[NatureNS] Winter in the Highlands (long)

From: Bev Crowell <bevcrowell.55@hotmail.com>
To: "naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2015 23:30:15 -0200
Importance: Normal
References: <SNT146-W274CD8A6DF8C7EB5CF78D8B7090@phx.gbl>
Precedence: bulk
Return-Path: <naturens-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>
Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects

 plentiful and aside from coywolves and hunter
--_442fc76d-8d12-449f-8b32-b21f2bfbcb73_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Those pictures of the snow are really something else!  I HOPE we're all out=
 of it SOON!!
=20
Bev from Glace Bay
=20
From: fritzmcevoy@hotmail.com
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: [NatureNS] Winter in the Highlands (long)
Date: Fri=2C 27 Mar 2015 10:49:27 -0300

=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
                        =0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
Hi All=2C
      Winter snow levels have finally reached their peak up here in the hig=
hlands so I thought I'd send in a report of my impressions on how wildlife =
are doing after all these late winter storms.=20
      There is a base of snow on the ground now of about 6'+/- depending on=
 where you are. Snow drifts along tree lines=2C filling ravines and up on t=
he barrens are much deeper=3B up to 10'-12'+ deep. There is a crust on top =
of the snow at the moment hard enough to support my weight without snowshoe=
s - in most cases. A second much stronger crust (easily supports a moose) l=
ies at the 3'-4' depth range. This crust was formed in late February and is=
 extremely hard.      Wildlife with some exceptions appears to be doing pre=
tty well despite the deep snow and in some cases that depth may even be a b=
enefit to them=3B as moose=2C deer and snowshoe hare can now easily browse =
tree branches that normally would be out of their reach.      Moose and Dee=
r: I've seen the occasional moose or deer and lots of tracks throughout the=
 winter and those animals that I have observed appear in good condition. Br=
owse is plentiful and aside from coywolves and hunters=3B moose and deer ha=
ve no real predators in this area. The only cause of death this year=2C for=
 moose and deer=2C aside from predation=2C is accidental death from falling=
 through ice on lakes and rivers or into gorges by straying to close to sno=
w overhangs along ravine edges. My wife saw a doe and young fawn a few days=
 ago and both looked in good health.       Snowshoe Hare and Red Squirrel: =
There are healthy populations of both these species this winter (particular=
ly hare) and tracks/sightings are plentiful. The return of snowshoe hare in=
 large numbers is particularly appreciated as they are one of the main food=
 sources for coywolves and other predators like bobcat=2C lynx=2C large owl=
s and hawks.       Coywolves=2C Fox=2C Bobcats and Lynx: Coywolves are more=
 often heard than seen but with the abundance of snowshoe hare I imagine th=
ey will do well this winter. I haven't seen any sign of either fox=2C bobca=
t or lynx this winter but that is not that unusual here.       Mice/Voles/S=
hrews etc.: I haven't seen mice/vole/shrew tracks in the snow in months=3B =
which is very troubling. They are prey for many small predators and practic=
ally the sole diet of Northern Saw-whet Owls. I imagine the mice/voles/ shr=
ews are doing fine under the snow. It's the predators that will suffer.    =
    Owls=2C Hawks and Eagles: Large owls=2C hawks and eagles should do well=
 because there are abundant hares=2C squirrels and grouse about. Northern S=
aw-whet Owls=2C and earlier arriving smaller hawks like American Kestrels=
=2C will on the other hand=2C I think=2C have a very hard spring. Hopefully=
 they will delay breeding until much of the snow is gone.        Other Bird=
s: There have been lots of birds around the house feeders all winter but aw=
ay from feeders it's been very quite. I did a two hour walk a few days ago =
and saw or heard not a single avian species. The only evidence I saw of bir=
ds were a few grouse tracks. I expect early arriving spring migrants that d=
epend on insects or are mostly ground feeders (robins=2C sparrows=2C blackb=
