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HOW MUCH FOOD DOES A GRAY SQUIRREL EAT AT A BIRD FEEDER?

Aug15

       It seems that most people that feed birds fuss about how much food gray squirrels eat at their feeders. However, few of us have any idea how much food a squirrel actually consumes.  Some will say anything a squirrel can gobble up is too much. Others say they do not mind it if squirrels eat some food, however, they are of the opinion bushytails eat too much. 

       How much is too much?  I will let you decide for yourself.  Studies have shown that a gray squirrel will eat approximately 1.5 pounds of seeds and nuts per week.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMOVAL OF A DEAD DEER ALONG THE HIGHWAY

Jul4

       It seems that the number of deer killed by motorists on Georgia byways is increasing every year.  Consequently, those of us that have yards bordering these thoroughfares have an ever-increasing chance that one of these unfortunate animals struck by a motorist will end up on our front lawn.  If this happens to you, do you now is responsible for its removal?

       After living along a highway for a half century my wife and I recently had to deal with this problem.  We found a mature doe white-tailed deer stretched across our driveway.  The first thing we had to do was find out if a government agency would remove the unfortunate animal.  After searching for information online and making several phone calls we finally had an answer. 

       If your property borders a state highway, the Georgia Department of Transportation will remove the animal if it is on its right of way.  This is the 40 feet of land that runs parallel to the centerline of the highway.  The removal of a deer located beyond the right of way is the responsibility of the landowner.  Therefore, if the deer is on the state right of way, you need to call the GDOT office in your county for assistance.  These offices are listed on the GDOT website.

       If your property borders a secondary road, you need to check with the municipal or county road department responsible for the maintenance of the roadway.  Based on our limited research concerning such roads, we found that the rules governing the removal of dead deer found along such highways vary from county to county.

       I hope you never have to face this unpleasant task.  However, if you do, perhaps this information will make the job a little easier.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FIND WILDLIFE YOUNG?

Apr14

       Spring is a wonderful time to be outside and enjoying wildlife.  However, it is also a time when you are likely to encounter young wildlife.  If you ever come across young birds or mammals, do you know what you should do?

       When most folks find them, they quickly let look about to see if a parent is nearby.  When they don’t see one, it is natural to assume the youngster is an orphan.  According to Kaitlin Goode, wildlife biologist and program manager of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Urban Wildlife Program, “While it may appear that a young animal is alone, the adult animal is usually close by even though you may not be able to see it.  Adult animals, such as deer, spend most of the day away from their young to reduce the risking of a predator find the young.”

       Although it is only natural to think that your best course of action is to rescue it.  According to Goode, “Wildlife, even young animals, rarely need interference from humans.”  She goes not to say, “Taking wildlife out of their natural environment and bringing them home often takes away the animal’s ability to survive in the wild, where it belongs.”

       If that is true, what should you do?  The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) recommends that you should walk away and leave the animal where you found them.  Then wait at least 24hours before returning.  Upon your return, if it is still there, contact your nearest WRD office for guidance at GeorgiaWildlife.com.about/contact.   For more information, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/living-with-wildlife

 

EASTERN COTTONTAIL RABBITS CAN HELP CONTROL DANDELIONS GROWING IN LAWNS

Apr3

      If you have an aversion to spraying herbicides on your lawn to control dandelions, the eastern cottontail rabbit just might help provide a more environmentally safe approach to weed control.

       It just so happens, that cottontails are fond of dandelions.  They eat the leaves, bright yellow blossoms and even the plant’s seeds.  This approach works for some homeowners. These individuals report that the rabbits cause little or no damage to ornamental and garden plants.  On the other side of the coin, many folks are afraid taking the risk cottontails might damage their cultivated plants.

       You might want to try this control technique.  If it does not help solve your problem, explore other approaches.  If it does, this member of the leporidae family might be the answer to an often-perplexing problem.  If you try it, you can tell your friends that you are controlling dandelions using a technique that has been around for a long time—weed control by leporidae.

FUNNEL WEAVER SPIDERS ARE ODD BACKYARD NEIGHBORS

Mar31

        I think it is safe to say, we went talk about our backyard wildlife neighbors butterflies, moths, bees, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians come to mind.  One reason for this is these are the wildlife we most commonly see.  However, in truth, they are but a small portion of the animals that inhabit our yards.  Once we begin noticing our “other” backyard neighbors, it quickly becomes clear that they are fascinating creatures and play a key role in the health of backyard environment.  One group of these critters is the funnel weaver spiders.

       One of the ways in which you can often tell a funnel weaver spider is close by is to take a look at their webs.  The webs of many of these spiders are horizontal instead of vertical.  Some of these spiders also place their webs above ground in shrubs and elsewhere.

       Regardless of where you find them, they all feature a funnel along the edge of the web.  These webs are often fairly large.  If you closely examine the web of a funnel weaver spider, you are likely to see a spider lurking at the entrance of its funnel (sometimes call a retreat). When an insect lands on its web, the spider darts out and capture it.

       My wife found the web of a funnel weaver spider in a camellia bush outside our garage.  The funnel was directly below an outside light.  If I was a funnel weaver spider, I would weaver my web there too.  I am sure insects drawn the light routinely fall or land in the web and thus provide this predator was a great source of food.

       If you look around your yard, I am sure you will find one or more funnel weaver spiders in your yard too.

BACKYARD SECRET – ARMADILLOS EAT FIRE ANTS

Mar27

     

       Some 50 percent of the armadillo’s diet consists of invertebrates such as ants, termites, beetles and the like.  In fact, ants are one of this odd creature’s favorite foods; an armadillo can consume 40,000 ants in a single day.

