SCORES & OUTDOORS: We are seeing more and more titmice

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

It has already been a month since my wife and I moved to camp for the summer. With the annual trek comes the installation of the bird feeding stations that are all around us. We get the usual local congregations of chickadees, nuthatches, gold finches, blue jays, woodpeckers and occasional wanderers like the house finches, purple finches and grosbeaks.

However, this year, we have observed a noticeable influx of another species of bird that would, in the past, and at home also, be occasional visitors. That would be the Tufted Titmouse.

Tufted Titmouse

They have frequented the feeders, and we can hear their unmistakable calls from the cover of the woods. It is a resounding peter-peter-peter.

What has caused this increase in their numbers? Populations have boomed between 1966 nd 2015, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimate a global breeding population of 8 million with 100 percent living in the U.S. They are not on the 2016 State of North America’s Birds Watch List. The most probable reasons for the range expansion include a warming climate, reversion of farmlands to forests, and the growing popularity of backyard bird feeders. It’s a story we have heard over and over about these different species of birds that are migrating further north.

It is generally thought that tufted titmice, as of late, have become year-round residents of their range rather than migrating south.

The Tufted titmouse is a small bird with gray upperparts and white underparts with a white face, a gray crest, a dark forehead and a short stout bill, with reddish-brown flanks.

Tufted titmice, Baeolophus bicolor, live in deciduous woods or mixed evergreen-deciduous woods, typically in areas with a dense canopy and many tree species. According to this, our camp is a haven for this species of bird. They are indiscriminate eaters. They eat mainly insects in the summer, and include seeds nuts and berries in their diet. Experiments with tufted titmice indicate they always choose the largest seeds they can when foraging. They typically hold the seed with their feet and hammer it open with their beaks. In fall and winter, they often hoard these shelled seeds in bark crevices.

Like the chickadee, they can only take one seed per trip and usually shell the seeds before storing them.

While foraging, they hop among branches and twigs of trees, often hanging upside down, sometimes hovering momentarily.

The female will lay from five to six eggs, with sometimes as many as nine. The eggs are under an inch long and are white or cream-colored with brownish or purplish spots. The incubation is done by the female only. They will hatch is 12-14 days. The male will feed the young during the early days, but both parents will feed the chicks as they get older. The young will leave the nest in 15-16 days following their hatching.

Tufted titmice nest in a hole in a tree, either a natural cavity, a manmade nest box, or sometimes an old woodpecker nest.

The oldest known wild Tufted Titmouse was at least 13 years, three months old. It was banded in Virginia in 1962, and found in the same state in 1974.

There is always something going on with Mother Nature.

CHICKADEE UPDATE

About a month ago a chickadee had taken up residence in a long-abandoned bird house behind our camp. We hadn’t seen it in a couple of weeks, thinking the worse, after seeing a blue jay in the area. Well, she was spotted this weekend, in the bird house. We didn’t want to approach the house causing a disturbance. We can only assume there are eggs in there. We will continue to monitor the situation.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

The last time the Boston Red Sox had two 20-game winning pitchers in the same season was 2002. Who were they?

Answer
Pedro Martinez (21) and Derek Lowe (20).

SCORES & OUTDOORS: The chatty barred owls hootin’ it up in the middle of the night

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Barred Owl

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Last Thursday night my wife woke me from a sound sleep to listen to something outside our camp. Well, being somewhat groggy, I didn’t hear anything, and went back to sleep. It wasn’t long afterwards that she woke me again.

“Can’t you hear that?” she inquired sounding a little frustrated – You see, my wife tells me I’m going deaf.

I sat up, and listened attentively. “OK, I hear it, it’s a Barred Owl,” I told her.

She persisted. “Listen carefully.”

What I then heard made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It was at least two, maybe three, barred owls caterwauling to each other. This was at about 11 p.m. I had heard Barred Owls behind camp a thousand times, but never anything like this. It was almost as intriguing as listening to loons calling to each other.

The “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all” call was unmistakable. There were times when it was so loud and sustained, it almost sounded like a barking dog. In recent weeks, they have been quite active during the night, at times hearing at least three, and sometimes four, hooting from far and near.

These calls are most heard at night or in twilight, and especially during the breeding season. However, calls can be heard year round since these birds do not migrate. They are very territorial, and will chase away intruders with loud hoots. These vocalizations become more frequent during the mating season, where female birds make invitation calls to mate with males.

Scientists, however, have debated that the calls of Barred Owls are much more diverse than we think. The research indicates that more needs to be known about the Barred Owls before they can deduce more about its behaviors in and out of the breeding season. Owls in general can be a difficult species of bird to study since they are mainly nocturnal and are not incredibly active until the breeding season.

