October 2012 Newsletter - Town of Phippsburg

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the land should be respected by everyone who uses it. When you visit a conservation easement area, please keep the noise down and take the trash out. Robinson’s Rock, as one of the higher elevations in Phippsburg, was historically a military lookout for spotting ships coming into Casco Bay from the east and the west. During the War of 1812, Colonel Robinson signaled with a warning light to Munjoy Hill fourteen miles west in Portland! On a clear day, Mount Washington can be seen and the Portland skyline across Casco Bay. It is a great place to watch migrating hawks, witness stunning sunsets and enjoy magnificent fall foliage. The wooded trail is lined with rich mosses and ferns and the spruce wood habitat is classic for grouse and porcupines. Woodcocks have been spotted near the West Point Road trail head. Map to Robinson's Rock from the West Point Road and Sebasco Road click here and access Google maps with directions. We've drawn a trail map for you! The short trail to The Bumper: From Route 209, take the Sebasco Road about ½ mile to the West Point Road. On the West Point Road, about ¼ mile on the right, is a small area to park at the trail head across the road from the Totman Preserve sign. The trail leads west up the hill. On the east end of the trail, it can be muddy. Wear good shoes. The walk takes about 10 minutes. The trail can also be accessed by way of the Sebasco Road. From Rt 209, about ½ mile - Parking is on the right side of the road. The trail head is on the left. Don't forget your binoculars! For directions to other conservation easement lands and great walking trails ,birds, flowers and other natural wonders, click HERE on the Phippsburg Land Trust web site. The Phippsburg Conservation Commission welcomes your input and ideas. If you have suggestions or photographs that you would like to see in this newsletter, please contact the editor, Robin R Robinson at 389-1609 or rrrobinson@hotmail.com 4
BUNDLES OF BUTTERFLIES! Mourning Cloak butterfly photographed in Small Point, September 2012. Gorgeous photograph courtesy of Dan Hinckley. Mourning Cloaks over-winter as butterflies in Phippsburg. Most butterflies overwinter as pupa or cocoons. You’re not seeing things - or maybe you are! The Monarchs are migrating and plentiful, as are the White and Red Admirals, Mourning Cloaks, Painted and American Ladies and many more. There have been much higher than usual numbers of butterflies reported in the eastern half of the United States this year. And, species that are rare in the northeast have been reported! Reasons for this remain unclear, but climate change is a suspected cause. There are approximately 20,000 species of butterflies in the world. About 725 species have occurred in North America, with about 575 of these occurring regularly in the lower 48 states of the United States. Maine’s Butterfly Survey lists about 120 species. Which butterfly species and how many are seen in a geographic area is information gathered by ordinary people, such as you! The Maine Butterfly Survey is a statewide, volunteer survey effort that tracks butterflies. Consider joining the project as a citizen scientist. The butterflies you count count! 5
Page 1 and 2: View from Robinson’s Rock, A.K.A.
Page 3: WHAT’S A CONSERVATION EASEMENT?
Page 7 and 8: The photograph on the left is a Woo
Page 9 and 10: nature sighting, contact Robin R Ro
Page 11 and 12: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Phippsburg
Page 13: Friends of Casco Bay Phippsburg has

October 2012 Newsletter - Town of Phippsburg

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