours. She landed near Varadero in a very swanky looking resort area.

After roosting near Varadero, she was on her way by 10 a.m. on the 13th. By noon, she was passing Jovellanos and ended the day in a remote swampy area east of El Jiqui (another 73 miles). On the 14th she was on her way by 10 a.m. After passing El Rincon, she jogged east again and hit the southern Cuba coast at 1 p.m. east of Guasasa. She stopped off to fish along the south shore of Behia de Cienfuegos. She spent the night here and was fishing near the same area as the previous day, but was on her way again shortly after noon. By 9 p.m. on the 15th she was just east of Trinidad, Cuba having logged another 35 miles.

She was now in what is known in the tracking world as the “Osprey Highway.” Thousands of North American east coast Ospreys travel through the Caribbean, island hopping from Cuba to Haiti and the Dominican Republic before crossing the open Ocean to Venezuela or Colombia. I’m sure that Saco was not alone on her journey and was seeing lots of other Ospreys making their way south. Hopefully, she is following experienced adult Ospreys who have made this journey before and will avoid rooky mistakes that can cost a life. So far, so good for Saco, but many dangers lie ahead, including fish farms where Ospreys are shot, severe weather and a last major water crossing to reach South America.

She was still present at her previous night's roost site just east of Trinidad at noon on October 16, but by 1 p.m. she was on her way again. At 3 p.m. she had hit the southern coast again at Bahia de San Pedro. She stopped off for a couple of hours on an island in a small tidal lagoon, then spent the night on a wooded hilltop a couple miles inland and about 2.5 miles from the town of San Pedro. She was still there at 9 a.m. on the 17th but by 10 a.m. was heading south-east again looping around some heavily farmed land and paralleling the coast about 2 miles inland. She stopped briefly at 2 p.m. on a wooded ridge in the midst of heavily farmed land, but continued east ending the day about 18 miles west of Florida, Cuba, about 8 miles inland. On the 18th she was on the road by 9 a.m. She passed just south of the city of Camaguey. By 4 p.m. she had found a nice little lake just east of El Jobo where she did some fishing. She spent the night and the following morning here (about 60 miles from the previous night's roost) and then doubled back by 4 miles to another nice looking lake west of El Jobo where she was fishing at 3 p.m. on the 19th.

She spent the night of the 19th near those lakes near El Jobo. She spent all the next two days there too -- must have been good fishing, or perhaps the northern edge of hurricane Rina kept her grounded. She was on her way again between noon and 1 p.m. on the 22nd and headed east-south-east less than 50 miles before stopping for the night south-east of Ramirez. By 9 a.m. on the 23rd she was 3 miles to the north of her roost over a small wetland (breakfast?). She continued for a short way on a north-east route and then was heading east again. She logged another 91 miles at a good pace and at times over 3,000 feet up (to clear the mountains). She ended the day just east of Biran near Parque Nacional la Mensura. By 9 a.m. on the 24th she on her way again and gliding at 3,300 feet up and averaging 30 km/hr and heading east. She left the south-east tip of Cuba somewhere between Rio Seco and Jauco shortly after 3 p.m. and flew to Ile de la Gonave, an island just off the west coast of Haiti.

After reaching Ile de la Gonave on the late evening of the 24th, she spent the night close to the north edge of the island. By 10am on the 25th she was well on her way heading east-south-east. By noon she had reached the main island of Haiti and was 20 miles west of Port-au-Prince. She ended the day roosting near Oviedo on the southern most tip of Haiti about 140 miles from her previous night's stop. By 2 pm on the 26th she was more than 100 miles to the south out over the Caribbean. By 7pm she was another hundred miles to the south-south-west about half way to Venezuela. Then she started veering south-west rather than south. Weather data shows that she hit terrible weather with storms sweeping in from the east. She kept flying (she has to) and by 10am on the 27th she was 308 miles from the 7 pm point (!) still out over the middle of the Caribbean Sea. By 11am she had slowed down and was heading west (wrong direction) further away from South America. By noon she was heading north-west. She was still more than 1,000 feet up and moving at 28kph. By 5pm she was still moving west, still more than 300 feet up and going at 27kph, but made a course correction and started heading south-west again but her speed and altitude were dropping. At 6pm, having flown continuously for more than 30 hours and covering 640 miles non-stop, she suddenly slowed to a crawl and her next hourly point was just 2 miles to the north (!). Her next two points were over a span of just 3 miles, drifting north; the last point being at 9pm on 28th. She was about as far from land as she could possibly be (300 miles of open ocean in all directions!!). Rob thinks she hitched a ride on a north-bound ship for the last three hours of data (which is the best case scenario) but I fear she might be down and floating in the water. Now I have to wait for three days for another update, but I fear the worst.

Right from the start of this project, I have known that only 50% of young Ospreys survive their first migration, and at each step of her epic journey I have braced myself for disaster to befall her. Having watched her via webcam since the first day she emerged from an egg last June, having held her in my hands; felt her heart beating; looked into her eye, having watched her take her first flights, and now after vicariously migrating with her for more than 3,600 miles over the last two months, her loss will be gut wrenching. Maybe she got lucky and found a boat to rest on, maybe when I check the satellite data this week, I’ll see a miraculous continuation of her points back on track and heading for land, or . . . such is science. I’ll update her map page as soon as I know her fate.

Rob Bierregaard, who I worked with to tag Saco is tracking several other Ospreys using the same satellite technology. As of October 16, two of those birds had already safely reached Colombia. Henrietta, a juvenile tagged at a nest on Lake Tashmoo on Martha's Vineyard, and Sr. Bones, an adult male from Nantucket. Katbird, an adult male from Martha's Vineyard, is in the Dominican Republic, as are Buck (SC sub-adult from 2009), and Snowy (Martha’s Vineyard youngster). North Fork Bob (a Long Island adult) is in Cuba. Sanford, an adult male from the Westport River in Rhode Island gets Rob’s "last one out, turn off the lights" award for this year. He didn’t leave RI until October 12th.

To follow their journeys for yourself, go to: http://www.nhnature.org/osprey_project/maps.html

Gardener's Note: Do You Have Deer in Your Garden?

2011-10-24T09:53:00.000-04:00

By Brenda Erler

Many of us love living side by side with native wildlife and getting an occasional glimpse of wild creatures roaming through the yard. But, that love affair may dissolve when our backyard garden becomes a feeding station for hungry white-tailed deer. There are a number of ways to discourage deer from nibbling on your prized ornamentals and garden vegetables, but the solution depends greatly on the size of the area you want to protect, the varieties of plants you grow, the size of the area deer population, and your wallet. Some of the possibilities are:

Fencing: The most permanent solution is to fence your yard or garden. This can be done with a relatively inexpensive electric fence. The ultimate defense is to put an eight-foot high woven wire fence around your property. Although such a fence is expensive to build, it is fairly invisible and needs very little maintenance.
Repellents: Another tactic is to use repellents. Most commercially available deer repellents are made with egg solids or cayenne pepper extract. These are applied directly to the deer’s favorite plants to make them unpalatable. However, this isn’t a good solution for garden vegetables since they’ll become unpalatable to you as well! Repellents can be very expensive to use over large areas, so you may need to be choosy about the plants you want to save. You may also try “smell” repellents such as suspended bags of human hair and ordinary hand soap throughout your garden. For both taste and smell repellents, you will need to switch them around to change their locations from time to time or the local deer will learn how to avoid them.
Plantings: If you don’t want to deal with fences or repellents, consider planting ornamentals that deer dislike. Plants that are tough, thorny, hairy, or have milky, bitter, or spicy sap have little appeal for deer. Ornamentals that deer usually avoid include foxglove, yarrow, purple coneflower, lily-of-the-valley, ferns, many herbs, larkspur, Euphorbia, marigolds, and nasturtiums.
Other Ideas: Gardeners have used any number of other tactics including sprinklers, motion lights, and row covers among others. You must decide the area you want to protect and how much effort you want to put into deer damage control.

Remember, there are no perfect solutions. In times of drought, heavy snow or when the deer population is high, hungry deer ignore whatever deterrents you put before them.

Fall's Riot of Color

2011-10-17T11:13:00.002-04:00

By Naturalist Eric D’Aleo

For many of us who live in New England or visit the area at this time of year; we look forward with eager anticipation to the spectacular annual pageant of fall color, found in the mountains, forests, and fields around us. Our region is known throughout the world for the foliage season as not many locations put on such a blaze of glorious color every year. Although the colors may vary in richness and hue, with some years being more colorful than others, the factors that affect the brightness of a leaf in fall are universal. The amount of sunlight, the change in temperature, and precipitation over the growing season are three important factors that affect color. A succession of warm, sunny days and cool, crisp but not freezing nights seem to bring about the most spectacular color displays; if they aren’t “aligned correctly” then our colors may be a little bit less showy than in other years.

Regardless of how vibrant the colors are in the New Hampshire landscape each season, I’m often captivated with other points of interests about the colors and where to find them. The progression of colors always starts out as a trickle and I’m constantly surprised when I first see the transition begin while the asters and goldenrods are still in bloom as the rear guard of the summer season. During this time I usually notice that the leaves of the milkweed start to yellow, my first clue that fall is approaching. As I look at the trees, the birch, aspen, and cherry start to yellow I feel them announcing the arrival of fall. The tupelos found on the shoreline of Squam Lake may turn scarlet on individual branches or over an entire tree in early fall. This may sometimes confuse visitors to the area into thinking that the maples are turning. However, the tupelo tree is at the most northern part of its range in New Hampshire and changes color earlier than it does further south. Later in the season, I notice the maples and stag horn sumac near my house begin to change colors at about the same time, showing red, orange, or yellow on the leaves depending on their location, light and temperature. I am surprised at how vibrant the colors of the sumac can be, rivaling the colors of the maples nearby. Later in the fall the as the yellows, bronzes, and oranges of the oaks and beeches become more visible, they remind me that the colorful show is drawing to a close.

Aside from the grand vistas of colorful foliage of fall, I’m also drawn to look at and photograph the color of individual leaves, particularly those with multiple colors on the same leaf. For some reason I’m always in search of hobble bush, or witches’ hobble, an understory vibernum that grows in dense tangles found in New England that can make walking through a stand treacherous. Because of the variability of light that reaches the leaves and the temperature around the shrub it is possible to have the edge of the leaf a dark maroon color while the central portion of the leaf is still a vibrant green. I find these colors quite striking, especially in the right light. Beech leaves also have a similar attractive pattern where you may find a bronze edge, with a yellow center except for the green veins of the leaf that still contain small amounts of chlorophyll.

During the fall I’m constantly looking for other sources of color, not just the leaves. Witch hazel, another understory shrub found along forest edges, has a slender, delicate yellow bloom in the fall that can be easily overlooked by focusing on its bright yellow leaves. Winterberry holly, a shrub found in moist areas, has already produced bright red berries that contrast sharply with their still green leaves. Wild grape and high bush cranberry have also produced colorful berries advertising their nutritious snacks to hungry songbirds on their migrations southward. Even vines like Virginia creeper and poison ivy get in on the act putting on a flashy show of colorful leaves. One word of warning however, if you are a person who likes to make arrangements of fall colors, make sure that you can correctly identify the branches, vines, and leaves of plants for your arrangement. Poison ivy can have very striking colors, but cutting and arranging them for an indoor arrangement can be an unpleasant experience.

Even if it is a wet fall, don’t get discouraged in looking for fall colors. Instead of looking overhead, look underfoot. This years abundant rainfall in New Hampshire has made the forest floor look like a fungus garden. These fruiting fungus bodies have an amazing variety of shapes, sizes, and colors: from white, brown, blue, and yellow, to fluorescent orange. They are quite a sight to see. However, again be careful, that you can identify mushrooms correctly, as there are some that can be harmful to humans. If in doubt, don’t touch it, but study them from a close distance to enjoy their variable colors.

Finally, don’t forget to look in the obvious places for fall colors, the vegetable gardens, orchards, and fields nearby. Apple trees heavy with fruit on a cool, crisp, blue morning aren’t just fun to pick and eat but fun to observe too. There’s something nice about walking out to look at them in the morning light with a warm cup of tea or coffee before the picking begins in earnest. Pumpkins are another obvious source of fall color as they seem to glow to life underneath the dying foliage as the nights get cooler. Even beet greens still growing out of the ground in the early morning light have a bright and beautiful display of fuchsia, white, and green

So why not take a moment to look around and enjoy the amazing colorful display around you this fall?

Fall - An Ideal Tim to Plant New Shrubs and Trees

2011-10-10T09:08:00.000-04:00

By Joan Mayerson

If you’re looking for an attractive shrub that is native to New England and a good food source for birds don’t overlook the American Cranberry Bush, also called Highbush Cranberry (botanical name Viburnum trilobum). Several of these may be found in the upper part of Kirkwood Gardens, on the driveway side.

This hardy, deciduous shrub grows to about 15 feet high with a width of 12 feet. The leaves are dark green and have an attractive shape with three lobes, similar to the grape, which makes for interest when neither flower nor fruit is seen. Spring flowers are white and shaped like a flattened lace cap (as with many viburnum). In fall the leaves turn a lovely red or burgundy, while the bright, red berries are edible and last throughout much of the winter. Grouse, pheasant, and birds such as the cedar waxwing, cardinal, and robin enjoy the berries, particularly in late winter when other sources of food may be scarce.
Several cultivars of V. trilobum can be found including Compactum, which is the most common, but has the one disadvantage in that the fall color is yellow rather than a handsome red. Bailey Compact is a more dwarf form (but it does grow to 6 feet) and the fall foliage is red. Alfredo is the newest of the cultivars; its form is more compact and the fall foliage is a good red. Hahs is even more dwarf with larger fruit. Wentworth was cultivated to produce large edible berries for jelly and jam making. Early in the season the berries will be rather tart but are full of pectin; later, after hard frosts, they become sweeter.
Planted three feet apart, viburnum can be grown as a tall attractive hedge. You should shape and prune after flowering to keep it from becoming leggy. Left alone, it requires little maintenance and is mostly trouble free. If you do choose to add a viburnum to your garden, choose a location that is somewhat moist and well-drained, in either sun or part shade. Plant early enough for the roots to take hold before winter (September or October would be best).

Planting tips:

the hole needs to be ample (two or three times the width of the root ball)
fill hole with a mixture of compost, soil, and peat
add a bit of bone meal, but no fertilizers to encourage new growth (wait until spring to do that!)
make a hole in the mix for your new shrub, placing it so that shrub’s soil level will be even with surrounding soil level
pack the soil firmly around the roots or root ball (take off any root wrapping)
water in well so any air pockets are removed
be sure to continue watering your new shrub until weather turns cool and winter dormancy approaches
add a leaf mulch or bark chips for winter protection

Fall Dragonflies

2011-10-03T09:15:00.001-04:00

By Naturalist Eric D'Aleo

In the past few weeks, presence of late summer and autumn dragonflies have reminded me that fall is rapidly approaching. Many late season species emerge from their aquatic nurseries at this time of year to become adults, and like their earlier brethren, they are amazing to watch.

Dragonflies are among the most ancient of flying insects and have been in the fossil record for 350 million years. They are classified in the order Odonata, along with the similar looking damselflies, with over 5,000 species found around the world. The number of dragonfly species in North America drops to 450, with just over 100 species found in New Hampshire. Although dragonflies found as fossils had wingspans up to 31 inches, today a large dragonfly has a 5 to 6 inch wingspan. Even at this size, these colorful, acrobatic flying insects with their bulging eyes, heavily veined wings, long slender abdomens, and curious habits seem as creatures from the distant past.

Adult dragonflies have a reputation of being voracious predators, capturing other insects in flight, earning the nickname of “mosquito hawk”. Dragonflies use their sharp eyesight and impressive flying ability to catch their prey on the wing including insects such as flies, mosquitoes, black flies and gnats. By holding their bristle covered slender legs in a curved funnel, they form a basket that allows them to scoop a flying insect out of the air and trap them there until the dragonfly grabs its prey with its jaws. Dragonflies eat large amounts of insects that humans find problematic, and a single dragonfly may eat as many as 600 insects in a day.

An interesting behavior I’ve observed is the formation of a swarm of 50 darner dragonflies that were feeding in my yard over Labor Day weekend. The large insects were cruising at various heights catching winged ants, mostly males and some potential queens, which were emerging from the ground in large numbers. My family and I gathered on the back steps to watch for over an hour as the dragonflies swooped, hovered, and dove. They grabbed each ant, allowing none to escape, until the numbers of ants became so numerous that several were able to flee undetected by their aerial predators. Although dragonflies are usually solitary hunters, some types of dragonflies have a habit of feeding in swarms at this time of year and are often seen flying over fields, pastures, and lawns.

As the daily temperatures in autumn cool, dragonflies become easier to observe and watch because of their inability to maintain a constant body temperature. I’ve noticed several dragonflies clinging to the side of my house or perched in a nearby sapling early in the morning or late in the afternoon, absorbing the heat of the sun on their wings like solar panels as they attempt to keep warm. The flight muscles of a dragonfly account for just over 60 percent of their body weight and allow certain species to reach flight speeds of 35 miles per hour. Other types of dragonflies, such as the green darner, have some populations that migrate to warmer locations in the fall.

People are sometimes concerned about dragonflies that are flying near them thinking they might “sting”. That idea might come from the historical name “horse stinger” that was given because people observed dragonflies darting around the horses believing that they were stinging the animals. Actually the dragonflies were snatching horseflies flying around the animals. A recent experience I had on an early September evening suggests that some species may be curious. I went out to close my greenhouse for the night when I discovered a fawn dragonfly, a species I hadn’t seen before, trapped in a corner. I was able to free it by carefully taking hold of the two pairs of membranous, netlike wings to remove it from its perch and set it free, but not before it landed on me and flew into my home. It seems that this species explores many objects that it encounters, including dragonfly watchers.

Although it may seem too late in the year for dragonflies to breed, many species that emerge in the fall as adults are breeding. Most dragonflies breed around permanent bodies of water which may include ponds, marshes, shallow areas of streams, slow parts of rivers, and on lake margins. Males establish a territory and aggressively defend it from other males, while attempting to breed with every female that enters his territory. Mating dragonflies are often observed in tandem in a head to tail position before the female lays her eggs in the water, on floating vegetation, in the mud, or above or below the waterline. Depending on the species of dragonfly, a female may lay 100 eggs in a day and over 1000 during the few weeks or months they have to breed.

Over the winter and during next spring the eggs will hatch and the larvae will feed and live in an aquatic environment going through 8 to 15 gradual stages of growth, which they may complete in less than one year or as many as almost five years. Once the last stage of transformation approaches, the dragonfly nymphs will crawl out of the water onto plant stems, sticks, or other structures above the water to complete their emergence as adult dragonflies and the process will begin again. Keep a lookout for these late autumn insects this fall.

For those interested in identification of dragonflies in NH check out the following sites.
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Nongame/dragonflies/NHDS_PDFs/NHDS_Checklist.pdf

Press Release: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center Receives AZA Accreditation

2011-09-28T09:45:00.000-04:00

Science Center Celebrates Accreditation with Trail Admission Discount for All

Holderness, N.H. – Squam Lakes Natural Science Center today announced that they have been granted accreditation by The Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA) independent Accreditation Commission and is celebrating by giving back to its visitors. Through the month of October, the Science Center is offering a $5 off discount coupon (good for two people) on trail admission everyday. Visitors can take advantage of the special October discount by going to www.nhnature.org to download and print a coupon redeemable until November 1, 2011.

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums undergo a thorough review that includes a detailed accreditation application as well as a multiple day on-site inspection by a team of experts from around the country. “By meeting high Association of Zoos and Aquariums Accreditation Standards, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has demonstrated its leadership among zoos and aquariums,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “Only the best of the best rise to this level, and we congratulate the professionals at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center for their hard work.”

To be accredited, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center underwent a thorough review to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the Association.

“Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a great place for people to connect with the natural world and each other,” Maddy added.” Members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, including Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, support their communities with affordable family recreation and science-based education programs.”

The accreditation process includes a detailed application and meticulous on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professions. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the institution’s operation in areas such as animal care; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff, and animals; educational programs; conservation efforts; veterinary programs; financial stability; risk management; visitor services; and other areas. Finally, top officials are interviewed at a formal hearing of AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission, after which accreditation is granted, tabled, or denied. Any institution that is denied may reapply one year after the Commission’s decision is made.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center first applied for and received AZA accreditation in 2006 and continues to be the only AZA accredited institution in northern New England. There are currently 225 AZA accredited institutions in the United States and abroad.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition for the Science Center’s hard work and devotion to the highest possible standards in the industry,” said Iain MacLeod, Executive Director of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. “In celebration of receiving accreditation and to acknowledge the thousands of visitors who have made the Science Center such a vibrant and successful institution over the last 40-plus years, I’m pleased to announce that we are offering a $5 discount coupon on trail admission for the entire month of October.”

