Eastern white pine

Eastern white pine
(𝑷𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒖𝒔)
Conservation Status:  Least Concern (Population Increasing) 

Photo Credit:  Denis Lifanov/Flickr 

Facts:  The eastern white pine is the largest conifer in the northeast. It is a fast growing tree, relative to other tree species occupying the same habitat range, and grows best in fertile, well-drained soils. It can, however, also grow well in sandy soils. Eastern white pines can grow for 200+ years, outlasting many of the surrounding species. The bark of the eastern white pine is thin, smooth and green with a reddish-brown tinge on younger trees, and dark gray to brown with shallow fissures on mature trees. Each tree can produce both male and female cones, beginning in May as green, taking 2 years to mature, and gradually ripening to brown when seeds are ready to be released in August and September of their second season. The seeds are a favorite food source of porcupine, snowshoe hare, squirrel, deer and many bird species. The evergreen also provides safe nesting sites for many bird species, including bald eagles. 

An important source of lumber for the construction and furniture making industries, the eastern white pine grows a relatively straight trunk, up to 150 feet high, and can reach over 3 feet in diameter. The eastern white pine has been such an integral part of the Maine economy for so many years that it has become affectionately known at the “Pine Tree State,” with official designation as the State of Maine tree in 1945.  

Fun Fact:  A fun and helpful way to identify this long-lived beloved Maine species is to remember that the word “white” has five letters and this is the same number of needles in a cluster on the eastern white pine. 

Sources:  https://extension.umaine.edu/signs-of-the-seasons/indicator-species/pine-fact-sheet/, https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/publications/handbooks_guides/forest_trees/pdf/eastern_white_pine.pdf, https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/pinstr/all.html  

Common loon

Common loon
(𝑮𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒂 𝒊𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓) 
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Population decreasing) 

Photo Credit:  Gary J. Wege, USFWS – Midwest Region/ Creative Commons

Facts: You might recognize the familiar wail of the common loon that echoes along the banks of Maine. Inhabiting the coastal waters and large southern lakes, these are true water birds, only going to shore to mate and lay their eggs. They have dense bones to help them as they dive for food, which includes small fish, such as minnow, shad, rock cod and perch, as well as some crustaceans and mollusks. Common loons are great indicators of water quality, as they require crystal clear lakes.

The famous yodeling call is how these birds claim their nesting sites. Nests are built in quiet protected areas close to the bank, as these birds do not walk well on land. Nests are built by both the males and the females over the course of May and June and reused from year to year.

Fun Fact: One feature often associated with the common loon is their bright red eyes, but, outside of mating season, their eyes actually change to a greyish color. They also lose the majority of spots on their plumage during this time as well, appearing more of a dark brown color with barely any spots at all.

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/common-loon, https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Loon/overview#, https://extension.umaine.edu/.../indicat.../loon-fact-sheet/

Spotted salamander

Spotted salamander
(𝑨𝒎𝒃𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒎)
Conservation Status:  Species of Special Concern in Maine 

Photo Credit:  2ndPeter/Creative Commons 

Facts:  Spotted salamanders are some of the largest salamanders in Maine growing up to 20 cm, or 8 inches, long.  They are distinguished by their dark skin and two rows of irregular shaped, bright yellow to orange spots running the length of their bodies. Their skin contains poison glands, which secrete a white, sticky, toxic chemical when the animal feels threatened. They may use this when being attacked by one of their predators, which include fish, raccoons, snakes and skunks. If not eaten, the adults can live for at least 10 years!  

Considered a mole salamander, they spend most of their life underground, depending on existing crevices and tunnels rather than digging their own. While their underground habitat makes them hard to observe, the spotted salamander emerges from the ground to mate in a vernal pool, a small body of water that is only wet in the spring and is dry throughout the rest of the year. Only holding water part of the year, vernal pools lack fish, making them safer for the eggs and larval salamanders.  

Around the Refuge:  If you are walking on the refuge in spring, keep a look out! They migrate to vernal pools on warm, humid, rainy, or foggy conditions in afternoons or evenings from mid-March to late March or early April. You may be able to spot one. If looking at night, be sure to bring a light and look for either the salamanders themselves or the tennis balls sized egg masses which are attached to underwater vegetation or downed branches. 

