Virgin’s-bower (Clematis virginiana) growing at Grey Fox Conservation land, photo taken on 9/24/22, near the banks of Stony Brook in Westford. According to Native Plant Trust’s Go Botany, this beautiful native is the most common clematis in New England. The Cherokee made an infusion of virgin’s-bower with milkweed (Asclepias) to treat backache, as well as using it in ceremonial medicine to induce dreaming.
Here are some recent photos from two vernal pool locations near us that saw some activity on a few rainy early March nights (3/6/24 & 3/8/24) . Temps were a bit chilly at 41 degrees. Vernal Pools Small seasonal pools found throughout Massachusetts that fill up with water for part of the year, but don’t…
Late winter/early spring is the time to look out for activity near your local vernal pool on the first rainy, warm nights of spring. Here are some photos from areas near a few Westford vernal pools from Saturday, MARCH 12th Any day now, when we get a big soaking rain with a nighttime temperature…
These two characters managed to bypass the defenses I have successfully setup to discourage the most creative squirrels. Here are a couple of the smallest squirrels, the nocturnal flying squirrels. Per Mass Audubon, northern and southern flying squirrels inhabit Massachusetts, but they only emerge at night. They average about 10 to 15 inches long and…
Pileated Woodpecker at Frances Hill Conservation Land – September 2019 Photo courtesy of Roy Perry
Photo of probable hybrid/jefferson blue spotted salamander was taken on March 18, 2021 near a vernal pool in Westford by Diane Duane. To learn more about salamanders, wood frogs, peepers and other critters in vernal pools, check out this info from Littleton Conservation Dept. If you want more info on vernal pools in general, there…
This picture was taken in the morning on October 31st by Jeff Morse at a small nearby pond at the corner of Vose road and Old Lowell Rd in Westford To learn more about Coyotes in MA, check out Mass Audubon at https://www.massaudubon.org/learn/nature-wildlife/mammals/coyotes
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