Be Wildlife Alert

BE WILDLIFE ALERT

By Kelly Wallace

Changing the calendar over to March is always exciting. Spring holds the promise of flowers blooming, trees budding, and warmer weather that allows us to spend more time outdoors. How nice this will be, but let’s address the elephant in the room: winter! We may have gotten off easy, but it is another story for wildlife (animals and plants). Whether we are fans of winter or not, we need winter to behave like winter and run its course despite the parts of it we may not appreciate. The absence of a proper winter has already been problematic for some animals and plants. In the days, weeks, and months to come, there will be imbalances in wildlife behavior, populations, and ecosystem dynamics linked to the mild winter. All of which will have a ripple effect on many species, including humans. For example, suppose bees emerge from hibernation before their food and plants start to flower; there is the prospect of a temporal mismatch come spring. That would contribute to less pollinating activities, possible produce shortages, and increased prices in the grocery store.

Wildlife is presently contending with a triple whammy, the first being the effects of an uncharacteristic winter, secondly the prospect of a false spring, and third, an early spring perhaps, all of which, individually or in combination, can disrupt their natural cycle. This alteration could lead to shifts in migration timing, breeding, predator avoidance, and food availability, resulting in stressed and weakened animals or even losses.

Mild Winter Concerns

Some of the negative impacts a mild winter with less snowfall can have include:

Drought Protection: Wetlands store surface water generated by snowmelt and rainfall. The regional water cycle depends on water discharge from wetlands during droughts. Less snowmelt could negatively influence this process.

Migration Patterns: Mild winters can disrupt the migration patterns of many wildlife species, including birds. The outcome of this can have cascading effects on ecosystems, including changes in predator-prey relationships and plant-pollinator interactions.

Population Increases: During the mild winter, some species thrive while others struggle. For example, small mammals like rodents may have easier access to food sources if there is less snow cover, which can lead to population booms.

Spread of Diseases: Mild winters can facilitate the spread of certain diseases among wildlife populations. For example, ticks and other parasites may survive better in warmer temperatures, increasing the risk of diseases like Lyme disease among wildlife and human populations.

Less Snow: Less snowpack means root systems lose the insulation that protects trees and shrubs from extreme cold. Researchers believe that less snow, early snow melt, and a drier summer landscape can adversely influence the fire season in some areas.

Water Availability: Winter snow accumulation and spring snowmelt affect the distribution and availability of water for the rest of the year. Once that snow melts, the water helps fill bodies of water. Less snowmelt could mean water bodies will run out of water sooner in the summer, impacting aquatic life and other wildlife as waterways diminish and are prone to drying up.

While a mild or short winter may initially seem desirable, it can have far-reaching troublesome consequences that make an unseasonable winter less attractive.

False Spring and Early Spring

The forecast for the next 14 days across Ontario indicates milder temperatures, which could include double digits. Predicted daytime temperatures could range from 5ºC – to 15ºC depending on which news source you consult. Although we may welcome these conditions, wildlife is too soon to enter the winter-to-spring transition. The concern arises because, for most wildlife, the climate where they spend part of the year influences critical stages of their annual life cycle. Animals differ in their ability to adjust to environmental changes; emerging prematurely from their winter dormancy could increase species and ecosystem vulnerability. If spring arrives too early, hibernating animals may miss out on crucial early spring food.

Conversely, false spring starts can leave wildlife, insects, migratory birds, plants, trees, shrubs, and crops vulnerable to freezes. If frost kills flowers, there is no nectar or pollen for bees, other pollinators, or seeds for animals. When warm temperatures are followed by a hard freeze, plants and fruit trees can be damaged.

Yikes! Most black fly species overwinter as eggs in stream beds. The black fly season could begin sooner if the ice break-up occurs earlier than expected.

Turtles

When it comes to the turtles this winter, they had some advantages due to the milder temperatures, such as waterbodies not freezing to great depths. As a result, there was a reduced risk of oxygen depletion and winter kill. However, as always, brumating (hibernating) turtles remain easy prey for predators and are susceptible to lactic acid build-up during the winter. The primary concern at this point is the erratic temperatures in the coming weeks, which could present micro bursts of winter on the heels of a few spring-like days. Turtles deceived into thinking spring has arrived could be disoriented, slow-moving, even cold-stunned, and particularly vulnerable to predators and vehicle strikes should they make their way to a road.

If you find an injured turtle, contact the Ontario Turtle Conservation Center (OTCC), home to Ontario’s turtle hospital, at 705-741-5000 ASAP. The OTCC is in Peterborough and routinely admits injured and sick turtles across Ontario. The OTCC provides medical attention to the turtle species native to Ontario at “no” charge. They will arrange transportation to get the turtle to the OTCC or one of the first responders they work with if you cannot drive it to the turtle hospital. Once treated and recovered, turtles are released back into the wild at their point of origin during spring to autumn.

Turtle Rescue

Should you observe a turtle that appears injured or in distress on a frozen body of water, “PLEASE” do not venture out on the ice and put yourself in danger! The stability of the ice is highly questionable after the mild winter.

If a turtle rescue is necessary, contact people in your community who have experienced such matters. The public resources available in every community are different, so we cannot precisely suggest who to call, but an example might be the local fire department. They may have trained staff or volunteers, as well as the equipment for ice rescues, and will be familiar with the protocols in such emergencies. If not, they may be able to point you in the right direction for assistance in your community. Should a turtle be retrieved, it may appear lifeless, having been out in the cold. Do not assume the turtle is dead. Turtles can slow their metabolism to such a degree that even a veterinarian would find it necessary to use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine if a turtle has a heartbeat.

Wildlife In Distress

If you encounter wildlife in distress other than turtles, please consult the Ontario Wildlife Rescue website for a Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (MNRF) authorized wildlife rehabilitator in your area. It is a very informative and helpful website. http://www.ontariowildliferescue.ca

We typically expect to start seeing turtles in April. However, with mild daytime temperatures reported during March, we could see turtles and other wildlife out and about early; motorists should be aware of potential road encounters. Wildlife spotted may not be as sure-footed and swift to get off the roads.

Protect yourself, other motorists, and the wildlife we share the roads with. Slow down, keep your eyes on the road, and stay alert.

To contact the author, e-mail thinkturtle@yahoo.com or visit the Think Turtle Conservation Initiative website at http://www.thinkturtle.ca