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The Lucy Sprague Memorial Trail begins with several steps down from a Hawthorn which
guards its entrance. The stones used to construct the steps were taken from
the surrounding woods and were moved by steel bars and strong shoulders one
by one. While the steps create an inviting entrance to the trail, their
purpose is to manage erosion like many other features along the trail.
Seen along the Trail
As you turn left towards the Lucy Sprague Memorial Trail,
you can see the sandy knoll along
the right. A strong stand of poplar is on both sides. It is here that we
have seen the Pileated Woodpecker.
Pileated Woodpecker - Dryocopus pileatus
The pileated woodpecker is a large, crow-sized (16-19"
long) bird with a bright red crest. It is a year round,
breeding resident of Maine where it has suitable habitat -
mature conifer, hardwood or mixed woodland. Its call
resembles a flicker, only louder. A large pile of chips
beneath an oval, oblong or rectangular cavity in a dead
tree indicate its presence.
Woodpeckers and Cavity Trees/Snags*
Natural cavities develop when part of a tree dies or is
injured. Death or injury can result from fire, insect attack,
wind, logging wounds, herbicides, snow or ice storms and
other causes. Organisms such as bacteria, fungi, insects
and nematodes may become established in the tree wounds
and slowly digest the affected wood until a cavity results.
Woodpeckers, which are primarily excavators, create
cavities when they excavate holes for feeding, nesting, and
sleeping (roosting). The resulting cavities are used
extensively by many species of mammals and birds.
Snags are dead, standing trees. They provide nesting and
sleeping cover for wildlife and are equally important for
supplying many birds with a diet of insect larvae. Snags
often contain cavities formed by previous injury, heavy
decay and woodpeckers.
(* Taken from: Enhancing Wildlife Habitats: A Practical
Guide for Landowners; Northeast Regional Agricultural
Engineering Service Publication #64)
Continuing the Trail Walk
You can follow the trail of this animal deeper into the
woods, but don't get too close to him:
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The Trail at this Point