Offical Blog of Shoreline Wildlife Management llc

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-01T10:23:00.000-05:00

Happy new year everyone.

Woman killed by Coyotes

2009-10-28T22:39:00.002-04:00

Very sad. While still considered rare, Coyote attacks do occur, particularity in states with limited or no trapping, IE: Massachusetts and California.
However, they don't normally kill the person they attack.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091029/ap_on_re_ca/cn_canada_coyote_attack

Raccoon rabies 10/25/09

2009-10-27T09:21:00.001-04:00

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/hartford_cty/news_wtnh_enfield_raccoon_attacks_minor_and_officer_at_shopping_plaza_200910261903_rev1

Seal season

2009-10-19T22:03:00.002-04:00

Each winter, we receive a few calls regarding Seal sightings. They are becoming more common in Connecticut and that is a good thing.
There are four types of Seals in Long Island sound. The Harbor and Gray Seals are here from September to June generally speaking. The more recent Ice Seals, the harp and the hooded are Winter visitors that come from as far away as Canada and near Greenland! They leave in the spring.
A few things to remember about the Seals, regardless of the type is they do need to come to land and rest, sometimes for 2 days,or,up to 48 hours without eating or getting wet. A lot of people assume because the seal is out of the water, that it must be injured but this is rarely the case. It is normal for them to spend a period of time, each day on land, and they can rest anywhere including a lawn, a dock, beach or floating ice.
People that approach a seal, thinking it is in need of assistance or hurt in some way, cause the animal stress which can be shown in a number of ways including vocalization and Shaking or trembling. This could be misunderstood as the animal is cold but that is wrong. Seals have a lot of fat to keep them warm in the cold waters they frequent and are just showing stress due to being approached.
A few things to remember when seeing a Seal this winter are, it is normal for them to be on land, even for 2 days, don't approach or let a dog approach a seal to close and Seals are federally protected and it is illegal to touch,feed,capture,harass,hunt or kill a Seal.
If you feel the the Seal needs assistance or want to speak to someone who is knowledgeable with the Mammals, you can contact the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program at 860 572 5955
I've always felt one of the best ways to enjoy life is to learn more about the wildlife and natural landscape around us. To learn more about these fascinating creatures, you may want to visit the Mystic aquarium sometime.

Fall is Squirrel season

2009-10-19T21:42:00.002-04:00

If you have Squirrels that have gained entry into your attic, your not alone!
This is the time of year for increased Squirrel activity.
The Fall litter is mostly weaned and out and about, sometimes getting into trouble and I removed an adult Gray Squirrel from a fireplace in Chester today.
Squirrels are focused on preparing for winter and that involves finding somewhere warm to sit out the cold spells and also to store food. Acorns which are so abundant this year are taken buy the Squirrel into the attic, ceiling space or soffit with the idea of stashing some away for winter.
They have a lot of competition for the prized nut from Turkeys, Flying Squirrel, Chipmunks, Bears, mice and some birds. Some years, there will still be Acorns and other nuts on the ground come spring time. Other years, when less are produced, they are quickly consumed.

Spring is here, Don't touch that baby!

2009-05-16T09:23:00.007-04:00

Finally, after a long, long winter, it's warm again. It's May and a lot of species are giving birth right now to young. That includes Raccoons,Skunks,Woodchucks,Fox,Rabbits and Deer to name a few. While we do not rehab animals here, I would like to offer some advice on what to do in these situations. Please note the phone numbers and links at the bottom of this post.
When you happen upon a nest of young Rabbits or a fawn spotted Deer, the temptation to try and help can be strong but stop and think first. Usually, there is no need for intervention. By removing these young from the nest or picking up and carrying a baby Deer, you will lessen it's chances for survival. The calls that come into our office are well meaning people that usually assume something has happened to the adult animal as they don't see it with the young or on the nest.
This is normal. A doe Deer or Rabbit for example is never far away and sometimes even watching you. She's not on the nest of young on purpose. A predator is more likely to spot her, a larger animal and smell her, than the young so she keeps her distance during the day, tending to them at night. Remember, these are Nocturnal animals and are normally sleeping during the day.
Another example frequently seen now is young squirrels that people assume have fallen from a nest. Again, hands off initially, and take a wait and see approach. Usually, these calls all come in to us at once and are just Squirrels leaving the nest for the first time. They are young and everything is new. They may appear in distress but it may just be a rough transition for a day or two as they figure things out. Even if the happen to be in your driveway or yard, leave them alone unless you know for a fact that the young is hurt (blood,wound etc.) or that the adult has been killed.
Mortality is more common with the young than the Adult and odds are, she is fine.
In the case of an adult Deer being struck by a car and possibility that the Doe is dead and orphaned a fawn or two, still, do not move the animal at first but instead think about who you are going to call and find those numbers. A small animal Rehabber would be the person to contact for a Rabbit or someone that is licensed to handle a Deer is needed ( and very hard to find) for that fawn. A plan has to be figured out before the animal is moved.
Rehabbers are trained and licensed in the state of CT. It takes special facility's and training to care for a young animal and not all Rehabbers can care for all species. Someone may specialize in birds while someone else may take in only small animals. Please be aware that these people are going to be very busy and you are not the only one calling them.
Here are some contact numbers and live links that may be a good place to start.