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Download your $5 off coupon here

The Change of Seasons

2011-09-23T16:26:00.001-04:00

By Naturalist Eric D’Aleo

Late summer and early fall in New England and New Hampshire bring certain ideas to mind: cool, crisp mornings and warm afternoons. Children getting on the bus or walking to school, red apples ready to pick in the orchards, and the hint of the fall foliage let us anticipate the spectacular show of color to come in the next few weeks.

Songbirds, such as bluebirds and phoebes, are changing their habits as well. They’ve come back into my yard to feed on wild grapes and search for insects in the trees before they begin their migration southward to better food sources over the winter. Other songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors have also begun their migrations or will over the next few weeks. By looking up into the sky and in natural areas near your home you may spot these long distant travelers making their way or stopping to refuel and take a rest only to move on a few days later.

Moose and deer are growing their winter coats of coarse hair that will protect them from the colder weather that is soon to arrive. The males’ velvet on their antlers is beginning to shed and you may see evidence of this as they rub it off on bushes and small saplings. They’ll spend the next few weeks searching for females to breed with while keeping other males away from them. Depending on where you are, stay alert if you are taking an early morning walk during the fall, as this is a time when you are most likely to notice them.

The increase in rainfall and morning dew at this time of year means that more salamanders, frogs, and toads are moving around their environment, which includes crossing roads. I’ll often spot them while I’m walking in the morning and if they’re still alive, I’ll stop to help them cross safely. Occasionally, I’ll hear a few spring peepers calling in the late afternoon as the shorter day length tricks their biological clocks into thinking that it’s March.

The moisture of the season has also brought out the fruiting bodies of mushrooms and other fungi throughout the landscape. You can find them growing on logs and tree stumps, in your lawn, gardens, and even your compost pile. You may even find some wedged up in the crook of tree, placed there to dry by a red squirrel for winter storage. There are many sizes, colors, and shapes of mushrooms and other fungi to look for even if you are not sure which ones are edible and which ones are not. If you’re lucky you may spot some mushrooms arranged in a “fairy ring,” the areas where fairies were once believed to dance on moonlit nights. Even though science can now explain how they form, “fairy rings” are still an exciting discovery when you happen to find one.

Whatever your interest in the natural world, this time of year is fleeting and changes quickly. Take the opportunity to note the changes that are occurring around your home and savor the experiences just as you would savor the last fresh produce from your garden or local orchard. There is a bounty of experiences out there.

Forest Riddles - Why does lightning strike a tree?

2011-09-19T09:45:00.001-04:00

By Naturalist Eric D’Aleo

Last month, I was walking through the forest at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center near the Piper homestead on Mt. Fayal while leading a program when I came across an unexpected surprise: A large pine tree struck by lightning about 80 feet from the foundation of the old homestead. Ancient cultures long feared lightning believing it was a weapon of the gods. The Greeks thought Zeus hurled lightning, while the Vikings believed Thor produced lightning as his hammer struck an anvil while riding his chariot across the clouds. Indian tribes in North America believed lightning was due to the flashing feathers of a mystical bird whose flapping wings produced the sound of thunder. Why was this tree singled out for such wrath?

I had never come across a relatively recent lightening strike before and immediately began searching around the tree for clues and evidence to provide information about what had happened. By observing the color of the scar was blond and not gray, I knew lightning struck the tree within a year. Looking closer, I also saw some pitch had flowed out from the edges of the bark by the scar.

As I looked around, I noticed other equally tall pine trees were unscathed and wondered why lightning had struck this particular tree. There appears to be no pattern or “norm” that determines which trees lightning strikes. The height, geographic location, and species of tree, as well as proximity to building structures are factors affecting the likelihood of whether or not a tree is struck. Trees that stand-alone, rise above other trees, or are close to water are the most likely candidates. Some tree species are more likely to receive a lightning strike than other species, including oaks, elms, pines, spruce, poplars, maples, and ash, while beech, birch, and horse chestnut receive fewer strikes. Trees that are deep-rooted, decayed, and dying are more prone to being struck by lightning than shallow-rooted and healthy trees. A tree closer to a building is more likely to be hit than another tree ten feet further away, assuming that they are the same species and height.

Why does lightning strike a tree in the first place? Trees act as lightning rods because electricity seeks the path of least resistance when conducting electrical charges from the clouds to the ground. Although wood is a poor conductor, moisture from sap and water inside a tree conducts electricity much better than air, thereby completing the circuit from ground to sky. Large, tall trees that carry a high volume of water during the summer when electrical storms are common are most likely to be victims of a lightning hit.

Typically, lightning strikes a tree somewhere near the top of the canopy, rather than half way down the trunk, then it travels down the trunk into the ground. I looked up at the tree and noticed it was struck near the highest branches; the blond scar traveled down the trunk in a somewhat spiral shape. Often as trees grow, they “twist” in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. If a tree grows slowly, the wood under the bark exhibits a pronounced spiral pattern, however, if the tree grows quickly the spiral in the underlying wood is less pronounced. The scar of this tree exhibited a slight, counterclockwise spiral. Knowing the history of the property, the diameter of the trunk (two feet), and the curvature of the lightning scar on its surface, I estimated the tree to be less than 100 years old and that it had grown quite rapidly. Pieces of bark and wood were scattered around the base of the trunk and up to thirty feet away. Some pieces were over eight feet long and up to four inches wide. One three-foot shard was actually driven a few inches into the ground. When lightning strikes a well-hydrated tree, the intense heat causes the bark and wood to be blown off the tree from steam generated by the sap boiling and cells exploding in the wood. Had the tree bark been rain soaked when it was struck, it would have shown very little damage, as the lightning would have followed the outside of the bark.

I thought about another pine tree hit by lightning several years ago near the Science Center parking lot, which is still alive, and wondered if this new casualty would survive. As it turns out, this is a difficult question to answer. Some trees die immediately with little sign of external damage, while others may live for a number of years. The loss of protective bark and the exposure of wood from the lightning scar increase the tree’s susceptibility to insects and disease. The intense heat from a strike also takes a lot of energy from the tree. To overcome the stress the tree needs to absorb additional water and nutrients from the soil.

As I headed back, down the slope to the Webster Building I didn’t think the tree would survive long due to the complications from the lightning strike and the competition and crowding of other healthy trees a few feet away. Who knew that even today the force of lightning could still fill us with as much awe and wonder as it did for ancient cultures?

Last Chance: Wildlife of Scotland – Hebrides and Highlands , June 7– 20, 2012

2011-09-12T11:39:00.000-04:00

By special request, Executive Director Iain MacLeod is offering his Hebrides and Highlands tour once more. Join Iain for a two-week tour of his homeland in search of birds, beasties, history, and culture. This very personal tour of Iain’s favorite Scottish haunts will give one and all a flavor of Caledonian heritage and natural history. Iain has chosen hotels with exceptional Highland hospitality, charm and comfort, outstanding cuisine, and spectacular settings.

Hebridean natural history highlights will include birds, seals, otters, and wildflowers on the rich “Machair” farmland and kelp-filled sea lochs of North Uist, Benebecula, and Skye. Along the way, we will visit ancient stone circles and spectacular white sand beaches.

In the Highlands we’ll explore the ancient pine forests known as the Great Wood of Caledon and the lochs and marshes of the river Spey. Visits to castles, ruins, and other cultural antiquities are scattered throughout the trip. Iain might arrange a special dusk viewing of badgers (of Wind in the Willows fame).

Another highlight is the sight, sound and smell of tens of thousands of breeding seabirds – including puffins – on the huge sea cliffs of the Aberdeenshire coast. The trip will wrap-up in historic Edinburgh with its famous castle, royal mile, and beautiful gardens.

This will be a trip to remember.

Group size limited to nine. Cost: $5,500 per person. All-inclusive cost includes hotel accommodations and all meals, round-trip airfare from Boston to Glasgow, van transportation in Scotland, and admission fees to nature reserves and most other destinations listed on the itinerary. View a comprehensive illustrated trip itinerary at www.nhnature.org/nature_tours.html. Contact Iain at iain.macleod@nhnature.org to reserve your place or for more information.

Sounds of the Seasons

2011-09-05T12:45:00.000-04:00

by Education Program Director Amy Yeakel

We are so fortunate to be based in a place that experiences the beauty of the changing seasons. We look forward to the warmth of spring, summer fun, the colors of fall and the winter snow that turns our area in to a wonderland. You may have a certain sign that you watch for with the changing seasons. Perhaps a first robin, the presence of pussy willow, a vernal pool coming alive or a golden forsythia say spring to you. Swimming in the lake or escaping to the cooler mountains may mean summer. End of summer and fall bring harvest and preparing for the winter. For you, that first snow or the departure of certain birds may mean winter is coming.

At the Science Center we have many signs of the seasons too. And surely the ones I mentioned above are noticeable around here as well. But we have some other signs that are particular to the center and specifically some certain sounds. It can only be spring when we have the return of our amazing volunteers on Clean Up Day and shortly after that the sounds of schools and families on the trail. May and June mean the sounds of arriving busses and hundreds of school children exploring and learning. Summer brings the many vacationers and fall brings the sounds of the foliage viewers. Those of us that work here at the Center love to open those windows and hear the arrival of guests and program participants as they come to learn about NH ecology!

I can not count the number of times people mentioned to me a new and special sound. This sound is particular to what people typically think is our slower season, fall through winter and in to spring. This year for the first time we had the sounds of children exploring every day year round! What a sight to see and hear the children of Blue Heron School as they hiked along in their snowsuits!

I am writing this column in the steamy heat of late July but by the time you read this once again it will be a change of seasons, bringing along its own set of special sounds. For us here at the Center, those sounds will be the return of children at Blue Heron School and the many visiting school children from around the state. Be sure to stop a moment and appreciate the sounds of your seasons!

Satellite-tagged New Hampshire Osprey Heads for South America

2011-09-02T10:14:00.000-04:00

A fledgling Osprey -- carrying a light-weight satellite transmitter -- from a nest in New Hampshire has started its long and perilous migration to South America. The young female Osprey, named Saco, was equipped with the solar-powered, GPS-enabled satellite backpack when it was six-weeks old at its nest at the Ayers Island Hydro Station in New Hampton in July as part of a new project by the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. The project is funded by Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) with additional funding from the Jane B. Cook 1983 Charitable Trust. Two chicks were tagged in July, but the younger male chick didn’t survive its first flight attempts.

The new tracking project is led by Iain MacLeod, Executive Director of the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, NH. MacLeod has studied Ospreys for more than 30 years and has monitored the growing nesting population in the NH Lakes Region since 1997. “This project will allow us to track this bird continuously for up to three years as it migrates across the Equator, and is part of a larger New England-wide project spearheaded by Dr. Richard O. Bierregaard, a distinguished visiting research professor at the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina,” said MacLeod. “Bierregaard has been studying Ospreys on Martha’s Vineyard for 42 years and holds extensive experience using this satellite tracking system. After 10 years, and more than 40 birds tagged (mostly on the Vineyard), his project is providing much-needed data revealing migrational differences among Ospreys and helping pin down where threats to the birds lie,” added MacLeod.

The Osprey – sometimes called the “fish hawk”-- is the only bird of prey in the world to feed exclusively on live fish. Their large size (more than five-foot wingspan), huge, obvious stick nests (often on man-made structures, including light towers, channel markers and even buildings) and wide-spread distribution have made them familiar to many people – particularly those living along tidal estuaries and large lakes. Once decimated by DDT, Ospreys have recovered significantly in the last three decades and have recolonized most of their pre-DDT haunts.

Saco took her very first flight on July 23. Over the next four weeks she explored the immediate vicinity of the nest, which is located next to the Pemigewasset River, gaining strength and confidence and eventually learning to fish for her self. Her every action was closely monitored via a webcam provided and hosted by PSNH – which owns the hydro station and provided the nesting pole on which Ospreys have nested since 2004. Saco’s father continued to feed Saco at the nest right up to the moment that she decided to strike out on her own.

She left the nest for the last time on Monday, August 22 at 9:11 a.m. and, after a tour of several nearby fishing locations, she headed west and spent her first night perched on the shore of a small beaver pond just south of Pleasant Lake near New London. The next day, she traveled 135 miles and ended up perched on the edge of another beaver pond near North Canaan in Connecticut. On the 24th, she traveled 55 miles to a hill-top roost site in New York, then by the end of the next day she was 32 miles away in New Jersey. On August 26, as Hurricane Irene swept towards the east coast, Saco made a 150 mile push and ended up spending the night near the Holtwood Dam on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. After fishing on the spillway below the dam (which must have looked a lot like home), she pushed on another 85 miles, spending the night and next morning on the Potomac River near Sharpsburg, Maryland and Tuscarora, West Virginia. On Sunday, August 28, she made another good push, traveling 132 miles to the coast of Virginia, ending the day perched on the edge of the Rappahannock River just south of Tappahannock. The travel distance between her hourly data points is about 590 miles in 7 days. Saco’s destination is South America. She will have to negotiate the most treacherous portion of the trip – through the Caribbean -- in the coming weeks (hurricane season) and then find a suitable location to spend the next two years before returning to New England to breed. Most of the Ospreys studied by Bierregaard have traveled to Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia.

To find out more about this Osprey project and see updated maps of Saco’s journey, visit http://www.nhnature.org and click on the Project OspreyTrack button. To read more about PSNH’s ongoing commitment to Osprey conservation in NH, visit http://www.psnh.com/Environment/Osprey-Online.aspx.

Emerald Ash Borer: What are all those purple boxes?

2011-08-29T09:45:00.001-04:00

By Naturalist Beth Moore

You may have noticed those purple boxes hanging from certain trees along certain roads. In order to appreciate what these boxes are for, we must first take a close look at an insect called the Emerald Ash Borer. In the past few years, there has been a lot of hype about the Emerald Ash Borer and the amount of the damage they can potentially cause. The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a beetle native to Asia (specifically eastern Russia, northern China, Japan, and Korea). It was first identified in North America in 2002 in Michigan. Although the exact source of transit has not yet been confirmed, it is likely that it made its way to North America in the ash wood used to stabilize cargo on ships. Since 2002, infestations have been discovered in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These infestations are responsible for the loss of over 50 million ash trees in the United States. It has also been found in two Canadian Provinces. These are likely not new infestations, but rather had just previously gone undetected and spread through our lack of knowledge of the insect’s existence in these areas.

Any introduced species (one that is not native to a given area) has the potential to become invasive (meaning it becomes successfully established in an area and its presence has an impact on native species). In the case of the Emerald Ash Borer, the beetle larvae bore into the trunk and major branches of native ash trees and destroy the water and nutrient transporting layers and eventually kill the tree. Initial symptoms are often difficult to observe as they occur at the canopy level. Infested trees do not immediately present obvious symptoms. Observation of the leaves as well as the trunk (where D shaped exit holes are present) are key in diagnosing an infested tree. Although research indicates the adults can fly at least a half a mile from the tree that they emerge from, transporting ash wood for use as firewood is also a major way infestations spread.

The more we increase our awareness of Emerald Ash Borer, the more we can do to try to slow down or prevent their spread. States that have confirmed the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer are under strict quarantine in which no ash wood may be transported. Additionally, states that have not yet confirmed the presence of Emerald Ash Borer, but could potentially become infested due to the presence of ash trees, are encouraged to continuously monitor for signs and symptoms of infestations. New Hampshire has not yet confirmed the presence of Emerald Ash Borer (the closest known infestation is in Kingston, New York), but ash trees make up about 15% of New Hampshire’s forests. Due to the current concerns with Emerald Ash Borer, as well as other insects such as the Asian Long Horned Beetle, New Hampshire has established a firewood quarantine to prevent the importation of non-treated wood.

So what does this have to do with the purple boxes that you see hung from trees? These boxes are hung in live ash trees to lure adult Emerald Ash Borers in close proximity. Although there has yet to be a confirmed sighting in New Hampshire, these traps help biologists to monitor ash trees for infestations. Since the adult Emerald Ash Borers take flight only during the warmer months, these traps are removed in the fall. How can you help? Don’t transport firewood and learn to identify signs of infestation. Together, we can hopefully prevent this insect from entering New Hampshire and killing our ash trees.

Goodbye Interns

2011-08-22T08:45:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year when we say goodbye to our summer interns as they go back to school. This is a bit of a bittersweet time for everyone at the Science Center. We know our interns are moving on to do great things but they leave a big hole to fill at the Science Center!

Our Program Interns primarily divide their time between Animal Care, Guided Discoveries, and Outreach. Our Program Interns also present many of our Up Close to Animals presentations. If you visited us sometime this summer you probably saw at least one or our interns helping with different programs.

Our Communications Intern works with our marketing team to help strategically manage the promotion and marketing efforts of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. This summer in particular, our Communications Intern helped to grow our video marketing efforts. See his work at www.YouTube.com/nhnature.

So, Alyssa, Brittany, Dani and Mike - thank you for a great summer!
(Mike - how did you manage to get out of being in any photos from the summer?! I guess you must have always been behind the camera!)

2010 Annual Report

2011-08-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center 2010 Annual Report

Have you met some of our friends....?

2011-08-15T10:00:00.001-04:00

What I Discovered in Guided Discoveries

2011-08-08T09:45:00.000-04:00

By Program Intern Dani Diermeier

For those of you who may not know, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center holds week-long outdoor adventures in learning called Guided Discoveries that focus on different topics related to ecology. You may also not know that as a program intern here at the Science Center we get to do a rotation in which we assist these programs. Honestly, I did not know what to expect, since I did not have a lot of experience with children. But believe me when I say that after completing this rotation I feel that it was a wonderful experience for both me and my fellow campers! I was lucky enough to assist in four different camps- Be A Survivor, Night and Day, Nature Notes, and Metamorphosis Mania. These programs literally “guided” these children to make their own “discoveries” about themselves and the topics they learned about. Whether it was how to survive in the wild or how to let yourself be creative, by the end of the week, these kids were pros! I truly believe that allowing children to have experiences such as these guides them into becoming more knowledgeable about nature and also more respectful towards nature. The Guided Discoveries do a wonderful job of getting children to really think about things in different ways and make informed decisions.

Now of course we have to wonder why these programs can be so enjoyable, yet sneakily educational, and the explanation I have is great instructors with well thought-out planning! Each of the instructors were prepared and really made the week fun for everyone, including me! All of these factors really come together to make a fantastic program here at the Science Center that I encourage all children to participate. Our 2011 Summer Guided Discoveries have ended for the year. No worries though, next summer will be filled with more amazing camps for the youth to look forward to! Watch for our 2012 Guided Discovery brochure in December. For more information you can visit www.nhnature.org or give us a call at 603-968-7194.

Dinner Cruise

2011-08-03T16:15:00.000-04:00

By Marketing Intern Mike Jenkins

The first dinner and sunset cruise of the summer has already set sail, but there are still two more chances to come aboard, this Thursday, August 4 and next Thursday, August 11. The evening begins with a delicious dinner at Walter’s Basin restaurant and then proceeds down to the docks where a canopied pontoon boat is waiting to take you on a 90 minute guided tour of Squam Lake.

Our experienced ship captains will explore the natural history and wildlife that inhabit New Hampshire’s most heavily protected body of water. View locations where the movie On Golden Pond was filmed and watch as the sunsets over the surrounding mountains. Binoculars are also provided that give great views of Loons and Bald Eagles that have nested on the lake.

5 Things I have Learned During My Internship

2011-08-02T13:51:00.001-04:00

By Program Intern Brittany Mielcarek

Animals Like to Learn.
As a program intern, part of my learning involves helping with animal care where I have the wonderful opportunity to learn about animal enrichment. Enrichment involves new ways of delivering food, new toys, and training. Enrichment is simply the addition of something novel to the environment. Come Play the Wild Animal Way Day took place in mid July. That annual event teaches our visitors all about animal enrichment. The mountain lion enrichment was the same training demonstration that can be seen on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons throughout the summer. Coffee was sprayed around the bobcat enclosure as enrichment to introduce a new smell. The bears were able to find and eat frozen melons. Enrichment varies from one species of animal to the next, but it is always a fun thing to watch.

Enrichment is vital for animals in captivity. We use program and exhibit animals as educational ambassadors to teach the public about the importance and welfare of animals native to New Hampshire. In order to keep the animals mentally and physically healthy, we use enrichment to showcase typical behavior of the species.

Baby woodchucks like water.
At the science center, all of the animals used in programs have daily access to enrichment rooms. Part of the outdoor enrichment room is a pool. While filling the pool one day, our young woodchuck climbed in and out of the pool repeatedly. The pool was a source of enrichment for the woodchuck because it was something new in its environment. I wasn’t sure if all woodchucks enjoy water or if it was rare. I recently read however that woodchucks are good swimmers. They all may not enjoy water, but they interact with it.

