FeederWatch - Tumblr Posts

#HuntedUntilExtermination

Northern Raven...

I am extremely pissed off today of our "changing and depending on which region of Canada we are living in", because laws are flexible and can change at any time.

Example: Nearly all native birds in Canada are protected, even if they don't migrate. But this law concerns only the category of small birds. Which is terribly weird for me because these small birds are here in abundance, like thousands and more of them. But for most native species as birds of prey, they are excluded from being protected, like; Hawks, Owls, Eagles, Falcons, Kingfishers, Ravens, Crows, Jays, as for three other species in the blackbird family, like; Rusty Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Brown‐Headed Cowbirds. Unbelievable if we think about the White Headed Eagles who can have only one clutch of 1-3 eggs per year, (and the first born, the strongest one, can kill the other two to have more food for him, which mother Eagle will also let him do) and can be hunted? As for the rarely seen, Royal Eagle, who is always moving further to North for fear of human. Weird right!

Regarding to the BC Wildlife Act, "Ravens are Schedule C Wildlife, meaning they can be hunted any time, but you do need a hunting licence, unless !!! "you are hunting them on your property or they are damaging your property." Ravens are protected under the, Wildlife Act, except !!! in those regions of the province that have a hunting season for them. Ravens can trigger a wide range of human reactions. It may be disgust for some people to see them feeding on roadkills.Or to see them from your bedroom window can be annoyingly diligent at letting you know that it is 4 o'clock a.m. For Native people, Ravens are still honoured in many First Nations’ cultures while for ranchers can be horrified at them to find the eyes of newborn beef calves pecked out." -bcmag

Ravens, foxes, wolves,… they only try to survive like any other wild animals. It is called, the food chain… hello??? Maybe we should exterminate Roosters too?

So to say, Ravens are protected by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act in Canada but, don't have anymore any form of legal protection today.

It is like cannabis; it is against the law to grow marijuana in Québec but if you "live" in Canada, it is legal and you can!

What kind of Canadian bullshit law is this. Ravens have been hunted, trapped, poisoned, etc… for so many years until practically extermination. Ravens even teach their siblings to stay away from human as far as possible for all these reasons, but for some people, it is not enough.

So yes, I am right now fucking pissed off at our country. Ravens can now be hunted "again" because of some people that are disgusted by them.

@BenAdrienProulx May 15th, 2024

#Wolves

I need to say a few words here about Wolves and their role in biodiversity. Because I like them, but most of all, they're a must in the wilderness.

Like every time we are standing on the edge of a hiking trail of a National Park, a protected territory, we all must beware of the consequences.

Au contrary to what most people may think of its surface, no matter how large it might be, isn't big enough to sustain a healthy Wolf population over a long term. This large Predator requires a massive home range to find the prey it needs to survive. Studies have shown that all the Wolf packs in Parks must travel outside its boundaries to meet their needs. And these large Canids are also victims of habitat degradation and fragmentation, not to mention deaths of human origin.

And for people who don't know, Wolves are considered as an umbrella species. Which means that efforts to protect it benefit the entire ecosystem, since the Wolf's territory encompasses the territories of many other species with a similar home range.

As for being an apex Predators, Wolves play an important role in biodiversity. Yes, their presence has been scientifically proven to increase the abundance and diversity of plants, mamal's Birds, Amphibiants, and Reptiles. Wolves help to control the amount of Prey on their territory; this prevents an overpopulation of herbivores, which could be detrimental to plant regrowth. Wolves also give a boost to several other animal species by leaving their partially carcasses for scavengers to feed on. Through its influence on the entire food chain and by curbing excessive grazing. So yes, the Wolf is a key species needed to preserve the balance of Ecosystem.

To conclude; Wolves are very wary and will run away from any human they detect through their remarkable senses of hearing and smell - they can sniff out their Prey from more than 2kms away. Several studies have shown that Wolves will try to avoid humans at all costs and flee when approached.

Just to say that all citizens have a responsibility to protect the Wolves.

#TheRaven

...who just chased a Turkey Vulture out of his territory.

@BenAdrienProulx April 23th, 2024.

@BenAdrienProulx June 2nd, 2024

#NorthernRaven

It is June 3rd and kids are about to take their first flight lesson. They are nearly at 2km from here and we can still hear them replying to Mother Raven who's teaching them how to communicate; in code.

Meaning we're most likely about to see the entire family flying around soon.

