February 04, 1982 - A Brief Taste of SpringSECOND SECTION The 6tiffolh TiMC5 FEBRUARY 4,1982
A Brief Taste of Spring
Green grass. It seems a long itime since
we've seen that and moderate
temperatures. January surely was a tough
month as far as the weather went. Sub -zero
temperatures and a good snowfall all added
up to enough winter for most. Yet,
February's reputation for being kind to us
doesn't hold too much hope that spring is
just around the corner. At least today our
green grass and mild temperatures do give
us a taste of what's to come.
My chickens, I'm sure, think only of
today. Out from the confined house where
they stayed during the snow and cold
wave, they scratch and pick away in the
leaves just as they do in the summer
months. Even the horses in the back
pasture have left their parched hay to
nibble on what seems to be insignificant
green on the back hill.
The flocks of black duck and mallards
that have been confined to small open spots
in our creeks are once more freed to move
and feed in the run -off ponds of our farm
fields. New food and longer days will bring
that time - honored urge that perpetuates
each species.
Already the rabbits and squirrels in our
back woods are testing their skills of
dominance. Who shall be king of the hill and
have his choice of ladies fair?
Once mated, young squirrels are born in
about 42 days. Born blind, they'll remain in
their nests for another 37 days.All this is
timed so that just when the buds on the
trees start to swell,the young squirrels will
venture forth from their nests. These buds
will be the first solid food they take and it's
usually well within dashing distance of
their secure, snug home. Squirrels usually
have two litters of from four to six young,
which accounts for their abundance. In
today's time there are few predators
compared to years ago when there was an
abundance of hawks and a wide variety of
other animals to keep the squirrel popula-
tion down.
Rabbit and Man Compatible
Rabbits, like squirrels, do well around
man. Many can vouch for rabbits on their
lawns and in their gardens in the heaviest of
populated areas. Somehow they elude the
few predators left, and like the squirrel
have more than one brood.
Rabbits are extremely clever in hiding
their ground nests. Once I found an early
nest of rabbits that used the warmth
generated in our manure pile to rear its
young. It knew exactly where to build. The
straw made the nest and heat given off from
the manure kept the young warm. Few
predators would visit such a spot.
Another time when I was teaching, the
groundskeeper of the school showed me a
nest his lawnmower had taken the top off of,
right alongside a busy tennis court. After
looking in and seeing the young, almost
ready to leave the nest, we put the grass
back over the top and left it. In a few days
the young had grown and left on their own. I
often think of that nest right alongside that
very busy playground.
Everyone knows how prolific rabbits
are; some breed three and four times a
year. The four to seven young are born blind
and naked 30 days after conception. As I
mentioned, the nest is in the ground and
usually made of dried grasses and leaves,
with an extra warm layer of fur that is
taken from the mother. Here the young lay
concealed by a covering of grass that
camouflages them perfectly. All day they
stay unattended and at night the mother
opens the nest, nurses them, cleans them
and as dawn approaches covers them over
and leaves them for another day. Each
night the process is repeated.
Greatest Danger When Young
It is during these early days that the
greatest toll is taken, both in the nest and
when very young. This is their most
vulnerable time. Yet there always seem to
be enough rabbits to go around. Some
actually believe there is a higher
concentration of rabbits around man's
homes than in the wild.
Muskrats are our earliest animal
breeders. Their world is one of tunnels and
mounds, well protected from the cold and
marauding predators. By March or April,
their young are born and wherever we find
salt or freshwater marshes, we are sure to
find the muskrat. A few are still trapped for
their skins, but by and large they are left
pretty much undisturbed by man.
Often I'll go down to the old dock that juts
out over the marsh and see them swimming
about. As they swim, most. of their body is
below the surface, their nose and a bit of
their head protrude above, while their long
tail trails behind like an old piece of rope
from behind a boat. When they approach
the entrance to their underground dens
along the banks, they dive and enter below
the water.
On extremely low tides you can actually
see these underwater tunnels along the
edge of the bog marked with debris of
mussel shells and reeds. Muskrats are an
integral part of our marshes and do little
harm, save burrowing. They shouldn't even
be considered in the same breath with the
common Norway rat, for they in no way
resemble that lowly fellow.
As I write, a huge low flying helicopter
passed over the house and worked its way
across the back lot. Up rose hundreds upon
hundreds of black ducks and mallards that
were passing a quiet afternoon in one of
those farm ponds I spoke of earlier.
Everywhere was confusion as the ducks
circled and headed out. They must have
thought some great demon was about to
descend upon them. A half an hour later
they started drifting back. Most have
paired off by now. Occasionally three would
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MALLARD - -In the months ahead, the mallards will never look better.
Preened to bring out every hue, the gaudy male will spend weeks
displaying and driving away other suitors. The cycle of life has begun
again. Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh
drift in - - two males and a female. Its beauty breathtaking. Why is it so many
Much grooming and displaying will take have so much difficulty in understanding
place in the months ahead. Mating, nest it? After all, we are all part of this magic
building, incubation, hatching and caring circle.
of the young -- the cycle of life will again be PAUL STOUTENBURGH
played. The magic of our world is endless.
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