Birds, deer rely on their resiliency

Brett Fessell and his family made a point of spending part of Easter Sunday in the backyard of their Maple City-area home.

The Fessells, like many county residents, had just spent the prior three days inside as an early spring storm dumped up to 15 inches of snow on the county. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour and temperatures that hovered in the mid-20s kept many motorists off the road and wishing they had gone away for spring break.

Fessell, a conservation officer with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians’ Natural Resources Department, said his 9-year-old son came up to him with three robins; two were dead and one was barely alive.

“He was concerned, wanting to know why the birds were dying and was there anything we could do for them,” Fessell said.

Fessell told his son that the robins were likely migrating back to the area after having spent the winter in the southern United States. “I told him the birds most likely died due to exposure to cold weather and snow and a lack of food,” he said.

Finding that many dead birds within the area piqued Fessell’s curiosity. He and his son took a drive around the Maple City area.

“We saw a lot of robins hanging out by the side of the road, in the areas where there was dirt and gravel, trying to stay warm and looking for food,” he said.

It was obvious they were stressed. “These robins would hop around, just enough to get out of the way,” he added.

DNR wildlife biologist Richard Earle said the late snowstorm could have a small impact to migratory birds and young animals.

“Some migratory birds that came back were denied access to their food sources during the snow and cold. It is likely that a small percentage of the birds may have expired,” Earle said.

He has received phone calls from people around the Traverse City area reporting an unusual number of robins hanging out at their bird feeders

Yearling fawns may also have been affected. Earle estimates about one percent of fawns that were born last year may have died due to the storm.

“This had not been a particularly severe winter, but this late snow and cold may have impacted the fawns,” he said.

Overall, though, Earle said animals and birds that inhabit the north are resilient enough to withstand ill-timed snows.

“Around here the early bird may get the worm, but he also has to adjust to the late winter storms,” Earle said.

Michigan Department on Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officer Mike Borkovich has been observing signs of spring: bucks sprouting new velvet covered antlers, smelt and trout runs, animals starting their mating process. For the most part, he said, everything’s on schedule though the spring storm did have an impact.

“I did see some young bucks with small antlers with the velvet on just starting to grow.

But, the smelt have not run yet. They are usually done by now,” he said. Borkovich said the trout are heading downstream in rivers in the county, which is a good sign that spring is here.

Borkovich said he saw the young buck in the Empire area within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. With snow blanketing the county two weeks ago receding over the last week, deer have been seen near road edges looking for fresh grass. Deer are still gathering in small groups, like they do during colder winter months, but Borkovich said that will soon change.

As the snow recedes and the country side begins to wake-up, animals and birds will begin birthing their young. Fessell, Earle and Borkovich issued reminders for people to be caution when out a spring hike.

If you come upon a baby animal or bird in the woods, give it a wide berth and leave it alone, they said. Odds are the mother is somewhere close by and keeping watch, and Borkovich urged people not to try and pick up or touch young wildlife.

“Take a look, get a photo, don’t get too close, then leave the area. The young animal will be fine,” Borkovich said.