Nice Weather, Fewer Visitors - UPDATE December 23, 2023
Red fox
With unusually mild weather and no snow, I wondered why the fox hasn’t been here for nine days since the 14th. I called the neighbor who sees the same fox, and they said they have had fewer visitors from all their animals with such mild weather. So I’m crossing my fingers for more visits from the fox and all.
Mink
Mink
On the other hand, there was a new visitor three days ago—this mink that I tried to get a picture of but didn’t want to scare it off. So we have this picture that at least shows his or her chin, throat, and chest marks for identification. It was resting by the boiler shed which could serve as its winter quarters with its three burrows that all connect underneath the shed. The burrows were made by woodchucks over the years. Waiting to see if the mink sticks around.
Pileated
Pileated Female
Blue Jay
Blue Jay
This pileated woodpecker female discovered the suet and is coming a bit.
Blue jays became fewer with the nice weather, although I don’t know where they could find anything to compare with our shelled peanuts that they seemed very excited about.
Watching to see if there is anything to the weather conjecture as the weather turns colder and snowier.
Thank you for all you do,
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center