Sources:  Maine Amphibians and Reptiles, Hunter/Calhoun/McCollough, 1999, A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles(Stokes Nature Guides), Tyning, 1990 and https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ambystoma_maculatum/ 

Painted trillium

Painted trillium
(𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒖𝒎 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒎) 
Conservation Status: No current status rank in Maine 

Photo Credit:  Jason Hollinger/Flickr 

Facts:  The painted trillium is a truly elusive spring ephemeral and you should consider yourself lucky if you happen to see this beautiful perennial wildflower, which only blooms for about three weeks in early spring. It is broadly distributed throughout the deciduous and mixed forests of New England and thrives in deep shade and acidic soils. If you are lucky enough to find the painted trillium in bloom, the redish-purple crescent-shaped splotch near the base of the otherwise white petals is sure to catch your eye. Each plant produces a single bright red fleshy berry-like fruit in mid to late summer. You are likely to pass by the whorled blue-green leaves as you wander some shady trails of the refuge without even noticing these beauties when not in bloom. 

Fun Fact:  The painted trillium is sometimes referred to as the "painted wake robin,” which derives from the fact that the species blooms at around the same time the robin returns in the spring in some parts of the northeast. 

Sources:  https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/trillium/undulatum/, https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/trillium_undulatum.shtml  

Glasswort/Pickleweed/Salicornia

Glasswort/Pickleweed/Salicornia
(𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒂 𝒔𝒑𝒑.) 
Conservation Status: No Current Status Rank in Maine

Photo Credit: USFWS Northeast Region/Creative Commons

Facts: When the days get cooler in the fall, it’s fun to look out across the marsh and watch as the once lush green turns a fire red. To those who spend time along the marsh, that is one sign that autumn has arrived. One plant that is responsible for this change is glasswort, also known as pickleweed, sea pickle, salicornia and samphire. This salt tolerant succulent blooms from late August until November, creating that dark red color you may have come to associate with autumn on the refuge. Up close, this plant is small and has segmented stems much like an asparagus. The stems can hold a lot of water, which is helpful in the harsh, salty environment where it is found. In fact, these plants are so salt tolerant, they are often one of the first plants to colonize when there is a bare patch of salt marsh because another plant is not needed to adjust the environment for it to survive in the salty ecosystem. As a pioneer species, it is important in stabilizing the mud and delivering oxygen through its roots, which allows other species to follow.

Fun Facts: The sea pickle is a food source for many animals, including Canada Geese, but did you know that it was also used for cattle? When Cattle used to graze in the salt marsh, they would eat the sea pickle for the taste of salt. That isn’t all it was used for! There is also a long history of use by humans for both food and medicine. People even used to use it in the soap making process. 

Sources:  http://www.edc.uri.edu/restoration/html/gallery/plants/glass.htm, https://eflora.neocities.org/Salicornia%20Sp.html  

Staghorn sumac

Staghorn sumac
(Rhus typhina) 
Conservation Status: No current Status Rank

Photo Credit: Karen Hine/Creative Commons 

Facts: Staghorn sumac is a large deciduous shrub that can grow from 30 feet up to 50 feet tall. It is tolerant of many growing conditions and is often easily spotted in large colonies along sunny roadsides, fencerows and open fields. It has alternate compound leaves 16 to 24 inches long, rounded at the base and pointed at the tip with serrated edges. Its clusters of greenish-yellow flowers bloom in June/July followed by a cluster of red, velvety fruits called drupes in mid-August. Originally thought to be exotic due to its tropical look, it is a fast-growing native species, often admired for its crooked trunks with branches covered in wide, forking, velvety twigs that resemble deer antlers (hence the name “staghorn”). Songbirds often nest in the cover of the sumac stands. Staghorn sumac also has beautiful bright yellow, orange and red to purple fall foliage. 

The fruit persists on the tree well into winter, serving as emergency winter food for many bird species, including the ring-necked pheasant, wild turkey, bluebirds, and ruffed grouse. On the refuge, it is purposely grown as shrubland habitat for the New England cottontail, as they like to eat sumac bark.  

Fun Facts: Staghorn sumac was historically used as a medicinal tea, as a tobacco, and even as an astringent, depending on the tribe and location. Interestingly, in the 19th century, the U.S. tanning industry used a combination of sumac and hemlock to treat leather and weavers mixed it with oak galls as a mordant to produce dyes of silvery gray. 