irds etc.) will have a very tough time until the snow is gone.         It's=
 been a long winter and I look forward to seeing and walking on bare ground=
 again. If anyone has questions or corrections about any of my opinions on =
how local wildlife may be surviving here I'd be happy to try and answer the=
m. I've  linked to a few recent photos for your amusement. All the best.=20
                                                Fritz McEvoy               =
                            Sunrise Valley=2C CB (near Dingwall)=20
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
                                    Fritz has files to share with you on On=
eDrive. To view them=2C click the links below.                             =
                                                                           =
                                                                           =
                                                                           =
                                          New folder folder                =
                                                                           =
  		 	   		   		 	   		  =

--_442fc76d-8d12-449f-8b32-b21f2bfbcb73_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<html>
<head>
<style><!--
.hmmessage P
{
margin:0px=3B
padding:0px
}
body.hmmessage
{
font-size: 12pt=3B
font-family:Calibri
}
--></style></head>
<body class=3D'hmmessage'><div dir=3D'ltr'>Those pictures of&nbsp=3Bthe sno=
w are really something else!&nbsp=3B I HOPE we're all out of it SOON!!<BR>&=
nbsp=3B<BR>Bev from Glace Bay<br>&nbsp=3B<BR><div><hr id=3D"stopSpelling">F=
rom: fritzmcevoy@hotmail.com<br>To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca<br>Subject: [Na=
tureNS] Winter in the Highlands (long)<br>Date: Fri=2C 27 Mar 2015 10:49:27=
 -0300<br><br>=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
<div dir=3D"ltr"><div>    <table class=3D"ecxshareSkyDriveTable" style=3D"w=
idth: 100%=3B height: 100%=3B"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"padding: 0px=3B">   =
                 <div id=3D"ecx_rte_preskyattach" style=3D"height: 100%=3B =
font-family: Calibri=2Csans-serif=3B font-size: 12pt=3B">=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
<div dir=3D"ltr">=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
<div dir=3D"ltr">=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
<div dir=3D"ltr">=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
<div dir=3D"ltr">=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
<div dir=3D"ltr">=0A=
=0A=
<style><!--=0A=
.ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P {=0A=
padding:0px=3B=0A=
}=0A=
=0A=
.ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage {=0A=
font-size:12pt=3B=0A=
font-family:Calibri=3B=0A=
}=0A=
=0A=
--></style>=0A=
<div dir=3D"ltr">Hi All=2C<br>&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B Wint=
er snow levels have finally reached their peak up here in the highlands so =
I thought I'd send in a report&nbsp=3Bof my impressions on how wildlife are=
 doing&nbsp=3Bafter all&nbsp=3Bthese late winter storms. <br>&nbsp=3B&nbsp=
=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B There is a base of snow on the ground now of ab=
out 6'+/- depending on where you are. Snow drifts along tree lines=2C filli=
ng&nbsp=3Bravines and up on the barrens&nbsp=3Bare much deeper=3B up to&nbs=
p=3B10'-12'+ deep. There is a crust on top of the snow&nbsp=3Bat the moment=
 hard enough to support my weight without snowshoes - in most cases. A seco=
nd much stronger crust (easily supports a moose) lies at the 3'-4' depth ra=
nge. This crust was formed in late February and is&nbsp=3Bextremely hard.</=
div><div dir=3D"ltr">&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B Wildlife with=
&nbsp=3Bsome exceptions appears to be doing pretty well despite the deep sn=
ow and in some cases&nbsp=3Bthat depth&nbsp=3Bmay even be a benefit to them=
=3B as moose=2C deer and snowshoe hare can now easily browse&nbsp=3Btree br=
anches&nbsp=3Bthat normally would be out of their reach.</div><div dir=3D"l=
tr">&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B<u>&nbsp=3BMoose and Deer</u>: =
I've seen the occasional moose or deer and lots of tracks throughout the wi=