Related: #TalkingCodes

#NorthernRaven

From a distance across the road, a Raven lands to take control over a roadkill.

@BenAdrienProulx June 8th, 2023.

#TurkeyVulture

Mountainous Parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

@BenAdrienProulx June 15th, 2024.

@BenAdrienProulx June 19, 2024.

#MallardDuck

Making waves, in the Mountainous Parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

@BenAdrienProulx June 23rd, 2024.

#BarnSwallow

Barn Swallow over water. Mountainous Parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

@BenAdrienProulx June 23rd, 2024

#WildHabitat

It should be built the simplest way as possible to not disturb the environment… always in tune with nature. Be concerned with protecting the natural environment and the planet.

@BenAdrienProulx June 23rd, 2024.

#LifeCycle

A progression through a series of differing stages of development.

@BenAdrienProulx June 28th, 2024.

#Chipmunk

Breeding period is not over yet for everyone. Mountainous Parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

@BenAdrienProulx June 28th, 2024.

#GarterSnake

They are so common in our local habitat that we almost stepped on it. This one is like 20 inches and can grow up to 50 inches in length. A good thing their saliva is not dangerous at all for humans but to amphibians and other small animals, it's quite toxic.

#CoyWolf

The intermingling of genetic between Gray Wolves and Coyotes in North Hemisphere is a fascinating example of how species can interact and evolve. Genomic studies have revealed a gradient of admixture, with the least amount of Coyote DNA found in the Wolf populations of Canada.

This is likely due to the geographic isolation and differing environmental pressures in our region. In contrast, Wolves in Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada show the highest levels of Coyote genes. It is also due to a wide range of factors including habitat overlap, changes in population dynamics, human influences on the environment, etc…

And understanding these patterns of admixture is crucial for conservation efforts, as it provides insights into the genetic health and adaptability of wolf populations across the continent.

@BenAdrienProulx July 5, 2024.

#EarlyTrespassing

Yesterday morning wasn't the right time, neither the right moment to trespass a Coyote territory.

At first sight we've been clearly spotted by this couple of Coyote. Usually they don't care much about humans as long as we're not trespassing their territories in the middle of their breeding season; unfortunately we're just at the beginning of it. Like most wild animals, Coyotes can be easily offended during this time and by any means necessary, will protect their family as well as their hunting territories on which they count on to feed their youngsters. The female seems relatively calm but still cautious of our presence contrary to the male who was agitated, noisy, and didn't seem to be in a mood to socialize with us. ( mindful-hempress )

Sure the fact that we suprised them didn't help the situation. So slowly we decided to leave this area going, backwards.

@BenAdrienProulx April 11th, 2024

#RedFox

At dawn after a thunderstorm, a completely wet young Canadian Red Fox immerged from the darkness of the forest to have his breakfast, into the light.

@BenAdrienProulx July 6, 2024.

#RoseBreastedGrosbeak

… feeding the young. Mountainous Parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

@BenAdrienProulx July 17, 2024.

#HighPerch

Mountainous Parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

@BenAdrienProulx May 28th, 2024.

@BenAdrienProulx August 4th, 2024.

#Silhouette

White-headed Eagle at Village of Cap-Pelé, New-Brunswick, Canada.

BenAdrienProulx August 5, 2024.

#OutsideTheHouseForYears

In the Northern Hemisphere, Ravens have accompanied people around here for centuries.

Spirit animals associated with life mysteries, magic, death, and the netherworld; they’re making their presence known in the Grand Valley night and day, with their croaks.

Outside the house for years; they are gathering around here in large communal roosts, numbering between 200 to 400 of individuals, during our Winter breeding months.

Symbolizing communication from the Gods, divination of the future and the Goddess of war and death, Morrigan; they are well known for their intelligence and way smarter than we think. They are the smartest birds of all.

#Turkey Buzzard

This Buzzard has been hovering the edge for like 30 minutes in front of us while we were having lunch at aprx. 1800 feet high… so clearly he wasn't looking for a carcasse but more to keep an eye on us, I would say. And I know well, there is a very old cave just underneath us, like a 100 feet below and these guys will frequently use caves for their nesting periods. So I wouldn't be surprise that our friend presently here uses that cave.

@BenAdrienProulx August 9, 2024.

@BenAdrienProulx August 28, 2024.

#NostalgicRaven

At the end of August, when all of her youngsters have left the valley, Diane is always nostalgic for a couple of days.