jyoutz
Super Member
I have noticed a huge decline in the rabbit population over the past 5 years: both cottontail and jackrabbits. And a huge increase in those damn destructive ground squirrels.
Changing Wildlife Patterns
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ericm979
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A lot of things other than climate change can differentially affect animal species.
We had a lot of brush rabbits when we moved here. Then we got an indoor/outdoor cat whose favorite food was rabbit. She decimated the population and it never recovered.
As I have cleared brush we are seeing more deer, turkeys and bluebirds and fewer rats.
We are hearing way fewer frogs now than we used to. I don't think the cat or brush had much effect on them.
We had a lot of brush rabbits when we moved here. Then we got an indoor/outdoor cat whose favorite food was rabbit. She decimated the population and it never recovered.
As I have cleared brush we are seeing more deer, turkeys and bluebirds and fewer rats.
We are hearing way fewer frogs now than we used to. I don't think the cat or brush had much effect on them.
jyoutz
Super Member
Amphibians have been in decline across North America for over a decade. Disease? I haven’t heard the reason, but Alex Jones’s gay frogs
hypothesis sounds a little crackpot.
rScotty
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We used to have a lot of porcupines in the pine forests in Colorado. You could always see a few on a hike. We had to teach the dogs to leave them alone - and a quilling often meant a trip to the vet.
I haven't seen a porcupine now in 30 years or more, and our vet says he hasn't either.
When we took a cross-country trip last year it was surprising how few dead animals we saw by the roadside. It used to be sadly common. Now I have to wonder if not seeing so many is the real sadness.
Along with that, we used to see jackrabbits everywhere in the sagebrush. We still walk those same fields, but there are no jackrabbits. I would have thought they could survive anywhere.
Summer fireflies are just a memory. There are obviously less insects. Less frogs & toads, too.
We do see a few more of the predators than we used to have. Mink, herons, mountain lions, owls, bears, eagles...even weasels - there is often a weasel or skuk around. Which makes me wonder if the predators are becoming bold from necessity, or are their numbers actually higher. Don't know which.
We don't (yet) have the problems with hogs and rats that afflict some areas. Glad of that.
My own opinion is that a healthy wild population is a good thing, and starts with a healthy insect population. That's not an original thought, but certainly worth thinking on.
rScotty
I haven't seen a porcupine now in 30 years or more, and our vet says he hasn't either.
When we took a cross-country trip last year it was surprising how few dead animals we saw by the roadside. It used to be sadly common. Now I have to wonder if not seeing so many is the real sadness.
Along with that, we used to see jackrabbits everywhere in the sagebrush. We still walk those same fields, but there are no jackrabbits. I would have thought they could survive anywhere.
Summer fireflies are just a memory. There are obviously less insects. Less frogs & toads, too.
We do see a few more of the predators than we used to have. Mink, herons, mountain lions, owls, bears, eagles...even weasels - there is often a weasel or skuk around. Which makes me wonder if the predators are becoming bold from necessity, or are their numbers actually higher. Don't know which.
We don't (yet) have the problems with hogs and rats that afflict some areas. Glad of that.
My own opinion is that a healthy wild population is a good thing, and starts with a healthy insect population. That's not an original thought, but certainly worth thinking on.
rScotty
CalG
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Not as many moose in S.VT as there were 35 years ago.
Snakes are in the yard all summer, several types.
I would like to see more toads. (can they be purchased as garden amendments?)
Oh Wait! Snakes eat toads! dang!
Bats are BACK after the rhinovirus decline! ;-)
Birds of all types are flourishing. I hope the Carolina wren that wintered in the wood shed finds a mate. The nesting broad wing hawks are a mixed blessing. Ever "given blood" to those talons? I have!
Skunks are out. Pew kittens ...be gone!
Fox are doing fine, both red and grey seen over winter.
Deer? don't get me started, worse pests than the squirrels!
Turkey are plentiful.
Bear seem to be doing fine, at least by the hunting tally each fall.
There are no catamounts left in Vermont, but if you see one, it's unlawful to shoot it!
eta
If the frequency of "quill pulling sessions" for my daughter's dogs are any indication. we have no shortage of porky-pines either.
Snakes are in the yard all summer, several types.
I would like to see more toads. (can they be purchased as garden amendments?)
Oh Wait! Snakes eat toads! dang!
Bats are BACK after the rhinovirus decline! ;-)
Birds of all types are flourishing. I hope the Carolina wren that wintered in the wood shed finds a mate. The nesting broad wing hawks are a mixed blessing. Ever "given blood" to those talons? I have!
Skunks are out. Pew kittens ...be gone!
Fox are doing fine, both red and grey seen over winter.
Deer? don't get me started, worse pests than the squirrels!
Turkey are plentiful.
Bear seem to be doing fine, at least by the hunting tally each fall.
There are no catamounts left in Vermont, but if you see one, it's unlawful to shoot it!
eta
If the frequency of "quill pulling sessions" for my daughter's dogs are any indication. we have no shortage of porky-pines either.
Last edited:
scootr
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According to Google :
Yes, wildlife in the US is in decline, with a significant number of species facing increased risks of extinction, and many populations experiencing population declines.
Habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, pollution, and overexploitation are major threats to US wildlife.
The biggest threat to wildlife is habitat loss. It stands to reason then that the more human population grows and the land it lives on expands that wildlife shrinks respectively.
Yes, wildlife in the US is in decline, with a significant number of species facing increased risks of extinction, and many populations experiencing population declines.
Habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, pollution, and overexploitation are major threats to US wildlife.
The biggest threat to wildlife is habitat loss. It stands to reason then that the more human population grows and the land it lives on expands that wildlife shrinks respectively.
My own opinion is that a healthy wild population is a good thing, and starts with a healthy insect population.one way of looking at wildlife change patterns is the decline in the lower food chain: insects. from there, it always changes
RScotty
yes, makes sense, hadn't thought it in that way. food chain.
so the next question is: what new or evasive wildlife will you see in your region as a result of what RScotty mentions?
RScotty
yes, makes sense, hadn't thought it in that way. food chain.
so the next question is: what new or evasive wildlife will you see in your region as a result of what RScotty mentions?
