MCR Monthly Newsletter
What’s Hatchn’ing at Merrill Creek Reservoir with Ranger Rich
About the Author: Richard Dansen Sr.
Rich has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in zoology and wildlife management. Rich has been with Merrill Creek Reservoir since 1995 where he teaches environmental education.
You can find Rich each weekend at the MCR visitors center talking about the wonderful wildlife and habitats of MCR. Stop by to say hi!
“In writing this monthly newsletter, I hope to inform and educate readers about some of the wonderful and fascinating events going on in nature at Merrill Creek Reservoir each month. Enjoy!”
– Ranger Rich
May
Newborns and Migration!!!
WHITE-TAIL DEER:
Starting about May 12th through about June 27th Does give birth to fawns. Please don’t touch a baby fawn! By instinct the
odorless fawn remains motionless while the mother goes off to feed. After giving birth, the mother is physically drained and leaves the newborn and goes off to recuperate and feed and drink so she can produce milk. The fawn is not injured, and mom will be back. Do not touch! If the mom detects a human odor, she may reject the fawn.
Newborn fawns taken to wildlife rehabbers and must be bottle feed…. This is labor intensive before it can be released. Just don’t touch a fawn, mom will be back within 24 hours. Yearling Does usually give birth to one fawn. Older Does usually breed twins and sometimes triplets.
Please keep your dog on a leash and under control and away from fawns.
SPRING MIGRATION:
Soon, we can witness a returning splash of color, thirty to thirty-five different species of warblers will be passing through our
region…. each with its own particular song and behavior. Pine, palm, and yellow-rumped warblers are usually first to return along with an array of sparrow species. Grab your binoculars and get out and enjoy these little gems while you can!
Keep a look out for returning Osprey too! It’s always a treat to watch them fish!
Wildlife vocabulary:
Reproductive strategies among animals
“R” strategists. Animals that produce a laRge number of eggs or offspring and leave them with no parental care. Flooding the environment with many short-lived offspring. Few survive. The offspring never know the parents Examples: insects, fish, reptiles and amphibians.
“K” strategists. Animals that may only produce one Kid at a time and take really good care of it. Investing a lot of time with a lot of parental care, resulting in a greater chance of survival and long life. Examples: humans, elephants, Bald eagles, whales.
Get out and enjoy nature!
Remember: Take pictures …leave only footprints!
Rich