A somewhat random record of observations of what's happening around Lake Wicwas and the Lakes Region. I hope to post about once a week - your comments are welcomed.
The Meredith Conservation Commission had a successful snowshoe tour up to Arbutus Hill Pond yesterday when an avid group of winter enthusiasts made the three mile hike to the pond and back to explore the activity that takes place there in winter.
Photo by Marcella MacKenzie.
The fresh snow we had on Friday along with another light dusting Saturday morning not only made it quite pretty, but also created a nice surface to see animal tracks. Along the way we saw tracks of fox, bobcat, ruffed grouse, deer, weasel, and mouse.
Bobcat print.
Grouse tracks were found in several areas of hemlock forest.
Mouse tracks. There were also many red and gray squirrel tracks to be found.
The two-by-two track of a weasel, perhaps a mink or an ermine.
We walked on the ice beside the long beaver dam that impounds the pond, and stood within a few yards of the beavers themselves, warm inside their well-constructed lodge.
We even found an old otter slide on the ice. It was an enjoyable trip with good company on a perfect winter day.
I mentioned last week that the Great Meredith Rotary fishing derby was held last weekend on all the lakes in New Hampshire, but I didn't get down to the headquarters at Meredith Bay until Sunday afternoon, so here are some of the fish that ended up on the board.
The leaderboard right at final weigh-in last Sunday.
Some good size pickerel.
I like the way they award the grand prize: The largest fish caught in each species is entered into a drawing for the grand prize, meaning regardless of what species you're fishing for, you have a chance to win. The grand prize winner this year was an 2.5 pound 17" black crappy.
The Black Crappie board with the grand prize winner.
It was caught by Tom LaBrecque in Cawley Pond in Sanbornton, just a 26 acre pond, but obviously growing some big fish. The winning angler has been fishing in the derby for some 35 years.
The uncertain ice conditions on the large lakes did in fact send a lot of people to Lake Wicwas, with cars lined up at the boat ramp as well as along Chemung Road near Harris Cove.
Many anglers out on Wicwas last weekend.
It was a beautifully warm and sunny weekend for all the anglers to enjoy.
Wicwas fishermen enjoying 50 degree weather on Derby weekend.
The ice is plenty safe on Wicwas now - I measured 10-1/2" this week - and the ice has started to groan and moan as stress cracks form in artistic patterns across the lake.
But the warm weather has foiled the Alton Bay ice runway, which for the second straight year will not open for planes to use due to lack of ice. It's the first time ever that it hasn't opened two years in a row.
Finally, last week's warm weather did produce a sight for those thinking about spring:
Snowdrops on February 11th.
It's the earliest date I've ever seen the snowdrops emerge.
Last week it was hockey, this week it's the Great Meredith Fishing Derby run by the Meredith Rotary Club. But first, some other fun with ice this week:
Profile Falls
We took the short hike up to Profile Falls in Bristol, expecting that the fluctuations between warm weather to get the Smith River flowing, and cold weather to form ice might have created some interesting sights, and we weren't disappointed.
The river was flowing strongly and there were lots of ice formations above, along, and below the falls.
Closer to home, on a walk out to some local ledges to see what the porcupines are doing this winter (more on that in a future post), some icicles that formed on a rock outcropping caught my eye.
As I approached to get a closer look I saw these incredibly resilient ferns growing among the icicles.
Rock Polypody (Polypodium virginianum)
Not only are they still green here in the middle of winter, but they have found a way to eke out a living on the exposed face of a granite ledge.
I believe this is rock polypody which is found in several natural communities in New Hampshire. It somehow thrives on rocky exposed surfaces, and growing throughout the year, is a winter food source for animals including deer, turkey, and grouse. [Ref: Sandra Mitchell, Evergreen Ferns can be Enjoyed Year Round, Northern Woodlands] I expect the ferns take advantage of moisture and nutrients collected and stored by the moss and lichen that share the ledge.
As for the ice on the lakes, there was a lot of activity on Wicwas and Waukewan for the fishing derby because the larger lakes aren't safe. We took a walk out to see the action on Lake Waukewan - it was breezy, but nothing like last weekend, and a lot warmer!
