|
|
 |
|
Frequently
Asked Wildlife Questions |
| If you don’t find the answer to your wildlife question on this page,
feel free to call us at (860) 536-1216.
|
| |
|
|
| |
| Birds |
|
| Q. |
If I return a baby bird to its nest, will the mother go back to
it? |
| A. |
Yes.
Most birds have a poorly developed sense of smell and will continue
to care for their young, even if humans have handled them. |
| |
|
|
Q. |
I've
found a baby bird alone on the ground and it doesn't have feathers
yet. What should I do? |
|
A. |
Try
to find the nest and put the bird back in it. The bird is helpless
without the mother and has a low chance of survival if removed.
If you cannot find the nest, make one out of a berry basket
or small container and securely place it in a tree, shrub or
other nearby location. The parents will find the nestling when
it chirps for food. |
| |
|
| Q. |
I've
found a baby bird alone on the ground and it is fully feathered.
What should I do? |
| A. |
This
bird is a fledgling; it has just left the nest and will spend
the next 24-72 hours learning how to fly, find food, and develop
other survival skills. The parents are most likely watching
from nearby, and will continue to care for it. Keep pets inside,
and move the baby bird to cover beneath a nearby shrub. The
parents will not return while you are around, so leave the area
and observe from afar.
|
| |
|
| Q. |
There
is a bird repeatedly flying into my window and I'm afraid it
will get hurt. What do I do? |
| A. |
The
bird sees its reflection in the glass, and thinks it's a rival
bird. Male birds typically chase other males out of their territories
during mating season. Try to break the reflection by putting
something on or near the glass on the outside of the window.
Tack sheer fabric or fly some balloons or strings of yarn that
will flutter in the wind. |
| |
|
| Q. |
When
do I put out a hummingbird feeder? When should I take it down?
|
| A |
Hummingbirds
will usually return to southeastern Connecticut around April
15, but you can put the feeder up as early as April first to
feed early arrivals. Leave the feeder up until the end of September
or as long as hummingbirds still come to it. Hummingbirds flying
south rely on temperature, day length and other environmental
cues to start migration. Your feeder may help them survive an
early cold snap, but will not keep them from making their southward
journey. |
| |
|
| Q. |
What
is the formula for hummingbird nectar? |
| A. |
Mix
four parts water with one part sugar. Heat just to a boil and
remove. Do not add red food coloring. Let the solution cool
before filling the feeder. Change the solution often, especially
during warm weather. |
| |
|
| Q. |
Should
I feed the birds in the summertime?
|
| A. |
It
is not necessary because birds have enough natural food in the
wild, but it does not harm them, and is a good way to attract
birds to your yard. Resident seed-eating birds may bring their
families to your feeder. Wild birds welcome water during times
of drought.
|
| |
|
| Q. |
Can
I feed birds peanut butter? |
| A. |
Yes,
but many species seem to prefer peanut butter when mixed with
seed, oats, bread crumbs, dried fruit, nuts or berries. |
| |
|
| Q. |
What
can I feed bluebirds in winter? |
| A. |
Offer
them mealworms, plain fruit or suet mixed with fruit.
Another option is to get beef suet from the meat counter at the
grocery store and use a grater to shred it into "worms" for the
birds. |
| |
|
| Q. |
How
can I keep other birds from nesting in my bluebird house?
|
| A. |
English
sparrows commonly intrude upon bluebird boxes. They are serious
competitors and sometimes predators of bluebirds. If there is
an English sparrow nesting in your bluebird house, remove the
nest and eggs to discourage it from returning. They are persistent,
so you may have to do this several times. Because this sparrow
is an introduced species, it is legal to remove the nest and
eggs. It is not legal to remove the eggs of house wrens, chickadees
or tree swallows. These native birds also use bluebird boxes.
Be sure to locate your nest box away from thickets (preferred
by house wrens) and install extra boxes in a variety of locations.
|
| |
|
| Q. |
There
are starlings or other birds nesting in my dryer vent. What
should I do? |
| A. |
If
it doesn't interfere with the operation of the vent, leave the
nest there until the babies fledge. If the nest does interfere
with the operation of the vent, remove it and place the nest
in a tree or shrub near the house where the parents will find
it. |
| |
|
| Q. |
There's
a bird in my house or office building. What should I do? |
| A. |
Turn
off all the lights, and open up the windows and doors. If it
is already dark out, leave the windows open until dawn, when
the bird may once again try to head for the light. |
| |
|
| Q. |
Should
I feed swans or geese? |
| A. |
No.
