Animals

Insects
Amphibians
Reptiles
Birds
Mammals
 

Plants

Trees

Gray Tree Frog in the Oak Hill Pool. Also found in flower pots.

Photographed at Oak Hill. A harmless vegetarian, this is a very interesting insect and one not often seen because it blends in so well the vegetation on which it is found.

This gorgeous moth was photographed in the Building #3 garden early in the morning.  It was a fairly chilly morning and it was probably too cold to fly away.  Notice one side the tail is damaged.  If you look closely at the photo you can see the feather like antenna that show it is a moth, not a butterfly.

Feeds on Birch, Hickory and Walnut trees.

This is a beautiful Polyphemus Moth found on the road in early July.  The larva feed on various trees and shrubs.  The adults fly at  night and are attracted to lights.

The Polyphemus Moth is one of the larger silk moths which weave silken cocoons in the larval stage.  The adults only live a few days and do not feed.  They usually sit with the wings folded into a tent above their body, but open the wings to display the large eyespots when disturbed.

I found this moth on the road one morning and carried it to the grass.  It immediately opened its wings.  When I returned a few minutes later it had flown off.

The nest of the paper wasp or Bald-faced Hornet is usually constructed high in a tree and not noticed until the leaves fall in late fall. This one was under the third floor deck. If left undisturbed it will become larger than a football.

Bald-faced Hornets (Paper Wasps)

Early in the spring an odd shaped thing started growing under the deck above my deck. When I first noticed it was the size of a small ball and I only saw one hornet coming in and out.  Apparently this was the queen hornet and she was building a small nest and laying a few eggs to produce workers.

I thought all this was interesting and continued to watch the nest.  As time went on the nest grew and I saw more and more hornets going in an out.   I got a good look and was able to identify the Bald-faced Hornet.

The Bald-faced Hornet is considered a beneficial insect because it kills and eats other insects.    It is great when it builds its nest high in a tree away from people.  Workers react very viciously if the nest is disturbed and a worker can sting multiple times.  When I read that by the middle of August there would be 200-400 workers coming in and out of the nest I got  worried for myself and my neighbors.

The fix was to notify the office who sent an eradicator.  He sprayed the nest and quickly closed the screen door.  In a few minutes all was quiet.

If you have a flower pot or any hiding place on your deck, you may  acquire a resident Gray Tree Frog. At times your new pet may give off with a loud call that sounds much like the Red-bellied Woodpecker call.   He is probably calling for a mate.  If he is still around come late fall, try to coax him or her into going in the woods. I don't think they will survive in the flower pot.

The tiny Gray Tree Frog is shown perched on the edge of a flower pot.

Gray Tree Frogs are often in the pool.  Please do not allow your children to harass the frogs. These animals have a right to live free.

The only snake you are likely to see at Oak Hill or in the woods is the Eastern Garter Snake. This snake is totally harmless.  It usually presents as a black snake with yellow strips that run from head to tail.  Please leave it alone.

The only natural, poisonous snake in NH, the Timber Rattlesnake lives only in rocky outcrops in the mountains.  It is almost extirpated in NH.

No one can guarantee that a pet snake that escaped or released is not surviving in the woods. Snakes do not attack people. They only defend themselves.

If  you see a snake other than the common garter snake.  Stand back. Take a picture or make a mental note of the description. Report to the wildlife authorities.

Snakes are not allowed as pets at Oak Hill.  See Living Together for a complete listing of rules.

This Chipping Sparrow built her nest in a wreath behind Building #5 and the occupant of the unit kindly protected the bird and her nest.  Here the female is seen sitting on her egg.  What was puzzling about this was that this picture was taken late in August.  While the owner reports that one egg hatched and eventually fledged, it would seem too late for the young bird to be strong enough to migrate south.  We wish it luck. Momma gets an A+ for determination.

Red-tailed Hawks have been very successful around the country feeding on road kill.  If you see a hawk feeding on a carcass in the road, try to move the carcass a safe distance from the road.

Here a pair of Red-tailed Hawks soar above Building #3.  The male was calling so I assume this is a courting pair. Hollywood uses the cry of the Red-tailed Hawk whenever they show a Bald Eagle because the whimpy whistle of the Eagle is not majestic.

