Category: Out in the Woods

Out In the Woods …

A pileated woodpecker at work. Photo: James Mann via Creative Commons Powerful Woodpecker Leaves Big Chips By Kevin McKeon, Director, Mousam Way Land Trust Although pileated woodpeckers are shy and secretive birds, their sounds can often be heard along Sanford trails. This bird is one of the most striking forest-dwelling birds in North America, and since the ivory billed woodpecker was declared extinct last October, it’s the largest woodpecker in North America. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black…

Out In The Woods

It’s a big year for acorns. Photo: Michelle McCarthy Acorns and the Mystery of Bumper Crops By Kevin McKeon, Director, Mousam Way Land Trust What’s with all those acorns on the forest floor, all over your lawns, and in your gutters? It’s a good question, similar to the one asked about our bumper crop of pinecones this year. Both are rich sources of nutrients for new trees and for forest critters. Oaks – like beavers, woodpeckers, and coyotes – are…

Out In the Woods

Beech bark cankers Photo: Kevin McKeon Editor’s note: Did you see something unusual last time you were out in the woods? Were you puzzled or surprised by something you saw? Ask our “Out in the Woods” columnist Kevin McKeon. He’ll be happy to investigate and try to answer your questions. Email him directly at: kpm@metrocast.net Insidious Disease Stunts and Kills Beech By Kevin McKeon, Director, Mousam Way Land Trust While walking Sanford’s wonderful trail system, many interesting forces of nature…

Out In The Woods

Photo: Vines Arboretum Pines Producing Bumper Cone Crop By Kevin McKeon, Director, Mousam Way Land Trust Have you noticed all the pinecones on the forest floor this winter? This has been an uncommonly abundant year. Only once every three to five years do white pine trees produce abundant seeds. These seeds are a mainstay in the diets of birds such as red crossbills, chickadees, nuthatches, pine siskin, and grosbeaks, and mammals such as snowshoe hares, porcupines, deer, red and gray…

Out In The Woods

A kiosk built by Eagle Scout Will Kiley commemorates the sunken rail car Photo: Kevin McKeon Legend of Lost Rail Car Proved True By Bud Johnston and Kevin McKeon, Directors, Mousam Way Land Trust Many tales have been told about a railroad locomotive that ran off the tracks at the Deering Pond area in Springvale. Some say that a locomotive train ran off the tracks at full speed along the foot of the pond, flying into the pond and landing…