Our town has sent around a notice telling us not to put out bird food or feeders. They say the coyote population is growing too quickly and gatherings of their prey draw them. Also said any dogs 20 lbs. and under are at risk.
p.s. We're in a *very* suburban area with heavy traffic and many businesses. Not like we're out in the woods, for heaven's sake! But I guess animals find a way in spite of our incursions into their habitat.
Coyotes, especially. And interestingly, they'll have TWO cubs in the next litter to replace any coyote in the pack that's killed. . . . So hunting them is actually counter productive.
Not sure about the effect of the bird feeders. Coyotes are predominantly (but not exclusively) nocturnal while most birds are diurnal. I think the coyotes' prey tends much more toward squirrels, rabbits, and mice. Chipmunks if you have them.
You seem surprised to see coyotes in a suburban area. But, as I posted here several years ago, Oak Park has a coyote pack, and we're 8 miles due west of Chicago's Loop. There are Chicago packs still closer in.
Susan...I'm always left wondering what happens to the birds, who have grown dependent on feeders. The best solution is to add plantings that feed the birds, such as fruit trees, Silky Dogwood, Winterberry and so on....even Thistle.
Actually!! You CAN still hang a thistle (Nyger) seed feeder, because coyotes (and bears) aren't interested in that seed. It would still feed the dependent Chickadees and more. Just one idea.
Wait, your issue is the birds not the seeds. (With bears the issue is that they go for the seeds.) What's to become of people who can't have songbirds around for fear of coyotes? Are there any capture-and-release plans to bring the coyotes to a more suitable environment?
I think the problem is all the squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits. Squirrels and chipmunks especially gorge at the "fallout" from the feeders, and sometimes the squirrels just plain hop up there and help themselves.
Nancy was telling me that when she was first getting her chickens, she bought a fifty pound bag of feed, first. Put it in a biggol garbage can, and used bungee cords to hold the lid down. That night, huge rumpus, and she and Kelley took a light out to look: biggest bear Kelley had EVER seen -- maybe 6 or 700 pounds. Every night for a week, the bear would come back and roll in and eat the scattered feed. They finally called the game warden, whose engine the bear evidently recognized, because he never came back after the visit.
I always look at how *little* there is to eat when they come out of hibernation, and how BIG they are. Surprising they've done so well as a species!
Ouch! Of course, the same is true here...along with food for foxes and fisher cats. A good supply of rabbits often spares the cats. Even so, ours are indoor kitties.
Dean is first this fine morning!
ReplyDeleteOur town has sent around a notice telling us not to put out bird food or feeders. They say the coyote population is growing too quickly and gatherings of their prey draw them. Also said any dogs 20 lbs. and under are at risk.
ReplyDeletep.s. We're in a *very* suburban area with heavy traffic and many businesses. Not like we're out in the woods, for heaven's sake! But I guess animals find a way in spite of our incursions into their habitat.
DeleteCoyotes, especially. And interestingly, they'll have TWO cubs in the next litter to replace any coyote in the pack that's killed. . . . So hunting them is actually counter productive.
DeleteNot sure about the effect of the bird feeders. Coyotes are predominantly (but not exclusively) nocturnal while most birds are diurnal. I think the coyotes' prey tends much more toward squirrels, rabbits, and mice. Chipmunks if you have them.
DeleteYou seem surprised to see coyotes in a suburban area. But, as I posted here several years ago, Oak Park has a coyote pack, and we're 8 miles due west of Chicago's Loop. There are Chicago packs still closer in.
I *love* that wee Hugh has a widow's peak exactly like his mama. And lots of hair, a precursor to looking a whole lot like his papa!
ReplyDeleteThis is my sis's blog post today: http://pollyanna-reinvents.blogspot.com/2013/05/adornments-artist-created-necklaces.html
puddle, I really love the Wisteria story! We can't really grow it well up here, but I remember seeing a lot of it the year we lived in Virginia.
ReplyDeleteSusan...we have the same issue with bears.
ReplyDeleteWe're more rural than you, to be sure, but bears are "supposed" to stay on the mountain, not come down into the valley and roam the streets.
I guess no one told the bears...and coyotes. Anyway, they simply listen to their stomachs.
Susan...I'm always left wondering what happens to the birds, who have grown dependent on feeders. The best solution is to add plantings that feed the birds, such as fruit trees, Silky Dogwood, Winterberry and so on....even Thistle.
ReplyDeleteActually!! You CAN still hang a thistle (Nyger) seed feeder, because coyotes (and bears) aren't interested in that seed. It would still feed the dependent Chickadees and more. Just one idea.
Wait, your issue is the birds not the seeds. (With bears the issue is that they go for the seeds.) What's to become of people who can't have songbirds around for fear of coyotes? Are there any capture-and-release plans to bring the coyotes to a more suitable environment?
DeleteI think urban coyotes are far too well established for any sort of capture-and-release program to have a chance in Hades.
DeleteI think the problem is all the squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits. Squirrels and chipmunks especially gorge at the "fallout" from the feeders, and sometimes the squirrels just plain hop up there and help themselves.
DeleteThen Thistle is the answer. squirrels et al don't like it, but many songbirds do...Goldfinches especially!
DeleteNancy was telling me that when she was first getting her chickens, she bought a fifty pound bag of feed, first. Put it in a biggol garbage can, and used bungee cords to hold the lid down. That night, huge rumpus, and she and Kelley took a light out to look: biggest bear Kelley had EVER seen -- maybe 6 or 700 pounds. Every night for a week, the bear would come back and roll in and eat the scattered feed. They finally called the game warden, whose engine the bear evidently recognized, because he never came back after the visit.
ReplyDeleteI always look at how *little* there is to eat when they come out of hibernation, and how BIG they are. Surprising they've done so well as a species!
Just flitting by....
ReplyDeleteAlan
Domestic cats are coyote food around here.
ReplyDelete--Alan
Ouch! Of course, the same is true here...along with food for foxes and fisher cats. A good supply of rabbits often spares the cats. Even so, ours are indoor kitties.
Delete