• Jean
      Participant
      Chirps: 5
      We had a vary wet spring and summer. Now we have a super mast crop.  We are also dealing with an outbreak of EEE and they are warning of a spike in tick borne illnesses this fall.  Changes in weather patterns have many consequences for most systems.  Changes in populations can affect many species, more ticks means fewer moose. More coyotes seems to mean fewer foxes.  I find it interesting that bald eagles and ospreys are both recovering at the same time, which suggests that they have not yet reached carrying capacity of the fish population. (That is the most positive thing I’ve said in a long time.)
    • Sarah
      Participant
      Chirps: 8
      There seem to be fewer raptors/predators than prey. Knowing they are unsuccessful more often than not, how is the abundance of prey designed to help both predators and prey survive? Examples: dozens of frogs in a pond with one Great Blue Heron and one Green Heron; 30 or so Eastern Bluebirds in a flock with one Sharp-shinned Hawk zooming by; 12 squirrels in my back yard area but one pair of Red-shouldered Hawks raising one or 2 young.