Although spring in central Massachusetts started out dry and generated concerns about another possible drought year, rainfall was plentiful and very generous. Amongst all the wet and soggy days were clear and sunny periods that enabled photographers and trailcam enthusiasts to find wildlife species in a wide range of sizes. From tiny moths and pollinators to our largest mammals,
we have our share of creatures great and small.
we have our share of creatures great and small.
On June 11th this juvenile Porcupine was spotted at Mass Audubon's Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton. Porcupines give birth to a single young. Soon after birth, the baby porcupine's quills harden. For the first two weeks the young rely on their mother--the females provide all parental care-- for sustenance. After this they learn to climb trees and start to forage. The mother of this juvenile was not in sight but probably nearby. Young porcupines stay close to their mothers and continue to nurse for up to four months, which coincides with the fall mating season. Photo by Alan Rawle.
American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) on fleabane in Sterling. Males set up small territories which they will defend vigorously against rival males or indeed any unlucky passing insect. July 7th photo by Alan Rawle.
Immature male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) and fellow flying creature in Rutland, August 2023. Photo by Anne Greene .
Frisky Gray Fox kits exploring their Brimfield surroundings. Photo by Bill Platenik
Tiny American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) photographed on July 23rd by Alan Rawle.
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Gail and Jay Cormier were exploring Mass Audubon's Wachusett Meadow Sanctuary in Princeton on June 23rd when they came across this White River Crayfish (or Crawfish)
( Procambarus acutus) in one of the fields. The crayfish’s gills are a particular, sensitive organ that can pull oxygen from both water and air. Needless to say, they can breathe both under and above the water. Crayfish can take oxygen into the body through moisture in the air as long as the gills are moist. As a result, they can move on land and, in the right conditions, across long distances. They can even live for months on land if there is plenty of humidity in the air.
Great Spangled Fritillary on knapweed, July 10, 2023. Photo by Ted Purcell
A pair of Gray Foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) raised six kits on Bill Platenik's property in Brimfield. Late spring photos were taken by Bill.
Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) photographed on July 7th in Hardwick by Alan Rawle.
Bill Platenik was fortunate to find and photograph this milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) in Brimfield. As snakes go, milk snakes are one of the smallest species of snake, usually growing to 24-36 inches and sometimes up to 52 inches.
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Eastern whitelip snail (Neohelix albolabris) photographed in Hardwick on July 3rd. This species was the first land snail to be named by an American-born naturalist, Thomas Say in 1817. Photo by Alan Rawle.
Large Yellow Underwing moth ((Noctua pronuba) found May 30th in Rutland. It was introduced into North America at Nova Scotia. Since then it has increased its range considerably and has been recorded for Maine since 1985, and then spread throughout the northeast from Vermont and Massachusetts (1989) to New Hampshire (1990) and beyond. This is a quite large moth with
a wingspan of 1.9 to 2.36 inches. Photo by Doug Wipf.
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) These dragonflies, like others of their infraorder, are carnivorous, and are capable of eating hundreds of insects every day, including mosquito and mayfly larvae. The adult dragonfly will eat nearly any flying insect, such as a moth or fly. Photo by Doug Wipf.
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Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon) May 8th. Eastern Pine Elfin habitat typically contains small to medium pines in addition to more mature trees, but nearby nectar sources are needed. Photo by Alan Rawle.
A relatively-large beetle at 1.25 inches in length is the Eastern Eyed Click Beetle (Alaus oculatus). The adults do not eat much but their diet consists of nectar and plant juice. The larvae diet consists of grubs of wood-boring beetles. Photo by Wendy Howes, June 26th, Hardwick.
A checkered apogeshna (Apogeshna stenialis) moth was found nectaring on flowers July 10th. Flowers paler in color–dull red, purple, pink, or white–and stronger in scent attract moths. Fragrance is an important floral characteristic as moths process smells through two olfactory “channels”–one for their favorite flowers and the other for alternative nectar sources (Hines 2012). Photo by Alan Rawle.
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A rather large-looking Eastern Bluebird fledgling is not as small as might be expected. Adult bluebirds weigh .95–1.20 ounces. After a steady diet consisting almost entirely of high-protein insects for 17-21 days (in the nest), then additional time after leaving the nest, the fledglings are well on their way to attaining their adult weight. This fledgling has been out of the nest long enough to appear full-grown although still sporting juvenile feathers. The more downy juvenile feathers contribute to the overall "great" appearance. Photo by Anne Greene .
GREAT
One of Jim Morelly's Quabbin area trailcams caught this moose calf and cow (partially obscured) this spring.
