Labbit, deer

Non-mental note: change the frogpond trailcam setting to 30 sec./ clip, not 10.  I finally remembered to change it back to January, after having it set at February for a week or so! Jan. 11th, I changed the batteries and set it to the 10th, not the 11th. sigh. 

I also have to remember to wipe off the lens. We had some wet, rainy days, and it looks frosted.How much fun is this? Little Labbit is a frequent visitor. She came a little further out from under the lilac tree.

Labbit Jan 9 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

🐻Yes, I am happy it is just a rabbit under our deck. But bears get pretty dopey in cold winter temperatures. A couple of my blog friends mentioned US news: 

Connecticut family discovers black bear hibernating under deck

Said Bear has its own Tik Tok (video of the bear) and Instagram  accounts! That is funny. I just hope the attention doesn't habituate the bear to humans. On warmer days we know that bears and porcupines, for example, will wake up a bit and emerge from hibernation to forage, then go back down. 

As is the way at this time of year, watching the birds make us happy. (We've another snow storm on the way!)

 

mourning dove from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I chucked out some unwanted bread in the forest. I hated it to go to waste.

Squirrels red & flying from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

A doe ambles by the trailcam.

doe from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

They are not tame, by any means. They know us. They always run if I meet them in the forest. Nearer the house, they tolerate us. This is Clover's fawn. She ran off around the frogpond. By the time I made it to the trailcam and back to the house, he was back at the house. I think.

deer from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I think this is Clover getting a wash from her fawn! This I shot out the kitchen window. I ended up taking down the shrub in order to see them better.

deer wash ups from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Trailcam: flying squirrel

I switched the trailcam to photos, rather than videos. It's not quite the same. I made a video of the photos. We had a flying squirrel. See if you can spot it. The dark line, along the edge of it extra skin fold gives it away.  It was there, according to the time stamp, March 19 at 23:23 to 2:12 on March 20th.


It's only evidence, there is no way I would have been out there looking for it. It's a nocturnal critter. Plus, it's been -11 C. out there at night.

We had one on the front deck, in Bala, in 2009. Sadie was watching it, which was my clue.
   

 Published on 11 Feb 2009 

The little thing just bounces back and forth from tree to bird feeder in the dark. Who knew what flitted about in the night? After research I figured it out! A flying tree rat. I am amazed with the nightlife I miss in my old age!

Trailcam pros and cons Part II

I bought a new one for our wedding anniversary. It's been interesting to compare using your own footage. My first Moultrie was my favourite. The second wasn't as good. The Bushnell (#3), my anniversary present, managed to capture a bat, however. You can tell which camera it is by the logo they cleverly pop into the corner of the image. That was really exciting!

First the fox, then Butch raccoon, Butch comes back for a selfie, bright eyes in the dark. I think it's the big Momma, rather than our 4 released rescues. Then the buck in the fog. Finally, coyote across the meadow.

trailcam sept. from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

It is a busy meadow!
Squirrels, rabbit from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
trailcam Sept. 23 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Two deer, a crow, one coyote, lots of rain.

Sometimes it is just best to be vigilant. These four bucks wandered across our front yard after our dinner. They are active more in the night than day. My hostas will tell you!

Flying squirrels

Whenever we find a dead critter I use the opportunity to photograph it, to learn more about how it

looks. This is the case for this flying squirrel. They are more than just tree rats, as their skin folds allow them to glide (but not truly fly)!

Sat. Critters #30

Predators include similarly nocturnal owls, of course, as well as other tree climbers such as weasels, fishers, and snakes. While they are susceptible to all sorts of predators, sadly I've found a drowned mouse and a chipmunk in my water barrel. I've since covered the 2" drainage spout with mesh. Who knew they'd climb up that spout?

We've found a Barred owl, Flicker, as well as a deer carcass on the property. Some hit by cars, some smuck into the glass, but not often.

 I use the opportunity to learn about them. 

Here are my photos from one dark night, when Sadie told us we had company. I'd never seen one, nor knew they were nocturnal.

 

Two Different Species in NA

I did some more research, just for my own curiosity.
There are two species on this continent: Northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) and Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus). The Northern inhabit all of Canada, right up to the Yukon, as well as Alaska. The Southern can be found in the Eastern part of the continent, from Florida up to Michigan.
They are about the size of a red squirrel, about a foot long including the tail, with lovely fur flaps or membranes that allow them to glide. No, they don't fly, but they can steer with their flaps, up to 50m diagonally from a tree to the ground, able to make turns.

Scent glands

They have scent glands in their cheeks, to help them find their way, and they live in tree hollows of one sort or another. Nesting materials, like many tree rats, includes soft, cozy mosses and shredded tree bark.
The are omnivores, eating just about anything in season: berries, lichen, fungi, insects, worms, slugs, bird's eggs, tree buds and even sap. There are horror stories of them drowning in open sap buckets.

