We've had a great series of
porcupine hikes. Only a small percentage
of porcupines spend winters in trees, but because the Nature Preserve lacks
denning habitat (they prefer rocky outcroppings), we get a greater chance of
finding porcupines in the winter. February 16th, we found one porcupine
resting in the sun in the top of a hemlock (the preferred food in winter in our
population.) There were many tracks in the snow from foxes, mice, shrews,
squirrels, deer, mink, and Fisher(!).
March 1st, we found two
porcupines. The first was the same one from Feb. resting in the same spot
in the same tree. The second was a large individual who woke up and
walked along his perch for us and then hid in some branches. The
individuals were probably males, since females are more likely to have sought
out dens elsewhere to gestate their porcupettes (baby porcupine.) Sal
was able to get some pictures and a video (thanks Sal.)
Below are the pictures and a link to the video. Enjoy! Porcupine Video
