Trail Snails Nature Walk
Pondicherry Park adventure
On Tuesday, July 15, Eileen and Bruce Burk, Marion Browning, Sara Rogers, and Leigh explored along the well-shaded accessible trail in Pondicherry Park in Bridgton. The highlight of that excursion was spending time observing a Snapping Turtle below us in Stevens Brook.
On Tuesday, July 15, Eileen and Bruce Burk, Marion Browning, Sara Rogers, and Leigh explored along the well-shaded accessible trail in Pondicherry Park in Bridgton. The highlight of that excursion was spending time observing a Snapping Turtle below us in Stevens Brook.
On Friday, July 11, we left a few trail snails in the woods, but Rev. Annette, Richard, and Leigh explored Crooked River Forest in Harrison and briefly visited Scribner's Mill.
July 2nd, 2025
Thunderstorms were predicted for Tuesday morning, so we postponed the walk to the afternoon. The storms never materialized and by postponing many others could not join us. BUT . . . Rev. Annette, Rich, Ev, and Leigh enjoyed a walk mainly beside Crooked River at Twin Brooks Reserve in Otisfield and saw lots of little wonders of the world, including Emerald Jewelwing Damselflies, Beaked Hazelnuts, Witch's Caps and so much more. Plus, there was a little tree hugging in the mix--by humans and trees.
Thunderstorms were predicted for Tuesday morning, so we postponed the walk to the afternoon. The storms never materialized and by postponing many others could not join us. BUT . . . Rev. Annette, Rich, Ev, and Leigh enjoyed a walk mainly beside Crooked River at Twin Brooks Reserve in Otisfield and saw lots of little wonders of the world, including Emerald Jewelwing Damselflies, Beaked Hazelnuts, Witch's Caps and so much more. Plus, there was a little tree hugging in the mix--by humans and trees.
Trail Snails June 24, 2025
The temperature was not too hot, the bugs not too buggy, and the group not too big, so we decided to not only circle the field, but also hike up to the five quarries at Peabody-Fitch Woods in South Bridgton. Our finds were many, including examining Lady Fern sporangia (comma or eyebrow-shaped spore cases on the underside), taste testing Indian Cucumber Root roots, and noticing variations in leaves and bark.
Next Trail Snails outing:
Tuesday, July 1, 10am, weather permitting
Western Foothills Twin Bridges Preserve, Route 117, Harrison
RSVP: lmachayes@gmail.com
On Tuesday, June 17, it rained lightly. when wa visited Hemlock Covered Bridge in Fryeburg. But we are Trail Snails and we like the rain.
It also rained Mosquitoes. And we had to keep reminding ourselves that we like those pesky little bugs as much as the rain and that they serve as bird food and are an important part of the ecosystem. Yada, yada, yada! Marion described the Mosquitoes as creating a cloud around us much like the dirt cloud that surrounds PigPen in Charlie Brown!
At the end, we watched Bob-o-Links in the field beside Hemlock Bridge Road
It also rained Mosquitoes. And we had to keep reminding ourselves that we like those pesky little bugs as much as the rain and that they serve as bird food and are an important part of the ecosystem. Yada, yada, yada! Marion described the Mosquitoes as creating a cloud around us much like the dirt cloud that surrounds PigPen in Charlie Brown!
At the end, we watched Bob-o-Links in the field beside Hemlock Bridge Road
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.
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 Friday, May 30, Jeff and Leigh spotted 41 Lady's Slippers along Old Route 5 at Proctor Pond Reserve in Stoneham.
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
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.
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.
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)
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