Sources: https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2579e/, https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_rhhi2.pdf, https://www.americanforests.org/magazine/article/the-mantle-sumac/  

Northern rock barnacle

Northern rock barnacle
(𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒔) 
Conservation Status: No Current Status Rank  

Photo Credit:  Neil DeMaster/Flickr 

This creature may easily be overlooked in the wild—that is until you step on them with your bare feet. Ouch! These small animals are called barnacles! Barnacles are similar to  shrimp, and have overlapping limestone plates which protect them from predators. While barnacles may all look the same, if you look closely you can tell that there are many different species. Here in Southern Maine, you might see the acorn barnacle, which is very small, from 2.5 cm to 7.5 cm, and is shaped like an acorn. Planted on the rocks for the majority of life, these creatures must feed on the phytoplankton that passes over them as the tides ebb and flow. How do they do it? They reach out a feather-like foot – called cirri— catching and eating the plankton which floats by. If you look closely as the tide comes in, you can spot the feather-like structure moving in the current. When the tide is out, you will see them tightly closed as to protect themselves from weather elements, such as the heat and drying of the sun or stormy rain and ice.  

Barnacles can be found not only all over our beaches, but all over the world. At the refuge you might see them covering rocks and other hard structures on the banks, or scattered across the intertidal zone. Barnacles can be found everywhere from the hightide line of the beaches in Maine to the hull of a ship, and even on the back of a whale. That is because young barnacles, before planting down, float with the currents all over the world until they find a nice spot to land – whether it’s a rock on the banks of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge or on the shell of a turtle. Although most ocean species pay no mind to barnacles, sea slugs, dog whelks, flatworms and the ever-popular sea stars feast on them. 

Fun Fact: The cement that northern rock barnacles use to attach themselves to hard rock surfaces is currently being studied for dental applications.  

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Semibalanus_balanoides/, https://www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/2016/04/20/northern-rock-barnacle-feeding/, http://www.edc.uri.edu/restoration/html/gallery/invert/north.htm  

Partridgeberry

Partridgeberry
(𝑴𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔) 
Conservation Status: No Current Status Rank in Maine 

Photo Credit:  John Munt/Flickr 

Facts:  Partridgeberry, also known as twinflower, is a native perennial species belonging to the madder (Rubiaceae) family. It can be found throughout Maine, on the Refuge, and even as far south in the United States as Florida and Texas. The trailing stems spread and carpet both coniferous and deciduous forest floors with dark green, leathery, evergreen leaves set opposite and always in twos. In late spring a pair of small, fragrant, tubular, white flowers bloom. The flowers have a fused ovary and each flower must be pollinated (by insects) in order for the plant to produce its one annual red berry. The berry itself can remain on the plant throughout the winter and is a great food source for birds, which, in turn, distribute the seeds. Ruffed grouse and wild turkey are often spotted feasting in a carpet of partridgeberry under the shade of an eastern hemlock, but songbirds and small mammals also regularly consume the fleshy berries. 

Fun Facts: Historically, women of indigenous communities drank tea from the leaves of partridgeberry to ease labor pains and menstrual cramps. The genus name, 𝘔𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢, was named for John Mitchell, an eighteenth-century botanist and physician who established a method of treating yellow fever (a dangerous virus spread through mosquitos that is still present in some countries, but for which an effective vaccine exists). 

Sources:  https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/mitchella_repens.shtml, https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MIRE, https://chestnutherbs.com/partridgeberry-materia-medica/ 

North American Beaver

North American Beaver
(𝑪𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒔)
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Population stable) 

Photo Credit: Glacier NPS/Creative Commons 

Facts:  The beaver, at four feet long, is the largest rodent in North America. But they are so much more than that! Built for life in the water, you can find beaver in rivers, lakes and ponds. You might hear a tail slap, which is their way of warning about danger, or you might see the familiar dam and lodge which they build with the wood from the surrounding forest. They prefer the wood of deciduous trees and will cut them down in winter, leaving mainly conifers. This preference can transform the surrounding woods into a conifer dominating forest. Who knew one animal had so much influence! 

This strong influence on the surrounding landscape is why the beaver is known as a keystone species. A keystone species is a species that has a great effect on the environment on which it lives. You may be familiar with the dams beaver build, but these structures can create new wetlands, help slow erosion, raise the water table and help purify water! They build lodges of sticks and mud and when they abandon them aquatic plants take over. Soils build up, making way for shrubs and other plants to grow and eventually become a meadow. Trees will grow and that meadow will then become a woodland area. However, beavers can also have a negative effect on the environment. Their dams can slow water movement through an area and destroy habitat for local species.  

