Critters & live trapping

 Firstly, let me give a Shout Out to all the wildlife rescues and rehabbers out there. And the people who volunteer or donate. They make my heart happy. We donate to Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary monthly. It is a good feeling. We've taken several critters there over the 12 years we've been here. It is orphan season and people are finding lots of critters that need a helping hand.  They sent out a newsletter. It had some good advice for those dealing with critter babies. 

Why Live Trapping in Not Humane

Here are some reasons why trapping and relocating wildlife is not a solution. Call a rehabber for more information.

• in Ontario, it is illegal to relocate wildlife more than 1 km,
• trapping and relocating adults may leave babies behind to die from starvation and dehydration, 
• relocated wildlife may not survive because of competition with native wildlife and the inability to find appropriate nesting places, food and water, 
• animals can suffer stress, injuries and even death trying to escape from traps baited traps can attract domestic pets or untargeted wildlife (skunks!), 
• relocated wildlife can spread diseases and parasites to other areas, 
• removing animals will just create vacant territory for other wildlife to move in. 

Critters Galore

We let the cats out first thing. They have a run, and a pee. I'll walk Cinnamon, if I can (barring bugs and heat). The robins are nesting and dive bomb Cinnamon. Then, the cats get hungry and are in for the day. Friday, there was a confident red squirrel eating something beside the driveway. Cinn knew it was there, and knew he couldn't catch it. He didn't even bother.

The Hops vine is climbing, and hosting critters. I spotted two dreadful Spongy Moth caterpillars, and managed to pluck one off the leaf. I never did find the second one again.

Gray Tree Frogs continue to sit in and around the Hops. I talk to it. There are two of them.

The lady beetles have been visiting, as well.

I have hurt my right foot somehow. A recurring injury. I mistakenly wore my brace outside in the grass I'd just cut. I'm experimenting with the back lawn here. My veggies didn't thrive. 

I saw an interesting cloud, with a strange long line. AFter this, I was out back reading, and it clouded over. The rain began to fall, such a relief. I began to gather my things, hustling them indoors, and Nutmeg escaped. I warned her that it was raining, but she didn't listen. She came in when it poured down. I told her!

It was a wonderful rain last night, nearly 10 mm (0.38").  

I have a mystery. The eavestrough installers set my up second water barrel, with the flexible hose going into it. I went to put the garbage out and found that someone had pulled the entire hose out of the water barrel. HHhhhmmmmmm... 

We had a doe amble by just at dusk. She did this two nights in a row! 

I caught her on the trailcam.

doe from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.