Maine Wildlife

Location - Whitney Land Trust

The combination of climate and vegetation found in Southern Maine influences the wildlife that might be found here. Some species that are considered rare in Maine occur here simply because southern Maine is at the northern fringe of their range. A warming climate appears to have encouraged species from ticks to turkey vultures to move into southern Maine over the last 50 years.

Land use history also affects wildlife. Much of southern Maine was cleared for agriculture. Woodland species declined and were replaced with grassland species. During the 1900s many farms were abandoned and grassland species declined as woodlands grew back.> The reported decline in cottontail rabbit population may be due to the gradual reforestation that has taken place.

The following map from Maine Past & Present by the Maine Writers Research Club indicates the areas where forest cover was essentially cleared for other land uses in 1929.

Old Maine map

Many wildlife species require territories that are larger than offered by this woodlot. We are focusing primarily on species that may use this 34 acre woodlot during part or all of the year. We are also considering features of the surrounding lands.

Choices

Wildlife habitat is comprised of "food, water, cover, and their spatial distribution" (DeGraaf et al. 1992). Small woodlot owners have a variety of choices in the types of wildlife habitat they provide. Each choice from harvesting to preservation benefits some wildlife and is detrimental to others. Some species prefer young trees and brushy conditions while others prefer old trees. While the species change as the woodlot ages, the total number of species is fairly constant as shown in the following figure from DeGraaf et al. 1992.

graph

Habitat considerations of woodlot management

  1. Provide different age classes
    Species that like young, brushy stands include common yellow throat and gray catbird. Species that like older stands include the barred owl and wood thrush. The benefits from leaving some large old trees include roosting, seed production, and potential den cavities.
  2. Provide food
    White pine, yellow birch, oak, hemlock, beech, and apple trees that occur on this woodlot are good sources of seeds and nuts for a variety of wildlife species. Young stands may contain fruit bearing-shrubs and herbs such as strawberry, blueberry, and blackberry. The grasses and forbs that grow in openings like the log landing provide food and attract protein-rich bugs such as grasshoppers.
  3. Provide areas of escape cover and thermal cover
    Areas of low shrubby trees and bushes provide cover for small animals. Evergreen canopies with low growth provide shelter from wind and low temperatures during winter.
  4. Provide shelter
    Many animals use tree cavities to raise young, find shelter, or for hibernation. Both living and standing dead trees are used. Logs on the ground provide shelter, foraging, and display sites for amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
  5. Wildlife mixes can be used to revegetate areas of exposed soil such as log landings.

Focus Species approach - Maine Audubon

We are using the Focus Species Concept as developed by the Maine Audubon. The concept recognizes that each forest habitat attracts a group of species. Rather than trying to manage for or monitor every species it is possible to focus on a species that represent a larger community.

The following three focus species have been selected:

  • Vernal pool habitats including the surrounding uplands:
    Spotted salamander range around 500 feet from pool
  • Oak-pine forest Ruffed Grouse requires a range of tree ages, home range is usually less than 10 acres.
  • Wood thrush requires mature mixed forest with a shrub-sapling layer, range is usually less than 10 acres
  • Species seen on property:
    • Wood thrush
    • Wild Turkey
    • White-tailed deer
    • Spotted salamander
    • Four-toed salamander
    • Wood frog

Further reading:

  • Parrish, Christine R. 1999. The Woods in Your Backyard. Maine Forest Service. 91pp.
  • Maine Audubon. 2004. Focus Species Forestry. 91pp.
  • DeGraaf, Richard M. and others 1992. New England Wildlife. Management of Forested Habitats, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. Report NE-144. 271 p.