November 6, 2008

Wild New Hampshire
Your guide to getting up close and personal with wildlife 
By Dana Unger dunger@hippopress.com

Our prime leaf-peeping and gently cool days are coming to an end but that doesn’t mean you have to hibernate indoors until May.

This time of year can be especially good for wildlife viewing in the state, whether it’s in our backyards, our neighborhoods, or at a local state park or wildlife reserve. Ask a Granite Stater about his or her personal experiences with local wildlife this time of year, and you will hear tales of black bears climbing backyard trees, moose sightings on back rural roads, and bald eagles soaring around Mt. Kearsarge. The diversity of species available in the state is rivaled by few others. More than 450 species of fish, mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles call New Hampshire home.

Though the array of wildlife is impressive, there are some challenges observers are likely to face. Since the state is more than 80 percent forested, physically viewing wildlife is already a daunting task. It is easy for animals to remain secretive and only allow observers a glimpse. However, wildlife experts say that increasing your knowledge about the animals will allow a more successful viewing experience — and a good excuse to stay outdoors even as temperatures drop.

The nature scene now
“This is the season of transition for animals,” said Judith Silverberg, Ph.D., Watchable Wildlife coordinator for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. “There are still plenty of opportunities to see waterfowl on the coast as well as other mammals who are settling down for the winter.”

Though the peak of the activity for many animals has passed, wildlife experts agree that this time of year is still a prime period for catching the activity of animals that are beginning to change into their winter patterns, particularly mammals.

“This month, depending on weather as well as air temperature, bears as well as moose are moving around the state,” Silverberg said. “Chipmunks are also still out and active, and you can still see deer and turkey as well — early morning hours are best to see them.”

“Deer, fox and coyote are still around,” said Amy Yeakel, education program director for the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. “The coyote especially are becoming of greater number and are now a top predator here.”

While large mammals are still out and about, naturalists say it is the bird world that is especially active right now.

“For birders especially, November is still a great time to see birds because waterfowl are still migrating,” said Becky Suomala, a biologist for the New Hampshire Audubon Society. “This is the peak time to see them — especially ducks.”

Although the general public might see late fall and early winter as times of decreased activity for animals in the state, experts say that it is this time of year when the patterns and activities of our favorite wildlife are thrown into the sharpest relief.

“Even though many of the birds have migrated and the woodchucks have gone to sleep, there are still amazing things to see and do in the natural world,” Yeakel said.

New Hampshire is host to dozens of wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and forests, as well as conservation areas, where wildlife enthusiasts can view animals throughout the year, but sometimes it’s the most obvious places where viewers are going to have the best luck.

“Go into their habitat, sit, and watch,” Silverberg said. “That’s the best way you are going to see wildlife.”

Tracking and winter wildlife watching
Winter can be a challenging time to view wildlife in New Hampshire, but it can also be the most rewarding. It’s the time of year to search for bald eagles along the lower Merrimack River or read the stories of animal winter survival by looking at tracks in the snow.

“There are different levels of wildlife watching,” Silverberg said. “There’s the kind where you actually see the animal, which is heart-stopping and rare. In the winter, that can be even harder. But during these months we actually also have an advantage in that we can figure out what animals actually live around us through the tracks — you can discover that weasel that’s been living in your stone wall for months.”

Snow can provide clues as to the lives of the various wild creatures in the state, as the art of tracking becomes an invaluable tool. In winter, many birds migrate, animals such as mice and woodchucks hibernate, and when the weather is particularly severe, many mammals will find shelter and sleep through the worst of it. Despite their hibernation, winter can still be a great time to see wildlife.

“Animals like deer, fisher, mink and coyote are still going to be active in winter,” Suomala said.

The animals Granite Staters are most likely going to see during this time are the full-time inhabitants.

“Our year-round animal residents need to be adaptable to New Hampshire winters,” Silverberg said. “Many of us aren’t as tuned in to their clues that are there during the rest of the year, so the winter can be a great time to discover them.”

Snow can be a mixed blessing for these animals, with creatures like voles, shrews, and mice remaining active as they use the white cover to protect themselves from predators and the elements. Snow can also allow rabbits and snowshoe hares to partake of buds and twig ends, normally above their reach in warmer season.

“What you can see depends a lot on what the food supply for that animal is like,” Suomala said. “Last year was a big year for spotting barred owls because the snow was so deep. They weren’t able to get the food they needed, so they followed the mice that followed the bird feeders in backyards.”

Tracking becomes a popular wildlife activity during winter in the state, allowing observers to discover what animals are around and where they are going, offering some opportunities for live wildlife spottings. Making sure the conditions are just right will ensure the best possible viewing experience.

“Tracking is a popular activity depending on the snow,” Suomala said. “It can’t be too deep — the shallow, light, fluffy snow is the best.”

Though tracks can be found anywhere, even in your own backyard, they are most often found where two habitats meet, such as along the boundary between a wetland and forest.

Silverberg suggests walking alongside a track to get a sense of the pattern and direction and also recommends bringing along a track guide and a ruler to identify clear prints and make measurements. Depending on the size, type and pattern, you can determine what kind of animal you’re tracking.

The activity of tracking is not limited to merely following the footprints of these critters.

“Tracking can also include looking for scat and also observing where animals have been eating,” Yeakel said.

“Look at the tracks it made, the droppings it left, and see what you have,” Silverberg said.

By combining all these elements, wildlife watchers can get a more comprehensive picture of the animals around them.

“You can still read the history of what this animal did — their bedding, hunting, and activities,” Suomala said. “There are stories to be read in the tracks.”

