Cooler weather is upon us and the leaves have started to change from green to yellow and red, signaling the beginning of a new season.  It is a great time to get out and enjoy nature in all of her colorful fall finery.  In celebration of the arrival of fall, Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge will be opening its fall auto tour route to the public during the peak fall leaf season.  Beginning on Saturday, October 4, 2008, and continuing through Sunday, October 26, 2008, the 4.5-mile long road going up to Vose Pond and continuing between Magurrewock Marsh and Magurrewock Mountain will be open to private vehicles. 

The auto tour route traverses a variety of wildlife habitats including hardwood forests, forest regeneration areas, wetlands, and ponds.  The maple, aspen, birch, and sumac trees are already putting on a fine show for us, displaying various shades of yellow, orange, pink, peach, auburn, and scarlet.  Vose Pond and many of the wetlands are bordered by bands of brightly colored trees and shrubs.  Wildlife will be using these colorful habitats as well as they prepare for their long journey south or for the long Maine winter ahead.  Waterfowl, wading birds, song birds, and birds of prey will be evident, and visitors may be treated to a glimpse of an elusive black bear or moose if they are lucky.

The auto tour route will begin at the intersection of Charlotte Road and Howard Lake Road and end at the intersection of Ice House Road and U.S. Route 1.  It will be open daily from sunrise to sunset.  The route is a single lane gravel road with pull outs, so it is one-way only.  Visitors are asked to stay on the designated roads, only stopping to photograph or enjoy the scenery.   Wildlife and pedestrians will be sharing the route, so please keep your speed to twenty miles per hour or less.  Visitors are urged to use caution when exiting the route onto Route 1 because the highway and bridge construction are ongoing and traffic may be an issue.  Informational booklets will be available at the beginning of the auto tour route or at the Refuge Headquarters office.  For more information on Moosehorn NWR and the auto tour route, please call 454-7161 or visit http://www.fws.gov/northeast/moosehorn/ .