Barred Owls, Strix varia, are easiest to find when they are active at night, but they are easier to hear than to see. From a distance, their calls can sound like a barking dog. They prefer mature forests, and their main diet is small mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

Since the 1960s, Barred Owls have expanded their range to the Pacific Coast where they are considered invasive. That is because it is believed they are partly to blame for the recent decline of the northern Spotted Owl, which is native to British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California. When Barred Owls and Spotted Owls occupy the same space, the Barred Owl is more aggressive and will out-compete the Spotted Owl. Barred Owls have even been known to kill Spotted Owls. Interbreeding is also suspected.

In 2007, White House officials announced a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to shoot Barred Owls in order to reduce the threat to the Spotted Owls. If implemented, it was estimated 2,150 to 2,850 Barred Owls should be taken over a five to 10 year period. It is feared that increased populations of Barred Owls could eventually render the Spotted Owl extinct. Environmentalists fear increased blame on Barred Owls for declining Spotted Owl numbers will result in less attention being paid to territorial protections and resumption of logging in protected Spotted Owl habitat.

According to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, the experiment is ongoing and results are still being studied.

Currently, there is not a general law that allows the shooting of all Barred Owls, but there is a proposed plan by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to lethally remove them in specific areas. This plan is part of a larger strategy to protect the endangered Northern Spotted Owlt.

An adult Barred Owl can be anywhere from 16 – 25 inches long and weigh 1.1 to 2.3 pounds, with a wingspan of 38-49 inches. The Barred Owl is the only true owl of the eastern United States which has brown eyes. All others have yellow eyes.

The upper parts are a gray/brown, the underparts are light with markings. The chest is barred horizontally while the belly is striped vertically. The legs and feet are covered with feathers to the talons, and the head is round with no ear tufts.

Even though they are primarily nocturnal, they generally hunt near dawn or dusk, swooping down from a high perch, to take their prey.

Here’s another twist. Recently, we have heard Barred Owls hoot during the day.

Barred owls can hoot during the day for several reasons, including territorial displays, attracting mates, and maintaining contact with other owls in their territory. They are primarily nocturnal, but may call or hunt during the day, especially on cloudy days.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

– Barred owls, like many owls, are very territorial and will hoot to mark their territory and deter other owls from encroaching.
– During the breeding season, male barred owls will hoot to attract a mate.
– Barred owls may also hoot to maintain contact with other owls in their territory, especially during the breeding season.
– Although they are primarily nocturnal, barred owls may also hunt during the day, particularly on dark or cloudy days.
– Barred owls may also hoot during the day to communicate with their young, or to defend their nest site.

I can’t wait for the next concert.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who holds the Boston Celtics all time scoring record?

Answer
Paul Pierce.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Where are the June bugs: three sightings in 2024; zero in 2025

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Green June Beetle

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Where are the June bugs? Although they are called that, they usually make their first appearances in May.

Generally, June bugs, Phyllophaga, do make their appearance in mid- to late-May. So why are they called June bugs? It all depends on what you want to call them. They are also known as May beetles and June beetles. But, the name is derived from the fact that adult June bugs emerge from the soil at the end of spring or the beginning of summer.

Females bury their eggs just below the soil surface in the fall, they pupate and emerge in the spring. They hatch within three to four weeks and feed on grass and plant roots from several months to as long as three years. In spring, these grubs, as they are called, grow into pupae. Within three weeks, these mature into adult June bugs.

June Bug

Grubs, when full grown, live in the soil and feed on plant roots, especially those of grasses and cereals, and are occasional pests in pastures, nurseries, gardens and golf courses. An obvious indication of infestation is the presence of birds, especially crows, peeling back the grass to get to the grubs. A way to test for the presence of these beetles is drenching an area of lawn with water, that will cause larvae to emerge at the surface.

The grubs have been known to attack vegetables and other garden plants, such as lettuce, raspberries, strawberries, potatoes and young ornamental trees. Maintaining a healthy lawn is a good step in deterring the grubs from establishing themselves.

June bugs are harmless. They do not bite, sting or spread disease. However, I did see one of my friends move faster than I have ever seen her move before, while sitting around a camp fire, when one landed on her. To be honest, it’s the natural reaction by most people, including yours truly.

Again, they are harmless, but because they are attracted to light they can make an evening sitting on your porch or deck a little unpleasant. Even if there is no light outdoors, they can be attracted to lights inside your home. I know at camp, when we’re spending time indoors after dark, they come “knocking” on our windows. The sound of June bugs buzzing and bumping against window screens in early summer is a very common occurrence over many parts of the U.S. Adult June bugs are extremely clumsy, especially in the air.

Scientists are still undecided on the precise explanation for this behavior. Several thoughts have been advanced, but no single theory has come about that can account for why so many different nocturnal insect species gravitate to sources of light. June bugs usually are a half-inch to an inch and a quarter in length. They can fly and you will find them swarming around street lights at night.

Now, let’s do some “did you know.”

