By Wildlife Biologist Joe Wiley You can learn a lot about wildlife by just being still and observant. While sitting on my front porch on a warm day in late March, I noticed four gray squirrels in the ancient sugar maple tree in the yard. The squirrels were doing usual springtime squirrel stuff, mostly courtship chasing. Then, I noticed one of the squirrels was very interested in the swollen base of branch stubs on the main trunk of the maple. Using my binoculars, I could see the squirrel licking a light colored spot on the branch stub.

[caption id="attachment_1398" align="alignright" width="514"] A half culvert like this one, place on cement footings, allows for a natural stream bottom that allows for the passage of fish and other species.[/caption] By Joe Wiley, IFW Wildlife Biologist Landowners, bo

[caption id="attachment_1389" align="alignright" width="331"] The cavity in this oak tree is useful to a number of species.

[caption id="attachment_1381" align="aligncenter" width="842"] New opportunities for young anglers in the Rangeley Lakes Region had many kids out ice fishing this past winter.[/caption] By IFW Fisheries Biologist Dave Howatt

[caption id="attachment_1372" align="alignleft" width="210"] Rick Alley of Isleford, Maine with his winning painting of blue-winged teal[/caption]

Congratulations to Richard Alley, Jr., of Isleford, the winner of the 2016 Maine Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Contest!