Monthly Archives: February 2013

Much Ado About Maple

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Hillary T.

Maple SugaringIt’s a seasonal rite of passage in New England. By mid-February, maple trees across the region are affixed with silver buckets ready and waiting to catch the sweet sap as it drips through the tap.

Looking to learn more about maple sugaring, and how to get involved? Keep reading.

The Sappy Story

There are many legends about how maple sugar was first discovered. One Iroquois legend tells how Chief Woksis had thrown his tomahawk into a maple tree one winter evening. After he removed it, the weather turned sunny and warm. Sap began to flow from the cut in the tree.

Most likely the Native Americans discovered the sweetness of the maple tree by eating “sapsicles,” the icicles of frozen maple sap that form from the end of a broken twig.

The most common early method of collecting sweet sap was to make V-shaped slashes in the tree trunk, and collect the sap in a wooden vessel. With the advent of drills, both Native Americans and European settlers started drilling holes in the trees and inserting spiles made of a softwood twig such as sumac or elderberry to allow the sap to run out. This was much less harmful to the tree and more efficient for collection.

These days, at Mass Audubon, we use metal spiles and buckets as well as wood fired evaporators. Larger scale producers use plastic spiles and tubing that runs from tree to tree and then into big collecting tanks. Many producers also now use freeze-thaw separation systems or reverse osmosis to remove some of the water before they boil the sap in large, gas-fired evaporators.

Sweet Tree

While all maples have sweet sap, sugar maples, Acer saccharum, produce the best sap for sugaring. The sap of the sugar maple has higher concentrations of sugar than other members of the maple family, and produces better flavored, lighter syrup.

The sugar maple is a large, long lived, slow growing, hardwood tree. A tappable tree should be at least 12 inches in diameter, which takes about 40 years for a sugar maple.

Watching the Weather

Sugar maples will run sap only when the weather conditions are right. The normal tapping time in Massachusetts is mid-February to mid-March. Sap will run when nights are cold, 25° F or below, and days are warm, 40° F or above.

The depth of the snow on the ground during the season is also a factor in sap season. If there is a deep layer of snow on top of the frozen ground during maple season, the snow will help extend the season by keeping the ground frozen longer. Frozen ground helps to slow the development of the tree’s leaf buds, and delay the “buddiness” of the sap.

From Sap to Syrup

Once the sap is collected, it heads to the evaporator, where it boils down, creating the steamy plume that makes everything smell so sweet. It takes 4 to 6 hours of continuous boiling before the sap reduces enough to become delicious maple syrup. It gets strained and bottled and then it’s ready to eat!

Join the Fun

Explore the sweet side of nature and take part in the New England tradition! In February and March you can experience the art and fun of maple sugaring at Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries, with tours, festivals, programs, and pancake breakfasts.

Looking to tap on your own? Pick up supplies and a manual at the Audubon Shop in Lincoln.

Love is for the Birds

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Hillary T.

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. But how do we compare to our bird counterparts when it comes to courtship? Here are just a few of the more impressive romantics in Massachusetts.

American WoodcockAmerican Woodcock
Come March and April, this reclusive forest dweller puts on quite a show. At the romantic twilight hour, the male struts about and calls out nasal peeents before suddenly spiraling 200 feet up into the air. If that weren’t grand enough, he then sounds with sweet wing twittering as he rapidly zigzags down to the ground, only to begin the show all over again.

 

 

Bald EagleBald Eagles
Eagles generally mate for life—or until one bird dies. Courtship behavior can include a spectacular flight display in which the birds lock talons and tumble down through the air for hundreds of feet. But once the lovers’ offspring are able to find food on their own (usually in early fall), they go their separate ways and remain solitary until the following breeding season.

 

 

cedarwaxwingCedar Waxwings
The male cedar waxwing might not be able to dazzle the ladies with a daring aerial display, but what he lacks in showmanship he more than makes up for in affectionate generosity. After a few hops and a beak nuzzle, the gentleman often presents his lady love with berries, flower petals, or insects.

 

 

Red-tailed hawkRed-tailed Hawk
After an impressive courtship dance during in which both sexes dive and swoop in large circles, these two amorous raptors lock talons as they spiral down through the air. Red-tailed hawks also take the prize for dedication. Not only do they have just one mate for life (which can be as long as 30 years), but the male and female team up to build the nest, incubate the eggs, and feed the young.

 

 

Spotted SandpiperSpotted Sandpipers
These shorebirds are notorious for their role reversals. The female has many boyfriends per season, and it’s the males that stick around and take care of the kids. To make things even more interesting, because mom can store sperm for up to a month, dad may adopt some other guy’s offspring.

 

 

 

Northern HarrierNorthern Harriers
Silent most of the year, northern harriers let everyone know when they’re in the mood for love. They become quite vocal during the courtship display, which involves a remarkable sky dance. Both male and female lock talons and fall from a great height while performing a series of steep undulations, often passing a nosh to the mate.

 

 

Beyond Our Borders
While Massachusetts boasts some noteworthy romantic displays, our birds could learn a thing or two from these far-flung species.

Have you seen any impressive avian courtship displays? Share in the comments! Want to see this in action? Register for an upcoming woodcock program today!