• Exposure to light for longer intervals will kill June bugs. That is why you will find them dead in the morning under porch lights and windows.
• Don’t leave a window open during May-June period. They will enter your house and die, leaving you with a mess to clean up. If they do enter, remember, they don’t bite and are harmless, just annoying.
• There are over 200 different species of June bugs in the United States.
• A natural enemy of the June bug is the pyrgota fly larva, which feeds on the beetles, eventually killing them.
• The June bug larvae, called white grubs, are considered excellent fish bait, and are staples in the diets of native people in South America, Australia, and Asia.
• Have a pet lizard or toad? The beetles make excellent, tasty food for them.

There is another popular June beetle that’s active during the day. It is the Green June Beetle, and are found in our region of the Northeast, extending from Maine to Georgia and as far west as Kansas. These are not very good for the garden either. The head, legs and under-body is shiny green, while its wings are dull metallic green, with slight gold contrast to its sides.

So day and night, during early summer, these beetles can be destructive to vegetation, and just plain annoying to humans.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

In what year did the Houston Texans join the National Football League?

Answer
2002.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Mild winter sets the stage for “perfect storm” of summer pests, expert warns

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

This week, this tidbit came in my email inbox. According to Smith’s Pest Management, be ready for a summer invasion of pests in Maine, following the state’s mild winter.

Maine’s mild winter may have been a welcome break from the cold, but according to one pest expert, it came with a hidden cost: a likely explosion in warm-weather pests this summer.

“We didn’t get the sustained cold snaps that normally help knock back insect populations,” says Zachary Smith, pest control expert and founder of Smith’s Pest Management. “That means more bugs survived the winter – and they’re going to come back with a vengeance.”

With above-average temperatures recorded across much of Maine this past winter – and fewer hard freezes than normal – the conditions were ideal for pests like mosquitoes and even cockroaches to overwinter and remain active beneath the surface.

“Winter is nature’s pest control,” Smith explains. “But when it’s too warm for too long, pests that would normally die off or go dormant just keep breeding. That sets the stage for bigger infestations come spring and summer.”

This year, Smith says Maine homeowners should brace for a range of unwanted guests:

Mosquitoes: “They need standing water and warmth – and we’ve already had both,” Smith says. “Expect them to appear earlier and in higher numbers than usual, especially after spring rains.”

Cockroaches: “Roaches love warmth and humidity, and they thrive when winter doesn’t drive them back. We’ve seen them in crawlspaces and basements all winter long,” says Smith.

Ticks and Fleas: Warmer conditions can extend the breeding season for ticks and fleas, putting both people and pets at risk.

Mild Winters: Why They Matter More Than We Think

Many homeowners associate pest problems with hot, muggy summer days, but Smith says what happens in winter often determines what’s crawling around by July.

“Insects and parasites have natural die-off cycles when it’s cold,” he explains. “When that reset button doesn’t get hit, you’re essentially starting the year with a full roster of pests ready to multiply.”

“By the time you start seeing pests in numbers, it’s usually the second or third generation,” Smith says. “It’s not just one roach or mosquito – it’s dozens or hundreds that were born weeks ago and have already laid eggs of their own.”

What Homeowners Can Do to Fight Back

The good news? With the right steps, homeowners can prevent pests from turning summer into a nightmare. Smith offers this advice:

1. Get Ahead of Mosquito Season.

“Walk your property and drain any standing water – gutters, birdbaths, flowerpot trays,” Smith says. “Even a bottle cap full of water can breed mosquitoes.”

2. Tidy Up the Yard.

Ticks love overgrown areas. “Keep your lawn mowed, trim shrubs, and clear debris piles,” Smith says. “It removes hiding spots and nesting grounds.”

3. Watch the Weather.

Warm, wet weeks are a breeding ground for pest outbreaks. “After a heavy rain, monitor for new ant mounds, insect swarms, or an uptick in mosquitoes,” he says.

4. Don’t Skip Crawlspaces and Attics

“Roaches and rodents often hide in dark, humid spaces,” Smith warns. “Do a quick check or call a pro to inspect those hard-to-reach spots.”

Urban and Rural Areas Equally at Risk

While farms and wooded areas may seem more vulnerable, Smith says pests don’t discriminate. “Cities are just as at risk,” he notes. “Urban neighborhoods have storm drains, standing water, and plenty of trash – all prime breeding zones.”

Even high-rises aren’t immune. “Roaches and rodents can travel through plumbing lines and walls. I’ve seen infestations on the tenth floor that started in the basement.”

A Mild Winter Doesn’t Mean a Mild Summer

If there’s one message Smith wants to get across, it’s that Maine’s easy winter shouldn’t lead to a false sense of security.

“Just because you didn’t see pests in January doesn’t mean they weren’t there,” he says. “They’ve been waiting – and now they’re ready.”

He encourages Maine homeowners to act early. “Pest control is a lot easier when you catch issues at the start,” Smith adds. “Wait too long, and it becomes a battle.”