Impacted by Climate Change, Habitat Loss, Species Interbreeding

As with many species, of both flora and fauna, they are believed to have been impacted by both Climate Change and Habitat Loss. Scientists have found that the Northern and the Southerners have crossed paths, and some research shows that about 5% of the study population had mixed genes.
Now, you know governments, and lobby groups. They are arguing about what to call the mixed breed. The US  National Flying Squirrel Association, wants it to be more American, according to the 72-year-old co-founder. 
According to an October article...Southern Flying Squirrels Land in Canada
Southern flying squirrels are moving into the habitat of Northern flying squirrels. Now people are debating what to call the hybrid offspring. 

Steve Patterson, a Canadian educator who uses flying squirrels to teach ecology to school kids and other groups, says in presentations he already refers to the Northern species as "Canadian" because they're "quiet, reserved and peace-loving," he says. "The Southern, on the other hand, is noisy and boisterous, and bullies the Northern flying squirrel," which is the larger but more docile of the two, he says.

Harbouring a Wild Animal

There is, of course more controversy. In Canada it is illegal to keep wild animals without special accreditation. The same is true in some states. Steve Patterson, around 2004, tried to adopt a young squirrel for educational purposes. THAT is a long story, but he did, finally, win. His web page is fabulous, featuring many topics on this little critter: taxonomy, anatomy, predators, life cycle (about 5 years),  parasites (e.g., lice, mites, fleas), range maps, 

Do you know who creeps about in the dark?

Flying squirrels!

I thought about these the other day. There aren't many critters who visit a bird feeder in the night.

When in Muskoka, on cold February night in 2009, I realized that Sadie cat was sitting staring at the bird feeder in the dark. She'd get up and down off of the bench beside the bird feeder.

Then, her head would bob up and down. I thought she'd flipped! I didn't know what it was, at all. After some research, I realized that they were flying squirrels. There were two. It took some time to figure out how to video it (see below), in the dark, and it's not a great video, but it does show you how they bop up and down, like little hoppy rabbits!


I did some more research, just for my own curiosity.
There are two species on this continent: Northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) and Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus). The Northern inhabit all of Canada, right up to the Yukon, as well as Alaska. The Southern can be found in the Eastern part of the continent, from Florida up to Michigan.
They are about the size of a red squirrel, about a foot long including the tail, with lovely fur flaps or membranes that allow them to glide. No, they don't fly, but they can steer with their flaps, up to 50m diagonally from a tree to the ground, able to make turns.

They have scent glands in their cheeks, to help them find their way, and they live in tree hollows of one sort or another. Nesting materials, like many tree rats, includes soft, cozy mosses and shredded tree bark.
The are omnivores, eating just about anything in season: berries, lichen, fungi, insects, worms, slugs, bird's eggs, tree buds and even sap. There are horror stories of them drowning in open sap buckets.

Predators include similarly nocturnal owls, of course, as well as other tree climbers such as weasels, fishers, and snakes.

As with many species, of both flora and fauna, they are believed to have been impacted by both Climate Change and Habitat Loss. Scientists have found that the Northern and the Southerners have crossed paths, and some research shows that about 5% of the study population had mixed genes.
Now, you know governments, and lobby groups. They are arguing about what to call the mixed breed. The US  National Flying Squirrel Association, wants it to be more American, according to the 72-year-old co-founder. 
According to an October article...Southern Flying Squirrels Land in Canada
Southern flying squirrels are moving into the habitat of Northern flying squirrels. Now people are debating what to call the hybrid offspring. 

Steve Patterson, a Canadian educator who uses flying squirrels to teach ecology to school kids and other groups, says in presentations he already refers to the Northern species as "Canadian" because they're "quiet, reserved and peace-loving," he says. "The Southern, on the other hand, is noisy and boisterous, and bullies the Northern flying squirrel," which is the larger but more docile of the two, he says.

There is, of course more controversy. In Canada it is illegal to keep wild animals without special accreditation. The same is true in some states. Steve Patterson, around 2004, tried to adopt a young squirrel for educational purposes. THAT is a long story, but he did, finally, win. 

His web page is fabulous, featuring many topics on this little critter: taxonomy, anatomy, predators, life cycle (about 5 years),  parasites (e.g., lice, mites, fleas), range maps, 

Much fun, Hilary. Thanks!
Post of the Week!

Spring sights

These are just some spring photos. Now that it is officially the spring equinox, we can enjoy the melt.

Did the mergansers, early harbingers of spring, read the signage?! The mergansers like the cold water. They are usually the first ducks back to Ontario.

Pigeon eyes me suspiciously.
They stay all winter.