Animals that are nocturnal are most likely color blind.
As an intern, I am still learning. During an Up Close to Animals presentation about skunks, a young girl asked me if skunks were color blind. This question stumped me and my brain tried to quickly work its way through it to no avail. Turns out they are color blind. Senior Naturalist Dave Erler helped to clear up my confusion and I want to share what he told me.

A large amount of light is required to see color. Animals that are nocturnal are not usually active during daylight so developing the cells necessary to see color would be a waste of energy.

Beavers aren't so different from us.

I have gone against my norm and picked a favorite. That favorite is the beaver. Beavers are fascinating animals. They are the largest rodent in North America, second in size only to the capybara of Central and South America. Even though the beaver is seen as a nuisance, they have many human-like qualities as well as habits beneficial to the environment. Some human-like qualities include having family units and complex communication systems, using transportations systems consisting of canals, and storing food. Beavers also have many adaptations such as cheeks that close behind their incisors to allow chewing underwater and large, strong teeth to cut down trees. I encourage you to learn more about the wonderful world of beavers, whether on your own or during a program at the Science Center.

Baby birds don’t drink milk
It’s a common idea to give baby animals milk. However, birds are not mammals and do not drink milk. Birds lack the proper enzymes necessary to digest milk, similar to people who are lactose intolerant.

If you find a baby bird, please contact your local veterinarian or bird rehabilitator before feeding it. They can help you decide what to do.

Rocks rock!
Part of my internship is assisting with weeklong summer children’s programs. GeoCamp was one of these camps, focusing on geology and the natural causes of New Hampshire’s mountains. Most of New Hampshire was formed by glacial movement and the boulders moved by glaciers. It was fascinating to do activities with arts and crafts that could then be connected to things we saw on hikes with the children.

My internship isn’t over yet, and neither is the endless learning.

Where Did the Bats Go?

2011-07-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

By Program Intern Alyssa Piper

You may have heard about or noticed first-hand the decrease in the bat population across the Eastern United States. There are fewer swooping black figures at dusk and a significant (imagined or not!) increase in pesky insects. The question to many is, what happened to them? Well, to the best of researchers’ knowledge, a fungal disease called White Nose Syndrome is decimating the bat population, with population numbers dropping rapidly. The Science Center is here to tell you a little more about the disease, facts about bats native to New Hampshire, and what you can do to help.

What is White Nose Syndrome?
In 2006, a caver 40 miles west of Albany, New York discovered White Nose Syndrome. He noticed several dead bats in the cave and an unusual white substance on most of the mouth and nose region of the cave inhabitants . The following winter, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation documented the disease as White Nose Syndrome, or WNS, a disease affecting hibernating bats.

Today, we know that a fungus, probably one called Geomycesdestructans causes the disease. Not much is known about G. destructans, though scientists are fervently researching the dynamics and transmission of the infection looking for a way to control it.

Unfortunately, WNS has already killed over a million bats in the United States and Canada, and it is spreading. In some caves, 90% to 100% of the hibernating bat population has perished. Half of the 45 bat species rely on caves for hibernation during the winter, and of that half, 11 species have WNS or are at risk of being infected. Of those 11 species, five are native to New Hampshire and are affected by WNS: big brown bat, little brown bat, eastern small-footed bat, northern long-eared bat, and tricolored bat.

A Few Bat Facts

The little brown bat is the world’s longest-lived mammal for its size, with life spans sometimes exceeding 32 years.
A single little brown bat can catch 1,200 insects in one hour.
A colony of 150 big brown bats can protect local farmers from up to 33 million or more rootworms each summer.
In the wild, important agricultural plants, from bananas, breadfruit, and mangos to cashews, dates, and figs rely on bats for pollination and seed dispersal.
An anticoagulant from vampire bat saliva may soon be used to treat human heart patients.
Contrary to popular misconception, bats are not blind and do not become entangled in human hair.
Bats are exceptionally vulnerable to extinction, in part because they are the slowest reproducing mammals on Earth for their size, most producing only one young annually.

What You Can Do to Help!

Avoid going into caves or other hibernacula (where animals hibernate) where bats are known or are suspected to hibernate.
Report unusual bat behavior or observed deaths to your state natural resource agency. Who in NH?
Minimize disturbance to natural bat habitat around your home, for instance minimize lighting at night and steer away from clearing more trees than needed.
Build homes for bats! See the link below to learn how to build a bat house

See these links for instructions on how to build a bat home. It’s a great summer project and relatively easy for anyone to do!
Bat House Assembly
Bat House Directions

Welcome to the Science Center

2011-07-18T09:35:00.002-04:00

By Program Intern Dani Diermeier

We have some exciting news! We recently added two new members to our Education Staff here at the Science Center, and boy, are you going to love them! When I say staff I bet you thought of the human kind, but I am talking about new education animals. A baby woodchuck and a long-tailed weasel cleared quarantine and will be making program appearances soon. In honor of our new staff members here is an overview about these animals for your reading pleasure.

Woodchucks, also called groundhogs, are the underground engineers of New Hampshire, which you may have experienced in your own backyard! Their burrows can be five feet deep and forty feet long with different chambers throughout. Woodchucks are very tidy rodents and use only one of those chambers for a bathroom. The other ones are used as sleeping quarters, and maybe even a nesting site for young. The burrows have two or more openings for quick entrances and exits. If you want to see a woodchuck in the wild it isn’t very hard, you just have to know where to look. They usually make their home in a nice field that is about a football field in size. You can see them during the day (which is when they are active) munching on dandelions, clover, and other delicious green plants. Remember, you can also come see one here!

Long-tailed weasels are quick and agile predators found throughout most of the entire eastern United States (the southern tip of Florida is just too warm and populated I suppose!). Almost their whole diet consists of small rodents such as meadow voles and mice. They are active year round; their beautiful rich brown coat turns white in the winter. This provides them with camouflage, making it easier for them to hunt their food and also to not become food for someone bigger! The fur of our new weasel here at the Science Center will turn white during the winter too, so make sure you plan a trip to come see him.

Now that you know a little more about our newest additions, I hope you show off your new knowledge about these animals by telling all your friends about them and where to find them (which is here at the Science Center of course!!).

New Osprey Project Takes Flight

2011-07-15T15:53:00.000-04:00

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center partners with PSNH to track Osprey

Holderness, N.H., July 12, 2011****Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) is supporting a new research and education project with the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (SLNSC) focusing on tracking the international migrations and food foraging strategies of nesting Ospreys in New Hampshire. The information gained will help to focus conservation efforts where they are most needed.

Using lightweight, state-of-the-art solar powered satellite transmitters attached to the backs of juvenile Ospreys, interactive web based technology will allow near real-time virtual tracking of multiple Ospreys as they migrate from their nests in New Hampshire to South America and back. As envisioned, the five-year project will track up to 15 New Hampshire Ospreys.

Two transmitters will be deployed this week on youngsters at a nest at the PSNH Ayers Island Hydro Station in New Hampton. PSNH has a 24-hour webcam at this nest providing a spectacular view of the daily lives of these birds. New web pages created by SLNSC will allow anyone to view the incredible long distance journeys that lie ahead for these birds.

The new tracking project is led by Iain MacLeod, Executive Director of the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness. MacLeod has studied Ospreys for more than 30 years and has monitored the growing nesting population in the Lakes Region since 1997. In addition to PSNH support, MacLeod also gained project funding from the Jane B. Cook 1983 Charitable Trust and the Science Center’s own Innovative Project Fund. Chris Martin, senior biologist from NH Audubon, will serve as a Project Advisor.

“This project will allow us to track these birds continuously for up to three years as they migrate across the Equator, and is part of a larger New England-wide project spearheaded by Dr. Richard O. Bierregaard, a distinguished visiting research professor at the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina,” said MacLeod. “Bierregaard has been studying Ospreys on Martha’s Vineyard for 42 years and holds extensive experience using this satellite tracking system. After 10 years, and more than 40 birds tagged, his project is providing much-needed data revealing migrational differences among Ospreys and helping pin down where threats to the birds lie,” added MacLeod.

The Osprey – sometimes called the “fish hawk”-- is a large fish-eating bird of prey. Bierregaard’s studies have shown that Ospreys are still shot while migrating through Cuba and Haiti – usually at fish farms – and at their wintering grounds in South America. Violent weather systems in the Caribbean are also a major threat to the birds.

PSNH has a long history of working to help bring Ospreys back to New Hampshire. Project Osprey was launched, in partnership with the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department and New Hampshire Audubon, in 2000 to work toward a full recovery of the state-threatened bird of prey. As part of the Osprey recovery, PSNH provided financial support as well as crews and equipment to erect 15 man-made nesting platforms for the Osprey. The platforms were critical for attracting Osprey into new areas of the state. Six years after Project Osprey began, Osprey numbers had doubled in New Hampshire. Setting new highs for the post-DDT era, Ospreys occupied 43 active nests, produced 62 young, and settled in four of New Hampshire's major watersheds in 2005. The New Hampshire Fish & Game Department removed the Osprey from its list of Endangered and Threatened Species on September 20, 2008.

To follow the latest updates on this Osprey project and follow the tagged birds, visit http://www.nhnature.org/osprey_project/overview.html and to view the PSNH Ayers Island OspreyCam, visit http://www.psnh.com/Environment/Osprey-Online.aspx.

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Overlooked Beauty

2011-07-11T08:45:00.002-04:00

By Program Intern Brittany Mielcarek

I find that it can be easy to forget about the natural beauty around us. My internship here at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has been five weeks of reconnecting with nature and its amazing beauty.

Something as simple as a pinecone tells a great story, but only if we take the time to notice it. Education Program Director Amy Yeakel, took me and the other interns for a hike up Mt. Fayal as part of our professional development. We came across a pinecone and Amy explained something we might find on the forest floor. Red squirrels pull the exterior scales (bracts) off a pinecone to get to the underside for food. When the squirrel is finished, a bare pinecone is left surrounded by bracts. If you happen upon this in the forest, it is a sure sign of red squirrel activity.

Senior Naturalist Dave Erler and I cleared the white tailed deer exhibit of stinging nettle. Stinging nettle is a plant covered in fine hairs that contain irritating chemicals. They can grow up to 2-4 feet tall. When animals brush up against this plant, these hairs stick in the skin of whatever animal may be passing by. This creates an itchy feeling that is almost impossible to resist. When scratched, the hairs release the irritating chemicals into the skin and the itching becomes more intense and lasts much longer. Before Dave showed me what stinging nettle looked like, the deer exhibit looked like a blur of green and brown. Once I took the time to distinguish between one plant and another, the picture changed. It was no longer a mix of colors.

I passed a tree the other day that had grown in a wavy pattern. I have seen trees like this before, but I had never known the cause of this wavy pattern. I learned that there is an insect that eats the apical buds off the tops of trees. Apical buds produce hormones that are responsible for vertical growth in trees. In order for the tree to continue growing vertically, there must be a small amount of lateral growth first. The insects eat the apical buds and the tree continues to grow up and then to the side. The tree ends up looking like a wavy piece of curly hair growing into the sky.

This week I have been assisting with Wild Art, a Guided Discovery program. One of our first activities created field guides for Kirkwood Gardens. Page one was a general view of a group of plants. There was little detail but many colors blended together. The next page involved closing in on one plant or one flower and painting in the details. This was a reminder to me about the importance of fine details. Not only is the big picture important, but each individual aspect is equally as important.

The trees and plants around us have stories to share if we take the time and care to pay attention. If we take time to actually see and learn about the natural world around us, we can truly benefit from all it has to offer.

Remember that every part of nature has a purpose. A dead tree is just as important as a live tree. Each and every organism serves a purpose, although we may not understand it at first. I would like to encourage you to take time to reconnect with nature. Spend an afternoon outside with friends and family. Your backyard can be as much as a natural adventure as a hike to the top of a mountain. You just have to take the time to find it.

Signs and Sounds

2011-07-04T08:45:00.002-04:00

By Program Intern Alyssa Piper

While stronger sunrays and the last day of school mark summer for some, Memorial Day is the beginning of summer for Squam Lake and the town of Holderness, NH. The summer residents packed up their boats, trailers, and cars full of spring cleaning and summer fun as they returned to the lake to open up their camps, cabins, and lake houses. It was clear that as the seasonal bustle continued throughout June, summer 2011 was well underway. One thing I noticed as I watched spring unfurl into summer here on the lake—the sights and sounds of wildlife inevitably became more distant as we humans moved back in.

I am a seasonal intern at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, arriving in mid-May from Worcester, MA. When I first arrived, we had days upon days of spring rain and the temperatures never seemed to inch past the high 50s, but being attuned to winter, it was still a welcome change. Coming from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the city environment, it took a few days for me to slow down to adapt to the way of life around here, but I did learn something important—how to closely observe and listen. I was used to listening for cars coming around the corner or for dogs barking from windows, leaving the birds and slapping of water on rocks to the background noise. My first day here, though, all there was to hear was the wind in the tree buds, the spring bird calls, the water on the shore, the rain on the roof, and of course, the mysterious calls of the loons on the lake. As for observations, every glance at the lake garnered at least one glimpse of a loon.. In fact, there was one pair that spent a lot of time around the Science Center’s dock on Little Squam. I thought perhaps they considered me a friend after spending so much time with them every evening. With all the rain, the water level of the lake seemed high, and the land surrounding the lake was so saturated there were Mallard Ducks swimming in the grass! It was delightful, needless to say!

That was a month ago, though. The rain has subsided and the lake level has decreased. There are boats roped to almost every dock and trucks or cars in almost every driveway. The sun is hot and the children that run by smell of sunscreen and bug spray. Last week, during Laconia’s Bike Week, the only sounds apart from passing cars were the constant thunder of motorcycle tailpipes and boats zipping back and forth on the lake. It wasn’t as easy to sit back and listen to nature… You had to strain your ears to focus on the birds and the water, rather than the bikes and the boats. Now, maybe only once every few days do I spot the friendly pair of loons near our dock and only late at night do I hear their lonely calls. What happened? Summer happened, and it’s all too easy to run right past what many of us come here to enjoy—nature.

Next time you’re out and about on a hike, on a boat, or just simply in your own back yard, take a moment to slow down. Not only will you see and hear things you may have never seen or heard ever before, but the wildlife around you may take a moment to slow down and have a moment of curiosity, too. For example, last week I took some reading outside to one of the many fields here at the Science Center. After settling into the sun and grass, I saw not one but three baby woodchucks as they peaked out from the taller grass and browsed the field around me. I stayed as still as I could as I watched their behaviors; they would sit up and look around and then return to finding the most scrumptious clover. After about ten minutes, one baby woodchuck got so close, I could have extended my arm to touch him, though I didn’t—wildlife is for observation. Then, a larger woodchuck appeared from the grass, most likely their mother, for all three babies scurried quickly towards her.

I invite you, rain or shine, day or night, to open your ears and your eyes to nature. Who knows what you will see or hear! Perhaps you’ll see a Common Loon carrying her chick on her back or a fledgling Bald Eagle learning to fly? Or maybe you’ll see a Porcupine up in a tree or hear an Owl’s hoot? Believe me, there’s something new every day!

Training is the Spice of Life!

2011-06-27T08:52:00.000-04:00

By Animal Caretaker Lauren Moulis

You may have heard rumors that Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s Animal Care staff members are training the animals here. Well, those rumors are true! For several years we have used a training and enrichment program which enables us to increase the health and well-being of our animals.

The training uses positive reinforcement to reward all correct behaviors with something the animals love, such as food. You can see the effects of the training yourself if you visit during our trail season (May 1 to November 1). An animal care staff member demonstrates training of our two resident mountain lions at 3 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday in July and August. We also highlight our training and animal enrichment program on Come Play the Wild Animal Way Day; it will be held this year on July 13.

Behind the scenes training is done with the rest of our animals too, for the benefit of the overall physical and mental health of each animal. For instance, asking for an “up” behavior allows the trainer to inspect areas ordinarily not seen, such as the abdomen. The same is true for an open mouth behavior or paw presentation. If you have ever seen the mountain lion demonstration you may have noticed that some behaviors are more of a “practice drill.” The idea is to make an animal familiar and comfortable with a touch from an object somewhere on the body as practice for the possibility that we may need to inject medication for an illness. Allowing an animal care staff member to regularly observe that the animals are in normal health lessens the chance of a serious injury going unseen requiring subsequent visits from the veterinarian. Similarly there are behaviors, such as asking a coyote to jump or howl, which don’t play a part in the physical health of the animal, but do provide mental stimulation and, in some cases, a fun interaction with the trainer. A recent training breakthrough we are excited about is teaching the exhibit animals to stand still on a scale in order to get accurate weights. This allows us to more closely monitor their diets and health.

Another wonderful benefit of training is being able to eliminate possible surgeries. Any surgery may be risky, especially when it requires anesthesia. The risk is higher as animals age. Recently our female bobcat, due to old age, has not been able to groom herself well, causing mats to develop in the fur on her back. Previously this situation might have required anesthesia to remove the mats. At her age this procedure would be risky, so we tried positive reinforcement training first and have been able to successfully brush many of the mats out instead of risking surgery.

Training is wonderful for staff and animals alike here at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Stay tuned to see how we progress with new and fun behaviors to create a little spice of life for our animals.

Gaudy Birds

2011-06-20T08:55:00.001-04:00

By Dave Erler

Early this morning I was out birding. I was in no particular hurry to check off as many species of birds I could see and hear; it was just an easy walk to see what I could discover. And as is often the case that’s when I seem to see the best things. Today was exceptional as my walk took me to a spot overlooking a beaver pond where I was lucky enough to watch a mother wood duck with eight newly hatched ducklings. They were paddling around picking at the water’s surface for what I imagine were small insects. This continued for several minutes until the mother realized they were being watched and quickly guided her family across the pond.

Once the raft of young wood ducks disappeared into the reeds I focused my attention on listening. A few hundred feet behind me I could hear the flute-like song of the hermit thrush. Then, from across the beaver pond came the song often described as a robin with a sore throat, a scarlet tanager. Male scarlet tanagers are one of the most gaudily colored songbirds we find here in the summer. Despite their brilliant red body plumage accented by jet black wings they are not easily seen as they prefer to stay high up in the tree canopy. I focused my binoculars on the tree tops across the pond and there he was -- this flash of bright red contrasting with green foliage. Within a few short seconds after locating him he flew across to the side of the pond where I was. Almost immediately another male scarlet tanager broke into song a short distance from where the first one had landed. Within a second or two both males flew to a nearby dead branch in what clearly was a face off. Both sang again, followed by the first one chasing the second around and through the tree canopy. The first male promptly returned to the dead branch and sang, which I interpreted as having settled the dispute. This was followed next by a male Baltimore oriole breaking into song about ten feet to the tanager’s left. The gaudy flame orange and black male oriole was then attacked by a second equally flashy male oriole. The first oriole launched after the second and another tail chase began. I was unable to tell for sure which of the two orioles was victorious, but one of them came back and landed about six feet away on the same dead branch where the tanager was perched. The oriole sang once, the tanager sang, and then the oriole flew at the tanager driving him back across the pond.

All this action took place in less than a minute and clearly was an exhibition of territorial behavior. But as to why the tanager from across the pond wanted to claim twenty feet of shoreline from across the pond, I am still baffled. And did the dominant oriole really consider the tanager a threat to his territory?

Catching little serendipitous glimpses into the natural world is such a great experience. Not knowing what I might witness is what keeps me going back out. I don’t know that I’ll ever catch another clash between gaudy birds, but who knows?

Babies, babies, babies!

2011-06-15T15:20:00.000-04:00

By Program Intern Dani Diermeier

It is baby season here at the Science Center! We have been receiving lots of calls about baby wildlife being found, with the most calls coming in about what to do with baby birds. Since there are many misconceptions out there about what to do when you come across a baby bird, I thought I would let you all know just what you should be doing in such a situation. I did some research on the subject and came up with some guidelines to follow.

One thing needs to be said about nature, we don’t always understand why things happen the way they do but we have to trust that nature is doing what is best. When we see a baby bird in the road or our front lawns our first instinct is to pick it up and give it some TLC, but is this really what is best for the individual or the species? Not necessarily, it may actually do more harm than good. When you find a baby bird in such a situation the first thing to do is leave it alone, bring in your pets, and observe its behavior from a distance for about an hour. Chances are that the parents will return for it and are just waiting for all the commotion to stop. Most people may think that the baby bird needs to be returned to the nest or it will die but a lot of parent birds will have the babies on the ground for some of their education. You can tell if the baby bird is in this education process if it is a “fledgling,” which means it is feathered, capable of hopping, and is generally adorable looking. If the baby bird is sparsely feathered and not capable of hopping or walking, then it is considered a “nestling.”