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

In 2018, which former Red Sox outfielder was the first person eliminated on the TV show Dancing With the Stars?

Answer
Johnny Damon.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: The importance of vernal pools in the ecosystem

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

While driving through the countryside, you may have noticed some small bodies of water that are there in the spring, but disappear as summer proceeds. These vernal pools are essential to our ecosystem.

Vernal pools provide important breeding habitat for select amphibians and insects, spiders, and crustaceans.

Vernal pools are typically small, temporary wetlands – often less than one acre. Even though vernal pools may only fill with water for a short time in spring and fall, and often dry out by mid-late summer, their ecological significance for wildlife plays a much larger role.

What draws these specialized species to breed in such temporary pools? It’s actually something the pools don’t have: fish and breeding populations of predaceous frogs like Green and Bull Frogs. Relatively isolated from streams and subject to periodic drying, vernal pools provide a breeding haven with greatly reduced predator populations for eggs as they develop into newly hatched frogs and salamanders.

Wood frogs, spotted and blue-spotted salamanders, four-toed salamanders, and fairy shrimp all experience higher rates of breeding success in vernal pools as compared with permanent waters. Other amphibians, such as “spring” peepers and American toads, also sometimes breed in vernal pools, and others use them for resting and feeding, such as gray treefrogs, green frogs, and bullfrogs, along with a myriad of reptiles, birds, and mammals – including garter snakes, great blue herons, raccoons, and even moose. That’s because vernal pools provide a rich assortment of food, including egg masses; adult breeding amphibians, larvae, and emerging young; fingernail clams and predatory diving beetles; and fresh spring vegetation emerging before frozen lakes and ponds even thaw.

In late summer, when the pool is dry or nearly dry, all this life either dies off, becomes dormant, or moves into the surrounding upland. Young wood frogs and spotted and blue-spotted salamanders leave the pool and head into the forest, where they spend most of their life. Wood frogs may move into forested wetlands for the rest of the summer and then to upland areas to overwinter under the leaf litter. Salamanders move into shrew burrows or other tunnels where they sit and wait for food to walk past while they are safely hidden from most predators. The amazing amount of life emerging from these pools each year exceeds that of all the neighboring birds and small mammals combined on a per acre basis, and thus provides an important food source for larger animals from the surrounding forest, including raccoons, coyotes, snakes, hawks, turkeys, and numerous other predators.

The same temporary nature that makes vernal pools unique breeding habitat also puts them at high risk of habitat loss and degradation, especially from development. Without water for much of the year, vernal pools can be easy to miss. They can also fall through gaps in existing state and federal wetland regulations that are better designed to protect larger, more permanent wetlands. The ‘cream of the crop’ vernal pools in Maine qualify as Significant Vernal Pools under the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA), and as such there can be no development in the pool itself and limited development around the pool, but the rules don’t protect the full suite of habitats that vernal pool wildlife use, including breeding, summering, and wintering habitats. Many others pools that harbor wildlife don’t receive any protection under the NRPA, and recent changes to federal wetland rules leaves most vernal pools without any protection.

There are many ways to help vernal pool ecosystems. Regulation is just one of them. That’s why Maine Audubon, along with the University of Maine, state and federal agencies, and others, have worked hard over the past 20 years to find multiple ways to help conserve these amazing wildlife havens.

Are you going above and beyond the minimum requirements to conserve vernal pools on your property? Contact Phil Keefe at pkeefe@maineaudubon.org for more information on earning a Stewardship Award.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Only two teams have more World Series titles than the Red Sox. Which two?

Answer
New York Yankees with 27, St.Louis Cardinals, 11.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Watch for those turtles crossing the roads

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Snapping turtle

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

“It’s that time of year, again.” Probably one of the most over used phrases in the English language, and one that I loathe to hear. Why? Because when you come right down to it, everyday is that time of year for something. Anyway, here we go.

It’s that time of the year again when snapping turtles appear everywhere to lay their eggs. Snapping turtles, Chelydra s. serpentina, range across the eastern United States to the Rocky Mountains, from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, and into Central America.

The snapping turtle can be easily recognized by its dark upper shell with a deeply serrated back margin, and a small bottom shell that does not completely cover all of the animal’s flesh. The upper shell can measure between 8 – 12 inches in length on average in adults, and it can weigh between 10-35 pounds. These turtles have long tails, often measuring as long or longer than the shell, and is covered with bony plates. They also have a large head, long neck, and a sharp, hooked upper jaw. This hard beak has a rough cutting edge that is used for tearing food.

Once turtles mature and their shell hardens, they are virtually predator-free.

If you see a snapping turtle crossing the road, and decide to help it out, always make sure you relocate it on the side of the road in which it was headed. If not, it will only try to cross the road again. It’s obviously headed in a direction that is important to it. Always use caution when picking up one. Place your thumbs in the center of the upper shell, and the rest of your hand on its stomach. Be careful not to make contact with its mouth. It could be painfully uncomfortable if it were to bite you.

