I believe I may be part elf. Like most forest elves, I can read the woods.
This realization came to me during a conversation that I had with a trapper this winter. It was a cold day. We were in a small cabin at Leonard’s Mills, which is the Maine Forest and Logging Museum in Bradley. We were huddled around a wood stove, surrounded by several hundred feet of snow. I’m not exaggerating. This was supposed to be a show-and-tell day at the historic preservation area, but there was no hope of doing anything in the deep drifts, so we merely compared notes about the outdoors.
He described how he can see where various critters have created pathways along stream banks. He can locate beaver just by looking at the stream conditions. I learned that otters have bathrooms — whole piles of poop in their favorite defecation stations. He, too, had that elflike ability to read the woods. The more we talked, the more I understood my own elven heritage. I do the same thing, only my specialty is birds.
I read the woods. Without even thinking about it, I mentally note the trees, whether the forest is deciduous, coniferous or mixed. If conifers, do they prefer dry soil, like pines and hemlocks? Or can they tolerate damp roots, such as firs and tamaracks? I note the age and height of the trees. I note the understory. I’m aware of how damp the forest floor is, and I consider the relative bogginess. The habit is so ingrained that I can wander the woods in winter and mentally predict which migrants will be there in spring.
I recall several years ago where I was guiding a couple of birders in Orland. I had never been on the trail before, but I noticed a damp tangle of thick vegetation in the understory of mature trees and read it correctly. I said, “There has got to be a Canada warbler in there.” No sooner were the words out of my mouth than the bird sang. That was good for my elf esteem.
You may have some elf blood yourself. This season, let’s find out. The Penobscot Valley Chapter of Maine Audubon has been offering neighborhood bird walks for a decade. These have proven to be wildly popular. A dozen morning walks are planned through the middle weeks of May. The next time you find yourself on one of these walks, admire the birds, and then take note of where they are. Notice the patterns. Some warblers are found high up in the canopy. Some are in shorter trees. Some are close to ground level. The same will be true for sparrows, thrushes and flycatchers.
Try it on fields. When you spy a bobolink, how tall is the grass? Will they tolerate mature hayfields? Will an eastern meadowlark tolerate hay? How about a killdeer? (Yes, yes, and no.)
Try it on wetlands. When your attention is drawn to an unusual bird — let’s say it’s an American bittern — note the type of wetland. Is he in lily pads? Is he in bulrushes or arrowroot? Is he in cattails or reeds? (No, no, and yes.)
Try it on bushes. Common yellowthroats and song sparrows are typical in low brush. How tall does the vegetation have to be before you begin to see American redstarts and yellow warblers?
Anybody can go on these free neighborhood bird walks. Maine Audubon members already have the schedule published in the latest Fields Pond Journal. Everybody else can find it online at www.maineaudubon.org/pvc. Some of the destinations include the Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden, Leonard’s Mills in Bradley, Essex Woods in Bangor, Bangor City Forest, Caribou Bog in Orono, and the trail along the Kenduskeag Stream. Mount Hope Cemetery, Saxl Park and Bangor Land Trust’s West Penjajawoc Preserve are also on the itinerary.
Walks begin at 7 a.m. and end at 8:30. The idea is that participants can squeeze in some early fun before going off to work. Often, the birding is so good that the leader lingers and the walk lasts longer than advertised. In such cases, it’s normal for birders to peel off and head for work as needed. None of the walks traverse mud, but some experience wet grass. Wear appropriate footwear. Don’t bring any pet bigger than a hamster.
This year, take a step beyond merely identifying birds. Identify the habitat they’re in and learn to read the woods. It’s never too late for a little elf improvement.
Bob Duchesne serves as vice president of Maine Audubon’s Penobscot Valley Chapter. Bob developed the Maine Birding Trail, with information at mainebirdingtrail.com. Bob can be reached at duchesne@midmaine.com.