Julia Bayly

1 week ago | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was first published in May 2023. All Keel Kemper needs to do is look at his office phone log to know wild animals and birds have started having their young. The regional biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has been fielding calls for several weeks from concerned people reporting baby animal sightings and asking what they should do. For the overwhelming majority of these sightings, the answer is nothing, Kemper said.

1 week ago | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in June 2017. FORT KENT, Maine — Here’s a fun fact: There are more than 48 species of black flies in Maine. I think all of them live on my farm. If you’re like me and battling hordes of the tiny, winged monsters that arrived like unwanted out-of-town guests Memorial Day weekend and overstayed their welcome, there’s a reason.

4 weeks ago | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in June 2021. Browntail moth caterpillars have poisonous, irritating hairs that can cause a blistery rash similar to poison ivy when people come into contact with them and can cause respiratory distress if people breathe them in. The moth has been declared a public health nuisance in the state by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “We have had people coming in looking for remedies,” said Christine Cattan, a pharmacist at Bangor Drug Company.

1 month ago | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in June 2023. It would be hard to find a recipe that’s not improved by adding fresh herbs. Running to the grocery store or farmers market every time you need some takes time and can be costly. One way to make sure you always have your favorite herbs on hand is planting your own that you can harvest anytime you need them. Many of these herbs are perennial, meaning they spread or reseed on their own year after year.

1 month ago | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in May 2023. As the snow melts around Maine and temperatures begin to warm, it’s natural to start thinking about heading to your favorite woodland spot in search of fiddleheads. The young, coiled leaves of the ostrich fern are one of the earliest wild edibles to poke their heads up in the spring. From late April into June, foragers armed with empty bags, buckets, baskets or totes collect as many of the tasty ferns as they can.