Never use a broom or shovel to help it along, as you could injure the turtle.

The female turtle will lay eggs in sandy, soft soil between April and November, depending on its location. In our area, they usually lay their eggs in May and June. That is why the shoulder of a road looks inviting to them. Be on the lookout, and try to avoid the nest. The female will generally lay between 10 and 50 eggs, and they take three to four months to hatch. Interestingly, eggs incubated at 68 degrees will produce only females; eggs maintained at 70-72 degrees will produce both male and female and those incubated at 73-75 degrees produce only males.

The female will dig a nest, lay the eggs, using her back feet to position them, and then bury the clutch. That makes the nest extremely vulnerable, and is usually a target for raccoons who consider the turtle eggs a delicacy. Skunks, crows, dogs and other mammals are also culprits. It is estimated that up to 90 percent of the nests are destroyed by predators. Countless turtles are also killed or injured on roads during their terrestrial treks. Despite this high rate of mortality, snapping turtles are not endangered, although some states have placed a ban on harvesting them.

Despite pleas from Maine top turtle trappers, the advisory council of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W) has voted unanimously to outlaw the commercial harvest of snapping turtles. The commissioner has been a consistent supporter of a ban, to ensure the sustainability of snappers, which don’t breed until 20 years of age in the north. Although there seems to be no reason to believe snapping turtles are threatened with extinction in Maine, there is reason to be concerned about the viability of the population,.

Snapping turtles typically live until between 20 and 50 years of age in captivity, although records are poor as to the actual longevity of turtles in the wild. Some studies have indicated that snapping turtles can live well over 100 years.

However, turtles are not innocent victims. They may cause depredation at privately-owned ponds, fish farms, or waterfowl sanctuaries and control methods may be warranted. They will feed on plants, insects, spiders, worms, fish, frogs, small turtles, snakes, birds, crayfish, small mammals and carrion.

It’s important to be on the lookout for turtles this time of year. By driving defensively and keeping alert to conditions on the road, motorists should be able to avoid hitting a turtle.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Which Red Sox shortstop’s .372 batting average (529 at-bats, 197 hits in 2000) is the best in team history by a right handed hitter?

Answer
Nomar Garciaparra.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: The debate over mountain lions in Maine continues

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Mountain Lion

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Over the last several months I have been receiving emails, doing research and gathering information on the possibility of mountain lions in Maine.

Of course, the first question is “are there mountain lions in Maine?”

Here is an email I received and published in the September 20, 2023 issue of The Town Line:

It came from Brian and Colby Prescott, of Windham:

“Was reading an article you wrote about mountain lions in Maine from a couple years back and thought I’d relay a sighting from the other day, September 1, 2023.

“My son and I were camping at the Bemis Stream Prospect Camp location just north of Byron off Route 17. It’s right where Bemis Road crosses Bemis Stream.

“We were at the first camp site that’s down lower than the road. The brook was high and the water was fairly loud. We were huddling around the Coleman burner to warm up at about 6:30 in the evening, and my son tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up towards the road and sure enough, a mountain lion walked by. It was unmistakable. The size was approximately 150 lbs. It had giant paws and the tail was absolutely enormous. Thick, and it curved down to almost the ground. We were able to view the large cat for only five seconds or so, so unfortunately, no picture. The color was a sandy brown. Needless to say, I was in shock for several seconds. We waited for 20 minutes in the truck before settling into the tent for the night!

“My son and I looked for tracks early the next morning, but only found bear tracks with five claws. We got pictures of the paw print, but pretty sure it was just a bear.

“I met a neighbor from Mooslookmeguntic Lake walking his dog and immediately mentioned the sighting, although I knew the chances of it being nearby were very slim. He was very interested and said he would look for signs of the cat. Meanwhile, we drove over to Devil’s Den to explore that area.

“This person walked by our camp site later in the morning and mentioned he found some scat and was hoping to get it tested to see if it was from a mountain lion. I unfortunately did not think to get his name or number at the time. Needless to say, my son and I were super excited to have experienced the sighting. I never in my 16 years of camping in that area ever experienced anything like that!”

So, are there Mountain Lions in Maine? Maybe, Maybe Not . . .

The short answer is no. According to a-z-animals.com, at one point, in history mountain lions did actually walk the ground in Maine. Luckily for our smaller pets, they no longer have a place here. They are officially listed as extirpated from Maine, and the state’s last known mountain lion died in 1932.

Mountain lions, also called cougars, catamounts or pumas, are large felines that are native to the Americas. They once roamed from coast to coast in the United States, but today they are mostly found in the western states.

Now, that brings us to recent emails.

Photo of paw print sent by Donalee Dolan.

