Some may argue that spring has been here for weeks, given the unseasonably warm spell of weather we have had since the start of 2023. Spring arrives officially on March 20 this year but there have been signs of spring everywhere.
Waterfowl have begun to filter in as ducks and geese are returning after migrating south in the fall. With so much open water, drake mallards sporting the bright nuptial plumage seem to be everywhere. Robins and other songbirds are common, and males have even been seen carrying twigs to make nests. This writer heard the distinctive call of a male red-winged blackbird this week while running the dog near a local wetland and that is a sound of spring if there ever was one.
My daily runs with Laney have not moved any woodcock as of yet, but most years some “early birds” show each February. Most of the information this writer has seen in print and heard from biologists links length of day to migration and the days are getting longer. The Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society have been tracking migrating woodcock since 2016 and you can go to the RGS site to follow. Earlier this week, they had not recorded any northward movement by radio-tagged woodcock but that should be starting very soon.
Woodcock returning provide a great show towards April when the males perform their spectacular courtship ritual of flying high straight up before spiraling back to a spot near a female. The sight and sound of that ritual is unforgettable. Old pastures and wet places where the woodcock can use their long, thin bills to dig for their favorite food, earthworms, are where you will find them in the weeks ahead.
Those are the delightful creatures that are part of spring. Not all of nature’s creations are fun to encounter. It has become obvious that ticks are plentiful right now and will most likely get worse. My daily runs with Laney have resulted in her picking up the tiny pests and a couple also found their way onto me. Blame me for not being prepared as the steps to protect both of us are behind schedule.
For my bird dogs, the best success in protecting the dogs from Lyme disease spread by ticks has come by using two products. Over time, both Soresto collars and Bravecto, a pill for of protection, have done the job. The past few years, Dinah wore the Soresto Collar, which is supposed to protect for eight months, while Laney takes Bravecto with doses lasting twelve weeks. They both gave great results and there are many other collars and chewable products which also do a good job in tick prevention.
For us humans, treating our clothes with sprays that contain Permethrin really does reduce the number of ticks you pick up and clothes stay protected for several washings. The ticks we are running into right now are really small, not much bigger than a pencil lead. There are stories about sitting in a tick nest but there is really no such thing. The female does deposit thousands of eggs, so being unfortunate enough to stumble upon a bunch of hungry ticks is quite possible. Laney had five on her head after a run last week. Thank God for the fine metal comb! This writer, however, was not so lucky and one attached itself to my armpit and went a while before being discovered. So, the nasty spot merited a visit to the doctor and a steady dose of Doxycycline for the next couple weeks.
It would really be wise of all of us to “check for ticks” as Brad Paisley sang so well, on each other and protect all our pets. They are vectors, meaning that every trip outside could result in unwelcome passengers riding them into our houses so take all necessary precautions! Better safe than sorry!
A much larger unwelcome guest will also soon be making appearances in the North Quabbin Region as black bears will be leaving the dens and be out foraging. MassWildlife has a great deal of helpful information about dealing with bruins and you would be well served to check it out.
They note that black bears spend more time in residential areas when they find food there. Bears quickly learn where they can find food sources near our homes. Those foods, like bird seed, trash, and pet food, are likely to attract bears and the results are damage to your property and a threat to your pets. Look around your property and remove potential food sources and other attractants to prevent having problems with bears. Once they find it, they will return.
Bears that are frequently fed, either by accident or on purpose, may completely lose their fear of people. Bears may break into outbuildings like garages, and sheds and even enter a home in search of food. A bear that is a threat to public safety may need to be euthanized. “A fed bear is a dead bear.” Take in your bird feeders, at least at night. One person can create a problem bear that will wreak havoc on a neighborhood and beyond.
As you read this, the Silverado is in Delevan, Illinois on a mission to get our new addition, Tessie. I can’t wait to spend some time with her and her trainer, Clint LaFary of Sur le Delevan Kennel and get started working with her.
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the MaharFish’N Game Club, Counselor and Director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, has been a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.