We have few new babies of the month this time of year in Central Oregon, but you’ll definitely still be seeing babies from previous months begin to grow and leave their nests. Chipmunks born in May will finally be venturing out of their burrows and learning to forage with their families. They look exactly like their parents, but they may not be as wary of predators (like us) as they should be. Please give them plenty of space and do not feed them–this is how animals become habituated to human activity and either become pests or, more likely, an easy catch for a domestic cat. [Read more…]
Wild Animal Babies of the Month: June
Wild Babies of the Month: June
Wild baby arrivals begin to slow down in June, as hot and dry weather arrives in Central Oregon. Goldfinches will have their first hatchlings this month, as well as Douglas Squirrels, one of our smaller tree squirrel species that reside primarily in the mountains, also known as pine squirrels or chickarees. While Douglas Squirrels might get a later start than our other small mammals, they will still have time to raise a second litter in October! Another Central Oregonian who raises a second set of wild babies, the Song Sparrow, will be hatching their second nest of the season this month.
Pygmy rabbits, a scarce and vulnerable sagebrush-dependent species, are avidly digging burrows in which to raise their young. These small lagomorphs are federally endangered in the state of Washington, and a conservation focus here in Oregon. They are unique in that they dig a “natal burrow” separate from their residential burrow, but like other rabbits, they only visit their young once or twice a day to nurse. This helps reduce the chance of a predator finding the nest!
Another important mammal in our ecosystem is having wild babies this month–the bat! Although we may not have the large, charismatically fox-faced fruit bats, did you know that there are 15 species of bats native to Oregon? All of these bats feed on insects like mosquitoes, spiders, beetles, and moths. Some nest in caves, but surprisingly many nest in our plentiful lava rock and other rock formations. They form maternity or nursery colonies and even help nurse each other’s young while mothers are foraging. Hoary bats and Silver-haired bats often bear twins! Please try not to disturb these small families whenever possible. Call Think Wild’s Wildlife Hotline for guidance if you do find yourself in conflict with our native pest-controllers, at 541.241.8680.
Written by: Lindsay Magill
Sources:
https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article/87/5/921/900776
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/learning/nature-science/?cid=stelprdb5274949
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/learning/nature-science/?cid=stelprdb5275105
Wild Animal Babies of the Month: May
If you missed the first round of wild babies, don’t worry! Even more wild babies are on the way! All of the American Robins that race across your yard will finally be settling down to hatch their eggs, along with other frequent bird feeder guests like Dark-eyed Juncos, Goldfinches, and Grosbeaks. Sparrows like Pine Siskins, who have recently recoveredfrom a salmonella outbreak, and Spotted Towhees are hatching this month too! [Read more…]
Wild Animal Babies of the Month
Spring is a busy season for wildlife in Central Oregon, and April is especially busy for some of our favorite frequent visitors! Many guests you might recognize from your bird feeder at home are hatching young, such as the Chickadees with their signature black-caps and chicka-dee-dee-dee call. These, along with wrens and some of our larger woodpecker species, are using natural or manmade cavities to nest and keep their wild babies enclosed and safe. [Read more…]
It’s Wild Baby Season!
This spring, as we’re seeing more puppies and kittens for their first veterinary exams, other animal babies are being born or hatched out in the wild–wild babies! Think back to your most recent puppy or kitten, when you had to be very aware of the environment (whether it be your home, backyard, or property) to make sure there were no safety hazards that might endanger your new family member. We should extend the same courtesy to wildlife! To keep both our pets and our wild neighbors safe, be vigilant and keep a close eye on hazards like domestic cats and dogs when there are vulnerable wild babies in the area. [Read more…]