Donalee Dolan, of Nobleboro, sent along this note, with photos. “ The scat was on the same property in Nobleboro where I found the track I previously sent picture of. My neighbors have reported seeing the cat. I’m fairly sure I heard it one night around 3 a.m.

I have since been sitting outside at 3 a.m. and heard tramping through the brush and a series of cries that gave me a primordial fear. I slowly went back inside.”

There have been occasional sightings of Maine mountain lions over the years, but it is uncertain whether there is a breeding population in the state.

So, are there mountain lions in Maine? One thing is for sure: if there are any cougars in the state, state wildlife experts contend they are most likely solitary animals that are just passing through.

Several years ago, my son, who lives in a remote area of Rome, told me of seeing a large, buff colored cat, with a long, club-like tail, with a black tip, that dragged on the ground, crossed his driveway from the woods on one side, to more woods on the other.

Credible witnesses with lots of outdoor experience insist on the presence of mountain lions in Maine. So, unfortunately, there is no easy definitive answer, yet. Officially, according to state wildlife experts, there are no mountain lions in Maine. However, there has been at least one official sighting and one Class 2 confirmation of mountain lions in Maine.

Picture of scat sent by Donalee Dolan.

Mountain lions were classified as extinct in the 1920s and 1930s across the eastern states. In Maine, the last official mountain lion was shot by a hunter in 1938.

I have researched this subject many times and keep coming up with the same conclusion. Credible eyewitnesses vs. the state biologists: Which do you want to believe? There are photographs out there, but mostly are pooh-poohed by state “experts”. “Inconclusive photos”, hoaxes or staged. Those are the answers you will get from state officials. And now, with AI, will it ever be certain.

I for one, believe there are mountain lions in Maine because, even though I have never actually sighted one, have seen their tracks in snow and mud, in the northern area of Harrington Lake. Unmistakable, feline prints, the size of my hand. That is not a house cat, and too large to be bobcat or lynx.

But, unofficially, the jury is still out.

So, now, we’ll take a look at another email I received:

Betsy Jackson, of the Toothaker Road, in Phillips, wrote this:

“Tonight about 8 p.m., my son and I saw something cross the road, neither of us knew what it was. We went back and looked where he went in the woods. I had a flashlight and spotted it. It was quite close to us, maybe 15 feet or so, had a very long tail, and was large. It was just sitting there looking at us, then got up and walked away, so I got a good look at him. He looked like a real lion and was quite large. The thing that identified him was his very long tail, which he dragged behind him on the ground. I’m sure this was a mountain lion.”

But state biologist insist there is no known breeding population of mountain lions (also called cougars or pumas) in Maine. While cougars were once native to the state and were extirpated in the late 1800s, there are no established populations currently. However, there have been reports of cougar sightings in Maine, and some people believe there may be a small, dispersing population, according to University of Maine at Presque Isle..

The Canada Lynx is claimed to be the largest feline in Maine and has been listed in Maine as a federally threatened species.

Now, V. Paul Reynolds, of the Northwoods Sporting Journal, wrote in an article:

“As editor of the official magazine for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W), the same question was addressed by me in an article that sought to dig deep and find credible answers.

“At the time, despite a number of anecdotal cougar-sighting reports from citizens, state and federal wildlife biologists and research people remained highly skeptical. On one occasion, a Maine Allagash Waterway visitor insisted that he had seen a cougar crossing the waterway. The “witness” had taken what he claimed was solid evidence: a color 35 mm slide. Biologist and wildlife director Ken Elowe agreed to study the image carefully and render a verdict.

“As information officer for MDIF&W I was included in the effort to carefully study the photo of what was claimed to be a mountain lion standing on the banks of the Allagash Waterway. My recollection is that the Department borrowed a special forensics microscopic device from the Maine State Police. Biologists used the device to really zoom in on the mysterious critter. The device also had an enhancement option that brought some induced clarity to the somewhat fuzzy photo.

“The official verdict? Not a lion, a fisher. My further recollection is that the well-intentioned fellow who saw his “cat” and took the photo was not pleased with the official determination, and left in a huff, and like so many others who have reported to have seen the elusive cats, insisted, “ I know what I saw. It sure as hell was not a fisher, it was a cat!”

“Not a lot has changed in 25 years, at least not in terms of empirical evidence or the official positions of Maine and federal wildlife biologists when it comes to the presence of mountain lions or cougars in Maine.

“Two key players from the biologists ranks are Mark McCollough, the endangered species specialist from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, in Orland, and Nathan Webb, wildlife director for MDIF&W. Webb’s Department, lists its cougar position in one short sentence on the MDF&W website: ‘No known cougar populations exist in Maine.’”

The big question is, what will we solve first, the presence of mountain lions in Maine or the existence of Sasquatch?

So, are there Mountain Lions in Maine? Officially, no. Unofficially, ??????.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who was the last Boston Red Sox to lead the American League in home runs, Manny Ramirez or David Ortiz?