Ice fishing action on Waukewan
And a quieter scene on Wicwas.
The NH Audobon Backyard Bird Count took place this weekend. My inventory included: chick-a-dee, goldfinch, downy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, bluebird, mourning dove, titmouse, house finch, and red and gray squirrels. I didn't see any blue jays, hairy woodpeckers, or even crows.
Eastern Bluebird
House Finch
Red-bellied woodpecker
The bluebird and house finch were seen near Lake Waukewan; all the others at Wicwas. I also received a report of a pair of bald eagles on Waukewan (thank you BG!) , but they don't go on my bird count list.
I also saw one other bird during our visit to Profile Falls Park where there's a nice walk (or snowshoe or ski - they groom a short trail there) to the Pemigewasset River. There we found the only wildlife on that excursion, three American black ducks out on the ice.
American Black Duck
It's not only humans that enjoy the ice in New Hampshire.
No, I didn't coin the term "Superb Owl Sunday" but I think it's great! Owls are among the first birds to nest each year, and barred owls, our largest and most common owls, are already looking for mates and nesting sites, so SuperbOwl Sunday is a good time to listen for their calls, whether it's to woo a mate or to defend its nesting territory. I've heard a few in the area but haven't seen any this winter, so here's picture from three years ago, one of my favorite stories of a barred owl which you can find in the February 17, 2019 post.
A barred owl watches over the bird feeder.
Yesterday we went to the Laconia World Championship Sled Dog races, a three day event that went off with excellent snow conditions on the trails. It's always fun to watch the dogs pull with such energy and enthusiasm, sometimes a little too much enthusiasm as when they get all tangled up at the start because they can't wait to get running. We saw no such problems at the start of the six-dog teams on Saturday, but boy it takes an effort to keep all that excitement in control as they await their starting gun.
Bringing the first team out, one handler for each dog.
Some pretty high tech equipment.
These dogs want to run!
And they're off!
Next was team number two, another team with only five dogs, one less than allowed:
Bringing team number two the the starting line.
This handler has to manage two pups.
Raring to go.
And when the gun goes off you'd better get out of the way,
because these guys aren't going to wait for you to move!
Team number two is off to the races.
Someone on team six was pretty excited:
Jumping for Joy.
Here they go:
Get out of the way!
It takes about 17 to 20 minutes for the six-dog teams to run their course; here team number one comes down the final stretch to the finish line.
The dogs look tired at the end, but it's hard work for the mushers too.
There was some tight racing on Saturday's six-dog classic. Here, three teams bunched up just before the finish line.
Teams three, four, and five in a tight race.
It also shows that the mushers don't just stand on the sled, going along for the ride - note musher three working hard to keep things upright.
If you have never been to watch the races, it's definitely something to experience. It's also interesting to think about how much canines have changed over the millennia, from wild wolves to domesticated dogs, comfort animals, service dogs, and loving pets.
But that's not all. The Meredith fishing derby is also taking place this weekend. We went out on Meredith Bay to see the action (and maybe get a snack from the Boy Scouts) and there was a lot going on as always.
A whole village materializes on Meredith Bay in winter.
The leader board at derby headquarters on Meredith Bay.
I was impressed to see that Lake Wicwas was well represented on the leader board: The largest pickerel and the largest black crappie - as of Saturday noon time - were both from Wicwas!
A 24", 3.6 pound pickerel from Lake Wicwas.
And a 13.5", 1.3 pound black crappie.
Those are some impressive fish coming out of our lake.
Lots of action on Lake Wicwas on Saturday.
This weekend is also the NH Audubon Backyard Winter Birdy Survey, and you can still participate as it runs through the end of today (February 13th). You can find all the information on how to participate and submit your observations here. On Saturday I observed nine different species, and am hoping to see a couple more today.
A white breasted nuthatch participates in the winter bird count.
Sorry for another long post, but it was quite a weekend up here at the Lakes. Let's go Rams, Bengals, and Owls!
But the warm weather has foiled the Alton Bay ice runway, which for the second straight year will not open for planes to use due to lack of ice. It's the first time ever that it hasn't opened two years in a row.
