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Seasonal Invasion
Mar. 28th, 2007 12:52 pmI've been keeping an eye on the wild critters and varmints in our area. Now, for those not familiar with The Tryst Inn dictionary: Critter - a creature we like & Varmint - a creature we don't like. That said, there's some disagreement at the Inn as to how to identify said wildlife. Me, I adore spiders, had a tarantula as a pet in my teens. Hubby hates them. However, since Josh won't get off his tush and make his own blog, we'll use my terms. *WEG* February saw a lot of spider hatchlings, all around the trees and eaves of the house, those who made webs on our porches have been gently relocated to places where we won't disturb them.
The Owl is still with us and still shy, hiding in the shadows so I haven't been able to identify her. Given the population, chances are its most likely a Burrowing or Great Horned and as the pellets are a few inches long, my bet is on the GH. She barks a sort *tut*tut* when we're outside after dark and scaring away its prey. Needless to say, we've seen very few prey birds, though I've heard them in the morning.
There's roughly six bald eagles sharing this community, including a gorgeous female, which isn't surprising with all the fields around our home. There's a huge, active nest a few blocks away to the southeast and we'll be told when hatchlings are sighted. There's also a hawk of some sort that we haven't been able to identify though I have to admit I'd have a hard time telling a female bald eagle from the many gorgeous hawks in the PNW. This one lives to the northeast of us, among the taller trees and seems to be using the cattle field as its hunting grounds.
We were invaded by ants this week. Ugh. While I appreciate the mass civilization of ants, I don't want them in my kitchen. The pantry has been cleaned out and ant traps put where the dogs can't get to them, so hopefully the ants will forage elsewhere in the future. I haven't seen one today, cross your fingers for us.
What I haven't seen, and what is concerning me the most, are cottontails. Usually our home is absolutely surrounded by them. Last year we had four living full time on our property - Cassanova, Don Juan, Romeo and Lucky. I've only seen one cottontail this season around 2am out in the spiral walk eating weeds. And while its a bit early for them to be out and about during the heat of the day, I would normally see quite a few around dusk and dawn - and I'm not. This worries me. I'm certainly not an expert, but it would seem that the predatory to prey ratio is unbalanced here.
Speaking of predators: The neighborhood coyote has survived the winter, we've been hearing him howl in the dark hours before dawn. I'm of the thought that he's made a den in the drain field, given its isolation and size (several acres of undisturbed land). No one walks their dogs or kids near the drain, and if that is indeed where he's made his den, that's for the best.
The Owl is still with us and still shy, hiding in the shadows so I haven't been able to identify her. Given the population, chances are its most likely a Burrowing or Great Horned and as the pellets are a few inches long, my bet is on the GH. She barks a sort *tut*tut* when we're outside after dark and scaring away its prey. Needless to say, we've seen very few prey birds, though I've heard them in the morning.
There's roughly six bald eagles sharing this community, including a gorgeous female, which isn't surprising with all the fields around our home. There's a huge, active nest a few blocks away to the southeast and we'll be told when hatchlings are sighted. There's also a hawk of some sort that we haven't been able to identify though I have to admit I'd have a hard time telling a female bald eagle from the many gorgeous hawks in the PNW. This one lives to the northeast of us, among the taller trees and seems to be using the cattle field as its hunting grounds.
We were invaded by ants this week. Ugh. While I appreciate the mass civilization of ants, I don't want them in my kitchen. The pantry has been cleaned out and ant traps put where the dogs can't get to them, so hopefully the ants will forage elsewhere in the future. I haven't seen one today, cross your fingers for us.
What I haven't seen, and what is concerning me the most, are cottontails. Usually our home is absolutely surrounded by them. Last year we had four living full time on our property - Cassanova, Don Juan, Romeo and Lucky. I've only seen one cottontail this season around 2am out in the spiral walk eating weeds. And while its a bit early for them to be out and about during the heat of the day, I would normally see quite a few around dusk and dawn - and I'm not. This worries me. I'm certainly not an expert, but it would seem that the predatory to prey ratio is unbalanced here.
Speaking of predators: The neighborhood coyote has survived the winter, we've been hearing him howl in the dark hours before dawn. I'm of the thought that he's made a den in the drain field, given its isolation and size (several acres of undisturbed land). No one walks their dogs or kids near the drain, and if that is indeed where he's made his den, that's for the best.
