New Hampshire Nature Notes
by Eric Orff

Grasping for spring straws.

Tuesday 03/08/2005

Another winter storm is barreling down on us this Tuesday into Wednesday. The temperatures have been running 20 degrees below normal for this time of March. The cold temperature trend and another snow storm predicted for the end of this week seem to have us locked into winter mode.

I have been grasping for signs of spring the last few sunny days. So far only two have revealed themselves. Last Friday I assisted a conservation officer in removing a road killed deer from Rt 155A in Durham. As we arrived at the scene of the freshly killed doe-fawn a flock of crows were at the banquet as well as a turkey vulture. I felt bad as I lobbed the deer into the back of the CO's truck for disposal somewhere else more appropriate. I did check the femur bone marrow condition on the deer. She was in great condition for this late in the winter with the second highest score possible for bone marrow fat content. At least this seemingly endless winter has not been difficult on the deer in the coastal region it would seem. Although a count of only one deer isn't much to hang my hat on. But since it was a 8 month old deer it is more significant.

Sunday I saw a moth flutter across the road as I returned from a visit to my moms a mile south of me. Hey, I'll even take a moth as a sign of spring if I have to.

There was a great set of tracks and a slide of an otter at the Yeaton Farm over on Route 28 Sunday morning. Just as I crossed over New Rye Road on my way home I spotted a large male adult otter on the ice of the Suncook River rolling on the ice. I stopped to watch him until he plunged into the frigid water and disappeared. This is the third otter I have seen in the last few weeks. Otters are always a joy to watch.