Answer
David Ortiz hit 54 home runs in 2006. Manny Ramirez led the league in 2004, with 43 home runs.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Surveillance report from UMaine Extension Tick Lab highlights tick-borne disease risk

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deer tick

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

In 2024, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab processed 4,776 tick submissions including samples from 398 towns, representing all of Maine’s 16 counties. The majority (3,650) were identified as deer ticks, also known as blacklegged ticks, while American dog ticks accounted for 1,045 samples. Laboratory testing showed that 41.5 percent of the deer ticks analyzed carried Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, while significant proportions also carried Babesia microti (12 percent), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (9.7 percent) and Powassan virus (1.1 percent).

Most tick exposures occurred close to home with 68 percent reported from the submitter’s own property. Yardwork was the most commonly cited activity at the time of tick encounter, accounting for one‑third of all incidents. Despite this, only 16 percent of individuals reported using any protective measures against ticks.

“These data confirm that Lyme and other tick‑borne diseases remain a serious, statewide public health concern,” said Tick Lab Coordinator Griffin Dill, who urged residents to wear protective clothing, apply repellents and conduct tick checks after outdoor activities. The full 16-page report is available on the Tick Lab’s website.

Thanks to ongoing funding supported by the Governor and Maine Legislature, the UMaine Extension Tick Lab keeps its comprehensive tick testing service affordable at just $20 per tick, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to public participation.

Through educational outreach programs including the 4‑H Tick Project, the Tick Lab engages youth and communities statewide, sharing practical prevention strategies through webinars, workshops and print resources.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is the most known of the tickborne illnesses. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected deer tick. Cases of Lyme disease have more than tripled since 1993 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Lyme disease causes a rash that looks like a bullseye. It also causes flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches.

Lyme disease may evolve through phases, which can overlap and cause ever worsening symptoms that may involve the skin, joints, heart, or nervous system.

Antibiotics are effective treatments for Lyme disease when detected early.

Protect Yourself

Remember, ticks can typically be found in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or on animals. They typically wait on the tips of branches, leaves, or tall grasses for prey to walk by.

A tick’s saliva has anesthetic properties, so you may not even realize you’ve been bitten.

When spending time outdoors, be aware of your surroundings and the possibility of ticks in the area. Wear insect repellent with DEET. If you must be in a grassy or wooded area, wear long sleeves and long pants. Tucking your pants into your socks for extra protection. Shower immediately after being outside. Ask someone check your body for ticks. If you find a tick on your body, time is of the essence!   Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it by the head as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull the tick upward, making sure not to twist or squeeze it. Wash and disinfect the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

Save the tick!

Take a photo of the tick and submit to a tick identification website which can inform you of the potential pathogens it could be carrying and whether you might want to have the tick tested as a further assessment of disease risk.

Protection is the key, however, if you do come in contact with a tick, don’t wait. If you’re not sure, seek professional medical help.

More information on ticks in Maine and how to submit tick samples to the lab is available online at ticks.umaine.edu or by contacting 207.581.3880; tickID@maine.edu.

Roland trivia question of the week:

Which NBA team has won the most championships?

Answer
Boston Celtics, with 18.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: One in three Mainers admits they have lost interest in playing sports

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Recently, LiveSportsonTV.com sent along this statistic. It’s truly disturbing that Americans have gone to couch surfing as their national pastime.

I used to participate in many sports in my younger years – softball, golf, tennis, table tennis, hockey, volleyball – to name a few. One of the more interesting games was walleyball, where you play volleyball in a handball court using the walls – pretty intense.

Today, I only play golf, for various reasons. As you can see, it’s a matter of not having the stamina and dexterity I once had. Also, the facilities are not what they used to be. Outdoor tennis facilities have diminished, and the softball and hockey leagues have been long gone for quite some time. (I played softball and hockey into my 50s.)

So, here is what the survey had to say:

Americans are increasingly trading sneakers for screens, as the rise of technology has made it easier than ever to watch sports instead of play them. With live games, instant replays, and highlight reels available on phones, tablets, and every social media platform imaginable, the thrill of the game now comes in bite-sized, bingeable formats. While stadiums still fill up, backyards and parks are quieter – people are far more likely to stream a game than join one. The convenience of watching has outpaced the effort of participating.

LiveSportsonTV.com set out to measure just how much this trend has shifted, polling 3,024 adults to find out how many have lost interest in actually playing sports.

The findings paint a telling picture. Over 1-in-3 (36 percent) of Mainers say they have lost interest in playing sports. This compares to a national average of 36 percent. LiveSportsonTV.com also asked, “If you had an hour to spend on sports, would you rather play or watch?” In Maine, 73 percent picked watching over playing – a stat that might make gym teachers everywhere wince.

