How Do Mild Winters Affect Wildlife? (with slideshow)

(Chelsea Update would like to thank Tom Hodgson and the Waterloo Natural History Association for the information in this story.)

This mild winter is definitely affecting local wildlife numbers and activities.

Many species that normally migrate south for the winter are still around enjoying the open waters and warm temperatures. Winter is normally a season when lake-property owners get some relief from the thousands of Canada geese that graze on their green lawns and leave copious quantities of manure behind.

Not so this winter.

Lawns are still green and the geese are still doing their thing. Many other waterfowl species are hanging around as well, especially dabbling ducks like mallards, black ducks and teal. Every small lake and pond seems to have a raft of these quackers.

Some wading birds are also still here. Great blue heron are occasionally seen along the shores of area lakes, and several thousand sandhill cranes are still in the area. I don’t have to set my alarm as I hear their booming calls outside my bedroom window every morning. If it stays warm they will probably not migrate at all. In spring, these winter flocks will gradually break up as breeding pairs return to their nesting territories.

Some mammals that usually go into a winter mode are still out and about. Chipmunks store food for the winter in their burrows. They disappear underground in December and are usually not seen again until March. This year, they are still gathering seed from under my bird feeders preparing for that winter that may never come.

Raccoon, although they are not true hibernators, usually sleep most of the winter away. I usually wait to put suet out for the birds until hard winter weather sets in and I know raccoon are sleeping it off. Judging from all the fresh raccoon road kills that I’ve seen lately, they are not yet in the snooze mood.

I have also noticed the distinct ode-du-skunk around my house at night, which means they are still out and about as well. Normally skunks stay underground in winter until their mating season begins in February. The lack of winter weather will not cause the true hibernators like groundhogs, ground squirrels and jumping mice to awaken, however. They are programmed to remain dormant for the entire winter season regardless of the temperature.

Is a mild winter good or bad for wildlife? That really depends on who you are. Those that must forage for food every day have it easier because they don’t lose so much heat to the cold, and therefore need to eat less. Also with no snow, food is much easier to find. Birds of prey have it easier because the meadow mice, voles and shrews they feed on can’t hide under the snow. Snowless winters then are really bad for these prey species. The opossum, a relatively recent invader from the south, is poorly equipped for winter survival, but should do well this year.

Mild winters may mean that bird numbers may be down at backyard feeders, but the total species count may actually rise. Carolina wrens that are often driven south by severe winter weather are still visiting my feeders on a daily basis. White-throated and white-crowned sparrows normally winter further south, but are still hanging around. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a towhee or two as well.