On Wednesday, June 11, we walked around the church grounds and found insects, ferns, and flowers galore. Our mascot, TS, delighted in the Wild Strawberries. As did some of us.
Trail Snails:
On June 6 we ventured to Notch View Farm on Route 113 in Chatham, NH, to enjoy some of the trails with landowner Becky Knowles. Along the way we spotted a Yeti, counted 44 Lady's Slippers, and met Marta, a Norwegian Fjord Horse.
On June 6 we ventured to Notch View Farm on Route 113 in Chatham, NH, to enjoy some of the trails with landowner Becky Knowles. Along the way we spotted a Yeti, counted 44 Lady's Slippers, and met Marta, a Norwegian Fjord Horse.
Next Trail Snails wandering: Tuesday, June 17, 10am
Hemlock Bridge Road, Fryeburg, meet at the bridge.
From Route 5, follow Frog Alley to the end, turn left onto Hemlock Bridge Road and proceed to the covered bridge.
From Route 302, follow Hemlock Bridge Road for several miles, cross over the bridge and meet on the other side.
RSVP: lmachayes@gmail.com
Hemlock Bridge Road, Fryeburg, meet at the bridge.
From Route 5, follow Frog Alley to the end, turn left onto Hemlock Bridge Road and proceed to the covered bridge.
From Route 302, follow Hemlock Bridge Road for several miles, cross over the bridge and meet on the other side.
RSVP: lmachayes@gmail.com
Trail Snails Nature Walk
On Friday, May 30, Jeff and Leigh spotted 41 Lady's Slippers along Old Route 5 at Proctor Pond Reserve in Stoneham.
Trail Snails
Memorial Day or there abouts is the perfect time to search for Lady's Slippers and this week two brief walks are on the menu--both to the same destination along old Route 5 in Stoneham.
If you missed the Wednesday afternoon walk, there's still time to sign up with Leigh for Friday morning at 10am. FMI: lmachayes@gmail.com
Memorial Day or there abouts is the perfect time to search for Lady's Slippers and this week two brief walks are on the menu--both to the same destination along old Route 5 in Stoneham.
If you missed the Wednesday afternoon walk, there's still time to sign up with Leigh for Friday morning at 10am. FMI: lmachayes@gmail.com
On May 14, the Trail Snails enjoyed a slow crawl along a portion of The Mountain Division Trail in Fryeburg, heading north from Porter Road. Spring ephemerals including Wild Sarsapirilla, trees and shrubs including Alternate-leaved Dogwood, Striped Maple, Northern Whitecedar, and Oak, especially those with flowers, plus Painted Turtles galore, Momma Mallard and her ducklings, and a Garter Snake were all part of what caught our attention. Along for the exploration today, Richard J., Steve P., Nancy D,. and Leigh H.
We wandered along the wetland loop at Highland Research Forest in Bridgton on Thursday, May 8, and saw so many wonders that we had to pull ourselves away. Our finds included a variety of birds including Red-winged Blackbirds, Canada Geese, and a Great Blue Heron, plus flowers, and leaves, and even a damselfly naiad.
Photos from today's (4-23-2025) delightful adventure along the Narrow Gauge Trail in Denmark.
On Friday, March 28, the Trail Snails met on Porter Road in Fryeburg to walk along the paved Mountain Division Rail Trail. Our tree finds were many, from Bear and White Oak to Pitch, Red, and White Pine, to Black Locust and Big Tooth Aspen.
Joining us today: Front: Marion, Eileen, Richard, Joan. Back: Nancy, Bruce, Julia, Gary, Clark.
March 4, 2025
This week found us walking along the snowmobile trail behind Leigh's house where we made all kinds of discoveries including Porcupine tracks and scat and twigs, and other natural phenomena, and we even saved some Winter Fireflies by letting them warm up on our fingers.
Photo: Nancy D holding scat in a shovel, Marion B with a twig, Nancy G with a twig, Marcia H grinning, Gary H showing how a Porcupine moves with the sandpapery gripers on its feet, and Jula H ready to help her favorite Porcupine get back up if need be.
This week found us walking along the snowmobile trail behind Leigh's house where we made all kinds of discoveries including Porcupine tracks and scat and twigs, and other natural phenomena, and we even saved some Winter Fireflies by letting them warm up on our fingers.
Photo: Nancy D holding scat in a shovel, Marion B with a twig, Nancy G with a twig, Marcia H grinning, Gary H showing how a Porcupine moves with the sandpapery gripers on its feet, and Jula H ready to help her favorite Porcupine get back up if need be.
February 25,2025
Peabody-Fitch Woods, South Bridgton
Peabody-Fitch Woods, South Bridgton
February 21, 2025
Pondicherry Park, Bridgton
The Trail Snails were excited to have Reverend Annette along for today's journey. Our learning included the history of the Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge and its 16 cross beams, White Ash identification, a kill site that told the story of a duck and a coyote or three--guess who became a meal, the Kneeland Spring, and so much more.
Present today; Joan L, Eileen B, Nancy D, Eric W, Gary H, Bruce B, Clark L, Rev. Annette, Richard J, and Leigh M.
Pondicherry Park, Bridgton
The Trail Snails were excited to have Reverend Annette along for today's journey. Our learning included the history of the Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge and its 16 cross beams, White Ash identification, a kill site that told the story of a duck and a coyote or three--guess who became a meal, the Kneeland Spring, and so much more.
Present today; Joan L, Eileen B, Nancy D, Eric W, Gary H, Bruce B, Clark L, Rev. Annette, Richard J, and Leigh M.
On Friday, January 17, 2025, seven Trail Snails met at Loon Echo Land Trust's Crooked River Forest in Harrison to slither along the trail and figure out who else was doing the same. The answers were varied, from Meadow Voles and Red Squirrels to a Porcupine in its den, and deer that had slid down the steep, icy embankment, regained composure, and crossed Crooked River on the ice.
We're crawling into our shells the week of Jan 20th off, due to low wind chill temps, but will be back on a trail next week.
January 7, 2025
It was another blustery and frigid morning, but a few snails slithered (almost literally on the ice--thank goodness for Micro-spikes and hiking poles) along the trail beside Crooked River at Western Foothills Land Trust's Twin Bridges Preserve in Otisfield on Tuesday, January 7th. We noticed the variety of conifers, a few lichens, ice formations, and the beauty that surrounded us. And as always, fellowship.
Our next adventure will be on Friday, January 17. Stay tuned for details.
Interested in joining us? Contact Leigh Hayes (lmachayes@gmail.com)
St. Peter's Trail Snails said goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025 with a short crawl on December 31 by Stevens Brook and Long Lake in Bridgton. Along the way we learned some things about the natural and cultural history of the area, including the brook being an important power source for the town.
Hot cocoa and cookies were enjoyed by all at the end.
Hot cocoa and cookies were enjoyed by all at the end.
December 3, 2024
Pondicherry Park from Bob Dunning Bridgton the Old foundation
Pondicherry Park from Bob Dunning Bridgton the Old foundation
November 19, 2024
Narrow Gauge Trail in Denmark Maine
Narrow Gauge Trail in Denmark Maine
November 5, 2024
Today we Wondered
Pondicherry Park.
Today we Wondered
Pondicherry Park.
Trail Snail Walk