Losing the Love – and What Might Bring It Back

So, what’s stopping people from playing – and what might get them off the couch and back in the game? The survey paints a clear picture of both the practical and emotional hurdles standing in the way of participation.

A significant portion of respondents said they’d be far more likely to play if they had friends or a group to join, highlighting the deeply social nature of sports. In fact, nearly half of all participants pointed to this as their main barrier, suggesting that loneliness – or simply lacking a go-to crew – may be benching more would-be players than we realize.

Time was another major obstacle. Over a quarter of people surveyed admitted that their schedules just don’t allow for regular play. Between the demands of work, family obligations, and the ever-present lure of streaming platforms, carving out even an hour for something like pickup basketball feels increasingly difficult.

Access was also a recurring theme. About one in six respondents said they simply don’t have enough local options or facilities nearby. If the nearest court requires a long drive or if the local league folded years ago, it’s no surprise that motivation starts to wane.

Roland’s trivia question of the day:

With Garrett Crochet flirting with a no-hitter last Sunday, who was the last Red Sox pitcher to hurl a no-hitter?

Answer
Jon Lester, May 19, 2008.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: The advantages of having Bobolinks around

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Bobolink

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

A couple of weeks ago a friend asked me about the songbird, Bobolink, and are there any in Maine. Well, bobolinks and other grassland birds are true agricultural allies to central Maine farmers – they eat large quantities of insects that damage crops.

The Bobolink is one of the world’s most impressive songbird migrants, traveling some 12,500 miles to and from southern South America every year. Throughout its lifetime, it may travel the equivalent of four or five times around the circumference of the earth.

The species name of the Bobolink means “rice eating” and refers to this bird’s appetite for rice and other grains, especially during migration and in winter.

A migrating Bobolink can orient itself with the earth’s magnetic field, thanks to iron oxide in bristles of its nasal cavity and in tissues around the olfactory bulb and nerve. Bobolinks also use the starry night sky to guide their travels.

The strange common name is frequently traced back to a 19th century poem by William Cullen Bryant in which he refers to the bird as “Robert of Lincoln.” The name comes both from the Bobolink’s “reverse-tuxedo” pattern of mostly black with a white back, as well as 19th century English speakers’ insistence they heard the name within the bird’s song, not something that is easy to do. That mouthful was eventually shortened to “Bob of Lincoln”, and then again to “Bob o’ Linc”, giving us the bird’s modern name. They were also often called “ricebirds” thanks to their propensity to consume and live near the crop, which provided an excellent addition to their typical diet that includes a heavy dose of grass seeds.

Today, Bobolinks can still be found near farmland provided it includes unkempt edges for nesting, but their preferred habitat is in the pockets of native grassland.

Perched on a grass stem or displaying in flight over a field, breeding male Bobolinks are striking. No other North American bird has a white back and black underparts (some have described this look as wearing a tuxedo backwards). Added to this are the male’s rich, straw-colored patch on the head and his bubbling, virtuosic song. As summer ends he molts into a buff and brown female-like plumage. Though they’re still fairly common in grasslands, Bobolink numbers are declining.

It’s easiest to find Bobolinks if you look for males giving their display flights during spring and early summer. In grassy or overgrown fields and pastures, listen for a long, burbling song punctuated with sharp metallic notes. The male Bobolink often sings this song while flying in a peculiar helicopter-like pattern, moving slowly with his wings fluttering rapidly. Outside of the breeding season, look for these in rice fields and listen for their sharp pink call notes.

If there’s breeding habitat of grassy pasture or overgrown fields near your home, Bobolinks may visit open yards to forage on seed-bearing weeds.

Bobolink molt twice a year, completely changing all their feathers on both the breeding and wintering grounds. When the male grows new feathers on the wintering grounds they all have yellowish tips, so he still looks like a nonbreeding bird. Eventually the pale tips wear off to reveal his striking black-and-white breeding colors.

Normally a daylight forager, the Bobolink sometimes feeds after dark on bright nights during migration, to build fat reserves for its long flight over the Gulf of Mexico.

Bobolinks are related to blackbirds, which are often polygynous, meaning that males may have several mates per breeding season. Bobolinks are polygynous, too – but they’re also often polyandrous: each clutch of eggs laid by a single female may have multiple fathers.

The oldest Bobolink on record was a female known to be at least nine years old.

The Bobolink was immortalized by nineteenth-century American poet William Cullen Bryant, in a poem titled Robert of Lincoln. The poem recounts the events of “Bob-o-‘Link’s” nesting season, describing the male’s flashy coat and song, the female’s modest attire and subdued voice, and the six purple-flecked eggs that hatch into nestlings.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who is the only defenseman in NHL history to lead the league in scoring? Hint: He did it twice.

Answer
Bobby Orr, of the Boston Bruins. He registered 120 points in 1969-70 and 135 points, in 1974-75. He recorded over 100 points in a season six times.