One of the greatest delights of my workday my commute is where I pass a few families of Canada geese. They’re raising goslings, and each week the babies seem to grow so much and I can’t wait for the day when they start to fly.
With that in mind, last week I reached out to regional wildlife observers to ask what they’ve noticed so far this year.
What else have you observed, particularly anything that’s out of the ordinary? Email me at esauchelli@vnews.com.
One of the region’s most beloved birds is in the midst of its nesting season.
“The early birds have hatched,” said Harry Vogel, senior biologist and executive director of the Loon Preservation Committee in Moultonborough, N.H. “Our fingers are crossed and we’re hoping for a good year.”
Loons have been impacted by the wet spring, which has caused some nests to flood. The birds typically return to the same spot year after year and it can be difficult for them to find an alternative one.
“Some lakes are so developed that there isn’t an alternative spot,” Vogel said. “As that water rises, loons will try to build up the nest and try to stay above the water level.”
Another challenge to loons is lead fishing sinkers. Despite a 2016 law banning the sale of lead fishing tackle in New Hampshire, the devices are still in use. This year, three loons have already died of lead poisoning, “which is a high rate so early in the season,” Vogel said.
Last year, the committee recorded 10 birds killed by poisoning, with lead confirmed as the cause in eight cases.
Death by lead poisoning can be long and painful for the loons, and the nonprofit organization takes them a vet to be euthanized.
“That continues to be the largest source of mortality by far for loons,” Vogel said. “We are so tired of getting lead-poisoned birds. It’s the worst part of our job.”
Last year, the Loon Preservation Committee started a lead tackle buyback program where people who turn in their old tackles get a $10 voucher for a new one. More than 4,700 were collected last year and the program is once again taking place.
For more information about the buyback program and for a list of participating stores, visit loonsafe.org.
The Upper Valley is approaching prime turtle crossing season, and motorists are being advised to be careful around the reptiles.
“Typically it’s right before Fourth of July,” said Catherine Greenleaf, who runs the Lyme-based wildlife rehabilitation center St. Francis Wild Bird Hospital. “It’s that first big spike in humidity when you walk outside and say, ‘Wow, summer is here.’ ”
Greenleaf starts placing signs at popular crossing spots around Memorial Day weekend.
“I’m finding people are much more educated about turtles,” she said, noting that people are learning how to safely assist them as they cross the road.
People wishing to help turtles across the road should be aware of traffic first and foremost — you’re not doing a turtle any favors if you get squashed yourself.
Helpers should always carry turtles in the direction they’re headed, according to a news release from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. But be wary of snapping turtles, which do not have lines, spots or markings. That species can be assisted by lightly pushing them across the road with a shovel or a broom.
If a turtle is hit by a vehicle, it’s not necessarily a death sentence. Even turtles with cracked shells can heal, though it may take six to 10 months.
“They can still be helped even if they’ve been hit,” Greenleaf said. “They’re slow healers, but they do heal.”
While Greenleaf is on the lookout for turtles, she Greenleaf primarily rehabilitates birds, and she’s noticed a late start to the organization’s spring rush.
“By May 15 we get flooded with baby birds, but this year they waited two weeks,” she said. Once the end of May came around, “it was like the gates opened” and the organization started getting in a couple dozen calls a day, she said. “They take basically two to three weeks to raise and release once they come in here.”
I wrote about squirrels last fall after the region’s rodent roadkill seemed to skyrocket. The population had risen due to a strong mast crop in 2017, which provided lots of acorns for squirrels, and by extension other rodents including chipmunks.
But there’s anecdotal evidence that suggests their reign is coming to an end.
“Usually I get a ton of baby squirrels in April and I haven’t gotten any. Not even an adult squirrel,” Greenleaf said. “It’s very disturbing.”
Mary Winchell, an advanced master gardener who answers calls at the UNH Extension Education Center, said she’s received some inquiries about chipmunks. While people usually call with questions about how to keep the small rodents from digging in their gardens, this year the questions are different.
“Not ‘Where are they?’ ” Winchell said. “There do seem to be less chipmunks around.”
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
