Cape Elizabeth has the honor of being one of six Maine towns known to have New England Cottontails. This species is listed as a state endangered species, currently known only to be present in Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Wells, Eliot, York, and Kittery. Signs including scat, nibbled twigs, and snow tracks have been found at Runaway Farm in the areas with low brush, aka the “rabbitat” areas.
CELT has been working to preserve and protect New England Cottontail habitat at Runaway Farm. Vegetation Control Services removed invasive vegetation and created more welcoming areas for the New England Cottontails this month at Runaway Farm, following up on their invasive removal work from this past January. The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge has also been working to protect and expand habitat areas across Cumberland and York counties. This rabbit’s range has been restricted to less than a fifth of its historic range, and we have the privilege to protect and expand its habitat areas on CELT land.
If you’re interested to learn more about the New England Cottontails, join our educational walk on Sunday, October 2. And keep an eye out for any animal signs next time you’re walking the trails at Runaway Farm!