nter and those animals that I have observed appear in good condition. Brows=
e is plentiful and aside from coywolves and hunters=3B moose and deer have =
no real predators in this area. The only cause of death this year=2C for mo=
ose and deer=2C aside from predation=2C is accidental death from falling th=
rough ice on&nbsp=3Blakes and rivers&nbsp=3Bor into gorges&nbsp=3Bby strayi=
ng to close to snow overhangs along&nbsp=3Bravine edges.&nbsp=3BMy wife saw=
 a doe and young fawn a few days ago&nbsp=3Band both looked in good health.=
</div><div dir=3D"ltr">&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbs=
p=3B<u>Snowshoe Hare and Red Squirrel</u>: There are healthy populations of=
 both these species this winter (particularly hare) and tracks/sightings ar=
e plentiful. The return of snowshoe hare in large numbers is particularly a=
ppreciated as they are one of the main food sources for coywolves and other=
 predators like bobcat=2C lynx=2C large owls and hawks.</div><div dir=3D"lt=
r">&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B<u> Coywolves=2C&nbsp=3B=
Fox=2C&nbsp=3BBobcats and Lynx</u>:&nbsp=3BCoywolves&nbsp=3Bare more&nbsp=
=3Boften heard than seen but with the abundance of snowshoe hare&nbsp=3BI i=
magine they will do well this winter. I haven't seen any sign of either fox=
=2C&nbsp=3Bbobcat or lynx this winter&nbsp=3Bbut that is not that unusual h=
ere.</div><div dir=3D"ltr">&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B=
<u>&nbsp=3BMice/Voles/Shrews etc</u>.: I haven't seen mice/vole/shrew track=
s in the snow in months=3B which is very troubling. They are prey for many =
small predators and practically the&nbsp=3Bsole diet of Northern Saw-whet O=
wls. I imagine the mice/voles/ shrews are doing fine under the snow. It's t=
he predators that will suffer.</div><div dir=3D"ltr">&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=
=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B<u> Owls=2C Hawks and Eagles</u>: Large =
owls=2C hawks and eagles&nbsp=3Bshould do well because there are abundant h=
ares=2C squirrels and grouse about. Northern Saw-whet Owls=2C and earlier a=
rriving&nbsp=3Bsmaller hawks like American Kestrels=2C&nbsp=3Bwill on the o=
ther hand=2C I think=2C have a very hard spring.&nbsp=3BHopefully they will=
 delay breeding until much of the snow is gone.</div><div dir=3D"ltr">&nbsp=
=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B<u> Other Birds</u>: The=
re have been lots of birds around the house feeders&nbsp=3Ball winter but a=
way from feeders it's been very quite. I did a two hour walk a few days ago=
 and saw or heard not a single avian species. The only evidence I saw of bi=
rds were&nbsp=3Ba few&nbsp=3Bgrouse tracks. I expect early arriving spring =
migrants that depend on insects or are mostly ground feeders (robins=2C spa=
rrows=2C blackbirds etc.)&nbsp=3Bwill have a very tough time until the snow=
 is gone.</div><div dir=3D"ltr">&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nb=
sp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B It's been a long winter and I look forward to seeing =
and walking on bare ground again. If anyone has questions or corrections ab=
out any of my opinions&nbsp=3Bon how local&nbsp=3Bwildlife may be surviving=
 here I'd be happy to try and answer&nbsp=3Bthem. I've&nbsp=3B linked to a =
few recent photos for your amusement. All the best. <br>&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nb=
sp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B</div><div dir=3D"ltr">&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=
=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B=
&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nb=
sp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=
=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B &nbsp=3B&nbsp=
=3B Fritz McEvoy</div><div dir=3D"ltr">&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbs=
p=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=
=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B=
&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nb=
sp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=3B&nbsp=
=3B Sunrise Valley=2C CB (near Dingwall)</div><div dir=3D"ltr">&nbsp=3B<br>=
