No new species to report in this post, but some interesting information. A study released by the Wildlife Conservation Society on February 25, shows that I am very likely to find different species of birds near my house compared to the species that I might find 200 meters (about 650 feet) away from the house.
Some bird species, for example, prefer to be near houses and open yards. Chickadees and blue jays are more likely to be found near a house in the woods that in undisturbed forest. Other species such as the hermit thrush (as the name might suggest), the scarlet tanager, and the ovenbird, will not only stay away from the house, but hundreds of feet away for the most part.
Even forested areas where there are lots of houses can ruin the habitat for certain species of birds according to this study even if they are very careful to preserve the forest around each house. We can presume that there are some animals other than birds that are similarly affected, this as well. Chipmunks, I would think, would be an example of animals that would more likely be found near the house than away from it. Moose or black bears might fit into the opposite category.
Many, many species don't really care one way or the other and may be found in equal numbers near a house in the woods as well as in unbroken forest.
The researchers couldn't determine what factors influenced the species differences (other than the house being there). The open area changes the amount of light, threats from predators such as hawks, noise from teh house, pets, all kinds of smells, and the availability of food (sometimes in good ways, sometimes, not).
I just thought that for anyone trying to figure out what lives in your yard, this information might be helpful so that you can set up an unobtrusive observation spot 200 meters or more away from the house to make sure you have a good representation of species that might not come closer.
Some bird species, for example, prefer to be near houses and open yards. Chickadees and blue jays are more likely to be found near a house in the woods that in undisturbed forest. Other species such as the hermit thrush (as the name might suggest), the scarlet tanager, and the ovenbird, will not only stay away from the house, but hundreds of feet away for the most part.
Even forested areas where there are lots of houses can ruin the habitat for certain species of birds according to this study even if they are very careful to preserve the forest around each house. We can presume that there are some animals other than birds that are similarly affected, this as well. Chipmunks, I would think, would be an example of animals that would more likely be found near the house than away from it. Moose or black bears might fit into the opposite category.
Many, many species don't really care one way or the other and may be found in equal numbers near a house in the woods as well as in unbroken forest.
The researchers couldn't determine what factors influenced the species differences (other than the house being there). The open area changes the amount of light, threats from predators such as hawks, noise from teh house, pets, all kinds of smells, and the availability of food (sometimes in good ways, sometimes, not).
I just thought that for anyone trying to figure out what lives in your yard, this information might be helpful so that you can set up an unobtrusive observation spot 200 meters or more away from the house to make sure you have a good representation of species that might not come closer.
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