If the bird you are observing is a nestling and hasn’t had any parents return for an hour, then you can place this bird back in its nest if you can see it. And no, birds cannot smell human scent on their young so the parents would not abandon it for that reason. But remember, chances are the bird does not need our help at all! We need to trust nature and what the parents have decided for their young. Now if you feel like this bird is truly orphaned (i.e. you saw the parents die or the bird has been there for a very long time) then you should contact your local wildlife rehabilitator for further instruction. If you decide on this route, do not touch or feed the baby until you have talked with the rehabilitator and they have given you the proper guidelines. The wrong amount or type of food given to an under-developed bird can be very dangerous, causing sickness or even death. Even though these baby birds probably do not need our help, it is great to know there are so many caring people out there that just want to see nature working perfectly. That is a nice thing to think about, knowing that the world is full of wonderful people like you!

Field Trips

2011-06-13T10:02:00.002-04:00

By Marketing Intern Mike Jenkins

As the school year comes to a close we want to share with you of the benefits of science center trips. Students may see the field trip season as a refreshing break from their normal routine, but studies show that educational trips are no break from learning. In fact trips to science centers strongly reinforce topics covered in class throughout the year.

Thousands of students from all over northern New England came to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center this spring and learned through natural experiences. The Science Center offers students the opportunity to see many classroom topics covered in class in action and get them in touch with nature. There aren’t many places where one can see a coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, deer, and bear, along with many other native New Hampshire animals in just a short walk in the woods.

Research has shown that field trips encourage students to explore the natural world around them as well as broaden their experiences. These opportunities are likely to result in students taking more active roles in the environment later in their lives. This article highlights the mission of out education program:

“The stimulation to curiosity, the special experiences with real objects and phenomena that museums offer, and their influence on attitudes toward science and other areas of knowledge make them unique learning environments for students. The opportunities the museum experience can provide for students support their learning process within formal education environments and in other facets of their lives.”
(Ramey-Gassert, Walberg III & Walberg, 1994)

Educators at the Science Center continuously see students making connections to topics their teachers have discussed in class earlier in the year. This, along with encouraging students to be Nearer to Nature, is what the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is all about.

Naturally Cool

2011-06-06T09:08:00.000-04:00

By Naturalist Eric D'Aleo

The hot, humid weather of summer is almost here. On such muggy nights, it can be difficult to get a pleasant night’s sleep and I am sometimes tempted to go out and cool off in the shallow “frog pond” in my backyard. Many homes throughout the United States constructed over the last fifty years were not designed for the climate in which they are located, making the summer an uncomfortable season without air conditioning. Cooling and heating a home’s interior space can be expensive, accounting for up to 45% of its total energy use, but by utilizing natural ventilation and landscape strategies that were historically used, cooling costs can be reduced without sacrificing comfort.

The first step of this process is to observe your property and consider the following questions. Where are the existing trees and shrubs in relation to your home? Are they conserving energy by providing shade? What is the local wind direction and wind pattern during the seasons? How does the air flow through your house? Are there dead zones in the house where air does not move even with open windows? Do you have a one or a multiple story building? What types of windows do you have (casements, double-hung, or fixed) and how many are present on each side of the building? Are there operable windows on opposite sides of the house? Are there high or low windows on the house that can be opened to provide good airflow? Are there any ventilation openings including vents, exhaust fans, turbine ventilators, or a cupola? Are there cracks or gaps in the house that admit outside air? Does the house have high ceilings? Although this may seem like a daunting task, by taking the time to answer these questions you will have a good idea of which natural ventilation techniques will work best to cool your home.

The most important priority to maintaining a cool home is to keep unwanted heat out of the house. Close your windows during the hot part of the day and open them in the evening when the air is cooler. Although this may sound simple, many people often open windows on a hot, humid day to cool off, but instead may decrease the comfort level inside by bringing in outside air that is 10 ºF warmer than the air already in the house. Decrease temperature gain from heat-generating appliances inside a home by using energy efficient light bulbs, reducing hot water use, using a clothesline rather than a clothes dryer, and rescheduling heat producing tasks for cooler hours of the day. A homeowner can limit exterior air and heat penetration to a house by caulking and sealing seams, cracks, and openings as well adding additional insulation and reflective heat barriers. Additional ideas to limit the amount of unwanted heat in your house are to block sunlight from reaching the windows by using window shades or retractable awnings. Exterior roller blinds, shade sails, and sun screens (also called solar screens) can block sunlight or provide a shade area next to the house as well. These steps will make a house easier to cool on hot days and keep your home warmer in the winter.

Another natural ventilation practice is to increase airflow through a building to make it feel cool and comfortable. The use of vents, open windows, cupolas, and other structures to create a chimney effect of rising warm air will enhance cooling through air movement. The greater the vertical distance between a low inlet, bringing in cool air, and a high outlet, venting warm air, the better the resulting air movement. Cross ventilation on opposite sides of a room or house also helps to move air through the building, improving the comfort level inside. Try enhancing airflow in your home by experimenting with existing windows before considering renovation options. Casement windows can be opened to catch and direct breezes, while double–hung windows can be opened part way to let cooler air in on the bottom and warmer air exit on the top. If you have operable transoms above doors and windows, use them to exhaust hot air near the ceiling. If there are multiple levels to your house try opening high and low windows to pull air vertically through the building.

One of the best means of lowering the temperature in your house and property is through careful landscape planting of trees and shrubs. It has been estimated that as much as 30% of cooling and heating costs can be reduced this way. You may have noticed the change in temperature between a hot, sunlit meadow and a cool forest or an exposed downtown and a tree-lined residential area. This temperature difference is because the vegetation acts as an air conditioner. Studies conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory found that summer daytime air temperatures were as much as 6 ºF cooler in tree-shaded neighborhoods than in treeless areas. The shade provided by one sufficiently high tree, strategically placed several meters away from a home, can reduce temperatures of the wall and roof between 20º - 40ºF.

In temperate climates, deciduous trees on the southeast, south, and west sides of a building offer the most protection during the summer and block less winter sun than evergreen trees. A deciduous tree with a high spreading crown is best for shading a roof, although trees with lower crowns may work well on the west side of a home. Trees that grow moderately or slowly are the best choice for shading a building. Their slow to moderate growth will make them sturdier and their branches stronger when they mature making them less prone to damage from heavy wind or snow than fast growing trees. These trees are also more resistant to drought, insects and disease.

Arbors, pergolas and other vegetative structures covered with vines are another way to use vegetation to cool your home. Traditionally used to shade areas near houses, vines reduce the air temperature through evaporation of water from the plant’s leaves. Be aware that vines are fast growing and some stick easily to the walls that they grow on and may cause damage, while other types need a trellis or other structure to support them.

Shrubs and other foundation plantings can create dead air spaces between the plant and the foundation, helping to insulate the house from the summer sun and winter wind. Evergreen shrubs work best and should be placed far enough away from the foundation so that when mature their closest branches are five feet away from the building. This distance will provide shade and good airflow avoiding moisture buildup near the foundation. Large shrubs can also be planted to shade an operating air conditioning unit in addition to acting as a visible screen to hide it.

Even low growing ground cover and grass growing around a building can help cool it by 10 – 15 ºF compared with asphalt or gravel. Groundcover and turf have a cooling effect due to evapotranspiration (water loss) from their leaves while also preventing reflection of sunlight toward the building. Additionally setting your lawn mower to a higher cut height (2 ½ - 3 inches) in summer will cool the surrounding air better than if it is cut close to the ground.

Inside a house using ceiling fans and portable fans to direct airflow where you need it, makes warm temperatures feel more comfortable due to increasing the evaporation rate on your skin. The fans themselves do not actually cool the room but raise your comfort window, so that you can tolerate a temperature 4 ºF warmer with a fan on. An important reminder is to turn off a fan when you leave a room, because the air movement provided by the fan cools people, not the actual room and the fan itself will generate heat into the room over time.

As you can see, there are many ways to cool your home during the summer using little or no energy. Even wearing loose, light-colored clothing has an impact. So consider your options over a glass of lemonade and start cooling down – naturally.

Eagle Cruise

2011-05-30T08:55:00.001-04:00

By Marketing Intern Mike Jenkins

Our first weekly Eagle Cruise of the summer set sail on Tuesday May 24th, and I was lucky enough to be aboard. Led by Executive Director Iain MacLeod this boat cruise departed from the NH Fish and Game boat launch due to high water on Squam Lake. However, when the water level decreases cruises will resume departure from the dock on Route 3 at the bridge, next to Walter's Basin Restaurant. The cruise highlights the successful recovery effort to bring Bald Eagles back to New Hampshire where they once thrived. The Eagle Cruise takes a casual pace out to Little Loon Island, where a pair of Bald Eagles has been successfully nesting since 2003. While traveling out to the island Iain gave us a very interesting background of this particular pair of eagles along with pointing out common fishing spots of the male eagle. The female eagle can be seen in a high perch on the island atop a pine tree with at least two eaglets by her side in the nest. The male eagle was out fishing and did not make an appearance during our cruise, although Iain told us there have been rare sightings of him dropping a fish off at the nest. Binoculars are provided at no charge, though the Eagles are large and close enough to be seen fully by the naked eye.

This is an exciting time at the nest as the eaglets are very young and maturing daily. We were able to see them glancing over the edge of the nest quite frequently and stretching their wings. From the boat we were able to count two eaglets, though Iain said that this pair has been extremely successful in the past so there may be as many as three. The eaglets appeared to be in great health on the first cruise of the season, which is a great sign continuing forward.

The Eagle Cruise takes place for a 90 minute voyage every Tuesday through June 28 at 3:00 p.m.

Other boat cruises offered by the science center include views of the eagles and loons:
EXPLORE SQUAM: 90 minute tour aboard our canopied pontoon boat with a trained guide May 21 through June 30 - Daily at 1:00 p.m. July 1 through October 16 - Daily at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
LOON CRUISE: 90 minute cruise with a Science Center Tour Captain joined by a Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) biologist who guides the tour and discusses the work LPC is doing across the state and on Squam to protect these extraordinary birds. The cruise route is chosen to maximize Loon observations.

Montessori Article from the Wall Street Journal

2011-05-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

We saw this article from the Wall Street Journal a few weeks ago and wanted to share it. "The Montessori Mafia" ran in the April 5 issue of the Wall Street Journal and talks about the benefits of the Montessori learning method.

"Perhaps it’s just a coincidence that Montessori alumni lead two of the world’s most innovative companies. Or perhaps the Montessori Mafia of can provide lessons for us all even though it’s too late for most of us to attend Montessori."

This is also a reminder that Blue Heron School, a nature-based Montessori early learning center at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, is now accepting applications for the 2011/2012 school year.

The school combines a child-focused Montessori approach with daily outdoor experiences in a stimulating learning atmosphere. Children have freedom to explore their own interests, particularly outdoors, and become independent and self-confident. Children learn to be responsible for their environment and to treat others with respect, forming a close and supportive community. The school operates September to June, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Find out more.

What's in Bloom at Kirkwood Gardens

2011-05-16T09:22:00.001-04:00

The sunshine and warmer weather have awakened Kirkwood Gardens. Here is a taste of what has been blooming:

Double Bloodroot (just past bloom now)

Daffodils

Pulmonaria

Don't forget to mark your calendar for Kirkwood Gardens Day, Saturday, June 11.

Bald Eagles on Squam Lake

2011-05-09T10:00:00.004-04:00

A pair of Bald Eagles is once again nesting on Squam Lake. The pair was confirmed back at the nest and have been observed tearing up prey and offering morsels to their unseen chicks. Bald Eagles first nested on Squam Lake in 2003. Their favored nest is in the top of a pine on Little Loon Island. New Hampshire has a growing population of nesting bald Eagles. In 2010, twenty two territorial pairs were monitored in the state. Fourteen of those pairs laid eggs and nine pairs hatched young. A total of seventeen chicks fledged from New Hampshire nests in 2010, including the two at Squam Lake.

Squam Lake Bald Eagle Nesting Success:
2003 -- 1 chick fledged
2004 -- 1 chick fledged
2005 -- 2 chicks fledged
2006 -- 2 chicks fledged
2007 -- Pair used alternate nest on Long Island, failed with eggs or small chicks
2008 -- 2 chicks fledged
2009 – 2 chicks fledged
2010 -- 2 chicks fledged

In 2010, photographer Rick Libbey obtained stunning photographs of both the adults at the Squam nest which allowed us to confirm the identityof both birds based on their uniquely num

bered leg bands. The male has a gold band on his left leg inscribed with W86 and a silver band on the right. He was banded as a chick in a nest at Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts on June 4, 1997. He was previously confirmed breeding at this nest on Squam in 2003, 2005, and 2008.

The female has been known to be banded (also with gold/left, silver/right) but until 2010 we have never been able to get more than "WA" from the band. One of Rick's images taken May 27, 2010 confirmed that the band on the female is WA8. This eagle was banded as a nestling on May 28, 1999 at Little Quabbin Island, Quabbin Reservoir, Massachusetts.

So now we know that our pair both came from nests on Quabbin. Based on the records of band sightings over the years it seems very certain that the same pair has nested together each year since 2003.

NH Day 2011

2011-05-03T12:02:00.003-04:00

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday for our opening day and NH Day 2011! We had over 1300 people come through the trails to see the exhibits and animals. A special thank you to our sponsors - Dead River Company and New Hampshire Electric Co-op Foundation - who helped make NH Day possible. We are now open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m with the last admission at 3:30 p.m. We'd love to see you here!

Wild "Pets"

2011-04-25T10:17:00.003-04:00

By Animal Caretaker Lauren Moulis

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to have a wild animal, like the ones in your backyard or that you have seen at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center? After all, those otters play all the time and squirrels seem like perfect pets with those fluffy tails. However, these wild animals do not make good pets. First of all, it is illegal to own most wild animals in New Hampshire. They do not need human contact the way your domestic dogs or cats do and may even be aggressive; wild animals raised in captivity still retain their natural instincts. Here are other reasons why wild animals do not make good pets:

Disease and Injury

Truth is, those cute faces can make you very sick. Wild animals harbor diseases, including distemper, hanta virus, herpes virus, salmonella, and rabies, to name just a few. You can take your family’s dog or cat to the vet to be vaccinated against certain diseases, but most vets cannot or will not vaccinate wild animals. The behavior of a wild animal is unpredictable, no matter how long you have owned it, and the risk of a bite, scratch, or worse, never disappears. Think of dogs, which have been domesticated for hundreds of years; your dog occasionally scratches or bites. Remember that gray squirrel in your backyard with the cute fluffy tail? You may not think it is so cute when it bites you with teeth meant for shelling nuts. On the flip side the stress to wild animals living in captivity may sometimes cause sickness and ultimately death.

Diet and Space

Let’s take a look again at your dog or cat; they require food and shelter, right? Those same basic needs are also essential for wild animals, only they are often are more expensive to supply than your basic cat or dog food and the spatial footprint of your house or apartment may be too small. It is very difficult to mimic the food and space requirements of a wild animal. Feeding an incorrect diet can lead to a host of maladies. If you have taken in a baby animal, an improper diet is even more devastating. Metabolic bone disease caused by poor diet is crippling for both baby and adult animals, often resulting in premature death. If you take in a baby mammal or bird, the timing of feedings ranges from every 20 minutes for a baby bird and every half hour to hour for a baby mammal. We won’t even get into the math that goes into making sure your new pet gets the right percentage of vitamins, calories, fat, and other nutritional requirements.

Spatial requirements vary too according to the size and activity level of the bird or mammal as well as age and species. A young squirrel requires different housing as it grows. Squirrels can be very energetic and need a lot of space to burn that energy off. Remember, these wild animals are not housetrained, so giving them the run of the house may not be in your best interest. Are you prepared to give it all the space it needs, not just floor space, but the vertical space to climb or fly? If not, wild animals may become sick, aggressive, or destructive.

Jeopardizing Species Survival

By taking in an animal from the wild, you never know what kind of harm you are placing on the rest of the species. Maybe you have found a turtle and decided to keep it, but what if that turtle is a protected species, found very rarely in the wild? You may have, although well-intentioned, just decreased the wild population even more, especially if you have removed a female. On the opposite spectrum, what if you decide after 15 or 20 years that you do not want to care for this turtle any more? While the first thought may be to just return it to the wild, that is not in the best interest of the turtle. Turtles, like humans have a certain home area, they are used to the threats and diseases found there and not those of other areas. Releasing a turtle to a foreign site can also cause the turtle to get sick from the diseases that wild turtles carry or wild turtles may get sick and die from the diseases that the introduced turtle carries. Some turtles when released will just wander trying to find their way home until they get hit by a car or fall to predation.

Taking it in Perspective

Animals in the care of zoos are there for several reasons, two of which are conservation of the species and education of the public. The animals here at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center are injured or orphaned animals here as ambassadors of their species to educate and promote awareness to you, the public. These animals are still very much wild animals and as such are not played with or cuddled as pets. In most cases, we animal caretakers always have a barrier between the animals and ourselves for our protection and the animal’s safety. We take on the expense and time to care for them for the entire length of their lives, devote countless hours to enriching their lives to utilize their natural instincts, and implement training programs to keep close track on their health.

Whatever your reason for wanting a wild animal as a “pet,” whether to “rescue” an injured bird or mammal, give a home to an orphan, or just plain curiosity, please consider these issues and either leave it alone or call a licensed rehabilitator to help. Wildlife rehabilitators are there to educate and assist you in the event you have a true wildlife emergency.

Remember, most wild animals, be they bird, mammal, or reptile, are illegal to own as pets in New Hampshire. However, there are many wonderful domesticated pets for you to call your own; they will still have special needs and require responsible ownership and compassion but in the end you will both live happier and healthier lives.

Another Kind of “March Madness”

2011-04-19T09:25:00.004-04:00

By Senior Naturalist Dave Erler

Every year for the past 30 years, I have taken a day in March to do the annual inspection of the nearly four dozen bird nesting boxes scattered around the Science Center’s fields. March is good time as it’s just before the coming nesting season, I have the time, and as I am allergic to wasp and hornet stings (they also like bird nesting boxes) there’s little threat of getting stung. On March 22 I completed this year’s bird box inventory. It was a bright sunny day and cold enough that I could walk on top of the frozen snow pack without the use of snowshoes. Armed with a bucket containing a clipboard, data sheet, pencil, three-inch putty knife, hammer, cordless power drill, and an assortment of nails and screws I head out.

Upon arriving at the first nesting box, I quickly back out the screw to the access panel using the cordless power drill. I slide the putty knife under the nest and carefully pull out the contents. A quick inspection of the nesting material helps me to identify the user. A thin one-inch layer of grasses with a few duck or poultry feathers indicates a Tree Swallow. A box full of woody twigs with a two-inch cup lined with pine needles points to a House Wren. An inch to inch and half of moss points to a Black-capped Chickadee. An accumulation of fecal sacs provides evidence that the nest was probably successful, since the fledgling birds’ fecal sacs are no longer removed by the parents prior to heading out on their own. I record what I find on the data sheet, finish cleaning out the box, replace the screw, tap any loose nails back down with the hammer, and go off to the next box.

It can be a dirty somewhat tiring job by the time I’m finished, but it’s also a little like Christmas morning with the anticipation of what I will find in each box. Some boxes are empty and unused. Most have evidence of some use, hopefully by the Tree Swallows, House Wrens, Bluebirds, and Chickadees that the boxes are intended for. Some show use by multiple tenants with a Tree Swallow nest (early nesters) buried by a House Wren nest, which is in turn buried beneath the winter nest of a white-footed or deer mouse. Two or three boxes might have a paper wasp or bald-faced hornet nest and a few contain food caches from red squirrels or mice. The latter can be exciting when a surprised mouse jumps into your open coat or a red squirrel leaps on to your face in a panic to escape the intrusion.

When I’m done, the boxes are ready for another season of use by those cavity-nesting birds that depend on our help to give them a chance to raise another generation. So, if you are so inclined I encourage you put up a nest box or clean out the ones you have before the mad rush of the nesting season begins. Good luck and have fun!