Something to think about:  Ever wonder how a beaver spends so much time in the water, and yet can dry its fur so quickly? Beaver waterproof their fur by coating it with an oil called castoreum. Much like the river otter we posted previously, keeping their coats dry helps keep this creature warm in the cold waters.  

Sources:  https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/beaver.htm, https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/keystone-species-15786127/, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/castor-canadensis 

Eastern Hemlock

Eastern hemlock
(𝑻𝒔𝒖𝒈𝒂 𝑪𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒔)
Conservation Status:  Near threatened (Population decreasing)

Photo Credit: Plant Image Library/Flickr

Photo Credit: Photo of invasive hemlock woolly adelgid by Nicholas A. Tonelli/Flickr

Facts:  The eastern hemlock can commonly be seen if you walk along the Cutts Island Trail in Kittery. Part of the pine family, this evergreen tree can grow anywhere from 40 to 70 feet tall. You can identify this tree by its flat leaves and single needles. If you flip over the needles, the underside has two lines of white stomata running underneath them. Stomata are microscopic openings, or pores, that allow gas exchange between the tree and the surrounding air.

The eastern hemlock has been historically valued for its bark as an important source of tannin for the leather industry, but nowadays you might see this wood used for light framing, roofing, boxes and crates, and pulping.  

Ongoing Refuge Project:  On the Cutts Island Trail, however, you might see a pink flag tied around the branch of one of these trees. Ever wonder what they are? These pink flags represent ongoing research being done to combat hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive aphid-like insect that feeds on hemlocks and can lead to eventual mortality of affected trees. For several years, RCNWR has been working with the State Forest Services to bring in 𝐿𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑏𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑠𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠, a hemlock woolly adelgid eating beetle, to combat hemlock woolly adelgid and create an insectary for future beetle collection. Release sites of this beneficial beetle are marked with the pink flag tape along the Cutts Island Trail (so please leave the tape where it is!) On December 5th Rachel Carson NWR, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service (Robert Cooke) and the Maine Forest Service, released a third shipment of this predator beetle! The hope is that the insectary will one day help mitigate the effects of hemlock woolly adelgid in other areas of the Refuge and State. 

Sources:  https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_tsca.pdf, https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/tsuga-canadensis/, https://www.britannica.com/science/stomate 

River Otter

River otter 
(𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒔) 
Conservation Status:  Least Concern (Population Increasing in Maine)

Photo Credit: Yellowstone NPS/Creative Commons

Facts:  When you hear that Maine has otters, you might think of the iconic creatures that float on their backs in large rafts in the ocean. However, in Maine we have a different species of otter known as the river otter. The river otter has adapted for semi aquatic living—meaning it lives on land and spends a lot of its time in the water. They are playful creatures and can be seen sliding in snow and mud, playing in the water, burrowing in the snow and even chasing their tails.  

How do these creatures live in such cold Maine weather? They have two layers of thick, protective fur that helps keep them warm in the water. The under fur is made of dense short hairs, which trap warm air against their body. The second layer is made up of coarse, oily guard hairs that repel the cold water off of their body and keep the underfur dry.  

On the refuge:  You can find these creatures hunting for prey, which include fish, crayfish, crabs and frogs. They eat frequently and can be found hunting many of the species we have mentioned or will be mentioning in our Exploring Nature’s Connections posts! If you are lucky, you might even see them running back to their dens, which are found either in abandoned burrows or empty hollows.  

Sources:  https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/north-american-river-otter, https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/north-american-river-otter

Northern long eared bat & Little brown bat

Northern Long-Eared Bat 
(𝑴𝒚𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔) 
Status: Threatened
&
Little Brown Bat 
(𝑴𝒚𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒈𝒖𝒔) 
Status: Species of Special Concern  

Photo Credit: Northern long-eared bat/Al Hicks/NYDEC https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq/5881232758/in/album-72157626943360067/

Photo Credit: Little brown bat/Kevin Matteson/Flickr

Facts: Have you ever looked up as the sun was setting and wondered what flying animals were zooming above your head? Those creatures were bats! Being nocturnal, or active at night, bats wait until the sun goes down to come out and feed off of small insects including moths, flies and beetles. Bats are spread throughout most of the United States and here in Maine you might find the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) or the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus). Both of these species are currently being affected by White Nose Syndrome. This fungus attacks the bare skin of the bat and changes their behaviors, sometimes making them become more active in the day and during winter, when they would normally be hibernating. Since its first sighting in 2006, millions of bats have died with the northern long eared bat being hit the hardest.  