Stream melt

pop of green shoots

dirty snow and walkies

Bala Falls

Moon River, Bala

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome found in Yosemite

And a new virus, borne by rodents: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (Wiki). 

[PDF] Hantavirus factsheet 06

www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/fs/Hantavirusfs.pdf

4 more cases of hantavirus confirmed among Yosemite visitors - CNN

www.cnn.com/2012/08/30/...yosemite-hantavirus/index.html

Around 1700 people who visited Yosemite National Park from mid-June to August are being advised to seek medical attention if they exhibit 

Flying Squirrel

Formerly known as Korean Hemorrhagic Fever, it is now called Hantavirus.

It sounds much like Q-fever:
Laurentian University issued a press release to say that this bacterium was found in 6/7 species of wild rodents in Algonquin Park. 

Here is a good place for research. How does this affect people and how do we react to the bacteria?

Rodents in the park include red squirrels, flying squirrels and deer mice. It was also found in flying squirrels in the Peterborough area, indicating that the bacteria may be widespread among these animal populations in Ontario.  This is an important reason to keep clean, to not feed rodents, and seal those cracks! 

Q-Fever In The Netherlands - Avian Flu Diary
They think we might get it from inhaling air-borne feces. In 2007 this happened in the Netherlands, where more than 2,000 people were infected. 

Black Squirrel

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) website states, “In Ontario, Q-fever has occasionally been diagnosed as a cause of abortion in sheep and goats. Reported human cases have been associated with exposure to abortions in sheep and goats, and drinking unpasteurised goat's milk. Exposure to placenta and contaminated materials from cats has been a common source of human Q fever infection in Nova Scotia.

Like Lyme Disease, Treatment, according to OMAFRA, is antibiotics for animals, but some humans experience chronic conditions. Education and awareness is important. 



From Medscape:

Sadie and her mouse

C burnetii infects various hosts, including humans, ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats), and pets—and, in rare cases, reptiles, birds, and ticks. This bacterium is excreted in urine, milk, feces, and birth products. These products, especially the latter, contain large numbers of bacteria that become aerosolized after drying. C burnetii is highly infectious, and only a few organisms can cause disease.



Our cats are doing their part.



Infected rodents widespread

Researchers are now trying to determine how the bacteria is maintained and spread in the natural environment. C. Burnetii is usually found on farms and infection of humans generally occurs through contact with sheep, goats or cattle.


Farm virus

Deer mouse

 A team of Laurentian University biology researchers, led by Canada Research Chair Dr. Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde have found evidence of the spread of the zoonotic bacterium Coxiella bernetii in wildlife in the park and say their findings suggest that some visitors to the park could be at risk of infection. 

Caitlin and a chipmunk

somebody caught a mole

Red Squirrel

Sadie and her prey

Felix and his first mole

Chipmunk

Biodiversity, sharing the earth, and species at risk

Murphy's Point Park
Here I am in the summer

I went to the Friends of Murphy's Point Park AGM Sunday, April 22nd, Earth Day. How fitting! 

After the business part of the meeting,
Tim Wood, who used to work in our park, gave a lively speech on Species At Risk.

She looked a bit worried!
I went back to try get a better photo

Now, I've been teaching about biodiversity, ecosystems, and respect for the environment for many years. Many of my blog friends feel the same about the environment and biodiversity as I, and are amateur naturalists.

Tim spoke of the great movement of the 1990s, when we realized we were killing animals off on this planet, but I have been lecturing students about these topics, and creating curriculum activities around this topic for all of my 25 teaching years. I am glad that this tradition continues.

Tim Wood

Common Ground

Sharing the Earth with species at risk

by Tim Wood, who now works for the Leeds-Grenville Stewardship Council

Globally, up to 40% of all living organisms are at risk. Since Europeans arrived in Canada over 30 species have become extinct in Canada. Over 600 species are at-risk, in Canada. About 200 in Ontario are at-risk. Unfortunately, living in Lanark County's 'Back off government' and Muskoka's landowner's association's mindset, Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy is crucial for the survival and biodiversity of many species.

Ghosts from the Day

WHYARE THEY AT RISK?

Habitat loss

Wetlands were thought to be useless, but they absorb frost, get us through drought, and clean up water systems. In Ontario, 90% or our original forests were cut for agriculture. Clear cutting of the day. Ghosts from the Day - Part 2 A royal commission in 1898 found that Georgian Bay fishermen were using undersized nets, and exceeding the number of permitted nets. They estimated that more than 2000 nest were strung in the Bay. This combined with effluent pollution by lumber barons created ghost towns...

No trees meant dust bowls, which blew soil away. The canopy is so important to critters like flying squirrels.