2010 SLNSC Bird House Use

Summary

8 Successful Tree Swallow nests

2 Successful House Wren nests

1 Successful Black-capped Chickadee nest

1 House Sparrow nest

3 Peromyscus mouse nests

2 Peromyscus mouse food caches

4 Red Squirrel nests or food caches

4 Dummy House Wren nests

2 House Wren nests with one un-hatched egg

1 Tree Swallow nest with 2 dead nestlings

2 Boxes with Paper Wasp nests

1 Bald-faced Hornet nest

6 Boxes unused

Individual House Use

1. Mouse and Red Squirrel use

2. Tree Swallow nest successful

3. Tree Swallow nest successful

4. Tree Swallow successful but with two un-hatched eggs

5. Red Squirrel nest

6. Tree Swallow nest successful

7. Mouse nest

8. Tree Swallow partial nest/abandoned

9. Mouse cache acorns and black cherry pits

10. Mouse cache of black cherry pits

11. Tree Swallow nest abandoned, red squirrel cache of mushrooms

12. No use; small pine trees growing up around it

13. Red Squirrel cache of acorns

14. No use

15. Paper Wasp nest

16. House Wren dummy nest

17. Tree Swallow nest abandoned

18. Red Squirrel use only

19. House taken down in 2007 because of confusion with bat house interpretation

20. House Wren dummy nest

21. Empty, screw missing and access panel partially open

22. Tree Swallow nest beneath House Wren nest containing one undeveloped egg

23. Tree Swallow nest successful

24. Mouse nest made of milkweed fluff

25. Tree Swallow successful

26. Black-capped Chickadee nest successful

27. Tree Swallow successful

28. House Wren dummy nest

29. House Wren dummy nest

30. No use

31. No use

32. Tree Swallow partially successful (signs for fledged young along with two partially developed eggs)

33. No use, house pulled out of the ground

34. House Wren nest successful

35. Tree Swallow nest successful, but with 2 dead nestlings

36. No use

37. Mouse nest made only of cattail fluff

38. No sign of use, nest box was pulled up and laying on the ground

39. No use

40. Black-capped Chickadee nest beneath a House Wren nest with one un-hatched egg

41. House Sparrow nest, success? (no sign of fecal sacs)

42. Paper Wasp nest

KG1. No use

KG2. Red Squirrel cache of acorns and rose hips

KG3. Red Squirrel use (acorn shells, etc.)

KG4. Small Bald-faced Hornet nest

The Fifth Season in New Hampshire

2011-04-11T13:28:00.008-04:00

By Naturalist Eric D'Aleo

It’s getting to be that time of year again in New Hampshire, when people consider hanging up their snow shovels although winter is not quite ready to acquiesce that spring has actually arrived. This is the time of year that many who live in the northeast know as the fifth season of the year … mud season. There is no exact date for mud season, like the arrival of ice out on a lake; mud season’s arrival can vary depending on several variables. The severity of a winter, latitude and elevation of a location, the type of road, and its drainage and exposure to the sun can all affect how long the season lasts and when it begins. Mud season is characterized by large stretches of dirt roads that rapidly change from being hard and frozen in the early morning to a muddy quagmire in the afternoon that often requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle to safely pass over. However, they are not the only indication of the season; frost heaves are the asphalt equivalent to the muddy back roads. At these times bright orange signs warning of “frost heaves” or “load limits” seem to bloom spontaneously out of the snow banks on the sides of paved roads. Being an attentive driver is especially helpful at this time of year since an individual that does not heed them can experience the end result in unexpected wear and tear on a car’s suspension and a surprising shock to the driver’s nerves.

Both the prolific amount of mud and the frost heaves are caused by the alternate heating and freezing of the ground, which had been frozen all winter long. The ground’s surface thaws from the sun’s heat first, causing any water that has melted to percolate into the soil. It does not penetrate far before it encounters soil that is still frozen preventing further drainage. On a dirt road this results in a muddy trek during the day that just hours before had been a hard, frozen surface. A paved road with poor drainage and standing water may allow water to seep through the cracks in the asphalt or the road’s shoulders into the sub base of material underneath. During a cold early spring night the water under the road freezes forming an ice lens which draws super cooled water to it. This freezes upon the lens surface making it grow in size, pushing the soil and asphalt upward. If the heaving occurs unevenly due to the amount of water beneath, different parts of the road surface can crack. When the ice lens melts during the next warm period, there is little or no soil supporting the asphalt, but more water, so that when a large vehicle passes over the location, it will push the roads surface into the ‘soft spot,” weakening the material and creating a pothole. At this time of year when there are numerous freeze and thaw cycles over several weeks it can make the potholes grow larger, making any trip out of the driveway an adventure.

What Are the Black Bears Doing?

2011-04-05T15:06:00.003-04:00

By Naturalist Beth Moore

It is that time of year again when we need to begin thinking about pulling in the winter bird feeders and making other adjustments in preparation for the spring awakening of black bears. This sometimes inspires us to start asking questions about black bear behavior such as: Where have they been all this time? What triggers them to wake up? When can you expect to see one?

To answer the first question, the bears have been sleeping. Coming up for a term to describe what black bears do during the winter time is a topic that has long been debated. Although they sleep in a den for most of the winter, they can be easily aroused (comparatively speaking) and many female black bears, due to a delayed gestation, give birth during the winter months. However, despite showing some activity in their dens, black bears do undergo physiological changes and have pretty nifty adaptations that allow them to go for more than 100 days without eating, drinking, urinating, defecating, or exercising.

First off, their body temperatures drop by about 10° F (which is actually quite a minor drop when compared to a woodchuck whose temperature may drop by 50° F). A bear’s heartbeat drops from an average (when sleeping) of 40-50 beats per minute to eight beats per minute. Bears also do not rely on stored food in their dens nor do they need to exit the den in search of food. Instead, they are able to gain all the sustenance they need by breaking down stored fat and converting it to food and water. This process can supply a sleeping bear with up to 4,000 calories a day! Any urea produced during this process is broken down and the leftover nitrogen is converted into protein. This protein production has been linked to an explanation of how bears are able to maintain their muscles and organ tissues and are able to survive long periods of inactivity without experiencing muscle cramping or degenerative bone loss. Despite a significant weight loss and long period of inactivity, some statistics indicate that as many as 99 percent of sleeping black bears survive until spring. So whether you call it hibernation, dormancy, or seasonal lethargy, it is safe to say that these animals have unique physiological adaptations that allow them remain inactive through the harshest and coldest months.

So, what triggers the bears to wake up and when do they awaken? Although not common, it is possible to see black bears out and about during the winter months, particularly males and females without any young. I can personally account for this behavior as one sunny day during the middle of winter, I encountered a black bear while skiing in Franconia. I am sure you can imagine my surprise. However, I am comfortable with stating that this is not a common occurrence. Most black bears do not leave their dens until early spring. Exactly what triggers the spring awakening is unknown. Studies suggest that it is combination of increasing daylight, increasing temperatures, and the need for food (especially protein) that results in bears waking up.

Although it is hard to believe with all the snow that we have had (it is actually snowing as I write), but spring is here! This means it is time to bring in winter bird feeders and double check the locks on trash receptacles. Although many black bears survive through the winter without eating, they will wake up with food on their minds. Attracting bears into backyards is one way of assuring they will become a nuisance and most likely not survive. So please help keep the bears wild by thinking about the simple changes you can make in your daily life that will help keep the bears foraging for wild (and more natural) food sources.

GARTER SNAKES – A WINTER DISAPPEARING ACT

2011-03-30T11:47:00.000-04:00

By Margaret Gillespie, Illustration by Heather Lord

Someone had to do it! One fall day, as the leaves were changing color, I was taking my turn walking the Science Center’s coyote, ever watchful for wildlife that she might point out to me or for animals that detect her first and take evasive action. As she began investigating a sunny patch of grass and fallen leaves, a garter snake slowly curved its way forward about two feet and stopped, remaining alert with head up and tongue flickering. Coyote conveniently decided that nothing significant was there and moved on. In contrast, I appreciated this fleeting wildlife sight, for soon New Hampshire’s snakes would be disappearing from view for the winter phase of their year.

Our most common New England snake, the garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalia, has a variable pattern usually combining a narrow yellow stripe down the back with a wide stripe on each side. Between stripes is a dark checkered pattern. Garter snakes received their name because this pattern replicates the design of garters worn in the past to hold up men’s socks! Well-camouflaged, these snakes are difficult to spot and according to an article by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, “the striping makes them less visible when moving through the vegetation – the continuous line belying their movement.” Where would you look for them? Garter snakes frequent many moist places including edges of wetlands, meadows, gardens and forests as they prey upon earthworms, amphibians, slugs and insects.

All snakes are ectothermic, sometimes called “cold-blooded,” meaning that their temperature is regulated by the environment rather than by internally generating heat. That is why we see garter snakes basking on sun-bathed rocks; the warmth increases their metabolism, enabling them to be active as well as to digest food.

Now back to the topic of New England winters! How do garter snakes face the challenges of snow and freezing temperatures? They leave them behind by finding hibernacula or dens where temperatures remain above freezing, although some minor dips below freezing can be tolerated. Garter snakes generally hibernate in aggregates and have become famous in some locations, notably Manitoba, Canada where one den may hold 10,000 snakes. Their spring emergence is said to be spectacular! I suppose that depends upon how you feel about snakes in large numbers. Here in New Hampshire, smaller groups of garter snakes hibernate together in such places as old groundhog burrows or rocky outcrops, searching for a spot safe from predators and with enough moisture to keep them hydrated. As temperatures drop, metabolism in the snakes lowers, resulting in relative inactivity, although snakes respond to temperature fluctuations by moving further from or closer to the surface. According to Snakes in Question: the Smithsonian Answer Book by Carl Ernst and George Zug, reduced metabolism during snake hibernation is “fueled mainly by glycogen, a storage form of glucose, in the liver.” Liver glycogen converts to blood sugar as needed.

An essential purpose for hibernating together is close proximity to mating partners come spring. Males emerge first and are ready to compete for mates as soon as the females surface. Surrounded by males, the larger female may be in the center of a twisting, rolling “breeding ball.” Keep your eyes open for garter snakes in groups in April or May! Gestation for garter snakes is about five months so late summer and early fall can be a time to see tiny replicas of adults. Born alive, young garter snakes arrive in quantity – numbers of 20 to 40 are not at all unusual – with individuals averaging about nine inches in length.

Although the most easily seen of the 11 snake species in New Hampshire, garter snakes are worth a second look. Watch that flickering tongue (red with forked black tips) – it is part of the snake’s smelling mechanism. Wait for the snake to blink – it never will! A scale covers the eye. Hunt for where garter snakes choose to be – they have a routine which you may discover. Yes, all these observations may have to wait for spring when the snakes return – but it is always good to be reminded, during these short, cold winter days, that spring is truly just around the corner!

2011-03-24T10:28:00.002-04:00

Think Maple!

By Margaret Gillespie, Illustration by Cheryl Johnson

I grew up in Canada surrounded by sugar maples – even the Canadian flag features the maple leaf! At the Ward’s farm near our house in the Laurentian Mountains north of Montreal, maple sugaring was an annual late winter ritual – a celebration, gathering of friends, source of income, and incidentally, lots of hard work. At that time, sap dripped out of spigots in trees into pails and was collected by hand. The best part was emptying the buckets into a huge collecting container drawn by two black Percheron draft horses. I can still see in my mind’s eye the dark of the horses against the white snow, the gray trunks of maples in rocky terrain outlined against the clear blue Laurentian sky. Warming up later in the sugar house, we watched the sap foam as it boiled and we sipped hot sweet “maple tea” which is sap on its way to becoming syrup.

For those who like mystery, there is still some intrigue involved in understanding exactly how and why maple sap flows. During the spring and summer, maple leaves are actively involved in photosynthesis – the process whereby leaves absorb sunlight, take in carbon dioxide from the air, and use water to make their own food (a sugar called glucose). In fall this glucose is stored as starch in the wood of the maple. As the weather warms in late winter, the starch changes to sugar and moves into the xylem or transporting vessels in the sapwood or outer area of tree trunk. Sap flows in the xylem in direct relationship to pressure within the tree. Pressure during the daytime comes from carbon dioxide in tree cells and in sap as this gas moves into the spaces between tree cells. Additional pressure results from osmosis where the high concentration of sugar in the sap draws water into the roots. When the tree is tapped, this pressurized sap drips out. Freezing temperatures at night are essential because pressure in the tree becomes less than the air surrounding the tree. As a result of the decrease in pressure, sap stops running and water moves into the tree from the roots, recharging the tree. Ideal conditions for sap flow are day temperatures are around 40 degrees Fahrenheit with night temperatures dropping to the low 20’s Fahrenheit. In good circumstances, the maple season can last for six weeks. During this amazing process, maple buds get the sugar they need to grow into leaves and people share in the bounty!

Sugar maples (Acer saccharum) have a life beyond syrup even though the species name “saccharum” means sugar. “Acer” refers to trees having winged fruit and as children, I am sure many of us have made descending helicopters of the double winged maple seeds or samara. Then up come the myriad of tiny maples reaching for a place in the sun. Over the summer, mature maples shade our lawns and houses and make nesting spots for birds like orioles and robins. In autumn comes the season of splendor as maples turn our hillsides into rolling waves of yellow, orange and red. These sugar maples are a specialized feature of the eastern Canada and United States region, a gem found only in this part of the world, with just the right climatic conditions. As maples age, woodpeckers drum territorial rhythms on dead branches and owls nest in holes along the trunk. Inside our own homes, the dense hard wood of maples has been transformed into sturdy furniture and flooring or provides gentle warmth from our wood stoves. It is truly a tree for all seasons!

Sugar maples can also play the role of the canary in the coal mine, telling us about safe environmental conditions. These magnificent trees have been showing signs of stress for a number of reasons and now may be the time to listen to the trees. One major change affecting trees in general is global warming but sugar maples are specifically tied to the alternating freezing night temperatures with day temperatures in the vicinity of 40 degrees Fahrenheit for the movement of sugary sap in their systems. Researchers at the University of Vermont’s Proctor Maple Research Center studied the effects of global warming on the timing of sap production in the northeast and found that “the sugaring season is starting significantly earlier than 40 years ago and the duration has decreased by an average of 10%.” A warming climate could make New Hampshire less hospitable to sugar maples and change the face of the forest with more oaks, hickory and southern pines dominating the forest landscape. Air pollution, particularly chemicals from burning coal for energy and pollutants from cars, produces acid rain, having an impact on sugar maples in insidious ways. Acid rain can change soil chemistry, affecting the intake of nutrients and water by trees. In addition, organisms like mycorrhiza (fungus) and other microscopic decomposers can die affecting absorption and recycling of nutrients. Weakened sugar maples become more susceptible to additional stresses like insect infestations, soil compaction, and road salt.

Chief Seattle said in 1855, “All things are connected like the blood that unites us. We did not weave the web of life. We are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves.” As we look up into the spreading branches of a huge maple tree, being linked to our environment is both a challenge and a privilege. Our blood circulates; its sap flows. Finding our own roots and connection to a sugar maple could be a very healthy pursuit.

Speaking from Experience

2011-03-14T14:39:00.009-04:00

By Margaret Gillespie, Naturalist

At my home in Canterbury everything was fitting into place like clockwork. It needed to because I was due at the Science Center early to prepare our porcupine, skunk, and bats for a trip to Hanover’s Howe Library. An eager audience would be anticipating the “Animals with Bad Reputations” program. I rushed out of my house at dawn for a walk up the snowmobile trail with my one-year old miniature poodle, Mica. Although all 19 pounds are poodle, I sometimes joke that she is part chicken! I’ve worked hard at building up her confidence in new situations.

As we went over an old stone bridge, I remembered the porcupine that we had tracked to its winter home in a rock crevice of the bridge foundation. We had also seen evidence of the porcupine’s journeys pushing through the snow to feast on hemlock branches. At the sound of ice clattering on crusty snow, Mica and I looked up to see that same porcupine making a headlong dash for its shelter. Although nocturnal, this porcupine was obviously not yet at rest! Mica didn’t pause for thought – she streaked across the snow oblivious to my calls, pursuing the running porcupine with six inches to spare. Fortunately porcupines do not throw their quills; they are a kind of fur. However this porcupine had all quills raised and it was flipping its tail up towards Mica’s face as both animals arrived on the snowmobile trail about 10 yards from me. Seeing me, Mica’s courage soared with the possibility of a backup in this chase. Instead, I flew up the trail in the opposite direction! Mica looked confused and then ran full speed after me. Our porcupine friend scrambled down the bank and into the safety of its rock crevice. I was glad that the chicken in Mica came to her rescue! What a relief to have a good story for the Howe Library program instead of a trip to the veterinary clinic.

Fluttering Wings of Spring

2011-03-07T11:47:00.004-05:00

By Margaret Gillespie

Photo courtesy of wanderingnome on Flickr

All of us have had some variation of this experience. You are handed of list of rather obscure landmarks designed to lead you to a specific location. With a bright but ominous smile, the giver of directions says, “You can’t miss it!” Later, as you attempt to find your destination but feel quite lost, around the corner you go and ahead is one of the elusive landmarks. Something inside you leaps with excitement . . . you know you are on the right track after all. This is the kind of thrill I feel as I wander out of winter toward spring, searching for landmarks that will tell me I’m approaching this season of new beginnings. Sighting some of the early spring butterflies can give me just the kind of lift I need.

Butterflies, as well as moths, belong to the insect order, Lepidoptera, coming from Greek words, lepid, meaning “scale” and ptera translating as “wing.” Giving these creatures such brilliant colors, scales are actually modified hairs, best seen under a microscope, but rubbing off like powder when touched. Butterflies are active by day and always have thin antennae with a swelling or club at the end. With some exceptions, moths are nocturnal but always have antennae that are hair-like, saw-toothed or feathery. Members of Lepidoptera overwinter as eggs, larvae, pupae or as adults, emerging at different times throughout the spring and summer.

The first butterfly prize of the spring is the Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), named for its maroon wings edged with blue spots and a yellow border, resembling a cloak worn in times past when in mourning. With a wingspan of approximately three inches, this butterfly hibernates through the winter as an adult, coming out of its hiding place under the bark as early as March. To see one, choose a sunny day with temperatures nudging 60 degrees Fahrenheit and explore deciduous woodlands where Mourning Cloaks will be seeking and sipping tree sap from broken branches, particularly maples or birches with high sugar content.

Once you have located a Mourning Cloak butterfly, what are some special things to observe? This butterfly is a member of the family Nymphalidae or “brush-footed butterflies,” whose front pair of legs are so reduced and hairy that they look like tiny brushes. The function is sensory but the result is that you seem to be looking at a four-legged butterfly rather than the six legs expected on an insect. When at rest, these dark, early spring butterflies set themselves up as solar-collectors, in a behavior called “basking.” To fly, they must raise their body temperature and do so by orienting their open wings and bodies to the sun. If disturbed, Mourning Cloaks flutter up, land on tree bark and effectively disappear by closing their wings and letting the brown cryptic coloration of the underside of their wings hide them. Watch also for “puddling,” an amazing behavior where butterflies gather in damp spots or shallow puddles; places minerals and nutrients have become concentrated as the water evaporates. In Donald and Lillian Stokes’ guide, The Butterfly Book, they describe how puddling is done mostly by males to obtain sodium and nutrients essential for mating. Speaking of mating, male Mourning Cloaks perch on branches in early spring, defending territories by chasing other males away and waiting for females to fly by. After mating, females will lay groups of eggs on twigs, willow being a favorite. Hatching coincides with fresh spring leaves that provide larval food as clusters of black, spiny caterpillars with dorsal red spots start a new generation.

The ballet of fluttering butterflies continues throughout the summer as different butterflies take center stage. Compton Tortoiseshells, orange-brown butterflies with dark and light patches, closely follow Mourning Cloaks. A special highlight is the Spring Azure – males being sky blue above and females having dark edging on the forewing tips, all on a one-inch wingspan.

To get a front row seat at this butterfly parade, learn how you can attract these insects to your backyard. The Science Center’s Kirkwood Gardens features nectar plants that attract butterflies and some that provide caterpillar food. A special day with lots of activities including a plant sale is Kirkwood Gardens Day on Saturday, June 11, 2011. Sharing space with a butterfly is definitely a landmark experience!

Goldenrod Ball Galls by Dave Erler

2011-02-28T14:59:00.004-05:00

Have you ever noticed round ball-like growths on dried brown plant stems sticking through the snow pack in fields and meadows? What you were seeing was more than likely goldenrod ball galls. Goldenrod ball galls are a fascinating example of a plant and insect adaptation. The whole process begins in early spring as goldenrod plants begin a new year of growth. A small male fly (5mm) called a goldenrod gall fly (Eurosa solidaginis) walks up and down the goldenrod stem until he chooses a bud. There, he patiently waits until a female approaches. On the approach of the female he does a little dance, the couple mate, and the female walks away to find a spot to lay eggs. The eggs are actually injected into the goldenrod plant stem via the female’s ovipositor. Since adult gall flies are unable to eat, they perish within a few days of accomplishing their reproductive mission.

