Last year Hurricane Irene swept through our area, leaving behind a mass of destruction. Last week, Hurricane Sandy stopped us all in our tracks. The Hudson Valley was spared this time and our hearts go out to all of those suffering through the devastation. As we took shelter in our homes, hoping for the best, I could not help but to think of all of the wildlife and wonder how they were braving the storm?
Birds are extremely sensitive to changes in barometric pressure allowing them to sense a storm before it approaches. Some birds take advantage of the strong winds leading the storm and fly ahead of it. Some birds find sanctuary in the calm eye of the storm, where the wall of intense fast-moving winds holds them in the storm until it dissipates, often displacing them several hundred miles away from their territories. Reports following Sandy documented non-native birds in places as far west as the Great Lakes. Smaller woodland birds tend to stay close to their territories and seek shelter in low-lying brush, thickets and conifers. Their natural ability to tighten their toes around a branch, allows them to anchor themselves and withstand the strong winds.
Fun Animal Fact
A mole can dig a tunnel 300 feet long in just one night. Millions of trees are accidentally planted by squirrels that bury nuts and then forget where they hid them.
Some wildlife including snakes have already gone into hibernation. These animals had the best chance of surviving the storm, unless they were near coastal areas, where they may have been uprooted into the chaos of the storm. Wildlife in coastal areas most likely did not have a chance after suffering through the trauma of the storm surges and the displacement of sand.
In our service area, the greater Hudson Valley, those animals who den in trees, including squirrels, raccoons and skunks may have found the safest place to ride out the storm, unless of course the tree snapped due to the high winds and ground saturation. For those of you who may be experiencing squirrels in your home, raccoons in your attic and noises in your walls, you may have noted an increase in activity. When wildlife is faced with high winds and torrential rains, they become that much more determined to find a safe place to nest/den and even the slightest gap in your home can present an opportunity to an animal in distress.
The aftermath of a hurricane extends beyond the material destruction and loss of human life we are all witnessing into the animal kingdom as well. Violent waters, quick heavy accumulation of water and flooding upsets the delicate and finely tuned freshwater/salt water balance and affects our estuaries and the animals that dwell in them. Animals and plants cannot quickly adapt to the change in the water and therefore perish. High winds and heavy rains often strip fruits, nuts and berries from shrubs and trees, dropping them to the ground, where they are accessible to wildlife, but quickly decompose, depleting their food sources. Nests are destroyed by the high winds and snapping trees and baby squirrels often perish as they drop out of nests during storms. Excessive debris and fallen trees also present a risk to those animals who burrow like woodchucks and skunks.
As we all work together to recover from the effects of the storm, let’s not forget how wildlife may have been impacted. Here at Wildlife BustersÒwe monitor population cycles, tracking the rise and fall of a population over a time. Population cycles can be influenced by predator populations, food supplies and the climate. It will be interesting to note how Irene and Sandy have impacted our wildlife as we look at population cycles over the next few years. I wonder?
If you are experiencing a nuisance wildlife issue, whether you need squirrel removal, raccoon removal, woodchuck removal, skunk removal, bat removal give Wildlife Busters a call toll free at 855-945-1212 and we resolve your wildlife management issue professionally, efficiently and humanely. Please note that all of our wildlife exclusion services come with a 1 to 5 year warranty which can be extended upon expiration with one of our long-term prevention plans. Please give us a call or check out our website for more information.
Sizzling Hot Deals in November
Now that the storm has subsided, we encourage you to consider scheduling a home inspection. Severe damage will be apparent to all, but it those small holes and cracks caused by hurricanes that can present problems with wildlife intrusions down the road. We invite you take advantage of our sizzling hot deal of the month and receive $20.00 off if you book an inspection from now through the end of November. An ounce of prevention can save you thousands in the long run and will protect your property.
Community Wildlife Programs and Upcoming Events
Mohonk Preserve
Tour the Daniel Smiley Research Center December 9, 2012, 1-1:30 pm. Ages 15 and up welcome, free program, reservations required. Talk to the Animals December 27, 2012, 10:00-11:30 a.m., free program, reservations required For more information please visit www.mohonkpreserve.org.
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum
Turkey Tales, November 17, 10 a.m. The World of Bees @ the Ogden Gallery features a live colony of honeybees, Evening Speakers Series, November 13, 7:30 Peale’s “Exhumation of the Mastodon” Painting, Jeffersonian Cultural Politics, and the French Connection, For more information please visit; www.hhnaturemuseum.org
Weinberg Nature Center
Native American Exhibit, ongoing, Animal Adventures, 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the Month, 11:00am-12:00pm, Discovery Hike 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the Month 12:15pm-1:00pm Please call in advance for hours of operation 914-722-1289, www.weinbergnaturecenter.org
And for some Wildlife fun all year round visit:
www.palisadesparksconservancy.org The Bear Mountain Zoo located in the Bear Mountain State Park, NY.
Inspirational Quote:
The road to success is not a path you find but a trail you blaze…Robert Brault
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