Tools and techniques
Before you head out to try and spot that red-tailed hawk or coyote, wildlife experts suggest you make some preparations to ensure a good viewing experience and to keep you and the wildlife safe.

Binoculars are one of the most helpful tools a wildlife watcher can have. Binocular selection can be complicated, but the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department recommends an all-purpose binocular with power and dimensions of 7x35. Also, observers need to be sure to wear lots of layers of clothing, especially this time of year. The color of your clothes can affect what animals you see: drab, earthy colors will help you blend in to natural surroundings.

“You should also always wear an article of hunter orange,” Silverberg said. “Let the hunters in the area know that you are there — there is a greater risk for wildlife watchers this time of year, not only because of hunting, but also because it is getting darker earlier.”

Blinds are also a popular tool for wildlife viewing.

“You’ll increase your chances of having a successful viewing experience if you can conceal yourself,” Silverberg wrote in her book, New Hampshire Wildlife Viewing Guide. “This can be done by simply standing behind a tree or a bush instead of out in the open.” Silverberg also says that large objects like cars, boats and canoes can work as makeshift blinds. “Animals who are used to seeing these things may not feel threatened or disturbed unless you try to get out.” she said.

Experts recommend thoroughly preparing for your wildlife viewing excursions by using informational resources such as field guides, checklists and wildlife publications to learn more about the animals and their habitats. Watchers should also prepare by keeping up to date on weather warnings and road conditions, and should have plenty of water, proper foot gear, and warm clothing.

“Common sense practices for year-round wildlife watching work in the winter too,” Suomala said. “Make sure you have protection from the cold — plenty of warm layers — and respect the wildlife by keeping your distance.”

Staying safe
Many would-be wildlife enthusiasts might be antsy to get out and get up-close-and-personal with all the wildlife the state has to offer now, but even the best-intentioned observers can have a great impact on the animal if not done properly.

“One of the goals of successful wildlife watching is observing animals without interrupting their normal behavior,” Silverberg said.

Wildlife will tend to send clear signals when watchers get to close, such as halting feeding activity, raising their head sharply, changing direction of travel, or appearing nervous or aggressive. Though it might seem exciting to try and get that raccoon or fox to eat out of your hand, Silverberg says such interaction can have serious consequences.

“Some animals that become accustomed to handouts may lose their natural fear of humans,” she said. “This may cause them to be aggressive or can lead to human injury.”

Observers also need to steer clear of orphaned or sick animals.

“Wild animals rarely abandon their young,” Silverberg said. “In most cases, the adults are nearby, waiting for visitors to leave before they return.”

Enjoying wildlife from a distance is particularly important in the winter, since it is a time of important energy needs for wildlife in the state. Encounters with humans can cause animals to react in life-and-death ways this time of year. Overall, experts say to use common sense when observing animals in the wild.

“Wildlife is exactly that — wild life. Just leave them alone,” Silverberg said. “There’s nothing in the woods of New Hampshire that will hurt you, as long as you don’t approach or corner them.”

Create your own habitat
Can’t get out to any of the parks, sanctuaries or wildlife centers around in the state? Creating a wild animal habitat in your own backyard is the next best thing and only requires four basic ingredients: food, shelter, water and places for the animals to raise their young.

Planting native shrubs, trees and plants is an easy way to provide the nuts, seeds, leaves and berries that many species of wildlife need to survive. Since native plants are indigenous to a specific region, they usually require little maintenance and will encourage wildlife to feed around them.

Birdfeeders are also an inexpensive and easy way to encourage the feathered variety to come to your backyard, but experts say that Granite Staters need to be careful when they put them up, as they can inadvertently be magnets for predatory animals.

“People want to make sure to have their birdfeeders up by November but down by April,” Silverberg said. “Otherwise, other animals will be attracted to it.”

Wildlife also need sources of clean water for drinking and bathing, as well as reproduction. Natural sources such as lakes, wetland, springs and rivers are obvious choices but are nearly impossible to replicate in a backyard. Alternatives such as bird baths, installed ponds or rain gardens can be just as effective.

In order to feel safe from humans, predators and the elements, and to have a place to raise their young, animals need shelters. By using native vegetation, shrubs, thickets, and brush piles, wildlife lovers can give animals plenty of hiding places in which to take cover.

The wildlife state
New Hampshire is known for many things — its politics, its tax-free shopping, and of course, its granite, but for many wildlife experts, it is the diversity and quantity of animal species that make New Hampshire unique among states.

“People are really drawn to charismatic species,” Yakel said. “They love the big-name animals like moose and bear that we have here.”

Experts agree that education and activities like wildlife watching help to deepen our knowledge of the species who call this state home along with the rest of us.

“Wildlife are a part of our ecosystem,” Silverberg said. “Understanding how they fit into that system, how they impact it, is important.”

Wildlife education can also help Granite State residents understand the challenges and issues facing animals in the state like quality of life, environmental impacts and population control.

“You run into problems when populations of animals get too large,” Silverberg said. “Fortunately, we have fairly healthy populations here in the state. We do have areas of concern with animals that have specific habitat requirements — if they don’t have what they require from that habitat, their numbers will go down.”

Ultimately, naturalists say, what wildlife watching can do is to help humans make connections between themselves and the natural world. Observing animals’ activities and survival instincts creates a deeper awareness of our own human behavior.

“Wildlife is something that attracts people to this state,” Suomala said. “We still have this habitat that has not been developed — that is still wild in many respects. Education not only helps us appreciate what we have, but also helps us understand our place with these animals.”

“There is a lot of disconnect between humans and nature,” Yeakel said. “Spending time outdoors can create these great ‘ah-ha’ moments of understanding.”