Organization: FidoNet node 1:321/152 - SpaceMet North 2, Greenfield MA
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She:Kon Kwe Kwe]
Breakfast was great so on to news
Location]
Ashfield, Massachusetts, USA 42o 30' north, 72o 46' west
STUDY AREA
my backyard and school plaground of Charlemont north west 42o 37' N,72o 52' W
WEATHER
This past week has been mostly overcast with some percipitation. Tuesday we got 4 inches of snow. This was enough to have school cancelled the next day. Many of our rural population live on dirt roads where the incline can be very difficult to negotiate. Buses must go to nine towns many of which are hill towns and roads so exstensive that they are not plowed till later in the day. Safety is the major concern hence school was closed. Hate to have it happen so early because these days must be made up i
n June. Stae mandates we are in school 185 days. This is quite early for snowfall but the Almanac, originally staRTED BY Benjamin Franklin, predicts a snowy winter, something we in New England haven't seen much of for about a decade.
PLANTS
Most are going into their dormant stages. All deciduous trees have lsot their leaves excepting the oak which historically clings to her garment of rust for the better part of the winter. We have raked most of the leaves except those under the apple tree and must clear those or the lawn will disappear. The mole have really had a field day. Their number was low last year but they have multiplied and our yard is a patchwork of strange tunnelings and frequent erruptions. Notl sure how to deter the critter
s but don't appreciate their handy work.
On a scarier note, Nov 13 my husband and I watched a grey fox out our kitchen window. We needed to get chores done so rapped of the window to arouse the vixen but she groggyly paid little heed to our presence and starting walking in aimless circles. Next she proceeded to sit down and raise her head in proxisms of agony, similar to behavior I have seen in dogs with porcupine quills in their mouth. Next she was shaken by convulsive tremors and fell over. At this point I called the game warden and he came
over to take care of her. Two days later , while walking in the woods with my two golden retriever, we came upon a similarly stricken raccoon and again needed to call the local game warden. On Wednesday two of the neighbors children came upon the carcass of a red fox which appeared to have died in agony.
I have not heard to results of tests which were done on these animals as they had to be sent to a lab 130 miles away. I did call the local veterinarian and had my horses and dogs revaccinated for rabies and distemper for the dogs. It was horribly sad to see these animals in the clutches of such agony and equally disheartening to imagine how it might all end. You are very lucky not to have rabies in your country if that is what this was. Is distemper a concern in Australia?
BIRDS
A great number enjoyed the thistle, sunflowers, suet and multi-variety of seeds in our feeder especially when the ground was covered with snow. Yesterday it rained so our yard is again clear of snow. We have seen the tufted titmouse, forme this was a first. He is delightful with doe like eyes and a blush of rouge under his wings. Many others visit our feeder but I think I have written too much already.