Here is what you can do to help:  Build or buy a home for bats to put in your backyard. Visit here for instructions on building your own bat house:  https://www.batcon.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/4-Chamber-Nursery-House-Plans.pdf 

You can count the bats that use it! Many states keep track of the numbers. In 2016 the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife asked citizens to report bat sightings through an online survey in the Maine Bat Colony Identification Program, providing State biologists with a broader picture of the population in Maine.  

 Sources:  https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/nleb/nlebfactsheet.html, https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Myotis_lucifugus/, https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/static-page/what-is-white-nose-syndrome, https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/are-bats-blind?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products  

Northern leopard frog

Northern leopard frog
(𝑹𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝒑𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒔)
Status: Species of Special Concern in Maine 

Photo Credit:  Jessica Bolser/USFWS 

Facts:  Maine has 7 different species of frogs which can commonly be found in marshy areas near ponds, in streams, rivers and lakes. The northern leopard frog is a fairly large frog with a slender body, pointed snout and a light green to dark brown body color. They are one of two frogs (the other being their cousin the pickerel frog (Rana palustris)) that have distinct spots on their body. These two frogs look very similar, so make sure you look closely at the spot patterns to tell them apart. The northern leopard frog has two to three unevenly spaced rows of irregular oval spots on its back while the pickerel frog has two parallel rows of distinctive spots that are more squarish than oval.  

While you won’t see these frogs if you walked our trails right now, head outside in March and April as they are coming out of hibernation and listen for their mating calls. The northern leopard frog has a “snore-like” call, mixed with grunting and chuckling that can last anywhere from 1 to 5 seconds. These calls can be heard from spring to early summer as male frogs wait in stagnant water for females to arrive. Females can lay up to 6,500 eggs in the water at one time!   

What you can do:  The northern leopard frog is considered a species of special concern in Maine due to loss of wetlands, drought, pollution and introduction of invasive fish species that feed upon frogs. Please do not use lawn chemicals that can cause harmful runoff and encourage your municipality not to use road salt near streams and wetlands. 

 Sources:  https://hhltmaine.org/northern-leopard-frog/, https://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Rana&where-species=pipiens&account=amphibiaweb, https://www.macalester.edu/ordway/biodiversity/inventory/leopardfrog/ 

American woodcock

American woodcock
(𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒂𝒙 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒐𝒓) 
Conservation Status:  Least Concern (Population decreasing) 

Photo Credit: Keith Ramos/USFWS 

Facts:  The American woodcock might be one of the most interesting birds that you can find on the refuge. Aside from its many interesting nicknames such as Timberdoodle, Labrador Twister and bog sucker, these small birds are unique in their physical appearance and behavior.  

Well camouflaged in light brown, black, buff and gray-brown tones, this small bird spends most of its time hidden in the fields and on the forest floor. Their eyes are very large, and set back high on their heads, ears ahead of the eyes between the base of the bill and the eyes. If you were to catch a glimpse of these birds, what a treat it would be! 

You might notice that they rock back and forth as they walk and forage. It is thought that the vibrations from this movement may prompt earthworms to move underground, allowing the woodcock to hear or feel them. They then use their very long bill to probe the ground for the worms and other insects.  

From late October to early November, they begin their migration south for the winter. Flying only 50 feet above the ground, these birds travel at night, resting and feeding in the thickets during the day. Once winter is over, they fly back up north to their mating grounds in Southern Canada, Maine and the Great Lakes Regions. On spring nights the males perform a mating practice known as “sky dance” to attract their mates. They let out a buzzy peent call, followed by a gurgling tuko sound. They then launch themselves into the air, emitting a twittering flight sound that ends with the males diving back to the ground.  

Fun Fact: The brain of the woodcock is unlike other birds. The cerebellum, which controls muscle coordination and body balance, is in a completely different place! In most birds the cerebellum is at the rear of the skull, but the cerebellum of the woodcock is below the rest of the brain, right above the spinal column! How did it end up there? One theory suggests that evolution of the woodcock facial positioning resulted in their brain being rearranged.