The eggs hatch in about 10 days and the fly larvae immediately begin to eat from within the rapidly growing goldenrod stem. As they eat, a chemical in their saliva causes the plant to grow abnormally, resulting in the ball-shaped gall. The larvae get everything they need: food, water, and shelter; thanks to the growing goldenrod plant the gall continues to grow larger, sometimes reaching the size of a golf ball. Late in the season, the larvae eat a tunnel that will serve as an escape hatch when it comes time to leave the gall. With winter approaching, the larvae retreat to the center of the gall and produce a chemical that keeps them from freezing and drying in the cold. In spring, the larvae pupate prior to metamorphosing into adults. The adults escape the gall by breaking through the thin layer of plant cells covering the exit tunnel previously created by the larvae. Adult goldenrod gall flies are weak fliers so they generally do not wander far to a new goldenrod plant to begin the cycle again.

Gall formation does not normally affect the overall health of the goldenrod plant. The goldenrod gall fly, however, depends entirely on just a couple of species of goldenrod. Although the goldenrod gall fly larvae are protected by the gall from most potential predators, they are still vulnerable. At least one species of beetle and two species of wasps seek out goldenrod galls and in turn eat or parasitize the fly larvae. Downy Woodpeckers and Black-capped Chickadees sometimes open wintering goldenrod ball galls to extract the larvae. Even humans get into the act. My own introduction to goldenrod ball galls came as a seven or eight year old when I learned that the larvae could be used to catch other food. Growing up in Minnesota, where digging worms in the winter was downright impossible, I was shown that the larvae could be put on a small hook and used as bait for ice fishing. Even an unopened ball gall could be rigged as an impromptu fishing bobber. To this day, whenever I see a goldenrod ball gall, it brings back memories of frigid mornings looking for round brown balls sticking up through the snow.

Wild Walks with a Three-year Old

2011-02-21T13:17:00.006-05:00

by Margaret Gillespie

What do you get if you go walking in the winter woods with a three year old girl and a one year old poodle? A wild walk in more ways than one! My wild walks with my niece, Yesi, and poodle, Mica, began in December 2010 and they have become a learning experience for all three of us. I knew from working with the young children in the Science Center’s new Blue Heron School that I wanted to grasp this important time in Yesi’s life to make connections to the natural world. On our first walk, we returned along the same path and I pointed to her little boot track in the snow. “Who walked there?” I asked. Yesi responded, “You!” I make a boot track next to the little one and Yesi laughed as she recognized the small track as her own. Then we looked at Mica’s paw prints with the claws showing. Our tracking career had begun!

Early in January before the major snowstorms, we walked in the forest across from our family farm in Canterbury. Imagine our glee when we found that several deer had been there before us. Yesi delighted in putting two fingers in the paired tracks of the toes and saying “deer track!” We even found two sets of small prints – Yesi decided those were made by baby deer. Next to a pine tree we saw tiny prints of a mouse and followed them to where they disappeared into a hole. Yesi spoke in a whisper (unusual for her) so the mouse wouldn’t wake up. On the way back she had fun making a track and asking, “Whose track? Yours?”

After more than two feet of snow fell, our travels became restricted. Fortunately for us (and the owls), mice still ran on top of the snow. One mouse had scampered down a bank and we laughed as we made tiny snowballs and rolled them down the hill, making snowball tracks!

Yesterday, we explored a little used, but well groomed, snowmobile trail. The night before, animals had taken advantage of the easy walking and left their tracks. Yesi slipped her two fingers into a print and said triumphantly, “Deer tracks!” Needless to say, I was a proud aunt! Further up the trail, hemlocks crowded over the snowmobile trail and a major deer “highway” went off into the woods. We had discovered a deer yard! Yesi and Mica were eager to follow the tracks but we will be back again soon when we have more time.

A Winter Morning Moment by Eric D’Aleo

2011-02-14T10:07:00.000-05:00

Take a cue from the children at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s Blue Heron School and get outside on a bright, sunny winter’s day. On a recent Friday, the school took a field trip to the Holderness Town Library that allowed us to walk in the early morning light. The walk through the snow covered meadow and over the bridge by the small stream to the road was an eventful experience for everyone. Several of the young children lost their footing as we slowly moved across the snow and occasionally a child would wander off the trail and “post hole” sinking further into the soft snow. This could have been a frustrating experience but the children seemed to enjoy themselves. At one point a young girl stopped and looked around the sunlit, snowy meadow. “Look at how beautiful the snow is, it sparkles!” she said. Several children within hearing distance stopped and looked, agreeing that the snow was indeed beautiful before we continued on our way. I had a heightened sense of awareness as I followed along behind them with the warm sun on my face and the open, sparkling meadow before me.

Winter Woodpeckers by Dave Erler

2011-02-07T14:07:00.007-05:00

The winter woods seem quiet compared to chorus of bird songs and insect buzzings of early summer, but if you listen carefully the sound of woodpeckers chipping away on tree trunks and branches can frequently be heard. Winter is a mixed blessing for three resident Lakes Region woodpeckers; Downy, Hairy, and Pileated. Insects are in short supply but dormant insects, eggs, larva, and pupa are available beneath the bark. Once a pathway is exposed woodpeckers use their barbed tongues like harpoons to extract these choice morsels. The large red flame-crested Pileated Woodpeckers feed heavily on winter dormant carpenter ants inside the trunk cores of larger trees, especially white pine and Eastern hemlock. Large oblong holes are sure evidence of their activity. Signs of the foraging of Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers are a bit more subtle. Downy woodpeckers often chip away on smaller braches, twigs, and even weed stems. Hairy woodpeckers normally prefer slightly larger branches on more mature trees.
How do you tell the three species apart? Pileated Woodpeckers, due to their large size (almost crow size), are easily separated from the two smaller “look-a-likes.” The Hairy is larger in size than the Downy, but this is not always easy to determine if you are only seeing a single individual. The black and white plumage of both Downy and Hairy are very similar, but if you view them from close enough or through binoculars you may notice the black spots on the outer tail feathers of the Downy that are lacking on the Hairy. Probably the best way to distinguish them is by their relative beak size. The Downy has a smaller bill which appears to be about half the length of its head and has a more obvious tuft of white feathers at the base of the bill. The Hairy’s bill is longer, appearing to be almost the same length as the head, and the tuft of feathers at the base of the bill is much less obvious.
As the winter days gradually lengthen you may also begin to hear the loud, rapid drumming of male woodpeckers. This is not for foraging purposes, but rather a way to advertise as they begin to establish breeding territories. Hollow trunks, limbs, rain gutters, and metal roof flashing are used to get their hormone-driven message out. Woodpecker drumming is equivalent to the songs of male perching birds since woodpeckers are better drummers than singers.
So, next time you are out in the winter woods for a walk, snowshoe hike, or cross country skiing jaunt keep your ears open. They may lead to a peek at one of our resident hammerheads.

Photos show a Pileated Woodpecker (left) and a Downy Woodpecker (right).

Conserving Energy

2011-01-30T16:28:00.001-05:00

By Eric D’Aleo

I’ve been watching the birds over the last few weeks as the weather has become colder and grayer. The chickadees and tufted titmice appear more regularly at my birdfeeder, preferring a shrub that is protected from the wind by a new fence I completed this fall. A flock of over 15 mourning doves have decided to roost again in my woodshed this winter after an eight- month absence. What a rocketing display of “exploding birds” fly off if I forget they are there when it’s time to get wood. In both cases the birds are trying to survive through the harsh winter by saving energy. Staff at the Science Center is also taking cues from our avian neighbors. Furnaces were cleaned and serviced to run efficiently during the winter. Programmable thermostats have been checked and set to lower building temperatures overnight when no one is present. Weather stripping was checked and leaky windows and doorways that are not used for the winter have been sealed or insulated. Even simple behavior changes like closing doors tightly and bringing warmer clothing for outdoor winter classes and work makes a difference. But as with the birds, the weather will determine how much energy we use this winter.

Ice

2011-01-24T09:35:00.007-05:00

By Eric D'Aleo

Okay, I’ll admit it.

I’m addicted to ice. No, not the ice that accumulates on the deck, which causes me to grab desperately at the railing as I make my way from the front door of the house to the slick driveway where the car awaits for my morning commute. Nor the ice that requires hours of chopping to get a small hole in the pond to investigate what’s happening below. The ice I crave is the kind you get when delicate ice bridges form above winter streams spanning the frigid waters between two snow banks. This ice is so fragile that it seems as if the bridge will melt if you breathe too harshly. The ice I crave slowly flows down from rocky overhangs creating clear, glittering teeth of some fabled monster or forms bars of ice, becoming what I used to tell my children was an “ice jail.” However, what I really yearn for is that special ice feature, the ice cave. Not just any cave, but a rocky overhang that has had a waterfall freeze in front of it, so that you can crawl behind it, completely sealed off from the outside. Even better is when the water is sandwiched between two layers of ice so one layer is frozen on the outside while the other layer is frozen on the inside and yet you can still hear the rushing and gurgling of the water between the two ice layers. Watching the water rush past like this can be mesmerizing while the clear glasslike shapes sparkle in the bluish light. From outside it doesn’t take much imagination to see the overlapping frozen, whitened layers as a giant birthday cake with too much frosting. I’ll admit as I’m getting older, the cold temperatures bother me more than they used to, but with the recent dropping of the temperatures, the ice beckons and I… I have to answer.

Heating Up in the Compost Pile

2011-01-17T14:05:00.001-05:00

By Eric D'Aleo

The temperature’s dropping and it seems like nature is taking a rest for the season. Well, not completely. Believe it or not, the daily temperatures in the Science Center’s compost piles are actually quite warm. Depending on the stage of decomposition of materials in the pile the temperature may reach as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit, even in the dead of winter. Doesn’t that sound nice? Well, it does if you’re thermophilic bacteria that thrives in these warm temperatures inside the pile and begins the process of breaking down animal waste, bedding, food scraps, and coffee grounds into compost. Once the bacteria finish, the temperature will drop and other organisms that prefer cooler temperatures will move in to continue the job of decomposition. But, for right now, things are still heating up inside the compost pile. For those of you that are curious it takes between 8 to 10 months for the compost piles to be converted into usable compost.

Winter Wildlife Signs

2011-01-13T10:05:00.004-05:00

By Eric D'Aleo
It snowed yesterday!It was the first real snow of the new year with an accumulation greater than a dusting and animal tracks were in abundance when I went outside this morning. Red squirrel tracks were randomly scattered among the trees in the surrounding woodlands while a set of fox tracks seemed to show the fox had a definite destination in mind as it made its way across the field. Songbirds have been coming to the Science Center bird feeders in greater numbers since the weather is turning more harsh but we had a new addition last month that I've never seen at our feeders before, turkeys. These birds have actually been on the property for several months and I've watched them grow from little poults desperately balancing on a tree branch high overhead in June when spooked, to adult-sized birds feeding on the tray feeders just outside the Webster building in early December. I tried to get a picture to capture the moment but the birds were too wary and they slipped away. Keep your eyes open for wildlife signs and sightings near your home over the next few months.

Ice Needles by Naturalist Eric D'Aleo

2011-01-05T14:22:00.007-05:00

It’s amazing what a difference a cold, clear night can make at this time of year. Recently the morning the temperature reached a low of 14 degree Fahrenheit at 6:00 a.m. No cold temperatures set by any means, but the result was spectacular! I was leading the Blue Heron preschoolers on an “exploration” that morning when one of the young girls noticed that the ground seemed to be moving “funny” and sounded “crunchy”. After stopping and looking, sure enough, needle ice had formed about an inch below the duff. As the temperature dropped below freezing during the night, the moisture in the ground that was above freezing was brought to the surface by capillary action. Once at the top, the water froze and expanded, pushing the ground upward where we found it the following morning. After a few minutes of exploration and observation the children were ready to move on. I however, decided to continue to learn more about these and other unusual ice formations. If you would like to learn more, take a look at the link below about ice formation and their daily freeze and thaw cycles at this website by Dr. James R. Carter, Professor Emeritus Geography-Geology Department, Illinois State University: http://my.ilstu.edu/~jrcarter/ice/diurnal/

Photo courtesy of Eric D'Aleo

Lady Bugs

2010-12-13T12:42:00.002-05:00

Did you know that Lady Bugs are the New Hampshire State Insect? Thanks to a group of motivated fifth graders, the Lady Bird Beetle (commonly known as the Lady Bug) has been representing the state since 1977.

The insect the Concord fifth graders had in mind was the native nine spotted lady bird beetle. These highly revered insects are helpful to farmers and gardeners because of their appetite for aphids and other plant-damaging arthropods such as scale, mealy bugs and mites. One study even suggests that a single Lady Bird Beetle can eat up to 60 aphids in one day! In fact, since lady bird beetles have such an effect on plant-eating arthropods, a non-native species from Asia was introduced in order to increase the ladybird beetle population. Some studies suggest that the introduction of this non-native species may have led to the decline of several native species. In their native habitat, the introduced multicolored Asian ladybird beetles migrate to rocky cliffs to over-winter. Here in NH we tend to find them flocking into our homes where they spend the cold winter months, often in areas that can be difficult to see. On warmer winter days, sometimes these insects start to move around, especially around cracks and crevices.

Do you have any ladybird beetles living with you this winter?

Fun Facts:
It’s a myth that you can tell how old a ladybird beetle is by counting its spots. Different species have different number of spots.

Announcing Summer 2011 Guided Discoveries for children

2010-12-06T11:49:00.004-05:00

Education Program Director Amy Yeakel says, "We are very excited to announce our week-long summer Guided Discoveries earlier than ever before! Members should have recently received (or will receive very shortly) the winter Tracks and Trails newsletter and the 2011 catalog of choices for summer children's program - our Guided Discoveries. There are many new programs this year such as Night and Day, Metamorphosis Mania and Earth Songs! Other new options include longer morning program sessions and a special “Lunch with a Naturalist” for ages 8-12 during the week of August 1-5. We are also continuing our popular collaborations with such fantastic partners as Longhaul Farm, Little Church Theater, and the Currier Art Center. We also have a new collaboration with Night Heron Music and award-winning musician, author, and storyteller Steve Schuch. Steve will instruct a week of programming called Earth Songs and will coordinate a public performance at the end of the week. Be sure to visit www.nhnature.org for complete listings of the programs. We hope you enjoy exploring our summer offerings. Although we are just entering winter we are already looking forward to all the wonderful young faces arriving for summer programs!"

Blue Heron Preschool aritcle

2010-09-29T11:08:00.001-04:00

We are so excited about the Blue Heron Preschool here at the Science Center that opened on September 13, 2010 and we would like to share this Union Leader article with you.

Union Leader, The/New Hampshire Sunday News (Manchester, NH)
New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester, NH)

September 13, 2010

Preschool offers outdoors education

Article Text:

By ROGER AMSDEN

Union Leader Correspondent

HOLDERNESS -- It rained most of the morning as the Blue Heron Preschool, a nature-based Montessori early learning center and the state's first nature preschool, opened its doors yesterday at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center.

But that didn't stop the three and four-year-old students from taking a nature walk after their late morning lunch.

Enthusiasm was high for the outdoors session on the part of the students, like four-year-old Laura Liebert of Ashland.

"I'm so excited. I just love it when it rains. I just go outside and jump, jump, jump," she said as she donned her boots and rain jacket.

The students followed Amy Yeakel, education program director at the science center, on a short walk into the woods where they stopped by a dead pine tree filled with holes drilled by a pileated woodpecker and answered questions about why the woodpecker was drilling the holes, which can provide both food in the form of grubs and worms and also serve as place of shelter.

Yeakel said the preschool will integrate two successful and innovative educational philosophies. The learning environment will apply the educational philosophies of Maria Montessori who believed that the early years, the period from birth to age six, is the time when a child's intelligence is formed, and when her or his natural curiosity and love for knowledge is awakened.

The second educational approach focuses on nature-based education with the goal of providing opportunities for children to interact with natural communities and living things on a daily basis.

She said that research indicates that daily, unstructured, outdoor play is essential to child development and that will be a big part of what takes place at the school, which it is hoped will become a prototype for other schools around the country.

"There are no swing sets and climbing bars in the play area. We're encouraging students to use the natural world and the things they find in it for play," said Yeakel.

Laura Mammarelli, director and lead teacher at the school, owned and operated the Montessori School of Plymouth for 10 years and is a founding officer of the New Hampshire Montessori Association.

She said that a typical day at Blue Heron Preschool will include group time with stories, music, games and discussion, snack, lunch, an extended work time in which where children are free to select and concentrate on appropriate activities in the classroom, and a substantial period outdoors with both unstructured time and facilitated activities.

"It was a good opening day. For many it's there first time ever in a school setting. They got to make new friends and share a sense of adventure with them," said Mammarelli.

She is assisted by associate teacher Jordan McDaniel, who has worked in early childhood learning centers for 10 years and is an advocate of outdoor education.

The school is open to children ages 3-6. The five-day per week program runs Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Enrollment is still open. For information, contact Amy Yeakel at 968-7194 x 14 or email.

Copyright, 2010, Union Leader Corp.
Record Number: mandc5-5w6nlr0sow11aznazkcj

Loon Tragedy on Squam Lake

2010-08-06T16:00:00.005-04:00

According to recent reports by the LPC, an adult male loon and chick were killed on Squam Lake. This very sad story is all too familiar. Apparently, the adult male and father of the chick had ingested a large lead-headed fishing jig which as a result, poisoned the loon. Noticing the weakened state of the adult male loon, another male loon attacked the pair killing the chick and injuring the male to the point where he beached himself and was found by the LPC. Unfortunately this loon had to be euthanized. Lead is 100% fatal to loons, other waterbirds, eagles, and osprey and is the leading cause of death for adult loons. Please read more information below provided by NH Fish and Game’s campaign to “Get the Lead Out". Please spread the word in an effort to put a stop to the unnecessary and avoidable killing of our beloved water bird population.
Let’s Get the Lead Out!

Lead is a toxic metal To reduce human ex¬posure, we no longer allow it in our gasoline, paint or plumbing. Not only is lead harmful to humans, but it can be toxic to many wildlife species. Loons, ducks, swans, cranes and other waterbirds can die from lead poisoning after swallowing lead fishing sinkers and jigs lost by anglers.
Anglers attach lead weights to fishing lines to sink the hook, bait or lure into the water. Some anglers use lead-weighted hooks, called jigs. Lead gets into waterbodies by accidentally detaching from a line and falling into the water, or the hook or line may become tangled and the line may break or be cut.
Loons and ducks swallow small stones and grit from the bottom of lakes that aid in grinding up their food. Lead weights are the same size as these stones and thus are picked up. Loons and other fish-eating birds also may eat escaped fish still carrying lead tackle.
Biologists have studied the effects of lead sinkers and jigs on water¬birds, such as loons and swans, since the 1970s. Their ongoing research has documented that, in the Great Lakes region, the northeast U.S., and eastern Canada where loons breed, lead sink¬ers or jigs are causing the death of adult loons. Research suggests that in New England, lead poisoning accounts for more deaths than any other cause.
Current research shows that bald eagles and peregrine falcons are also routinely exposed to the effects of lead poisoning

Lead Poisoning
A bird with lead poisoning will have physi¬cal and behavioral changes, including loss of balance, gasping, tremors, and impaired ability to fly. The weakened bird is more vulnerable to predators or it may have trouble feeding, mating, nesting, and caring for its young. It becomes emaciated and often dies within two to three weeks after eating the lead.

Safer Fishing Tackle
Lead poisoning is preventable. Inexpensive and ecologically sound alternatives to lead sinkers and jigs are available. Anglers can use sinkers and jigs made from non-toxic materials such as steel, tin, brass, tungsten and bismuth.

It’s the Law
In 2000, New Hampshire was the first state to ban lead sinkers and jigs to protect common loons and other diving birds. As of 2007, the following other states have regulations regard¬ing lead fishing tackle: Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont. Many other states across the nation are also considering banning the sale or use of lead fishing products. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has banned the use of lead sinkers and jigs on National Wildlife Refuges where loons and trumpeter swans breed, and is considering bans in additional areas. In Canada, it is illegal to use lead fishing sinkers and jigs in national parks and national wildlife areas.

How does lead ingestion affect the N.H. loon population?
In 2006, the adult loon population in New Hamp¬shire was 528. Joint research by Tufts University and the Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) shows that seven out of 16 dead adult loons studied during the breeding season that year were known to have died from ingesting lead sinkers and jigs. This represented a 1.3 percent loss to the state’s total loon population that year directly as a result of eating lead tackle. Loons typically only have one chick each year, so a small loss in the popula¬tion due to lead poisoning is significant.

What are the long-term trends?
From 1992 to 1999, just prior to the 2000 ban of lead sinkers and jigs in New Hampshire, an average of 6 loon deaths from lead poisoning were recorded each year. From 2000 to 2006, the trend has gone down slightly, to an average of 5 loon deaths per year from lead poisoning, according to the Tufts/LPC studies. Lead fishing tackle contin¬ues to be the largest single cause of known adult loon mortality in N.H. The prevention of even two deaths of adult loons per year would help protect New Hampshire’s loon population.