Dodging deer and moose in N. Ontario

Pollution – for example, the General Motors foundry EPA clean-up in 1990. Stone studied a snapping turtle in Akwesasne, which they analysed 1987. Its fatty tissue was 3067 parts per million of PCBs. This is 60 times worse than toxic waste. They found a masked shrew, with 11,522 PPM, and couldn't imagine how it could survive.

Land Use change, fragmentation of habitat. Highways, dividing landscape, e.g., 401, is a horrible way to treat our critters. Thank goodness some places are improving roads. Clear cutting.

Alien, invasive species – Brockville is the ground zero for invasive species. Emerald ash borer. Zebra mussels (3 billion/year); wrong nutrients for predators; lamprey, 40kg of native fish; Asian Carp (voracious eaters); purple loosestrife; giant hog weed.

Persecution: There is much misinformation about critters like: snappers, wolves or snakes. Citiots go to the country and kill snakes. Many fear snakes for no good reason. In cottage country, they did not understand, much like the bison.

poor snapper

Road mortality. One study of a 40-km section, over 80 days in E. Ontario, they found roadkill of 6000 animals. Turtles, snakes, porcupine, frogs: wet humid evenings seeking different habitat, birds of prey, red-tailed hawk. On our stretch of 500m we have had two porcupines killed this past week. In summer we were averaging 2 or 3 a week. Deer collisions are high in Mississippi Mills. Safe driving guidelines.

Contributing factors – inherent: monarch needs milkweed (listed as noxious weed) and farmers are clear-cutting side roads. Piping plover: habitat needs sand. Snapping turtle age of reproduction: 17 years, perhaps age 20? Tim thought that 1/1400 snapper eggs make it to sexual reproductive age.

Sliding scale of species who are in danger of extinction, evaluating species at risk

salamanders predict danger in an ecosystem,
they are sensitive to pollution
blue-spotted salamander

MNR: Species at Risk in Ontario List

1. Species at risk -
2. Special concern - 
3. Threatened - 
4. Endangered -
5. Extirpated - gone in a particular region or ecosystem.
6. Extinct - gone forever.

1. Species at risk

TURTLES:

In Ontario we have 8 species of turtles, of those 7 are at risk: 

Northern Map turtle, Blandings, Snapping Turtles, stinkpot turtles.
This was the mother of all turtles, spotted July, 2009, on Long Lake, Bala, Muskoka.

green tree frog
usually sleeps in our mailbox

2. Species of special concern: the bald eagle (they steal food from osprey, as they are larger). Eastern wolf; extirpated in Ontario. It is the Big Bad Wolf syndrome: farmers thought threats to livestock, and there was a bounty for pelts. Currently, it is the coyote who is being persecuted in cities. They will be next. Many loathe reptiles and amphibians, for some reason.

3. Threatened: Blandings turtle, lake sturgeon (fishing, roe), massassagua rattlensnake.  

Massassagua rattlers in Georgian Bay – I'll never forget the blasting when they put in new highway 11 roads back in the day. The rattlers were on the move in our forests all summer. All of our neighbours were on the lookout for them, and killed them on sight. Loss of habitat and clearcutting destroyed Native lifestyles, as well as animal. Silt flooded fish breeding grounds and destroyed the economy. Also threatened, due to persecution; gray ratsnake.

massassagua rattlesnake,
dead as a door nail

4. Endangered: barred owls (s. Ontario; their song 'who cooks for you'), spotted turtle, Jefferson salamander.

5. Extirpated: tiger salamander, timber rattlesnake, greater prairie chicken, paddlefish.

6. Extinct: passenger pigeon, 1914 last one died, low millions, 250,000 birds sent in 3 days.  

What do we do?

Sadie, our cat, treed this guy in 2009

Protect habitat; education; awareness; watch the road; monitoring and reporting at risk species; monitor pet stores; protect nesting sites and critical areas; stewardship: turtle basking racks, bald eagle nesting sites, Leeds-Grenville: nesting boxes for snakes; reintroductions can be iffy: loggerhead shrike; trumpeter swan: marsh S. Ontario (Charleston Lake); fishers reintroduced in Ontario. 

Tim made an excellent point. We know role of a particular species in an ecosystem until they are gone. For example, eastern wolves in Yellowstone Park. Once they were extirpated the elk and coyote populations were out of control. Invasive plant species went wild, and increased their invasion, too. 

flying squirrel in Muskoka

Success stories: reintroduction of beaver, Canadian geese, peregrine falcon, flying squirrel, bluebirds, eagle.

Gray ratsnake - a constrictor,
she lives at the park

Friends of Murphy's Point Park Annual General Meeting

President, Stephanie Gray; park Sup't, Curtis Thompson;
senior park naturalist, Tobi Kiesewalter

Mike Murphy has a FB page!

Even the press was there!

Chili cook-off. I had to miss it,
hubby needed the car!