FIVE THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO FOR WILDLIFE THIS SPRING
1. LEAVE YOUNG WILDLIFE ALONE
With spring comes an abundance of newborn wildlife from rabbit and fox kits, to nestling songbirds, to deer fawns and elk calves. If you spot newborn or young wildlife, please do not disturb them. While some young animals might appear to be abandoned, many wildlife parents will leave their young alone and hidden to avoid attracting predators, only coming back to nurse them a few times a day. Cottontail litters are usually born from March through September, with about half the total litters being born in May and June. Cottontail kits are born blind, naked and helpless, but they develop rapidly and are weaned, fully furred and on their own by 16 days old. To avoid attracting predators to the nest, rabbit mothers usually only nurse their young for a few minutes a day and leave the kits alone for the remainder of the day. If you find a cottontail nest and the kits appear to be healthy and unharmed, please don't disturb the litter and walk away. The mother will not return as long as you are nearby.
2. PLANT NATIVE SPECIES
Planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers provides both food and cover, and is far superior to providing artificial foods in certain seasons. Native species benefit a variety of birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and small mammals, which play an important role in sustaining ecosystems.
Looking for native seedlings? Check out Howard Nursery
3. INSTALL A NEST BOX
Placing a
nest box on your property can provide safe nesting areas for many species of birds and small mammals to raise their young. Properly managed nest boxes can be critically important to species like
blue birds and
purple martins.
For more information visit: Wildlife Home Plans
4. CREATE LEAF AND BRUSH PILES FOR ADDITIONAL HABITAT
Songbirds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, will use
brush piles for nesting,
resting, escaping from predators, and sheltering from harsh weather conditions.
If you live somewhere that you don’t have to rake or leaf blow, consider leaving the leaves or creating brush piles to help the species of wildlife that may use them!
5. SECURE FOOD, GARBAGE, AND RECYCLING
Black bears sometimes help themselves to food that is easily accessible, including bird feeders, trash cans, and pet food left within a bear’s reach. Once a bear finds easy access to food, they are likely to frequently come back for more. To limit human-bear interactions, be sure to bring pet food containers and bird feeders inside at night; keep trash cans and recycle bins inside, until the morning of collection day; and regularly clean and remove grease from outside grills. For more information please visit:
BearWise
Please report all instances of suspected injured, hurt or nuisance wildlife to the Pennsylvania Game Commission by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453)
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN PENNSYLVANIA.