CT DEP General wildlife number ~ 860 424 3011
List of State rehabbers ~ http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA.htm
List of Ct Bird Rehabbers ~ http://www.newhavenbirdclub.org/lbr.htm
Excellent list of Ct Rehabbers ~ http://wildliferehabber.com/modules/xoopsmembers/index.php

2009-02-17T18:30:00.002-05:00

It's February and to us that means breeding season. Skunks, Raccoons and Squirrels can all breed this time of year. That will not only cause a spike in activity but Skunk odor as well. Males will fight each other sometimes over the rights to breed a female in heat. Often to the death.
All this leads up to young this spring. Did you know Skunks can have ten kits in a litter? Raccoons average 4 or 5 but I've had Sows with litters of 7 and 8 to remove.
I will have a lot to write about in the spring especially with regards to fawn deer and what we should do when happening upon one behind our homes or in the woods.

2009-01-14T13:32:00.003-05:00

Boy, it's been cold lately. As we go to homes taking care of Squirrel problems,
we've noticed how Deer are now feeding heavily on shrubs and plantings around homes.
While needing more calories to combat the cold temperatures, the animals are also faced with a lack of mast, or nuts, like acorns this year. It is normal for the acorn crop to cycle and in a lean year, such as this, they get pretty hungry come mid winter. Deer can eat just about anything including tree bark but some things they are forced to eat have no nutritional value. They will also be active around bird feeders as well.
While wrapping in Burlap can help protect your ornamental, it is also costly and inconvenient for a homeowner and, it's only part of what is happening.
Deer will also consume saplings and Browse, (the ends and tips of branches) as big as a pencil in diameter. Native plants that emerge in the spring will be ravished altering the natural balance of the forest. Forrest regeneration is altered, especially in areas where there is no hunting to control the populations overall numbers. A good example of this in our area is watershed or water company property such as lake Saltonstall in Branford.
It all goes to show how adaptable Deer are and in even adverse conditions, can survive to give birth to a new generation, starting the cycle all over again. They really are a remarkable animal.
A link to a list of Deer resistant plants
http://www.woodstockconservation.org/deer_resistant_plants.htm

Squirrel down the chimney

2009-01-11T20:20:00.000-05:00

Branford Ct Squirrel work, November/December 2008
Most often, when a Squirrel goes into a chimney, it becomes stuck. If it is able to come out of the fireplace or heating unit flue, it can and will cause considerable damage to the windows and door frames of a home, trying to chew it's way out.
In the following pictures, a home in Branford Ct. had a improper chimney screened installed by a handyman. The Squirrels easily went around this and entered the room below, through the fireplace. They chewed all around the windows and the wood trim as well. the only thing that saved the rest of the house was the door to that room was shut, thereby preventing the Squirrel from getting into the rest of the house. One Squirrel can chew a dozen or more windows in a single day in an attempt to escape. Once we removed the Squirrels from the property, we removed the stone top on the chimney (Heavy!) and installed a U.L. listed chimney top, or cap. This is a permanent solution.
The first line of defense for a home when it comes to wildlife is a proper chimney cap.

Squirrel season!

2009-01-11T11:37:00.001-05:00

Its January and that means lots of Squirrel activity. In Connecticut, we have three species of Squirrels. The Gray Squirrel, the Flying Squirrel (pictured on left) and the Red Squirrel. The most common are the Gray and flying and therefor the ones we deal with on a regular basis. The Flying Squirrel is a Nocturnal animal with a very healthy population this year.
Squirrels are now entering their breeding season and you will soon see the Grays chasing each other up and down trees.
An important factor in this winters Squirrel population is that there was almost no Acorn production this fall and certainly none left now in our area. This will force the Squirrels to find other food sources.