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Woodcock/id,https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/Woodcock-Facts/#.WqwcRpPwbUI 

Canada mayflower/Wild lily-of-the-valley

Canada mayflower/Wild lily-of-the-valley
(𝑴𝒂𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒖𝒎 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆)
Conservation Status: No current status rank in Maine

Photo Credit: U.S. Fish & Wildlife – Midwest Region/Creative Commons

Facts: The tightly coiled emerging leaves of the Canada mayflower are some of the first to be spotted in spring along the deciduous and coniferous forest floors of Maine. A fragrant perennial, the Canada mayflower has alternating leaves with a cluster of tiny white blossoms at the top of the plant, which are followed by green berries that turn red with white speckles in late June and August. It is a low-growing plant and is usually under 6 inches tall. Interestingly, Canada mayflower spreads by rhizomes and forms carpet-like colonies. Therefore, when you see a group of “plants,” they may actually all be connected to a single root system.

The berries of the Canada mayflower are an important food source for chipmunks, mice and birds, such as ruffed grouse, but can cause stomach upset in pets and humans when eaten. This native, non-invasive species can be seen along the Carson Trail.

Fun Fact: In folklore, the root of the Canada mayflower is reported to have been used as a good luck charm!

Sources: https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/.../maia.../canadense/, https://www.fs.fed.us/.../feis/plants/forb/maican/all.html, https://commonsensehome.com/canada-mayflower/

Ruffed Grouse

Ruffed grouse
(𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒔𝒂 𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒔)
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Population decreasing)

Photo Credit:  Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife/Creative Commons

Facts: If you are in search of ruffed grouse, you may only catch a glimpse before they quickly escape into the woods. On the smaller side of the 10 species of grouse native to North America, this species of game bird lives in hardwood dominated mixed growth, softwood dominated mixed growth, upland and lowland hardwoods, old fields and orchards – that covers a lot of habitat! In fact, approximately 27,690 square miles of Maine is considered habitat for grouse. While it may be difficult to catch a glimpse of this bird, in the spring you may be able to hear the ruffed grouse’s mating ritual, which resembles the sounds of a beating drum. The males “drum” by compressing air beneath their wings in hopes to attract a mate.

A common game bird in Maine, ruffed grouse look very similar to the spruce grouse (which does not have an open season). You can tell these two apart by their behavior as well as their physical traits. When approached, a ruffed grouse will commonly flush and take fight when disturbed, while a spruce grouse may act very tame, even allowing a hunter or a slow moving vehicle to approach within a few feet. The ruffed grouse has black ruffed feathers on the sides of their neck and small feathers pointing up on top of their head. The spruce grouse has red-brown tips on their tails feathers and lack the broad black band that can commonly be seen on a ruffed grouse.

Interesting fact: Ruffed grouse will take part in snow-roosting. If the snow is at least 10 inches deep, they will burrow into and stay in the snow until they are ready to eat. This helps them conserve energy in the cold Maine winters. When they are ready to feed, they stick their heads out of their holes, making sure the coast is clear, and then explode out of the snow into the woods!

Sources: https://www.maine.gov/.../specie.../birds/ruffed-grouse.html, https://www.maine.gov/.../birds/grouse-difference.html, https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/birds/ruffedgrouse.html.

Alewife

Alewife
(𝑨𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒂 𝒑𝒔𝒆𝒖𝒅𝒐𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒔)
Conservation Status: Species of Concern in Maine

Photo Credit:  Ryan Hagerty/USFWS

Facts:  The alewife is an anadromous fish, meaning they spend the majority of their life at sea, only traveling back to fresh water to spawn. Females can produce anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 eggs; however, only a few survive to the juvenile stage. Every May and June, alewives - a classic New England shad - can be found traveling up rivers to the ponds and lakes of Maine. Head out on the trail and see if you can spot them on their yearly runs! 

While you may not see these fish, they are very important! If you enjoy fishing for striped bass in Maine, you are a beneficiary of these little guys, as they are an important food source for stripers, as well as for the large and smallmouth bass, brown trout, salmonids, cod and haddock. They are also a part of various birds’ diets, including the osprey, eagle, great blue herring, loon and many others. 

