"A man is rich in proportion to the number
of things he can afford to let alone."
-Henry David Thoreau
These photos of wild turkeys were taken by
Brenda Bregoli at at 214 Washington St.
"The graceful white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), the most
abundant of Massachusetts' large game animals has become
controversial because of its burgeoning population.
Before European settlement, the deer population was checked by native predators such as timber wolves and mountain lions, both of which were soon extirpated by the colonists. Settlers as well as native Americans also hunted deer, and much deer habitat was eliminated as forests were converted to farm land. It is estimated that by the early 1900's, there were fewer than 1000 deer in Massachusetts. In 1910 the first deer hunting statute was passed in the Commonwealth, establishing a restricted season and setting limits on the number of deer that can be taken." - MAAudubon.com
Deer are more common in Norwell. These pictures were taken by Frank Macdonald, of Hunneman- Norwell, on Winter Street.
Before European settlement, the deer population was checked by native predators such as timber wolves and mountain lions, both of which were soon extirpated by the colonists. Settlers as well as native Americans also hunted deer, and much deer habitat was eliminated as forests were converted to farm land. It is estimated that by the early 1900's, there were fewer than 1000 deer in Massachusetts. In 1910 the first deer hunting statute was passed in the Commonwealth, establishing a restricted season and setting limits on the number of deer that can be taken." - MAAudubon.com
Deer are more common in Norwell. These pictures were taken by Frank Macdonald, of Hunneman- Norwell, on Winter Street.
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is
native to North America and is the heaviest
member of the Galliformes. It is the same
species as the domestic turkey, which was
domesticated from the South Mexican
subspecies of the wild turkey.
If you live in Norwell, chances are you've
stopped during your morning commute to
allow these birds to cross the street; maybe
you even honked your horn and let fly some
unkind words cursing them for making you
late. Either way, wild turkeys are a common
sight here in Norwell.
Goldfinches are common in Norwell, and
match the forsythia and daffodils of spring.
Look for them in your backyard, especially if
you have birdfeeders.
And of course, any moderately forested community would be remiss
without everyone's favorite animal, the Skunk.
The American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)
prefers open country where weeds thrive,
such as fields, meadows, flood plains, as well
as roadsides, orchards, and gardens. It may
also be found in open deciduous and riparian
woodlands and areas of secondary growth.
This habitat preference continues during the
spring and autumn migrations.
Beginning its search for food at dawn and dusk, the Striped Skunk
(Mephitis mephitis) feeds on mice, eggs, carrion, insects, grubs, and
berries. At sunrise, it retires to its den, which may be in a ground
burrow, or beneath a building, boulder, or rock pile. While the male
dens by itself, several females may live together. The striped skunk
does not hibernate but instead goes into a dormant or semi-active
state. Outside the breeding season, males are solitary and try to build
fat reserves while females defend their maternity dens
To the left are some photos of a close encounter with a skunk at
night. Fortunately it made itself scarce soon after. Good riddance.
Other Transient Birds
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Scenes of Norwell Wildlife
Although Norwell has a vibrant business community, there is still
plenty of open space in town, both public and private. If you're more
interested in 4H than 4 corners, you don't have to go too far in
Norwell. You can spot deer at Stetson Meadows, coyotes anywhere
near Wompatuck Park, and farm animals from Main Street to
Washington Street, Winter Street to Summer Street. Send in your
photos to Geoff@agordon.com and be featured on this page!
To your left is the elusive Fisher Cat (Martes pennanti), the crepuscular inhabitant of our forests that is rarely seen by humans. Although severely endangered at one point, conservation efforts have brought the Fishers' population back to normal levels. Altough they are the only predator known to actively hunt porcupines, these distant cousins of the pine martin are only a danger to small pets.
To your left is the elusive Fisher Cat (Martes pennanti), the crepuscular inhabitant of our forests that is rarely seen by humans. Although severely endangered at one point, conservation efforts have brought the Fishers' population back to normal levels. Altough they are the only predator known to actively hunt porcupines, these distant cousins of the pine martin are only a danger to small pets.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is a
medium-sized woodpecker that is mainly light gray on the face and
underparts; they have black and white barred patterns on their back,
wings and tail. Adult males have a red headside going from the bill to
the nape; females have a red patch on the nape and another above the
bill. The reddish tinge on the belly that gives the bird its name is
difficult to see in field identification.
These birds mainly search out bugs on tree trunks. They may also
catch insects in flight. They are omnivores, eating insects, fruits, nuts
and seeds. Their breeding habitat is usually deciduous forests. They
nest in the decayed cavities of dead trees, old stumps, or in live trees
that have softer wood such as elms, maples, or willows; both sexes
assist in digging nesting cavities.
Though the species is not globally threatened, it depends on large trees for nesting. In areas that are extensively deforested, the birds will sometimes utilize gardens, but for the most part simply will not be present in any numbers.
Though the species is not globally threatened, it depends on large trees for nesting. In areas that are extensively deforested, the birds will sometimes utilize gardens, but for the most part simply will not be present in any numbers.
Right - Clockwise from top left:
Nuthatch, Cardinal, Woodpecker,
Mourning Dove.
Below: More Goldfinches!
Below: More Goldfinches!
Wildlife Tracks
This Deer Run shows how
deer often tend to run on
the same game paths.
Tracking in winter is easy.
Here, he's in a little more
of a hurry, as shown by
the trotting cadence.
Coyote tracks such as those seen here are common in
the woods. Note the straight line in across this field to
the left. This is no house pet sniffing every bush and
tree. This animal is on a straight line, looking for food.
To the left, we see that Bugs Bunny came and went. Rabbit
tracks tend to be close to their hole, so as to be able to duck
quickly from danger.
There's a lot more wildlife in
Norwell than the select few
examples found on this page.
We welcome all forms of
submission (text or pictures)
from anyone or anonymously.
Just shoot me an email
(Geoff@agordon.com) and I'll
add your pictures to this page.
Thanks in advance!
[Insert Image Here]
OK, I couldn't resist. In the interest of full
disclosure, I have to admit I didn't take this
picture in Norwell. But I've seen plenty of
foxes here in Norwell, and this was a good
lucky shot that this webmaster took while on
vacation in Canada, so I'm posting it:
The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest of
the true foxes. Outside the breeding season,
most red foxes favour living in the open, in
densely vegetated areas, though they may
enter burrows to escape bad weather. Their
burrows are often dug on hill or mountain
slopes, ravines, bluffs, steep banks of water
bodies, ditches, depressions, gutters, in rock
clefts and neglected human environments.
Red foxes prefer to dig their burrows on well
drained soils. Dens built among tree roots can
last for decades.