What types of lead tackle cause the problems?
The following categories of lead fishing tackle were recovered from the gizzards of the loons:
• Lead sinkers averaged 1/2 inch measured on any axis (maximum size was 1 inch measured on any axis).
• Lead-headed jigs – Specialized hooks with lead just below the eye of the hook.

How can anglers help?
Even though New Hampshire’s common loon has made tremendous gains during the past three decades, the actions of anglers can make a big difference for the future of our loons. In 1977, there were a total of 62 nesting pairs of loons in the state; by 2006 that number had increased to 140 nesting pairs. Each year, these breeding pairs will lay one to two eggs. Survival for the chicks is usu¬ally greater than 70 percent, but the loss of a single chick or parent from lead poisoning is significant to the overall loon population. Anglers should be aware that it is against the law in New Hamp¬shire to use lead sinkers one ounce or less or lead jigs under an inch long on any freshwater pond, lake, river or stream.

How to dispose of lead tackle:
DO NOT put lead tackle in the trash! Since lead is toxic, when you check over your tackle box and remove any lead sinkers and jigs, dispose of them safely at:
• N.H. Fish and Game offices (Concord, Durham, Keene, Lancaster, and New Hampton) and state fish hatcheries. Visit www.FishNH.com or call (603) 271-3212 for locations.
• Household Hazardous Waste Collections, held throughout the state from April through June. Call the N.H. Department of Environmental Services at (603) 271-2047, or visitwww.des.state.nh.us/hhw.
• The Loon Preservation Committee’s visitor center on Lee’s Mills Road in Moultonborough;

*Information provided by the NH Department of Fish and Game and the Loon Preservation Committee.

Thank you Lincoln Financial for aiding "Access for All"

2010-07-16T11:02:00.001-04:00

We at the Science Center are very thankful to Lincoln Financial Foundation for awarding a $5,000 grant to us to support “Access for All, ” a program to provide access the Science Center’s main Gephart Exhibit Trail for elderly and physically challenged individuals who have difficulty walking. The generous grant from the Lincoln Financial allowed the Science Center to replace two older, worn-out mobility scooters for which replacement parts were no longer available. The scooters are available to the public at no charge, by reservation, and are used several times a week from May 1 through November 1, when the Science Center’s trails are open. Keene Medical Products of Concord gave an in-kind discount of $2,180 on the purchase price of the scooters.

“Squam Lakes Natural Science Center provides valuable access to New Hampshire’s natural world as well as wonderful environmental education programs for all ages.” said Byron O. Champlin, CLU Program Officer, Lincoln Financial Foundation. "We are pleased to support a program that makes such a significant positive impact in the lives of New Hampshire residents and visitors."

“We are extremely grateful to the Lincoln Financial Foundation for their generous gift to allow our visitors to access our main exhibit trail independently.” said Iain MacLeod, Executive Director of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center.

About Lincoln Financial Foundation
The Lincoln Financial Foundation, established in 1962, is the charitable giving arm of Lincoln Financial Group. Under Lincoln Foundation guidelines, grants are made in the areas of arts, education, human services, and workforce/economic development. Lincoln Financial sets aside up to 2% of its pre-tax earnings for charitable causes that support philanthropic endeavors in the communities where its employees work. The Lincoln Foundation allocated $300,000 to support nonprofits in New Hampshire in 2009. Since 2006, the Lincoln Foundation has contributed more than $1.3 million to New Hampshire nonprofits.

New exhibit here at the Science Center

2010-07-14T10:42:00.003-04:00

We are proud to announce that we have just opened a new exhibit featuring a collection of intricately carved and hand painted life-sized birds. The 80 carvings representing 74 species of fresh water and ocean birds are part of a collection of 241 pieces donated to the Science Center earlier this year by Joyce and Marty Briner.

Joyce and Marty Briner are a team. Not only a partnership through a marriage of more than 60 years, they have collaborated as artists for almost as long. Joyce grew up in a family of birders in Westtown, in southeastern Pennsylvania. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. She was an elementary school teacher, a teaching aide for special education students, and also did illustrations for magazines and children’s science textbooks. Joyce taught Marty how to carve; she always uses hand tools and still carves and paints her own designs. Joyce also meticulously paints all the sculptures Marty produces, using numerous books as reference to get the colors and patterns just right.

Marty grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Muhlenberg College, which he attended on the GI Bill after serving in the south Pacific, including Okinawa, during World War II. Prior to the war, Marty worked as a machinist, where he learned about dimensioning in his job making rocket shells, skills later translated to creating animal carvings.

Marty Briner explains that the process of carving starts with a block of clear wood (no knots) of even hardness and straight grain. It is cut to the rough size of the finished piece and then coarse sanded to round the edges. Next, a soft sander brings out the form a bit more. Fine hand tools are further used to shape the piece. Wood burning tools form the feathers and other details. Eyes are glass; the same as taxidermists use. “Then the sculpture is painstakingly hand-painted by Joyce -- including building an eye ring. Realistic feet are made of pewter casts purchased from a supplier,” explained Marty. The bird is mounted on a piece of driftwood or a finished base.

Retired since 1983, the Briners have won awards from carving clubs where they also did demonstrations, lessons, and served as judges. The Briners have lived in Elkins, New Hampshire since 2003, with one of their three daughters. They also have one son and nine grandchildren. In their 80s now, they plan to move later this year to a retirement home in Durham, North Carolina. Downsizing their belongings, they made a decision to donate most of their Birds of New England collection to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, where it will continue to teach children about the natural world

“This display shows only about a third of the whole collection,“ said Iain MacLeod, Executive Director of the Science Center. “We would like to create a permanent exhibit of the entire collection of 241 carvings as a lasting tribute to the Briners and their years of pains-taking work.” MacLeod added that as a birder and an artist himself he can appreciate the amazing level of detail and skill that went into each and every piece. “We at the Science Center are thrilled to be the recipients of this collection and proud to showcase the Briner’s body of work,” he added.

Fireflies

2010-06-18T08:53:00.003-04:00

As the first day of summer approaches, the weather becomes warmer, which encourages favorite seasonal pastimes. One of which may be spending the evening outside watching fireflies. These fascinating beetles communicate by light, using bioluminescence flashes, which is produced in an organ in their abdomens. Within the cells in the organ a chemical reaction occurs which results in the creation of an almost heatless light. This light attracts potential mates.

Each firefly species has particular flash characteristics, which vary in length, color, number of flashes, and in length of the interval between each flash. In addition some species have unique flight patterns, and different species can be active during different times of night. During mating season, the male fireflies will emit their flash while flying, in hopes that a female will see this and send flash signals back in return. Some studies suggest that several species of fireflies will lure prey, by imitating the flash signal of other species in order to deceive a small male to fly to a large female that will eat him and vice versa.

If planning on observing these beetles on a closer level, be respectful and do not keep them captive in a jar or other container for more than five minutes. Fireflies have a tendency to dry out, and can be made more comfortable by placing a moist paper towel inside of the container.

Whether going out alone, or with the family, be mindful when observing fireflies up close. Since they rely on light, bringing a flashlight along will disrupt their communication, unless it is emitting the color blue since fireflies cannot see blue light. This problem can be solved by taping a piece of blue acetate to the front of the flashlight.

Wearing appropriate clothing will also be a wise choice when going outside at night. Long sleeved shirts, socks, pants, and closed toed shoes are good at preventing ticks and other biting insects.

Charles Darwin and earthworms

2010-06-02T15:35:00.004-04:00

Charles Darwin wrote, "It may be doubted that there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures."

Many of us may debate the "lowly" designation given to the earthworm because it is very difficult to argue their profound impact on natural and agricultural soil fertility. Earthworms range in size from an inch to 12 feet or more in length. There are more than 2,500 earthworm species and most of these species eat their way through soil, extracting organic material in the process and excreting the remainder on te surface as pellets, or often called castings. One could say that they are natures soil mixers, mixing the upper and lower levels of soil. This process makes minerals more available to plants. The castings also serve as plant fertilizer and increase the soil's water-holding capability. Earthworms create tunnels that serve as pathways for water, plant roots, and gas exchange. They feed on leaf litter and in the process assist in seed dispersal, decomposition, and the prevention of serious fungal diseases that affect agricultural crops.

Darwin estimated that the burrowing of 50,000 earthworms turns over 18 tons of soil annually. Over 2 million earthworms may populate a single acre of farmland.

Source: Sierra Club, Frank Indiviglio

Following Bumblebees

2010-05-21T16:26:00.002-04:00

By Margaret Gillespie, Illustration by Cheryl Johnson

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that bumblebees had nested in a hole at the base of a second story porch right next to my apartment entrance. To be more precise, this meant that they buzzed right past my head as we all retired inside at dusk! It was easy to get used to – after all, bumblebees, ladybird beetles, and butterflies are the insects almost universally liked by humans, and I am a dedicated insect fan. The following year I was disappointed when none took up residence in the same spot, but I soon discovered a more challenging nest location! Eager to get natural fertilizer on my garden, I dug my shovel deep into the compost pile and out came bumblebees! Fortunately this was a very different experience from doing the equivalent to a wasp nest, and the bumblebees settled down quickly once I backed away. What stayed with me was the intense desire to learn more about how bumblebees live and work.
Do bumblebees bumble? “Bumble” describes their somewhat clumsy way of flying or could also come from the humming sound they make. This buzzing noise logically would be from the beating of their wings, but bumblebees with motionless wings still buzz! Apparently the vibrations from flight muscles in the thorax produce the buzz, and in cool weather, this activity is necessary for warming the bumblebee adequately for flight. Speaking of warmth, bumblebees are covered with soft fluffy pile often in black and yellow warning bands. They win the bee prize for cold weather flight, active at 50 degrees Fahrenheit and have even been recorded flying at 32 degrees. Do you think you could outrun one of these bumbling insects? Try zigzags at 10 miles per hour – the bumblebee will come out the winner!
Take a close look at a bumblebee – they are experts at collecting and transporting nectar and pollen. As a bumblebee visits a flower, its long tongue emerges to sip nectar which is then stored in its honeystomach, a storage compartment in the abdomen. The honeystomach is not part of the digestive system although some nectar can be transferred to give the bumblebee needed energy. Pollen, a source of protein, can be taken directly from the flower or groomed from the insect’s fuzzy body after a flower dusting. In either case, pollen is packed into a “pollen basket,” officially called the corbicula. This structure is a concave shiny surface on each rear leg which will be yellow and bulging when full of pollen. Want to tell a male from a female bumblebee? The easiest way is to check for a pollen basket – only the queen and female workers have them.
What are some tricks of the bumblebees’ trade? Sometimes pollen is difficult to extract from plants like tomatoes and blueberries, but bumblebees are experts with a technique known as “buzz pollination” or sonication. By vibrating their flight muscles while holding onto the flower (and thus making a really loud buzz), bumblebees shake the flowers enough to release pollen. Bumblebees also scent mark flowers so they can tell which ones have been recently foraged. Some plants like lady’s slippers depend upon bumblebees for pollination – these heavy, powerful insects may be the only ones strong enough to enter their flowers. Another way that bumblebees benefit flowers results from an electrostatic charge that builds up in a flying bumblebee. When the insect lands on a flower, pollen is attracted from the grounded flower to its fuzzy body. At the next flower, the pollen carried by the bumblebee is still charged and transfers to the most grounded part of the flower – yes, the stigma. Pollination happens!
As I write this article in early spring, queen bumblebees are searching for nesting sites. I hope one settles in an old rodent nest or hole or perhaps in a grassy mound close to where I live so that I can keep track of the colony’s progress. Once situated, the queen will forage for nectar and pollen and then begin to lay eggs. These fertilized eggs develop into female workers which take over housekeeping and foraging duties. By mid-summer the colony will be at its height which may be only 50 bees. As summer wanes, the colony enters its final stage when the queen lays unfertilized eggs that develop into males. She also lays fertilized eggs that receive extra food and care, resulting in new queens. Males soon leave the colony and find shelter at night in and under flowers. Look for their dew-covered, lethargic bodies in the early morning! By scent marking certain areas, males attract the new queens. Once mated, males die while queens search for hibernating spots. These new queens are the only ones to survive the winter. Next spring they will be ready to start their own colonies.
Would you like to follow a bumblebee? First, listen for the buzz which leads you to a busy bumblebee on a flower. Is she carrying pollen? What kind of flowers does she prefer? How is she collecting the nectar and pollen? Are you getting too close? She may raise her central leg in your direction to let you know you are in her space. Then, zoom, off she buzzes, leaving you with the gift of having shared a few moments in the life of a bumblebee.

The Spotted Salamanders have been Spotted

2010-04-12T11:24:00.005-04:00

Spotted Salamanders are a species of mole salamanders. Although numbers are stable, they are not often seen because most of their time is spent underground. These salamanders lay their eggs in vernal ponds in early spring so on wet/warm rainy nights in early spring they emerge from hibernation and head to vernal ponds, depending on the size of the pond there can be hundreds or even thousands of them. Once in the ponds the males court the females by swimming around and nudging/rubbing bodies, it sometimes looks like “dancing”. The males then drop their spermataphores on the ponds floor and the females pick them up. Later eggs are deposited by females. Within a week or so the breeding is over and the Salamanders return to land. Spotted Salamanders return to the same pond they hatched in to breed and they can best be seen at night since they are nocturnal.

Contributed by: Beth Moore Staff Naturalist

$5,000 GoodSearch Giveaway - Three Days Only!

2010-04-06T15:41:00.002-04:00

GoodSearch will donate a $1 for every toolbar that is downloaded between April 6th at 9am Eastern and April 9th at 9 am Eastern up to $5,000!!

Our new SLNSC toolbar is free to download and allows you to raise money for our cause every time you search or shop online! Once added to IE or Firefox, each time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to SLNSC- at no cost to you (and you may even save money as the toolbar provides coupons and deals as well!). The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to SLNSC.

Please hurry and do this now so that we can earn the $1 bonus per toolbar!

And, please pass this along to all of your friends. The two minutes it takes to add this toolbar to your browser can make a lifetime of difference for our cause!

Directions to Get Your Direct Toolbar Link (URL)

To generate your customized toolbar download page, please follow these steps:

1. Go to www.goodsearch.com
2. Enter Squam Lakes Natural Science Center into the "Who do you GoodSearch for"
3. Click on "Get the GoodSearch toolbar"
4. Copy the url from that page - that is your customized toolbar download page

Peregrine Falcon and Osprey Webcams allow virtual viewing

2010-04-02T13:49:00.001-04:00

Peregrine Falcon and Osprey Webcams allow virtual viewing

You can watch the minute-by-minute goings on at the nests of two of New Hampshire's most charismatic bird species. Thanks to live webcams you can view a pair of Peregrine Falcons on a high rise in Manchester and a pair of Ospreys next to the Ayres Island Dam in New Hampton from your computer desktop.

The Peregrine pair is sitting on four eggs in their nesting box high above the north end of Manchester. Thanks to Spectra Access, Brady-Sullivan Properties and New Hampshire Audubon who have collaborated to create the webcam in 2010. This pair has nested here for several years, although last year, at the last minute, they picked a different ledge in downtown Manchester. The eggs this year are expected to hatch mid-April.

http://www.newhampshireaudubon.org/PeregrineCam.html

At the Ayres Island Hydro Station in New Hampton, PSNH has created a webcamera on a pair of Ospreys nesting on a specially-built platform on a pole next to the Pemigewasset River. This pair of Ospreys has nested here every year since 2005 and produced 12 chicks over that period of time. One of the pair returned March 30 (Ospreys winter in Central and South America) and its mate should be back in the first week of April. This is one of fifteen pairs of Ospreys that nest in the NH Lakes Region.

http://www.psnh.com/osprey/default.asp#livecam

COFFEE CHOICES

2010-03-26T11:14:00.005-04:00

Enjoy that cup of Joe everyday? You’re not alone.
Coffee is the world’s second most widely traded commodity after crude oil.

How does one make the right choices when it comes to buying coffee? Here are some suggestions from the Sierra Club:

#1) Fair Trade certification. The worldwide coffee glut means low prices, and the people who suffer most from that are small growers and their workers. Fair Trade certification, overseen in the US by the nonprofit TransFair USA, means the importer pays growers a decent price and supports them in going organic.
Go to http://www.transfairusa.org/ for a listing of places to purchase FTC coffee. Green Mountain Coffee does buy FTC coffee and believe it or not you can even find it a Walmart.

#2) “Certified organic” means the USDA warrants the coffee to have been grown without fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, or other untoward chemicals.

#3) Consider and look for “shade grown” coffee. Starting in the 1970s, many farmers switched their production method to sun cultivation, in which coffee is grown in rows under full sun with little or no forest canopy. This causes berries to ripen more rapidly and bushes to produce higher yields, but requires the clearing of trees and increased use of fertilizer and pesticides, which damage the environment and cause health problems. Shade-grown coffee involves no such devastation. Undisturbed trees provide habitat for innumerable bird species, keep the topsoil where it belongs, and function as the planet’s lungs.

Source: Sierra Club

Stop in for a Drink!

2010-03-22T08:41:00.001-04:00

Stop in for a Drink!
By Brenda Erler
Your garden can be designed to attract a number of nectar-drinking birds including orioles, mockingbirds, grosbeaks, and some warblers, but the most well-known nectar drinker in the east is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Not only does high-calorie nectar (and an occasional insect) provide these birds nutrition, but the birds, in turn, may carry pollen from plant to plant for valuable crosspollination. Plus, it’s just plain fun seeing them in your yard! How can you put out the welcome mat? First, make sure you provide a complete habitat that offers food, water, shelter, and nesting places. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are naturally attracted to forest clearings and edges, so they are drawn to suburban and rural gardens that offer a variety of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grassy areas. Their tiny nests are usually located in the fork of small stiff tree branches. Their nests are highly camouflaged by lichens “glued on” with spider silk. If you have no trees, consider putting a small dead tree or a few branches close to a flower bed to provide perching spots. A small water feature such as a shallow bird bath, garden mister or pump-fed waterfall may prove irresistible. Artificial feeders are often used to attract these little gems, but a more natural way of providing food for hummingbirds is to use flowering plants in your garden. Certain flowers have coevolved with hummingbirds to enable their mutually beneficial relationship. You don’t need a large flower bed to attract these birds. Small flower beds, hanging pots, window boxes or trellises may all bring hummingbirds to your yard. However, you do need to choose your plants wisely. Here are a few considerations:
1. Choose bright red, pink, or orange flowers that are
tubular in shape. The nectar is found at the base of the
tube, luring hummingbirds to probe with their beaks.
Since most birds have a poor sense of smell, it is the
color and shape, not the fragrance, that will attract
hummingbirds.
2. Plant flowers that bloom at different times throughout
the season so a food supply is always available. Try to
find some flowers that start blooming in early spring
when the birds begin to migrate through.
3. Plant flowers in large groups of three or more to provide
more nectar.
4. Provide a few plants that produce soft fibers.
Hummingbirds often use the fluff from cinnamon fern
stems, pussy willow catkins, thistles, or even dandelions
to line their nests.
5. Avoid pesticides. Let the birds take care of insect pests
for you.
A few of the best nectar plants for this area include bee balm (Monarda), Columbine (Aquilegia), Coralbells (Heuchera spp. with red or pink flowers), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia), Hyssop (Agastache), Jewelweed (Impatiens spp.), Salvia, and Honeysuckle
(Lonicera). Visit Kirkwood Gardens this summer to get even more ideas for hummingbird-attracting plants. Look for red dots on maps located throughout the garden. These dots designate plants that are especially attractive to hummingbirds.

Commercial fertilizer alternative

2010-03-15T10:30:00.001-04:00

For gardens to grow, they need to be fertilized. Unfortunately, commercially available fertilizers are an unregulated product that may contain toxic wastes. Happily, you can easily make your own organic plant fertilizer "tea bag" -- and save some money at the same time.

If you want to make your own organic fertilizer combination, use the following ingredients (all of which you should be able to buy in bulk at a farm supply or feed store; they'll keep for years if kept dry):

* 4 parts seed meal
* 1 part dolomite lime
* 1/2 part bone meal or 1 part soft rock phosphate
* 1/2 part kelp meal

To make the teabag, lay a double layer of cheesecloth on a bare patch of soil and place one or two cups of compost, aged manure, or slow-release organic fertilizer on it.
Grab the four corners of the cheesecloth and bring them together, then twist and apply rubber band to make your "tea bag" of fertilizer.

Place the tea bag in the bucket, and fill with water and let it steep for a day or so. When the tea is ready, remove the bag, and fill the bucket the rest of the way with clear water to dilute the tea. You can treat each of your plants to a cup or two of tea.

As a rule, underfeeding is better than overfeeding, and small regular feedings are better than occasional large ones.

