Where are the Squirrels...and other wildlife?

[sagespirit]

Many people I know have noted that the Squirrel population lately appears to be primarily juvenile members of the species. Very few adults. All of the adults that visited the area I live in, Spruce, Lark, Robin Circle etc. that came daily for their nuts and berries, are gone. The nests are not being used. Many would let me know when they arrived. They could come when I called them. I love the Squirrels. Does anyone know what's happening to them?
I've read all the postings online about them, how the mites killed so many years ago, then there were reports of finding a couple with the plague a few years ago, how they were spared from bringing the red squirrels here, etc. I've watched them be killed by speeding cars, carried up Acorn in the mouths of Coyotes, and know that some are poisoned, but this is a very small percentage of the population I've been living with. I also know there are population fluxes, but this is scary and very sad. I'm in my 7th year of interacting w/them on this property and this is heartbreaking.
One person who grew up here said she doubted there would be any squirrels next year.
I used to see Coyotes all the time here on the property, running up Lark, and Acorn, but I haven't seen one Coyote in at least 2-3 months. The Ravens who have a nest in a tree just a few ft from my house, appear to be gone as well. They may have simply moved on to areas w/better pickin's a a result of the fires, but they've been using this next for at least 7-10 years.
I know that Band-Tailed Pigeons are dying from avian trichomoniasis. I've seen two pigeons die this horrible death, but it is specific to that species.
Can anyone help us understand what's happening? Thanks. Sagespirit

 

[Elk]

I can't explain what is happening but I can also say that I have noticed a decrease in the squirrel population at the camp I work at down in Big Pines in the Jackson Lake area.

I used to have many squirrels now only one or two that I see occasionally. I have been wondering the same thing. It is even more noticeable right now that the oaks are dropping all their acorns and there are no squirrels collecting them.

I also wonder what is/has happened?

[Nolena]

Maybe they've all gone nuts.

[TimG]

Only a hypothesis, but I think that, with the wet season we finally had, there's an abundance of food out there and they don't have to come in town as a last resort.  My oak is nuts with acorns this year. Raking acorns feels like raking leaves.  The trees are like that everywhere in the forest.  Why be around humans and dogs and cats when you can just move up into the wild?

Taking my dog for late night walks, I have seen a ton of raccoons, coyotes and (sorry to say) rats.  Way more than in previous years.  I think it's all about all the food around.

[sagespirit]

I think your hypothesis is valid for far ranging animals, like Coyotes, but No. American Gray Squirrels are territorial, familial and stay w/in a fairly small area. As you know, in the spring, summer and fall, they forage and stash food for when it is scarce. They are amazing animals, really. In the winter, their brains expand to recall where they've buried their food and can remember up to 10,000 places where they've stored their nuts. I think it was PBS, or the BBC that had an excellent special on Squirrels. Hence, they stay in close range because they have such accurate/exact memories and their food is w/in that confined territory. They also have relationships w/humans, in particular.

There is a wonderful novel entitled Nuts to You by Newbery Award winner Lynne Rae Perkins, for people of all ages, in which all the characters (Squirrels) actions are based on fact. Available at the SB WW Library. Very fun.

And, yes, the acorns are abundant right now, but barely touched. Not like past years. I gather them daily on my walks with my dog and put them out to augment the nuts I normally put out. But most days they just sit there unlike the handfuls that have been in demand in the past. Just so sad.

I'm glad you are seeing Coyotes and Raccoons a-plenty. That's good news. The poor Coyotes have been starving this whole drought period.

[WDB123]

I used to see Coyotes all the time here on the property, running up Lark, and Acorn, but I haven't seen one Coyote in at least 2-3 months.  Sagespirit

 

 Maybe Wrightwood got too expensive and the Coyotes have all moved to Phelan, lots of them around here.
I see the White Tailed Antelope Squirrels everyday but not the larger ones.

[TimG]

Well, we still have a ton of gray squirrels in our backyard.  Don't have many ground squirrels since we got the dog.  But the gray squirrels are constant companions out my office window stealing all our bird feed.

[lynnc]

We back up to the wash along Hwy 2.  We always heard coyotes all summer long and this year I did not hear them at all.  I was wondering what happened to the coyotes.

[WDB123]

But the gray squirrels are constant companions out my office window stealing all our bird feed.

 I have dogs and these little guys always come and see me when I am outside in the yard.
WTAS B&W by Wayne Baker, on Flickr