Red-tailed Hawk sitting on the carport at Building #3.  You can see how it gets its name.  The hawks have been seen near Buildings #3 and ! several times.  They are probably nesting in the area.  Crows and smaller birds like Bluejays try to harass them and drive them away from their own nests.

This is a smaller hawk with a long tail.  I apologize for this picture which was taken with my point and shoot camera.  The Cooper's Hawk is the notorious chicken hawk which used to raid chicken coops.  We have no chickens at Oak Hill so the Cooper's Hawk is welcome.  I cannot imagine it bothering dogs or cats which shouldn't be roaming around untended anyway.  Cooper's Hawk are fast fliers and do take other birds.

This bird was photographed in a tree behind the carport between buildings 8 and 7.

The large black bird with white on the wings and red on the head is a Pileated Woodpecker. Wish I had a better picture.  Two were seen in the woods between Oak Hill Lane and the Woodlands on Sunday August 1, 2010.

Woodpeckers

Several species of Woodpecker can be seen at Oak Hill including:

Pileated Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

If you hear persistent tapping in the woods follow the sound and perhaps you will see a flash of red.  The tone of the tapping depends upon the tree.  Hollow trees branch make a louder sound than solid branches.

Dens in burrows with more than one opening. Hibernates in winter. Lives 4-5 years. Mates in March or April and breeds at 1 year of age.

Makes a shrill whistle when disturbed.  Likes open woods and brushy areas.

Not harmful in non-agriculture areas except for the extensive tunnels under the grass.  Can be hard on gardens.

This one photographed in Merrimack, NH by Dr. Anne Tarry.

Very rarely bats carry rabies so you are advised not to handle them.  They do not normally attack humans or large animals. Vampire bats that do bite and suck blood from mammals live in South America only entering the U.S. in southern California and Arizona.  There is some evidence that some vampire bats are moving north with global warming.

The Big Brown Bat is the most common and likes to hibernate in winter in attics. Be sure to seal all boxes with tape to prevent entry and be careful about bringing down a box with Christmas decorations.

Remember, bats eat insects and we have plenty to feed them.  We need more bats.

Skunks eat both plant and animal material  and sometimes garbage. The summer of 2008 was very wet producing an abundance of grubs in our lawns.  This is why I think we saw so many skunks prowling the lawn.

Black with a white strip on face.  White on the nape of the neck divides into two white stripes which continue down the sides of the back and into the tail.

The fox holds the tail straight back when running. The slightly larger coyote runs with tail down also lacks the white tip to the tail.

Young are born in a den in March or April.  Both parents feed the young and the male feeds the female while she is confined to the den with the pups.

Do not under any circumstances feed the fox.  Fox can have rabies.  Leave the fox alone.

This is the best picture I got of the fox that probably had a den in the woods between Oak Hill Lane and the Woodlands at about the spot where the landscaper has been putting grass clippings.  I can see a big hole under a rock from the road.  One fox began to behave abnormally and was removed by the authorities.  A fox continued to be seen after the first animal was removed.

Fox walking into the woods in front of Building #3. Notice the white tip to the tail of this reddish brown fox. The Red Fox need not be red and may be a mixture of gray and brown.

Native Americans used porcupine quills to decorate clothing and to make it shed water.  After the arrival of Europeans, trade beads replaced porcupine quills.

The coyote is a scavenger and will eat anything.

Coyotes have been reported from Building #3 this summer 2011.

How To Separate Red Fox and Coyote

The coyote is larger than the Red Fox and lacks the white tip to the tail. 

The Coyote is the size of medium size dog.  It is gray or reddish gray.  Nose is more pointed and tail bushier than most dogs.  Eye shine green/gold.

The fox holds the tail straight back when running. Coyote runs with tail between the legs.

Nocturnal (active at night). Likes to seek shelter un old dens, under buildings, hollow trees, culverts, brush piles. Often road kill.

Primarily nocturnal, but  sometimes out in daylight. Eats fruits, nuts, grains, insects, frogs, crayfish, bird eggs, anything including garbage. Does not hibernate in winter, but usually stays in a den.

Acrobatic, the Gray Squirrel easily climbs to third floor balconies and has been known to invade the attic space.  To avoid attracting squirrels to  yours and your neighbor's deck, do not put out any food.  Avoid ornamental corn and gourds.