Something you can do:  The once thriving populations have plummeted over the last two centuries due to dams, overfishing and pollution. However, many organizations are working together to remove barriers to this species and promote healthy population numbers. Interested in helping? Check out some of Maine’s local environmental organizations that may need help counting alewife runs every year.  

Keep an eye out for an upcoming post on this fish’s connections to the shadbush plant! 

Sources:  https://www.fws.gov/gomcp/pdfs/alewife%20fact%20sheet.pdf, https://www.maine.gov/dmr/science-research/searun/alewife.html 

Ghost Flower/Indian Pipe/Corpse Plant

Ghost flower/Indian pipe/Corpse plant
(𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒂 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒂)
Conservation Status: No current status rank in Maine

Photo Credit:  Glacier NPS/Creative Commons

Facts: 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘢 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢, also known as ghost flower or Indian pipe, is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows in areas of Asia, South America and North America. The plant is a waxy white and may have some pink or black flecks. It has no chlorophyll, which is the reason for its translucent white appearance. While plants get their energy from sunlight through photosynthesis, the ghost flower acts parasitic and actually gets its nutrition from fungi instead of through photosynthesis. It can often be found in the darkest parts of the forest because it does not rely on sunlight.

As the name suggests, each stem has one flower. The fruit is a capsule and, when mature, the flower becomes erect. When it has ripened the seed is dispersed through slits that open from the tip to the base of the capsule.

Interesting facts: Ghost flower has been used as a botanical remedy for some nerve disorders and Native Americans used the sap to treat eye infections and other ailments. The ghost flower can be seen along the Carson Trail!

Sources: https://www.fs.fed.us/.../mycotr.../monotropa_uniflora.shtml, https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/.../monotropa/uniflora

Harbor Seal

Harbor seal
(𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒄𝒂 𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒂) 
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Population stable) 

Photo Credit:  Blake Matheson/Creative Commons

Facts:  If you have ever walked along the shore and seen a head popping out of the water, chances are you saw a harbor seal. Since they can be found on the Maine coast year-round, you may ask, how do they keep warm in the cold winter months? They have thick body fat called blubber that can make up as much as 30% of their mass!  

While they do not move well on land, they are powerful swimmers, using their streamlined bodies to dive to depths of up to 500 feet, and can remain underwater for as long as 30 minutes. These creatures are not picky eaters, eating a variety of prey including squid, fish, octopus, shellfish and crustaceans, including lobsters – a true Mainer! 

Harbor seals spend only part of their lives in the water and they come to land to rest before going back to the sea. You may also see them on land regulating their body temperature, giving birth, molting, interacting with other seals or raising their pups. In Maine, seals produce pups from April to June. Don’t be alarmed if you see a seal pup resting on the sand without an adult in sight, as it is not usually a concern, but please report any injured or stranded seals to the Maine Marine Animal Reporting Hotline at (800) 532-9551. To give any stranded marine mammal the best chance, always keep yourself and pets back at least 150 feet, do not approach, touch or harass, as this leads to stress, injury, and abandonment (and is illegal)! 

The Maine harbor seal population is healthy, but they are still threatened by human impacts, including water pollution, habitat destruction, entanglement in fishing gear and boat traffic. 

Sources:  What to Do If You See a Stranded Seal, https://www.nrcm.org/nrcm-creature-feature/harbor-seal, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/harbor-seal 

Wintergreen/Teaberry/Checkerberry

Wintergreen/Teaberry/Checkerberry
(𝑮𝒂𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒔) 
Conservation Status:  No current status rank in Maine 

Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger/Flickr

Photo Credit: Philip Bouchard/Flickr

Facts:  The simple alternate glossy leaves with white bell-shaped flowers or signature red berries of wintergreen can be found as ground cover along forest edges, meadows, fields, woodlands and occasionally in the wetlands of Maine. The fruit remains on the plant throughout the winter and the leaves remain green. Wintergreen is an important winter food source for white-tailed deer, turkey, black bear, eastern chipmunk and more. 

Fun Facts: In 1999 wintergreen was adopted by the Maine State legislature as the official state herb! Wintergreen was used traditionally by indigenous communities in treating ailments, like strained muscles and inflammations, by crushing and applying the leaves to the strained area, as well as teas to treat sore throats and upset stomachs. Wintergreen is still commonly used as a flavoring in gum, candy and toothpaste. 

Sources:  https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/gaultheria/procumbens, https://www.maine.gov/sos/kids/about/symbols/herb