Where's the Maine wildlife at? (Portland, South Portland: motel, house, camps)

[Sminthian]

I just moved up to South Portland about a month ago. The only animals I ever see around here are crows and gulls. Where's the closest area that I can see wild moose and loons and the other forest critters? Are they around Sebago Lake, or would I have to go more north?

[island mermaid]

Originally Posted by Sminthian

I just moved up to South Portland about a month ago. The only animals I ever see around here are crows and gulls. Where's the closest area that I can see wild moose and loons and the other forest critters? Are they around Sebago Lake, or would I have to go more north?

Check your back yard for skunks, woodchucks and porcupines!

Loons can be found on many lakes, check the quiet coves on Sebago early in the morning. While you might see a moose out there, traveling further north would allow you a much better chance of seeing one.

Good luck on your moose safari!

[Maineah]

I live in Freeport and had a moose walk through the back yard last week!
South Portland isn't Fairbanks Alaska either Sminthian! You live close to the biggest city in Maine! You also have to know WHERE to look for wildlife and what they look like in the wild. Most often they are hard to see as they blend in to the background. This is intentional by nature you realize. I suggest a slow ride through Pownal at sunset. Look out to the edges of the woods for deer. Bucks are in velvet now so their antlers are harder to spot then in fall when they are white and bony. Also look to the middle of cut hay fields for turkeys now. In a month it will all change and the wildlife will be in different places....you'll have to study their habits for a few years to know where and when to look for them. Have patience.... Maine is not a zoo.

[Submariner]

I realize that I live North a slight bit; we see moose, deer, turkey and beaver most all the time.

[AlisonL]

If all else fails, go to the wildlife park in Gray. They have a moose that usually hangs out right next to the fence.

[dmyankee]

Loons?

Congress St.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by Sminthian

I just moved up to South Portland about a month ago. The only animals I ever see around here are crows and gulls. Where's the closest area that I can see wild moose and loons and the other forest critters? Are they around Sebago Lake, or would I have to go more north?

The only thing around Sebago Lake are camps. You need to go North to see moose in any quantity. Go to Greenville and take a drive up the West side of Moosehead lake from Greenville Junction to Rockwood just before dark. You'll see moose there. Stay at Indian Hill Motel for the night. Go down to Flatlander's Pub for supper and a few beers.

[flycessna]

There's a young gray fox I've been running into at night....one night I was in my car and he/she trotted along side my drivers door like it was waiting for me to come home. I gave my cat a good stiff warning

The further north you go..........or more rural.......the better chance to see wild life. There is the gray animal farm on rt 26 which has an abundance of Maine wild life.......fun for kids and you'll be supporting a good cause. Me and the kids love the "fisher"...never seen one in the wild.......wouldn't want to corner one either.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by flycessna

There's a young gray fox I've been running into at night....one night I was in my car and he/she trotted along side my drivers door like it was waiting for me to come home. I gave my cat a good stiff warning

The further north you go..........or more rural.......the better chance to see wild life. There is the gray animal farm on rt 26 which has an abundance of Maine wild life.......fun for kids and you'll be supporting a good cause. Me and the kids love the "fisher"...never seen one in the wild.......wouldn't want to corner one either.

We had three fishers that used to visit us on Tuesday nights (trash night ) for several months. At first I thought they were raccoons until I hit them with the spot light! We lost a cat around that time too. I caught them lugging off a couple of the neighbors chickens one night.
I wouldn't want to tangle with one I'll tell you that! They haven't been around here for a while now though and judging by the large number of turkeys around here now they must have moved on.

[Mark S.]

If you're looking for bats... we had one in our house this morning! Which is why I'm sitting on the internet at 5 AM rather than sleeping.