Large numbers of geese and swans can pose a nuisance on small
ponds and coves, and feeding them may encourage more aggressive
behavior and a dependence on us for food. |
| |
|
| Q. |
How
can I keep geese off my lawn? |
| A. |
Spread
some netting about 2 inches off the ground. The geese won't
like the feel of the netting and will become discouraged. If
you have a pond, put some stakes in the ground around it and
tie some string between the stakes, at 8 inches and 24 inches
high (the height of the goose's neck). Better yet, don't remove
the natural vegetation or create lawns around pond edges. Since
geese like grass and low vegetation, they tend to avoid ponds
with bushy edges. |
| |
 |
| |
Go
Top |
|
| |
|
Baby
Animals |
|
| Q. |
I've
uncovered a nest of baby bunnies and the mother isn't around.
What should I do? |
| A. |
Baby
bunnies have a very low survival rate when removed from the
nest. It is likely the mother is nearby, so cover the nest with
vegetation and leave the bunnies in place. |
| |
|
| Q. |
I've
found a baby bunny or squirrel alone. What should I do?
|
| A. |
If
the baby is fully furred and alert, it may have recently left
the nest as it becomes increasingly independent and learns to
forage on its own. If the eyes are closed, try to find the nest
and return the bunny or squirrel to it. If a cat or other predator
has taken the baby from the nest, and you cannot locate the
nest, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. |
| |
|
| |
Go
Top |
|
| |
| |
|
Skunks,
Foxes and Raccoons |
|
| Q. |
There's
a skunk living under my porch. How do I get rid of it? |
| A. |
A
skunk is a rabies vector species, which means it has the potential
to carry and transmit rabies, so do not attempt to trap or capture
it. Put moth balls under the porch or spray ammonia around the
entry hole. The skunk may not like the smell and move elsewhere.
Once it has relocated, close off the space with lattice or another
type of barrier. |
| |
|
| Q. |
I
see a fox, skunk or raccoon acting strangely. What should I
do? |
| A. |
Foxes,
skunks and raccoons, which usually come out in the evening,
are rabies vector species, which means they can potentially
carry and transmit rabies. If you should see one of these animals
exhibiting any one of the following behaviors, leave it alone
and call your local animal control officer or rehabilitator:
1.
Animal is wandering around shaking its head and growling.
2. Animal is aggressive, shows no fear and charges you for
no apparent reason.
3. Animal is curled up and sleeping in an open area during
daylight.
These are potential symptoms of the rabies virus. It is illegal
to trap or remove these animals from the property alive.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Coyotes |
|
| Q. |
Do
coyotes eat cats? |
| A. |
Coyotes
prefer carrion and small animals like rabbits, squirrels and
mice. A hungry coyote that can't find food will take what it
can, so we suggest you keep your small pets inside, especially
at night. |
| |
|
| |
Go
Top |
|
| |
| |
|
Squirrels
|
|
| Q. |
How
do I stop squirrels from getting into my birdfeeder? |
| A. |
Place
the birdfeeder at least 10 feet from any tree or shrub from
which the squirrel can jump. Or buy a baffle. A baffle is a
dome-shaped piece that can be attached to a hanging feeder,
or cylinder-shaped piece to attach to a pole feeder. The Nature
Center store stocks these items, as well as squirrel-proof feeders
and books about outwitting squirrels. |
| |
|
| Q. |
How
do I get a squirrel out of my fireplace or chimney? |
| A. |
Open
the flue, the fireplace doors, and an outside door of your house.
Put some cracked corn in the fireplace. Hopefully the squirrel
will come for the corn, then feel the fresh air coming from
your open door and head for it. Once the squirrel is out, put
a cap on the chimney. |
| |
|
| Q. |
There
are gray/flying squirrels nesting in my attic. What should I
do?
|
| A. |
Gray
squirrels will leave during the day to forage for food. Watch
for the squirrel to leave, then block off its entry points.
