I thought I would start this thread for folks to post what they are seeing around them that seems strange or out of place in regards to local animals.
I have noticed here in west coast Florida that the lorikeets, small very noisy parakeet like birds, are not here this year. They are usually here in the summer months and travel south to ??? in the winter. This summer, they haven’t returned. I have lived here for 5 years now and they are always noisily chirping away in the park across the street and you can always see them playing in puddles after storms throughout the town. But this year, there aren’t any.
It worries me that something may be happening “down south”. I have read about animal die-offs in South America and how the problem has been heading north into central America and Mexico. Many species are just dying for unknown reasons from birds to monkeys, pigs and even cattle.
Has anyone else noticed any weird things like this?
Also not many pelicans around now. And the great blue herons are all gone too. Both used to be around the condo docks earlier this spring, but not for the last 2 months. Those species are here year round.
Our small family of ducks returned for about a week, but I haven’t seen them anymore either since June.
Where have all our birds gone? Just a few seagulls and blackbirds on our island now, with a cuple of pelicans. Even the nightingale songs at night are gone. :(
Keep in mind that sometimes animals and insects are cylical in their appearances - like japanese beetles I think. Same may be true for birds as well….don’t know for sure though.
All of our ravens are gone. We used to have several big, noisy murders of them around here — they were enormous and worse than stray dogs for tearing into garbage bags trash day, and dragging the contents around. But I think West Nile got them, and the jays, too. We used to have plenty, now none. I don’t think either species is migratory.
Funny you mention this, I just was telling my family I haven’t seen a single hummingbird this spring or summer. I don’t put out feeders, but have massive flower beds. Typically, there are tons of hummingbirds, we are on their migration path. Also, I usually have some woodpeckers, not one this year. Other birds are showing up as usual, and this fall will be the big question. I have to admit, however, I suspect last years hurricanes and this years drought possibly may have something to do with the no show.
Enough Already~~
My husband put out the feeders for our hummingbirds quite a few of them because they are our favorite…..we have had none this year!!! Also, I always keep wreaths on my front door….in the very early spring I put the same ‘spring’ wreath up…..because every year I have a bird put a nest in it and we get to see the whole thing because our front door is glass. We get to see the nest being built, the mother bird keeping the eggs warm the eggs hatching and finally the mother bird feeding the babies…..my kids love it. This year was the first in 6 years that there were NO birds….even in our backyard where we have certain trees that always has nests in them…..gone…..we have had none….kids noticed that a while back…..I hope your right with the hurricanes and droughts….a little scary to me:/
I have 2 Bichon Frise dogs and am extremely concerned for their safety everytime I let them about about catching this flu …(even though I havent seen any birds). Can dogs get this flu? How would I know if they did? I’m really scared for my children as well as myself since we hug and kiss the dogs all the time…..
‘very concerned for their safety everytime I let them outside’ Houston 6-Pack? July 30, 2006, at 03:21 PMSorry, I needed to correct that to make sense.
TreasureIslandGal – at 11:33
Why has the alligators in Florida all of a sudden begun to try to munch on humans? Is some of their normal prey (birds…etc) in short supply?
Here in Oklahoma we have not seen anything out of the ordinary, except very hot temps.
I think it would help picture what’s happening if I knew where you live. West coast of Florida, I got, and I’m guessing Houston is really Houston in TX. Would be nice to know where you all are or are not seeing strange animal/bird things. Thanks.
Hi there MJHouston 6-PackYes?, I’m from the hot Houston, Texas:)~~Not too bad today thoughHouston 6-PackThank? the Lord!!:)
Extreme weather patterns coupled with habitat destruction is a very strong biological feedback loop. Expect more “misses” of all of your familiar flora and fauna for each and every coming year. We are in a “new normal”. The masses in China and India and elsewhere are attempting to match western industrialized consumption patterns. A new coal-fired power plant goes online in China every week. Pollution from China is estimated to quadruple in 15 years. One-third of the pollutants collected in the Sierra Nevada in the United States are now of Asian origin.
As I said this is the “new normal”. It is not just panflu that we should be worried about. And I am not a raving environmentalist. And I strongly believe in the capitalist system and will defend it to any and all comers. Because nothing else works to keep the human spirit alive with this many people on the planet.
This is our “hand”. We will play it out until we cash out.
We are boxed in. Enjoy each and every day.
My property backs up to a nature preserve in NYS. Normal array of birds are here but the geese population was way down this year. A local town that had a geese problem last year (too many geese in a local park polluting the lake for swimmers) had voted to kill the poor things. EnCon came in for final approval and did a geese count but found the number had decreased from 200t down to less then 60, so thankfully “the hunt” was disapproved.
South east of Houston. And, we have plenty of birds, just some missing regulars. I have also noticed fewer hawks & owls… and more snakes and mice! Last year, and the previous 2 years, did a lot of destruction to the gulf coast region. I still think that is a factor.
About normal flora, fauna and habitat… arrgh. I have been trying for 5 years to recreate a natural habitat after years of deforrestation due to cattle ranching and rice farming in my region. What once was natural here is no longer natural… for many reasons. Introduction of invasive plants and trees, for example. I agree totally with you Medical Maven (especially concerning environmental stance and belief in capitalism.) Winds of change are blowin’… & I am trying to adapt! Also, Mexico and S Am pollution have an effect.
Yeah, there’s that climate change mucking things up.
I just came back from the great outdoors here in the pacific northwest. Everyone was present and accounted for. Saw some large fauna, deer and bear plus chipmunk’s and of course plenty of mosquito and deerfly.