Spring a time to project, enjoy Arizona wildlife
By Victoria Sutton, May 2009
Special to Puma Press
Spring and summer months in Arizona are opportune times for recreation. From backyard holiday barbeques and swimming parties to micro-vacations in the cool mountains, there are plenty of reasons to be outdoors. Arizonans are co-residents and stewards of our native animals. There are some critical points to keep in mind especially this time of year.
Whether in your city yard or along the Mogollon Rim, spring and summer months are eventful, and it is a busy time for wildlife. Babies are born, reptiles are active and migratory animals are coming and going. During the late summer and early fall, animals are preparing for hibernation, migration or reproduction.
Arizona is a migratory Mecca for animals throughout North America. The state hosts one of the largest collections of hummingbird species in the world, and this is a transitory time for many of them. They are now arriving from their winter grounds in Central America and can be seen throughout Arizona in the spring and summer. They are reproducing, and newly born hummingbirds grow quickly to join their parents in our gardens and backyards.
Aside from hummingbirds, Arizona’s famous white-winged doves will arrive in May. These nearly pigeon-sized birds are also returning from their winter grounds south of the equator and will reproduce in June and July. Hawks are passing through, vultures and owls are arriving and many of the state’s bald eagles are leaving for cooler fishing grounds in more northern states. Larger animals such as deer and elk are leaving their winter ranges. They will soon head to their summer ranges at higher altitudes to fatten up on fresh green shoots and deliver fawns and calves.
While Arizona is rich in migratory activity, it also has resident animals that are emerging from winter’s rest. Black bears have come out of their dens and will restore their depleted bodies from food-free hibernation, many with cubs that were delivered during their slumber.
Snakes and other reptiles have emerged from their winter dormancy and as always, raise concern for people hiking and biking in the desert, and for pets. As it gets warmer, these reptiles seek refuge in garages and anywhere there is shade and they feel protected. That can be inside planters, under barbeques and in garages.
Another wildlife matter Arizona’s residents face is attracting animals through feeding. While people are generally well intentioned, feeding wildlife often jeopardizes the animals they think need their assistance, and it attracts unwanted wildlife. It cannot only be detrimental to intentionally feed wildlife, but it can mean trouble for people and their pets and it is often illegal.
 |
Photo by Phil Coale
A group of baby mockingbirds wait for their eye dropper of food at a rehabilitation center. |
Arizona does have laws in effect that prohibit the intentional feeding of many types of wildlife (except for birds and tree squirrels), and this is for the protection of all. As the weather warms, many animals including raccoons, bobcats, skunks, coyotes and javelina become active, and feeding them can habituate them to people. This will create a nuisance wildlife situation. Feeding rabbits will attract predators such as the coyote, which will seize a pet dog or cat without hesitation.
While many wouldn’t consider intentionally feeding wildlife, their trash or outdoor feeding of pets can unintentionally feed animals. Trash should be secured and inaccessible to wildlife. Arizona Game and Fish warns that nuisance animals that pose a threat are often lethally removed. Those who love wildlife should enjoy it from a distance and avoid creating confrontations.
Although feeding backyard birds is legal, it is controversial. Feeding birds will also habituate to people, and they become dependent on the daily filling of feeders. If they are too dependent on people and raise generations of babies that also are, it can create a starvation situation if the resident moves or is away for an extended period of time. People feed wild birds because they enjoy them, but nobody wants to know that baby birds are starving in a nest because they aren’t there to feed the parents.
Feeders also attract rodents, which in turn attract predators such as snakes. For many reasons, the feeding of wild birds isn’t always recommended. There are other ways to attract them, such as by providing bird friendly plants and nest boxes.
Finally and most notably, baby birds are the most significant sources of wildlife concern from the public during the spring and summer. They present the most cases for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and most causes for public concern are due to lack of knowledge and misinformation.
There are a lot of myths about baby birds, and they are removed from nesting areas by well wishers and many don’t need to be. The best place for a baby bird is with its parents in its natural environment. Parents will raise babies on the ground if they are viable and baby birds on the ground, particularly if they have feathers, are usually not abandoned. If you see a baby bird you feel is in jeopardy, please contact a wildlife organization before touching it. If you feel it is in imminent danger (a cat is stalking it, etc.), put it in a box, keep it warm, then contact an organization. Do not attempt to feed it without instructions.
There is a lot to learn when living with wildlife, especially this time of year. Basic guidelines will make your experiences enjoyable and minimize confrontations. Remember to take caution while in the desert to minimize confrontations with snakes, avoid feeding wildlife, consult a professional when you feel wildlife is in trouble and remember that wildlife belongs in the wild.
To report a baby bird or other wildlife issue, contact the following rehabilitation centers for instructions:
• Adobe Mountain Wildlife (AZ Game and Fish)—623-582-9806 or azwildlifecenter.net
• Liberty Wildlife—480-998-5550 or www.libertywildlife.org
For more information on wildlife laws:
• Arizona Game and Fish—www.azgfd.com
|
