Confronaton

Nature article by Earl Plato
Watching animals this summer? What happens when one species suddenly confronts another of the same species? Do you observe how each reacts to the presence of the other? Do they act friendly, indifferent, frightened or hostile? On the family farm where we had more than ample feeders a host of a variety of bird species would eat often paying little attention to one another. But wait! Remember the pairs of Blue jays! One pair of jays would take over the feeder then a second pair would appear. “Get out of here!” Then the dominating third pair of jays would arrive and for the next ten minutes they ruled. That’s a “pecking order” and we should not interfere.
What if the animals you are observing are natural enemies? My advice is the same as Jim Arnosky, free lance writer. When you see such enemies confronting or even fighting in a natural setting, observe and don’t interfere.
Different animals react to the sight of their natural enemies differently. So. Most flee. Still some react in rage especially at nest making and raising young times. At Stevensville Conservation area I saw angry crows circling and diving at a Great horned owl resting in a tree. The noise was tremendous. I watched with my glasses as the owl perched blinking at the black birds as they tormented him. Then suddenly the owl flew east and the crows followed him. “Get out of our territory!” And it did.
Note: The Great horned owl is the crows worst enemy/
Silently it flies at night and attacks the defenseless crow in its nest and quickly wipes out the family. Horned owls are a living nightmare to the crow species. Whenever crows spy a Great horned owl in daylight they immediately call for help. They “mob” the owl and thus help each other to drive the killer away. Remember that’s part of the natural law. Just observe. ***
Joanne Stevenson called to report seeing a beaver at Point Abino. She and her friends at Bertie Boatt Club watched a huge aquatic animal swim to shore near the Buffalo Yacht Club. Size? Large and with the tell tale tail. No doubt about it.
Some years back Tim Seburn and I investigated reports of beavers in that same area. We went behind the Buffalo Yacht Club abd found tell tale signs. Several small aspes had been “beaver gnawed.” The drainage ditch was not far away. Beaver dam? I never saw one perhaps Tim did at some other time. Beavers in the Point Abino area? Yes.
Thanks Joanne. Armed with a Timmy’s I have been out a number of times looking for the elusive beaver(s). No luck yet.