Wednesday, February 20, 2003
SHARING THE LAND WITH THE WILD CREATURES
by John Walsh
For those of us who love the outdoors (And that pretty much includes everyone who lives here. Eh!) one of the real joys of winter is being able to see the signs of the presence of wildlife in our winter landscape. This writer was reminded once again on Saturday of how the wild creatures abound when conditions are right even with our harsh winter climate. The occasion was a meeting of the NH Coverts Project sponsored by Larry Ely and Ginger Lawson at their cottage in Shelburne. Larry and Ginger own 130 acres which they call First Mountain Forest. Their land is managed as wildlife habitat. The meeting at their house brought together some eight cooperators from Coos County and one from Grafton County. Cooperators are folks interested in maintaining wildlife habitat on their forested land. Also there to provide the group with their expertise were Ellen Snyder, a biodiversity specialist from UNH Cooperative Extension; Darrel Covell, a wildlife specialist for the UNH Cooperative Extension Service and Sam Stoddard, county forester for the extension service.
The morning was spent absorbing information on how best to maintain land to benefit the wildlife who live on it. One of the segments was information on why it is not a good idea to feed the deer, a practice which was once promoted but has now fallen on disfavor by knowledgeable folks. Part of the afternoon was spent in learning how to identify the tracks and other sign to be seem in the winter woods. These signs might be the size and shape of the scat which is observed or how plant life may show signs of the presence of wild creatures. But with 130 acres of prime Shelburne wildlife habitat waiting outside the Ely-Lawson doorstep, the group soon donned snowshoes and began a trek through the winter woods to find evidence of the myriad of creatures who were not only surviving but, hopefully, thriving in this winter-struck environment. The thermometer hadn't quite got out of negative numbers as we started out.
While all the folks on the trek had experienced the winter woods often, it was a revelation to some, including this writer, as to how the signs of many creatures could be seen with a bit of close observation. Since First Mountain Forest is the winter home of many deer, their tracks were plentiful. While the snow lies deep, it seems that our deer herd is doing OK. We spotted one track which showed an animal able to make six and eight foot bounds across an open space.
Also spotted were the tracks of bobcat, as well as its favored food source the snowshoe hare. There were signs of a coyote, including his scat, which could be handled by all for a close look since it was, of course, out in the deep freeze. The group also observed signs of ermine; porcupine, with its scuffed up area among some low growing evergreens; red and gray squirrel, and the tiny delicately patterned track of white footed and deer mice. Also spotted were beech trees with bear claw marks climbing to the beech nut bonanza above, and striped maple trees with clear signs of the stripped bark of moose feeding.
Perhaps the signs which was most amazing and awe inspiring was that of the ruffed grouse. Just off the trail was spotted a nearly perfect history of one of the birds more endearing traits. The ruffed grouse when ready to spend the night in the winter woods makes a dive toward a spot where the snow is soft and burrows under to form a snow cave. In the morning it emerges from its temporary shelter and with a sweep of wing and a push with its feet takes to the air again. We spotted the hole in the snow left by a ruffed grouse as it had survived another cold winter's night. There was the entry point to the burrow and on the exit side a perfect pattern where the wings had brushed the powdery snow and the indentation where the feet had given a powerful push to help the bird get airborne. It left this writer a bit in awe of how nature had provided the bird with the means to survive and prosper in such an exquisite and unusual way.
In fact, awe would be the operative word for the hike, and a keen sense that, while the Larry and Ginger were the owners of record of the land, they were really only stewards. The real owners were the creatures who had adopted it and adapted perfectly to its use for their survival. It was also a reminder that we, like the wildlife around us, need to consider going lightly on the land so it may continue to nurture and sustain both the wild creatures and ourselves. It was a cold winter day in Shelburne, but a chance to warm the heart and renew the spirit in seeing how perfectly nature can work for the benefit of all when care and concern are used.
There are 194 landowners in New Hampshire who participate in the NH Coverts Project. They own 30 thousand acres and help protect some 29 thousand more. While that's impressive, it is only a small percentage of wild land in the state. For those who love the land and the creatures it nurtures, we need to support and encourage the good work of the NH Coverts Project so that not only the wild creatures but we, too, can survive to live the good life in nature.
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