</div>=0A=
</div>=0A=
</div>=0A=
</div>=0A=
</div>=0A=
</div>=0A=
</div>                </td></tr><tr><td class=3D"ecxShareSkyDriveSection" s=
tyle=3D"padding: 30px 0px=3B">                    <div style=3D"color: rgb(=
102=2C 102=2C 102)=3B padding-bottom: 10px=3B font-size: 14px=3B">Fritz has=
 files to share with you on OneDrive. To view them=2C click the links below=
.</div>                        <div class=3D"ecxshareSkyDriveImages" style=
=3D"padding-bottom: 10px=3B">                <span class=3D"ecxshareSkyDriv=
eItem">            <a style=3D"font-size: 0px=3B text-decoration: none=3B" =
href=3D"https://onedrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=3D84a49fb62355cd6d&amp=3Bp=
arentid=3D84A49FB62355CD6D%21313&amp=3BparId=3D84A49FB62355CD6D%21312&amp=
=3Bauthkey=3D%21AESw6OYF-zUK0aA&amp=3Bithint=3Dfolder%2c&amp=3Bresid=3D84A4=
9FB62355CD6D%21309" target=3D"_blank">                <img width=3D"104" he=
ight=3D"104" style=3D"border: currentColor=3B padding-right: 5px=3B padding=
-bottom: 5px=3B" src=3D"https://by3301files.storage.live.com/y2mN9cvieZvdAP=
5BuI1fUL5pmni4-YmLLgGdTwRDalHen7JcnyaFFbrnRbJ63jf_OqehExcHPD6EKvYLVvN1UIM2e=
mQiCUGQwfE9R3-K8h8m8A/house%20in%20sunrise%20valley%20-%20march%2025%2c%202=
015.jpg?psid=3D1&amp=3Bck=3D0&amp=3Bex=3D720">            </a>        </spa=
n>                <span class=3D"ecxshareSkyDriveItem">            <a style=
=3D"font-size: 0px=3B text-decoration: none=3B" href=3D"https://onedrive.li=
ve.com/redir.aspx?cid=3D84a49fb62355cd6d&amp=3Bparentid=3D84A49FB62355CD6D%=
21313&amp=3BparId=3D84A49FB62355CD6D%21312&amp=3Bauthkey=3D%21AESw6OYF-zUK0=
aA&amp=3Bithint=3Dfolder%2c&amp=3Bresid=3D84A49FB62355CD6D%21310" target=3D=
"_blank">                <img width=3D"104" height=3D"104" style=3D"border:=
 currentColor=3B padding-right: 5px=3B padding-bottom: 5px=3B" src=3D"https=
://by3301files.storage.live.com/y2mQ37eJJC0OKWvpZorCIVHWWe6aXFe0_lReefTZiPt=
GYZ02vywgDnnPpAQtBad5DYHft11Ggs1U856yGVp1TSh2Mt8GR-7RpQXWCl3GfTm5tQ/Road%20=
Near%20Cape%20North%20-%20march%2026%2c%202015.jpg?psid=3D1&amp=3Bck=3D0&am=
p=3Bex=3D720">            </a>        </span>                <span class=3D=
"ecxshareSkyDriveItem">            <a style=3D"font-size: 0px=3B text-decor=
ation: none=3B" href=3D"https://onedrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=3D84a49fb6=
2355cd6d&amp=3Bparentid=3D84A49FB62355CD6D%21313&amp=3BparId=3D84A49FB62355=
CD6D%21312&amp=3Bauthkey=3D%21AESw6OYF-zUK0aA&amp=3Bithint=3Dfolder%2c&amp=
=3Bresid=3D84A49FB62355CD6D%21308" target=3D"_blank">                <img w=
idth=3D"104" height=3D"104" style=3D"border: currentColor=3B padding-right:=
 5px=3B padding-bottom: 5px=3B" src=3D"https://by3301files.storage.live.com=
/y2mOE7NPgSPIuWYTW9R27YEBeFBu4bWW3wugodZhrkCBTqrn_7jZHA5MjfyE5dL7FBxzbOLrtn=
nsDAbPgg5b_ksqITVmEBXDrhpj0QPjUhyQ3I/view%20out%20my%20kitchen%20window%20-=
%20march%2025%2c%202015.jpg?psid=3D1&amp=3Bck=3D2&amp=3Bex=3D720">         =
   </a>        </span>            </div>    <div class=3D"ecxshareSkyDriveD=
ocs" style=3D"clear: both=3B">                <div class=3D"ecxshareSkyDriv=
eItem" style=3D"padding-bottom: 10px=3B">            <img style=3D"display:=
 inline-block=3B cursor: pointer=3B" src=3D"https://a.gfx.ms/ftype/v4/folde=
r.png">                <a style=3D"color: rgb(0=2C 104=2C 207)=3B padding-r=
ight: 20px=3B font-size: 10pt=3B text-decoration: none=3B" href=3D"https://=
onedrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=3D84a49fb62355cd6d&amp=3Bparentid=3D84A49F=
B62355CD6D%21313&amp=3BparId=3D84A49FB62355CD6D%21312&amp=3Bauthkey=3D%21AE=
Sw6OYF-zUK0aA&amp=3Bithint=3Dfolder%2c&amp=3Bresid=3D84A49FB62355CD6D%21195=
" target=3D"_blank">                    New folder folder                </=
a>            </div>            </div>                </td></tr><tr style=
=3D"height: 100%=3B"><td style=3D"padding: 0px=3B height: 100%=3B">        =
            <div id=3D"ecx_rte_postskyattach" style=3D"height: 100%=3B font=
-family: Calibri=2Csans-serif=3B font-size: 12pt=3B"></div>                =
</td></tr></tbody></table></div> 		 	   		  </div></div> 		 	   		  </div><=
/body>
</html>=

--_442fc76d-8d12-449f-8b32-b21f2bfbcb73_--

next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects