Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Shrew Traffic

We had a 12" snowfall one week ago with that was followed by a couple days of 40+ degree days, some sun mixed in. This has essentially wiped out our snowcover and exposed these little critters for what they really are.....very busy.



7 comments:

  1. I had to click on the picture to see what was what. They've been very busy I'd say!

    With the cold temps, I've had the mouse traps out in the basement. The cats were sitting on the floor, staring up at the walls. They knew what was up there. It didn't take long to catch them! I got 2 this week. The traps are reset but the cats aren't going crazy. I must have got them all. I got 8 last winter after we moved in.

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    Replies
    1. Erik:

      a few years ago we also had a "problem" and I put out everything I could think of; traps, glue sticks, poison, bait and we got 15 of them. Since them we have those ultrasonic blasters plugged in and I think we don't have any around. We've been clear for a few years now.

      bob
      Riding the Wet Coast
      My Flickr // My YouTube

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    2. Our outside cats are very good mousers and often leave their spoils for us to find, proud of their accomplishments. Once in a great while, they'll leave a shrew for us. My hunch and understanding though is that they prefer the mice.

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  2. Coop:

    my eyes aren't as good as Erik's. I clicked in and it is hard to tell but I can guess . . . that they couldn't wait for the cover of darkness

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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    Replies
    1. Bob, in fairness, it's a very odd photo. The shrews tunnel above the ground but under snow cover. With our last big dumping, they must have assumed that extensive travel would be safe. Once everything melted away, their routes were exposed. It may very possibly mean that our lawn is unhealthy; our groundskeeper is definitely going to hear about this!!

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  3. Our older cat Baxter (RIP) used to always bring us shrews and leave dead ones on the steps - well when he wasn't playing catch and release that is. He preferred to bring live ones form outside into the house and watch us catch the darn things.

    Sure looks like those ones have been busy. Maybe one of your cats was chasing it.

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  4. That's a great photo of their activity. We used to have a lot of shrews around the house and in the garage but lately, I haven't seen many at all.

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