       However, many homeowners want to know if armadillos eat fire ants.  While many animals that consume ants shy away from eating fire ants, armadillos do dine on these dreaded imported pests. In fact, they will dig into mounds to reach the hidden insects.

       Some studies have shown that armadillos prefer to consume the defenseless broods that are often located near the top of a mound. Consequently, they do not eat the queens or enough of the members of the colony to destroy it.

 

HOUSTON COUNTY HOMEOWNER DISCOVERS ODD CREATURE

Nov26

       We homeowners are familiar with the birds, butterflies, squirrels, chipmunks, reptiles and other critters that inhabit our yards.  However, few of us realize that many of our backyards can be home to salamanders too.  One of the reasons for this is we rarely seen them.

       The salamander this Houston County homeowner discovered is known as the marbled salamander. It is one of the most commonly seen salamanders in Georgia backyards.  However, if you are going to see one of these secretive critters it will probably be on a rainy night from September through November at this time of the year, marbled salamanders migrate from their summer homes to nearby breeding sites.  When this happens, they show up in all sorts of places such on driveways, in carports and even in gardens and lawns.

       These small (about 3 inches long), harmless creatures live in a variety of woodlands across most of Georgia.  Here they make their home in the leaf litter blanketing the forest floor, beneath rotten logs, or in root or rodent holes.  Marbled salamanders occupy a summer home range measuring only about 17 yards in diameter. 

BLOGGER REPORTS PROBLEMS WITH JORO SPIDERS

Oct15

      In 1983, a Joro spider was found in Hochston, Georgia.  This large spider is native to China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan. This marked the first time the spider had been seen in the United States. Since then the spider has turned up in at least six other states (Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Maryland and Oklahoma).

       According to University of Georgia biologists, that here in Georgia the Joro spider has rapidly spread mainly across northern portion of the state. Now it is beginning to appear elsewhere.  As its population has steadily increased, so have the number of reports that the spiders are causing problems for both humans and wildlife.

Detail photos of Joro spider.

   While many experts are urging people not to kill this new invader due to the fact there is no evidence it is damaging invertebrates.  However, many homeowners have lost their patience with the spiders and their huge webs.  Here is a post from one of our fellow bloggers.

       On October 5, 2023, Tom posted, Last year they appeared in numbers I noticed.  This year I go around the house twice a day to kill them.  Every day they have just built higher.  The normal population of spiders is gone.  I live in the middle of a forest but have a large open yard.  I have not seen one pollinator this year.  We have no butterflies when normally we have dozens.  I saw a hummingbird tangled in a web. They are the only spider/insect I see.

       If Joro spiders have shown up in your yard, I would be interested in knowing about your experiences with them.

       In addition, if you would like to view the previous posts dealing with Joro spiders on the blog, type joro spider in the Search Bubble on the right side of the first page of the blog and press the enter button.

       In addition, if you want to report a Joro spider, go to jorowatch.org.  This site also features a map that illustrates the counties where the spider has been documented in the Peach State.

      

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE GREEN ANOLE IN WINTER?

Sep24

       The green anole (Anolis carolinsis) is a common backyard resident throughout much of Georgia.  Green anoles are most active during the spring and fall.  However, once cold weather arrives, they simply disappear. Have you ever wondered where to these fascinating modern dinosaurs go in frigid weather?  If so, here is the answer.

       Remarkably, in Georgia, green anoles remain active throughout the entire year.  They do not hibernate, however, when it is very cold these cold-blooded animals remain inactive for days at a time.  During these periods, they often shelter themselves under fallen logs, under boards, and tree bark, tree cavities and the like. Such spots are often much warmer than places out in the open.  I suspect some of the green anoles living in my backyard retreat under the deck at the rear of my home.  In some instances, these small lizards will wait out cold weather in groups.  Then, when we have an uncommonly warm winter day, they awake, magically reappear and begin basking in the sunlight and looking for food.

       Although it might not sound like a big deal to some folks, I have long considered being able to see these remarkable creatures every month of the year is one of the perks of living in Georgia.

      

MEET THE NARROW-MOUTHED TOAD

Jun28

       One of the oddest amphibians you may encounter in your backyard is the eastern narrow-mouthed toad (Gastrophyne carolinensis).

       This small critter (1 – 1.25” long) is not a true frog, as it does not have webbed feet. However, it doesn’t have warts (paratoid glands) that are characteristic of toads.  It is in a family all to itself.

       Heavy rain showers during the breeding season can trigger breeding. During such times, males and females congregate in small bodies of water such as  puddles, roadside ditches, and deep wheel ruts.

       Males call to attract females.  Their calls are distinctive sounding much like a loud electronic buzzer (weeeeeee) that can last up to four seconds.  Males often call with only the tip of their heads protruding above the water.

NARROW-MOUTHED-TOAD–Photo credit: Angela Dupree

       With the exception of the extreme northeast corner of the state, this strange amphibian ranges across all of Georgia.  In spite of this, it is an animal that Georgians rarely see.  This is largely due to its habits.  Except during the mating season, which can extend from April to October, this toad-like amphibian lives beneath the surface of the ground in burrows that up to 20 inches in length.

       The narrow-mouthed toad prefers to excavate its burrow in loamy and sandy soils. Here it hunts its prey. Some 75% of its diet consists of termites and ants.  It also dines on beetles and other invertebrates.

       You are most likely to find one around your home beneath boards left on the ground, and rocks. Recently my daughter found one hiding beneath a flowerpot. You have the best chance of finding a narrow-mouthed toad after heavy rains.

       The narrow-mouthed toad secrets a mildly toxic substance helps ward off predators. However, should you handle one of these strange critters, make sure you thoroughly wash your hands before touching your mouth or eyes.  If you do not heed this advice, you may experience a burning sensation that can last an hour or more.