Black bear sightings were up this season. This one was a small bear, most likely a young bear born in 2022. Black bear mothers give birth in January and stay with their cubs for 16-17 months. Family breakup happens suddenly during mating season in May or June when the mother is nearly ready to mate.The sudden presence of a male can precipitate family breakup. At first, the mother is torn between her yearlings and the persistent male, but within a day after family breakup, she will chase her yearlings away whenever she encounters them. Photo take on June 5th near Quabbin Gate 43 in Hardwick by Alan Rawle.
By August 18th male White-tailed Deer antlers are noticeable. The main factors affecting antler size of an individual white-tailed deer are age, nutrition and genetics. As males mature, their antlers become heavier and better developed. Photo by Alan Rawle.
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This bull moose captured on another of Jim Morelly's trailcams in August is standing by a beaver dam that couldn't withstand the increase in pond size due to heavy rains all season.
On July 28th this Black Bear spent some time on the roof of a Hardwick backyard shed, where it was attracted to old birdseed residue. Photo by Alan Rawle.
A still shot from a video of this bear, which was caught wandering by Doug Wipf's Rutland wildlife camera on August 21st.
Another trailcam capture is this photo of a bear in Brimfield in August, which also appears to be a yearling born in early 2022. Virginia's DWR' site says: "Yearling bears (those between 1 and 2 years old) often will look tall and slender with very little belly fat, making their legs appear long for their body, much like a young deer. If you can see a lot of daylight under the bear’s belly as it walks, it is likely a young bear. " Photo from Bill Platenik
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A beaver gathers some food in
Hardwick on May 16th. Beavers are the largest rodents in North America and Eurasia and the second largest rodents worldwide. They weigh from 35 to 66 pounds. The fur-lined lips close behind the incisors, blocking water from the mouth and lungs and allowing beavers to cut, peel, and carry branches underwater. Photo by Alan Rawle.
Maybe not so GREAT in size, but great to see!
Still not as great in size as it will be when mature, this Gray Fox was found taking a stroll at Quabbin Gate 45 in Hardwick on August 5th. Photo by Alan Rawle.
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) at a pond in Warren. A muskrat's body measures up to 25 inches, plus another 7 - 11 inches for the tail. It weighs about 4 pounds, a hefty size for a rodent. Photo by Bill Platenik.
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Raccoon in Brimfield, early spring. Photo by Bill Platenik.
A Bobcat in the Quabbin region in June is captured on one of the trailcams deployed by Jim Morelly.
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Some bird species are GREATER than others.
Four Turkey Vultures find the top of a bulldozer a perfect perching place. This August sight was photographed in Warren by Bill Platenik.
By August 23rd, the Sandhill Crane colts hatched in May in Hardwick were nearly as large as the parent birds. Photo by Alan Rawle.
A very vocal juvenile Broad-winged Hawk was found in Hardwick on August 15th. Photo by Alan Rawle.
Common Raven, a member of the Corvid family of birds, in Hardwick, August 22nd. Corvids display remarkable intelligence for animals of their size, and are among the most intelligent birds thus far studied. This individual quickly honed in on a recently-mowed field, a good source of "fast food." Photo by Alan Rawle.
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Osprey coming in for a landing. Photos taken in Warren by Bill Platenik.
This Bald Eagle was photographed in the Quabbin Reservoir area--one of the best places in Massachusetts to look for eagles--by Jim Morelly. An eagle’s body is about 2.5 feet long (head to tip of tail) and can weigh from 8 to 15 pounds.
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The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is the largest heron native to North America. Males arrive at colonies first and settle on nests, where they court females; most males choose a different nest each year. The herons build a bulky stick nest. Nests are usually around 20 inches across when first constructed, but can grow to more than 47 inches in width and 35 inches deep with repeated use and additional construction. Photo by Jim Morelly.
As for SMALL birds. . .
A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird in breeding plumage finds a source of nectar in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.
This fledgling Chestnut-sided Warbler was on its own in Barre on August 19th. When it migrates to wintering grounds in Central America in the fall, it will join in mixed-species foraging flocks with the resident species. It will probably return to the same area in subsequent years, joining back up with the same foraging flock it associated with the year before. Photo by Alan Rawle.
A small Eastern Bluebird chick makes a very great and strong demand for food. Photo by Anne Greene.
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These Spotted Sandpiper fledglings were being tended by their male parent at Quabbin Reservoir on July 3rd. In this species, the male takes the primary role in parental care, incubating the eggs and taking care of the young. Photo by Alan Rawle.
Warblers are some of our smallest bird species, so if their striking plumage characteristics are evident, their identification becomes easier. American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) are only 4.25- 5.25 inches in length. Weight changes with the seasons. Males like the one pictured here weigh an average of .3 ounce in summer but drop to .25 ounce in winter, while females drop even more from an average of .31 ounce to an average of .24 ounce. (Perhaps they weigh a bit more when they're soaking wet.) Photo by Anne Greene
Averaging around 5 inches in length and weighing only .32–.35 ounces, Yellow Warblers (Setophaga petechia) stand out in the foliage due to their bright yellow plumage. This female was in Hardwick on July 1st. Photo by Alan Rawle.