Flying squirrels are nocturnal. Wait for the flying squirrel
to leave in the evening to forage for food, then block off any
entry points. If either of these have babies, you must wait
until the babies are old enough to leave and forage on their
own before blocking off access. If these strategies don't work,
you can live trap them, and re-release the squirrels a good
distance from your home.
Removing large, overhanging trees or branches will help discourage
squirrels from using your attic as a nest site. |
| |
|
| |
Go
Top |
|
| |
| |
|
Woodchucks |
|
| Q. |
How
can I discourage Woodchucks from burrowing in my yard? |
| A. |
To
discourage woodchucks from taking up residence in your yard,
or to encourage burrow abandonment, remove undergrowth and brush
from around houses or buildings that they have burrowed under.
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
Deer
|
|
| Q. |
How
can I keep deer from eating my plants?
|
| A. |
There
are common household remedies that sometimes work. Hang mothballs,
strong soap or human hair in nylon stockings on the plants,
or place chickenwire on the ground around the plants. Commercial
deer repellents, available at the Nature Center Store, are the
most effective when used consistently. |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
Bears,
Moose and Bobcats |
|
| Q. |
Is
it possible that I might see a bear, moose or bobcat in southeastern
Connecticut? |
| A. |
Connecticut's state Department of Environmental Protection reports that
bear sightings in Connecticut are on the rise. While the majority
of these sightings are in the northern and northwestern part
of the state, southeastern Connecticut has the largest tract
of forest with potentially suitable habitat for bears. There
have not been recent reports of moose in southeastern Connecticut.
But moose love wetlands, so it is possible in the future that
there will be sightings of moose in our area. Current data
indicates there is one breeding pair of moose in the state.
Bobcats are found throughout Connecticut. They are very shy creatures,
and seldom seen by people. However, the Nature Center still
receives reports of bobcats in our area.
|
| |
|
| |
Go
Top |
|
|
Fishers |
|
| Q. |
Are Fishers dangerous to people or their pets? |
| A. |
Fishers are a relatively new
arrival to southeast Connecticut. According to Paul Rego of
the CT DEP, the local population radiated into this area
from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The DEP
released some animals in the northwest portion of the state.
Females average about 6 or 7 pounds and have a home range of
around 3 square miles. Males can get up to about 17 pounds
and have a home range of around 9 square miles. They are
members of the weasel family and have retractable claws so
they are excellent climbers. One of their favorite foods is
squirrels. They also appear to be able to predate on
domestic cats, especially in winter when they are hungry
enough to risk injury from another predator. However there
are other predators that eat cats such as the Great Horned
Owl that nests in January and February and Coyotes.
|
|
| |
| |
| Turtles |
|
| Q. |
Can
I release a turtle that I bought at a pet shop? |
| A. |
No. Releasing non-native species and captive-bred turtles can be
harmful to the environment because of the likelihood of spreading
disease, and the possibility of introducing a potential pest
into a natural ecosystem. |
| |
|
| Q. |
I
saw a turtle in the road. What should I do? |
| A. |
Many turtles, including painted turtles and snapping turtles, leave
the water and move to land to lay their eggs. They are not lost.
Move the turtle across the road in the direction it is heading.
If the turtle is a large snapper, put both hands on the sides
of its shell, towards the rear, keeping your fingers away from
its head. |
| |
|
| Q. |
I
found a turtle (snapping, painted, spotted, or box). Should
I bring it to the Nature Center? |
| A. |
No.
It is best to leave turtles where you find them. They may die
trying to get back home if relocated. |
| |
|
| |
Go
Top |
|
| |
|
Snakes
|
|
| Q. |
Do
poisonous snakes live in southeastern Connecticut? |
| A. |
The Northern Copperhead is the only poisonous snake you are likely
to encounter in southeastern Connecticut. It favors hilly, low-lying
areas, including rocky hillsides and bushy ridges. People often
confuse the copperhead with the non-poisonous Eastern Milk Snake.
The only other poisonous snake found in Connecticut is the Timber
Rattlesnake, which is often confused with the harmless Eastern
Hognose. The Timber Rattlesnake is not found in southeastern
Connecticut. |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
