Pawtuckaway Lake Association

While this isn't the largest snapping turtle I've seen on the lake, he certainly is a contender. This turtle is around 3 feet long, snout to tail. He was enjoying one of the few sunny days we have had so far this summer. Keep an eye out for these snappers walking across your lawn or on your dirt roads. Early summer they come on shore to lay their eggs. In the State Park they have a turtle they think is 100 years old. She has been coming back to the same spot every year to lay her eggs.

Members Bob & Karen Rydeen inadvertently disturbed some Giant European Hornets when they walked near their nest in a birdhouse gourd. "They literally chased us when we came anywhere near their nest", said Bob Rydeen. Bob recommends that, "you give this species a wide berth or destroy their nest".

I spotted a pileated woodpecker pecking a very large hole into an oak tree in my my yard. Luckily I was able to open my slider enough to poke my lense through and snap this shot. The woodpecker scooted around the back side of the tree and began to curse at me. After a second he slid back to the side of the tree and resumed pecking his hole. This bird was at least 15" long with a beautiful red crest on his head.

Lukoki Leasure spotted a coyote crossing the road as he was driving down Shore Drive early this morning. He described the coyote as looking "a little mangy". Coyotes are predators of small animals so be cautious about leaving your cats out if you spot the coyote in your neighborhood. A coyote looks similar to a dog but, has a longer nose and bigger ears. For more information about New Hampshire coyotes visit : http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Wildlife_profiles/profile_eastern_coyote.htm