Tilton Conservation Commission
Tilton, NH

                                                                                                                                                                                                     
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CONSERVATION NEWS
From TILTON, NH
Tilton Conservation Commission, 257 Main Street, Tilton, NH 03276                         Fall 2009


Fall 2009 Newsletter


 Fall leaves  

A Special Place to Visit in Tilton

Lochmere Archeological District waymark

        The town of Tilton has many special places – natural, historic, architectural, and retail.

          This Tilton Conservation Newsletter offers a glimpse into one of those special places – The
          Lochmere Archeological District – along with a suggestion to make a visit here sometime this
          fall. This site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
         
          
Located at  N 43° 28.296 W 071° 32.037 (between Lake Winnisquam and Silver Lake),  the
          marker
refers to the area where some of the  first peoples of NH were living some 6,000 years
          ago.

          The fishing area here was probably used by the Pennacook,  Pemigewasset, Ossipee, and
          Winnepiseogee Indians (information source).
There is evidence that hunting, food preparation,
          and tool manufacturing took place in the district as well (
information source).
    

          Close by, you will find the Lochmere Dam and a quiet place to view Silver Lake and
          reflect upon the history of the area.


Fall Hiking Tips 

Fall is a terrific time to explore woods, hills, or mountains as the leaves
change colors and cooler temperatures make hiking even more enjoyable.
 However, it's important to be prepared wherever you travel.

 
Here are a few things to remember before you go hiking:

Hiker with backpack and walking stick

1. Dress in  layers  so you can handle any sudden changes in temperature

2.  Be sure to check weather conditions before you leave

3. Remember to bring rain and wind gear

4.  Leave early since fall days are shorter; plan to be back before dark

5.  Bring  water, snacks, a compass, a map, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and
     a cell phone even if only going for a short hike

6.  Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are necessary items to wear

7.  Don't hike alone - bring a friend  with you and stay together

8.  Always tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll return




Fall  is also good time to watch for hawks.

 

            Hawks can frequently be seen gliding in thermals over roads, above hills, ridges, river valleys, or
            lake shores. Your
backyard may also be a good place to spot these birds. A clear view of the sky
           
 is a must but, after that, it's pretty easy.
           
 

            Fall is one of the best times to watch as hawks migrate south for the winter.
They start
           
their trek in August, but September and October are excellent months to see these birds in
            action. Best hawk watching comes on clear days with a northerly wind. More hawks
will be
             seen after the sun warms up the morning.

            Binoculars are always helpful; however, hawks can be identified by their overall size,
            wing and tail shapes. The graphic below is provided to get you started.


                                                         Hawk Silhouettes

 

 

                        More information about each kind of hawk (plus their typical voice) can be found at
                     
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/browse.aspx?shape=36,10

                    NH Audubon has a list of best locations to watch hawks, including some in central NH.
                  Go to
http://www.nhaudubon.org/atn_hawks.html

                    For any experts reading this, try the raptor quiz from Hawk Mountain at
            
     http://hawkmountain.org/index.php?pr=Rapter_ID_Quiz

 

                     

 
              What's An ALB?

               Asian Longhorned Beetle
             ALB graphic from UNH Cooperative Extension

           It's an insect with a shiny black body and white spots that has a great appetite for hardwoods.

           ALB
stands for Asian Longhorned Beetle.  It's a very dangerous insect pest that attacks trees (birch, maple,
           willow, elm,
horsechestnut), and it's reached Massachusetts. New Hampshire has over 4.6 million
           forested acres that could be affected if the insect were to make its way here. And, it could be devastating
           to NH's $2 billion timber industry as well as to the maple syrup producers.

          
   
            

   
       An infestation was discovered in Worcester in August 2008. As a result, 64 acres around that city have been
          quarantined and more than 20,000 trees have been cut down. Besides the cost to remove the affected trees,
          Worcester is trying to save its threatened trees by injecting them with a pesticide that is, unfortunately,
          toxic to bees. 
          
          
           The best answer for NH seems to be to prevent the infestation from entering the state in the first place. This
            is where ordinary citizen observers can be involved. The Worcester infestation was discovered when a
            woman found an unusual beetle and reported her discovery to officials.
One main way that the insect could
          
 come into NH is in infected firewood that is brought in from Massachusetts. People are being asked not to
            buy out-of-state wood.
          


           Keep a watchful eye out for this white-spotted black beetle with antennae that are 1-2 times its body size
           and have black and white bands. It will be between .75 and 1.5 inches long. Even if you don't see the beetles,
           you may find evidence of their presence. Look at hardwood trees for sawdust, oozing sap, or a round  hole
           about the size of a dime which is where the female bores into a tree to lay her eggs.

           If you discover evidence
of an ALB infestation:

          
              1. contact your Cooperative Extension office at 527-5475
                         2. call Thomas Durkis (NH Dept. of Agric.) 271-2561
                         3. phone Kyle Lombard (NH Forests and Lands) 464-3016
                         4. contact Stan Swier (UNH Biological Sciences) 862-1733


          
There will be a series of workshops and meetings in every NH county this fall for people who want
            more information about this insect.

 

   Water faucet dripping  

 

Ten Easy Ways to Conserve Water in Your Home     

 

                                                                                 

  1. Install water-saving showerheads/low-flow faucet aerators

  2. Fix leaks – one leaky faucet @ 1 drip per second = 3000 gallons/year
                        – leaky toilet = 73,000 gallons/year

  3. Turn off water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month

  4. Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads only

  5. Replace old appliances with water-saving models

  6. Collect water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables and use it to water houseplants

  7. Shorten your shower a minute or two and save 150 gallons a month

  8. Collect water from your roof to water your garden

  9. Soak pots and pans instead of letting water run while you scrub them

10. Insulate hot water pipes for energy savings

 


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