Observations: May 27, 2005 Time: 7:35 am Weather: Cool and overcast

Tunnel Travelers  A springtime stroll through the fields at Sheldon Point or the Children’s Forest reveals a number of paths the width of a golf ball, tramped down in the grass. These “runways” are the wintertime work of the Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Burrowing through the snow, these rodents bite off the grass at ground level, then trample it down, forming easily recognizable trails through the field. Using snow tunnels in the winter and grass tunnels roofed over with vegetation in the summer affords the voles some small level of protection from predators and the elements. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, seed and bark of young trees and shrubs. While Meadow Voles are rapid breeders (producing litters of up to 9 young, four or more times a year), their populations are kept in check by the owls, hawks and foxes of the park. Rarely will a vole reach its first birthday; most being eaten within a month or so of their birth. This rodent has dark brown fur on top, with lighter undersides. Their ears are largely concealed by fur, while the voles body length (tail included) is approximately 15cm (6inches). As they spend a great amount of their time concealed in dark runways and grass lined nests, eyesight is not critical hence, the Meadow Vole has smaller eyes than their surface dwelling cousin, the Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) featured in the March, 1996 Notebook issue. Enjoy some quiet time and lay down amongst the tall grass. You’ll likely hear their scampering and maybe the odd squeak!

Merlin (Falco columbarius) This small raptor (25-35cm) is a member of the falcon family and thus has a sleak body and pointed wings and a long tail. The Merlins’ scientific name comes from the latin for their hook-shaped beak (falcate) and columbarius, meaning pigeons, one of their favorite meals. These birds are often seen over the fields at the Sheldon Point trail head and also in the salt marsh hunting for birds such as swallows, shorebirds (in season) and some rodents. The males and females both have black bands across their tails, a brown streaked chest and small black sideburns down their cheek much like a peregrine (see June, 2001 notebook). Males are a blue grey above and smaller than the females & immatures which are brown. Largely predators of birds flying over open areas, they gain their meals through a slashing blow by their open feet, with a quick return and dive (sometime midair catch) for the then dead bird. The merlins’ high speed (over 80kph) and great agility means that the intended prey’s only hope is to reach cover in trees. Males do most of the hunting from courtship to fledging. Look for 30-40cm diameter stick nest resting 3-10m up in the larger hardwood along the Sheldon Pt. trail.

The Naturalist's Notebook is a regular publication. If you have any questions or topics that you would like to see addressed, please call John Gilbert, Manager, Fish and Wildlife, J.D. Irving, Limited, (506) 632-7777 or email honeyman.kelly@jdirving.com