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Some GREAT insects
Grapevine beetles (Pelidnota punctata) are about 1" in length. Adults are found on grapevines from June through August, where they feed on the leaves and fruit. They're often attracted to lights at night. Photo by Anne Greene.
A striking moth due to both its lime-green color and large size is the Luna Moth (Actias luna). Wingspan is typically 3.1–4.5 inches and, in rare instances, as much as 7 inches. Central Massachusetts sightings of this moth are uncommon. Unfortunately, A parasitoid fly deliberately introduced to North America as a biological pest control for the invasive species spongy (formerly gypsy) moth appears to have had a negative impact on luna moths and other native moths. Photo July 9th in Hardwick by Alan Rawle.
Larvae of Spotted Apatelodes
(Apatelodes torrefacta) on spicebush (Lindera benzoin) on August 18 in Hardwick. After the larva reaches its final instar, it will overwinter as a pupa. Overwintering at this stage usually means sheltering under tree bark or beneath fallen leaves (leaf litter) or other plant matter on the ground. These overwintering sites shield the insect from adverse conditions associated with winter. Photo by Wendy Howes.
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The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) is one of our largest and most striking butterflies. The wingspan ranges from 3.1 to 5.5 inches with females being the larger sex. Adults use a wide range of food sources, most preferring to nectar on sturdy plants with red or pink flowers, or on the pale purple anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) pictured here. Photo by Alan Rawle on July 30th.
The Eastern Dobsonfly, (Corydalus cornutus) is a large insect that can reach 5.5 inches in length, with a wingspan of up to 5 inches. This 4-inch-long individual showed up at lighted "mothing" sheets in Ware on July 26th, in a spot fairly close to Muddy Brook. Dobsonflies require fast-flowing streams where its aquatic larvae--hellgrammites--develop.
Hellgrammites are among the top invertebrate predators in the streams in which they live. They are commonly used by anglers as bait. Photo by Alan Rawle.
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A relatively-large moth, growing to about 1 inch in length, is the Nessus Sphinx moth (Amphion floridensis). This striking moth was found nectaring on wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) in Rutland in early spring. Photo by Anne Greene.
Some SMALL insects
Confusing bumblebee (Bombus perplexus) on purple coneflower Photo by Doug Wipf
On July 9th in Hardwick, this dung beetle (Aphodius sp.) was found not moving dung but resting on a stem of grass. Photo by Alan Rawle.
Not an insect, but a small creature of interest, American dog tick or wood tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is a species of tick that is known to carry bacteria responsible for several diseases in humans, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever (rare in Massachusetts) and tularemia (Francisella tularensis) (relatively uncommon in Massachusetts, occurring on Cape Cod and the islands). It is one of the best-known hard ticks. Though D. variabilis may be exposed to Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, these ticks are not competent vectors for the transmission of this disease. Dog ticks were abundant in some areas of central Massachusetts this season. Photo by Alan Rawle.
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Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna), a member of the butterfly family known as Grass Skippers, is a small creature, with a wingspan of only 1 - 1.5 inches. The larvae feed on Tridens flavus, known as purpletop, tall redtop, or greasy grass, a large, robust perennial bunchgrass native to eastern North America. This adult was found nectaring on common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) on July 8th. Photo by Alan Rawle.
Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae) caterpillar. Photo by Anne Greene.
Tiny Syrphid fly on early spring dandelion. Syrphid flies (or flower flies or hover flies, in the family Syrphidae) are common and important natural enemies of aphids and other small, slow-moving insects. The adults resemble bees or wasps, and are often seen visiting flowers, hovering over the flowers and darting around. Photo by Wendy Howes /
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GREAT and SMALL together
On May 10th, two bright yellow recently- hatched chicks were found with the pair of Hardwick Sandhill Cranes that have nested successfully here since 2021. Photo by Alan Rawle.
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A Wild Turkey captures a vole on June 22nd in Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.
Adult Canada Geese and their goslings illustrate the "great" and "small" stages of this species. An average adult male weighs from 5.7 to 14.3 pounds, while an average female weighs from 5.3 to 12.1 pounds. Larger geese can have an impressive wingspan of up to six feet. As soon as the goslings hatch, and starting off at a weight of only a few ounces, they are immediately capable of walking, swimming, and finding their own food. This family was photographed May 29th in Hardwick by Alan Rawle.
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The Eastern Kingbird truly deserves its Latin name of Tyrannus tyrannus. On its breeding grounds, it can often be seen attacking and chasing much larger birds, such as Bald Eagles. This immature Bald Eagle took flight and was chased mercilessly by a kingbird on July 30th near Quabbin Reservoir in Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle