Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Help out Fish & Game this spring

NH Fish & Game is looking for volunteers this spring for its Reptile and Amphibian Reporting Program (RAARP). Walkers everywhere, check it out: http://www.wildnh.com/Wildlife/Nongame/reptiles_amphibians.htm

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Spring in Mine Falls Park

I shared the Mine Falls trails this afternoon with dozens of other folks eager to enjoy spring's first weekend. No crowds yet. Conditions reflect transition: trails have some patches of very slick ice, the ball fields are just emerging from the snow, and the low trail along the river is muddy enough for me to wear boots. I didn't care, and neither did the runners and dog-walkers out there with me. There was tree damage over the winter, but the mess is all off the trails.

No Porta-Johns out yet. Be patient.

I should have brought binoculars and an Audubon guide book. With no bugs out yet, it would have been a fine day to pick a spot in the woods and just sit for awhile to spot the birds. On my walk today, I saw swans in the cove where I usually see herons. The blackbirds were making noise down at the culvert near the millyard. Mallards were poking along the canal shore along an ice-free stretch. A woodpecker -- smallish; not sure what variety -- was busy near the newest bridge. Of course, I saw robins. One of them seemed to be posing for a delighted three-year-old near the ball fields.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

road & trail work

I am overdue in giving thanks to all the people who were busy this winter cleaning up roads and trails after the ice storm. I've done very little trail maintenance myself, and anything I can do locally that doesn't require bushwhacking is thanks to someone else's efforts. To all of you, and you know who you are, thank you.

It's good to read on the state park web site that Monadnock SP's trails are slowly opening back up to authorized use after storm cleanup. I hope the new campground at Gilson Pond wasn't completely trashed! I'd been looking forward to staying there this summer, its first scheduled season.

Here in Merrimack, Horse Hill is in good shape, and it pleases me that it's been getting so much use. I'm glad the town acquired the land when it did. In the current economy, I don't think a land acquisition of that size would pass.

I drove down Rt. 31 from Wilton to Greenville the other day and was shocked at all the downed trees along the roadside. I thought the crews in my town had a big job after the ice storm. We actually had it easy. I remember driving through Dunbarton in January and seeing how bad the tree damage was. That's what Rt. 31 looked like last weekend -- two months later. It's spring now, the snow is receding, and I'm sure there will be enough work to last all summer for anyone who knows how to wield a chain saw.

I see that the Friends of the Wapack are planning their annual end-to-end hike for next month instead of the fall. I wonder how much of the day will be spent flagging spots for future work.

Mud season will actually be an interesting time this spring, as I discover how more of my favorite trails fared over the winter. I'm half inclined to carry a small folding saw in my backpack for the spring hikes. I suppose the more sensible approach would be to note any difficult spots and then bring them to the attention of the land managers, who probably have trail crews who actually know what they're doing. I probably shouldn't go out armed with only a saw and good intentions.