Source: The Sierra Club

Chipmunk Revelations

2010-03-11T15:38:00.003-05:00

Chipmunk Revelations

By Margaret Gillespie, Illustration by Cheryl Johnson

How many chipmunks are there in New Hampshire? This student question may first bring a chuckle as we contemplate an answer of “many” or perhaps, “too many!” Underlying this innocent question is a sense of curiosity that we don’t want to lose in ourselves or in the children in our lives. We see this interest too in visitors from Great Britain and other parts of Europe who come to see New England fall colors and become captivated by chipmunks running freely about the trails at the Science Center. Are we missing something? In this article, I am taking the challenge to uncover facets of chipmunks that may not be common knowledge and could perhaps cause us to turn our heads the next time a chipmunk scampers by.

Take stock of your CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) skills or, more precisely, check your observation skills. Tamias striatus is the scientific name for the eastern chipmunk, meaning “striped storer.” From memory, can you describe the stripes on a chipmunk’s back? Here is the answer – there is a long dark central stripe and then a white stripe on each side flanked by two dark stripes. In one of my favorite Native American stories, a chipmunk is collecting woodland berries on a bush but stays out after dark against his grandmother’s instructions. Along comes an owl walking through the leaves. This owl encourages him to jump down to him and the owl covers his eyes with his wings. Although the owl promises not to look, of course he secretly peers through the feathers. Leaping quickly, the chipmunk manages to escape but takes with him stripes along his back from the owl’s talons!

In the Tamias part of the chipmunk’s scientific name, this rodent of the squirrel family is referred to as a “storer.” Speaking of gathering and storing food, how do those cheek pouches work? It is not only a question of skin stretching to make room for acorns and other nuts. These pouches are actual storage cavities with an opening close to the lips on each side. When it is discharge time, chipmunks use their paws to push against their cheeks and the contents emerge. Chipmunks will transport bedding in their cheek pouches too – I’ve observed chipmunks stuffing in dried leaves to take to their dens for winter comfort or for their young’s nest in spring.

When walking through the woods, I listen for animals alert to my presence. Blue jays may be making their “jay” calls or red squirrels chattering a warning. Chipmunks too show their alarm but with a repetitive single note “chuk” sound that is often taken up by neighboring chipmunks until the whole hillside is spreading the news. In another call, chipmunks are said to “sing” with a series of chips uttered rapidly over several minutes – a call which may help define territory. Take time to listen to the chipmunks! See if you can interpret what they are announcing.

Have you ever watched a chipmunk run across the lawn and abruptly disappear? Upon closer observation, you notice a 1.5 to 2-inch hole hidden in the grass with no evidence of any excavated material. How do they engineer that feat? The hole you are observing is actually the end product! The chipmunk started some 30 or 40 feet away by digging a tunnel and a roomy living chamber. With its nose, this rodent plowed the discarded earth above ground where it dispersed the soil in all directions. The chipmunk then continued with the final tunnel, packing the soil in the old tunnel and sealing the original hole. When the chipmunk reached the surface with its new tunnel, there would be no stray soil to betray the entrance to predators! Watch a feeding chipmunk closely and it may show you its den entrance as it descends to store food.

Fall is the chipmunks’ busy season as they gather and stow away acorns, beechnuts, and sunflower and other seeds under the leaves in their sleeping chambers or in storage chambers of their burrows. These striped rodents respond to winter quite unlike groundhogs that hibernate and rely on accumulated fat to sustain them. Chipmunks, on the other hand, alternate between a torpid state and wakefulness. During torpidity, the chipmunks’ body temperature and respiration decrease as they conserve energy. Periodically they wake up to feed on their bounty.

Are you ready for spring to arrive? Chipmunks reward us with some of the earliest signs of warming weather as they emerge and dance along the stone walls, their brown streaked bodies highlighted against the remaining patches of snow. Later, young chipmunks about six weeks old will be cavorting around the den’s entrance. More clumsy, tentative, playful, and inquisitive than adults, these youngsters are about two-thirds grown and this family time is fleeting. In a week or two they will be off to find their own places. Like these young chipmunks, let us take advantage of the fresh sights and sounds of spring. After all, spring comes only once a year!

The latest on our bobcats

2010-03-05T09:41:00.003-05:00

Animal Care Curator Katie Mokkosian provides this report about the bobcats:

“The male and female get along great and are often seen sleeping curled up together. When they are not sleeping they are having fun chasing each other around the exhibit. Just recently we redid the holding facility for the male, giving him more physical activities to enjoy. He now has a hammock made of fire hose to sleep in and climb on, a new scratching post, and a hanging log “catwalk” that enables him to make use of his natural climbing behavior. This spring we will overhaul the exhibit, adding fresh dirt for them to dig in, new logs to scratch, and some more rocks to climb on. We are continuing their training program and both male and female are excelling at the behaviors asked of them and are always eager to participate in the training.”

Listening to the changing sounds

2010-02-05T10:20:00.011-05:00

Even with the wind chills below zero, there are signs that spring is just around the corner -- at least in the bird world.

Black-capped Chickadees are already singing -- that two-note whistle you are now hearing is their song, rather than the "chickadee-dee-dee" call notes they use all winter.

Woodpeckers have started drumming -- tapping on trees to select a suitable one to excavate for a nest hole.

Even Blue Jay vocalizations have changed in the last week. Their tooting, trumpet-like calls are a sign that spring territoriality is kicking in.

Another early songster is the Brown Creeper who's beautiful high-pitched warbling song is already echoing through the chilly, still-snowy woods.

What triggers this spring chorus? . . . day length. Increasing solar exposure triggers hormones in the birds. Soon it will be time to find a mate, defend a nesting site and reproduce.

2010-01-27T11:55:00.002-05:00

How We Stay Warm and Eat Well with Less Carbon
By Dennis Capodestria and Jenny Highland

Three years ago we decided to replace our wood-burning stoves with a thermal mass masonry heater. For years we’d been tending one or more stoves, trying to maintain a comfortable temperature. The house went from too cold when we came home from work, to uncomfortably warm by bedtime. Of equal concern was the smoke our chimney was emitting for hours at a time. After investigating wood boilers, pellet burners, solar hot water, and other alternatives, we settled instead on an old technology that is simple and reliable (no moving parts or electronics). Masonry heaters have been used for centuries in Russia, Finland, and other cold regions.

Our design includes a large firebox with a bake oven above and a cook top off the side. The structure is built of firebrick channels and chambers all enclosed in two-inch-thick slabs of soapstone. The entire mass weighs about 7,000 pounds – light for a masonry stove but quite adequate for our small house.

Firing a masonry stove takes a different approach than a woodstove. Instead of slow, long-burning fires, the object is to burn hot and fast for clean, efficient combustion. Once the fire is out, a damper closes off the chimney and the heat slowly penetrates through the stone to warm the house. Because heat is released gradually, one or two fires a day maintain an even temperature.

Now when we come home the house is still warm, and at its core is a beautiful blue-gray mass of radiant soapstone. The smoke is so clean it is almost imperceptible, and we don’t have to cut as much firewood. We were able to get rid of two woodstoves and an electric oven. Our new masonry oven, with its constant “free” heat, has changed the way we cook. When hottest, it provides us with pizza, turkey, bread, or pies. As it cools, we cook grains, beans, heat up leftovers, or bake overnight breakfast porridges. In short, life is good…

Life on the Top By Margaret Gillespie

2009-11-24T14:40:00.004-05:00

Snowshoe hares, Lepus americanus, along with rabbits, are from the order Lagomorpha, Greek for “hareshaped.” While similar, there are distinct differences between hares and rabbits and a major contrast is seen in their young. Newborn hares, called leverets, are born fully furred, with eyes open, and ready for action
whereas rabbits are born with minimal fur, eyes closed, and in need of immediate warmth and care. Hares are not in the same order as rodents (Rodentia), although
superficially they may appear closely related. Both hares and rodents are herbivores and have large ever-growing incisors. For those interested in skull identification, hares also possess two small peg-teeth behind their upper incisors, vestigial teeth, without a real function. Rodents, like squirrels and beavers are gnawers, using their teeth to open an acorn or take down trees. In contrast, hares nip off twigs at a 45 degree angle and in winter also eat buds, tree seedlings, and tender bark.
Which came first – the snowshoe or the snowshoe hare? Since lagomorphs have been in North America for millions of years, the answer is clear. However, there is much to learn from nature and perhaps Native Americans observed activities of hares on the snow’s surface when they developed their own snowshoes. In the case of snowshoe hares, life on the top is thanks to exceptionally large hind feet, which in winter grow an inch of fur on the bottom, further enhancing their size and insulation
value. On soft snow, hares can spread their four long toes to increase surface area. They can even put all their weight on their hind feet while they stand up to nibble
high twigs. By maintaining trails to and from feeding and resting areas over their three to 25 acre home range, snowshoe hares can be prepared for a quick escape. Caught sleeping? Snowshoe hares literally doze on their feet. With their large hind
feet under them, these three to four pound mammals are poised to leap away, covering
12 feet in a single bound and accelerating to over 25 miles per hour! Another name for the snowshoe hare is the varying hare, indicating that their fur changes color seasonally. Over a period of 10 weeks in the fall and spring, snowshoe hares make the color transition, as only the guard hairs and just their tips change into the new color – white in winter and reddish brown in summer. The winter coat also
adds an additional 25 percent insulation. What is the key to this color shift? It’s
photoperiod, specifically shortening days in fall and lengthening in spring. Another
color “trick” is the black-tipped ears on this white creature – the black color draws
attention, allowing the body to be less apparent against the white snow. Of course,
camouflage works best in combination with the hare’s freezing behavior. How did the hare I found with Andy know we were coming? I’m sure it was easy with the hare’s large ears and good sense of smell. Eyesight may have played a lesser role. Adapted for low light levels of dawn, dusk, and night when hares are active, their eyes do not detect color and are located to the side of their heads where they when can spot predators, even behind them. Speaking of predators, those interested in hares include foxes, coyotes, fishers, bobcats, lynxes, and large owls. To minimize exposure to danger, hares literally “grab a bite” and return to the safety of their
shelters. There they engage in a process called refection to assist with the digestion of this quickly eaten high cellulose meal. By ingesting the first soft green pellets they excrete, hares absorb extra nutrients and vitamins on a second digestive trip. This final digestion and excretion results in the solid brown pellets we see along their pathways – truly recycled material! Are you thinking of dusting off your own snowshoes and taking a look for their name sake? It is much more fun if you take along someone young or young at heart. Even more captivating is to have a mystery to solve. Which way did the hare go? It seems obvious, but most things in nature have an intriguing twist. As the snowshoe hare runs, it first places its tiny forepaws in the snow and then brings its larger hind feet around the front legs and plants them in front. So, the “snowshoe” hind feet are really the leaders. Pick a clear, crisp day for your adventure and enjoy your time living on the top!

2009-09-04T16:32:00.005-04:00

Mushroom

Mysteries

by Margaret

Gillespie

This mushroom story still makes me smile even years later. While at Cornell University, I lived with two other graduate students

in an apartment downhill from campus. Each day on our walk home we passed a fraternity that I barely noticed. My roommate Cathy, however, spotted shaggy mane mushrooms on the broad lawn and during the fall she picked a crop daily, turning them into mushroom delicacies in our kitchen. One afternoon a fraternity brother sauntered out while she was harvesting and asked a simple question. With a sweep of his hand across the lawn he queried, “Are all these mushrooms edible?” Cathy replied slowly, “Some of them are,” thus securing our mushroom supply for the remainder of our stay in Ithaca! Shaggy mane mushrooms resemble the widespread perception of a typical mushroom - one with a cap and stem. In reality, mushrooms are

fungi that grow in a variety of shapes including round, club-shaped or bracket-like to those resembling coral or even tiny cups containing what looks like eggs. These are all the fruitbodies of fungi, literally the tip of the iceberg. Beneath is a labyrinth of threads or hyphae which absorbs nutrients. It can extend for miles! If you turn over a rotting log, you will get a glimpse of

this expanding network in action. With the correct moisture and environment, hyphae generate into the familiar mushroom fruitbodies whose function it is to form spores that disperse on the wind. Spores germinate into new hyphae and renew

the cycle. Let’s take a closer look at three mushrooms you are likely to encounter. See if you can recognize them from the descriptions.On many walks in the woods, I am intrigued by the brilliant yellow to orange color of a classic-looking cap and stem mushroom. Its cap flattens as it ages and is covered with light-colored flakes. A large ring, which originally covered

the gills, now encircles the stem below the cap. Immediately I am reminded of the stories of toadstools – a term sometimes referring to poisonous mushrooms. Any guesses? If Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric) jumps to your mind, you are right and yes, it is fine-looking but deadly for humans to eat. On a morning after wet summer or autumn weather, these mushrooms seem to have inflated into giant white balls on a lawn. If they are still young, the inside whensliced is white and solid. When you come back a few days later, the outside is deteriorating and the inside is yellowing as the spores mature. A smaller relative, the

size of a golf ball, has a pore in the top from which thespores emerge like smoke when disturbedDid you solve the mystery? These arepuffballs – round mushrooms with no stems– the Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea) and the Tumbling Puffball (Bovista plumbea). Exploring by an abandoned beaver pond, you see that remnants of chewed stumps are now festooned with layers of small fan-shaped bracket fungi that havesemi-circular patterns of light and dark brown. Do they remind you of part of a

turkey’s anatomy? Yes, these are turkey-tail polypores (Trametes versicolor)! Turkey tails grow on stumps that are at least three years old. If the conditions are right for mushrooms, you can find a multitude of different shapes, sizes and even smells! Mushroom odors range from pleasant fragrances like cinnamon, almond, or apricot to downright nasty ones akin to decaying carrion, rotten cabbage, or bad ham. Another intriguing aspect of mushrooms is the diverse way spores are arranged – they are produced by a structure called a hymenium, which may be located along gills or in pores on the underside of the cap. The hymenium may also be on the surface of the fungi – coral-like fungi for example – or in the case of the cups with egg-like structures, the hymenium is enclosed within “eggs” that splash out when hit by rain water. A fun project with children (and also an important identification technique) is to collect some spore prints from cap and stem mushrooms. Using just the cap of a fresh mushroom, place the gill or pore surface down on paper. Cover it with a bowl andovernight the spores will be deposited on the paper making an intriguing spore print! Spores can come in several colors from white to brown to black so you may need to experiment with light and dark paper. It is tempting, as we walk through the forest, across a field, or even in our backyard, to focus solely on the visible part of mushrooms. Take time to contemplate the teaming mushroom network beneath our

feet. Some mushrooms form associations

with trees which are beneficial to both.

Called mycorrhizal relationships, the fungus

assists the tree in getting water and nutrients

and in turn receives sugars from the tree.

Other mushrooms break down organic

material like fallen trees, thus recycling

nutrients for other living things. Still

others can be parasitic. All are part of the

fascinating diversity and complexity of

mushroom lives. So, remember to stop and

smell the roses but also stoop to sniff the

mushrooms growing underneath!

Up Close To Animals

2009-07-02T09:56:00.004-04:00

With summer here, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has started its Up Close to Animals Series! Come see as our naturalists give mini presentations on the animals here at the Science Center, including the peregrine falcon, porcupine, skunk, great horned, northern saw-whet, and barred owls, opossum, snakes, woodchuck, hawks, turtles, and bats! At today's presentation, Beth showed us all about the barred owl, explaining its different senses and how it hunts and eats its prey. We then got to hear its different calls and see how its feathers and talons are constructed. It was very interesting!

Presentations are held daily at the amphitheater (in Classroom 3 in the Webster Building if raining) from 11 - 3 on the hour and last about 20 minutes. The Up Close to Animals talks are free as part of your trail admission. Click here to view the daily schedule.

We want your old cell phones!

2009-06-30T15:46:00.003-04:00

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center wants your old cell phones! Why? To recycle! We have been working with Eco-Cell to collect old cell phones and recycle them in an environmentally friendly way. So if you have any old or broken cell phones that you would like to get rid of, bring them in to Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and we'll take care of it for you!
For more information on Eco-Cell, visit their website at www.eco-cell.com.

Science Center Lake Cruises

2009-06-22T09:39:00.010-04:00

A tour of Squam Lake on the Science Center's Lake Cruise revealed many exciting sights! Summer is in full swing here on the lake, and it couldn't be more beauitful! As we left Cotton Cove, we came into full view of the Sandwich Mountains. Along the way, we spotted several loon nests with our binoculars, the loons not far away! Finally, we caught a glimpse of the house occupied by Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda in the film On Golden Pond. It was a great afternoon.

See our Photo Set on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/slnsc/sets/72157619847911305/

Kirkwood Gardens

2009-06-02T17:04:00.009-04:00

These Yellow Lady Slippers are now blooming at Kirkwood Gardens and aren't they big and beautiful!

Go to our Flickr account and see what else is blooming at http://www.flickr.com/photos/slnsc/sets/

2009-05-27T13:23:00.003-04:00

Today was another busy day at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, despite the rain.

More than 300 students visited from the following schools and camps:

Camp Calumet, Ossipee, NH
Enfield Village School, Enfield, NH
Groveton Elementary School, Groveton, NH
Heavenly Sunshine Pre School and Kindergarten, Belmont, NH
Lafayette Regional School, Franconia, NH
Milton Elementary School, Milton, NH
New Franklin School, Portsmouth, NH
Saint Elizabeth Seton School, Rochester, NH.

We had as many as nine school buses today:

Black Bear Day

2009-05-21T13:31:00.001-04:00

On May 16 Squam Lakes Natural Science Center hosted a special day to teach about the fascinating and resourceful native New Hampshire Black Bear. All ages were admitted to the trails for a special reduced fee of $8 (admission, as always, was free for members and children ages 2 and under). New Hampshire Fish & Game Biologist Andrew Timmons presented a talk about Black Bear ecology at 10:30 a.m. Visitors viewed the Science Center’s two resident Black Bears and volunteer docents were on hand to answer Bear trivia questions. There were crafts and story time for children.

See our Photo Set on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/slnsc/sets/72157618494185705/

New Hampshire Day - May 2, 2009

2009-05-05T14:40:00.010-04:00

New Hampshire Day on May 2 was generously sponsored by the New Hampshire Electric Co-op Foundation. The weather cooperated and 1,229 people from across the state got “Nearer to Nature.”

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has a series of special days planned this year, which include discounts on Mother’s and Father’s Day (moms or dads admitted for free with a matching paid admission), Black Bear Day on May 16 – a special day to learn about New Hampshire’s bruins with reduced admission fees, Get Outdoors Day on June 13 (when youth will be admitted for free with a paid adult admission) and Coyote Day on June 20. Many libraries across the state purchase memberships for use by their patrons, which also provide admission discounts.

Check out lots more photos on our Flickr site at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/slnsc/sets/72157618871479944/

OtterCam

2009-05-05T14:09:00.004-04:00

We are delighted to finally have our first CritterCam live on our website. The OtterCam has been a long-time coming with many false starts along the way. Like any new technology, we went through a lot of trial and error and we will still adapt as we go along. Ultimately, we hope to have multiple webcams that will allow visitors to our website to have a "virtual visit" to the Science Center (particularly in the winter-time, when the trails are closed).

We are using a wireless camera which sends a streaming image via a transmitter mounted near the River Otter enclosure to a receiver on the Webster Building. From there a cable takes the received images to a network switch, then to a 16-input DVR and then to our website. We chose the otter for our first camera because it is the furthest exhibit from the Webster Building and we wanted to be sure that the wireless technology would work on our campus.

So . . . please let us know what you think. What should be our next CritterCam -- Mountain Lion? Bobcat?

Back to OtterCam

Clean Up Day - April 25, 2009

2009-05-05T13:52:00.009-04:00

Thank you to everyone who helped!
One hundred fourteen volunteers and staff worked together on Clean Up Day to prepare the trails and grounds for opening day on May 1. Everyone pitched to help by raking trails, cleaning exhibits, staining buildings, and more. We thank these community groups that participated: Cub Scout Troop #56, Plymouth and Rumney, Plymouth Regional High School National Honor Society, Tau Omega Sorority, Plymouth State University, University of Michigan alumni, and Wal-Mart, Gilford. Thank you also to Bob’s Shurfine Market, Ashland, Dunkin Donuts, Ashland, Golden Pond Country Store, Holderness, Hannaford Supermarkets, Plymouth, Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant, Meredith, Lakes Region Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Shaw’s Supermarket, Gilford for in-kind donations to provide lunch.

Your Top 20 Econundrums—Solved!

2009-01-02T14:06:00.003-05:00

While world leaders hash out whether to tax carbon or trade it, the rest of us wrestle with our own environmental quandaries: Paper or plastic? Dishwasher or sink? Drive or fly?

This article from Mother Jones magazine helps you pick out what's best for the planet.

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/11/burning-questions.html