Author: Kimsmithdesigns

Documentary filmmaker, photographer, landscape designer, author, and illustrator. "Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly" currently airing on PBS. Current film projects include Piping Plovers, Gloucester's Feast of St. Joseph, and Saint Peter's Fiesta. Visit my websites for more information about film and design projects at kimsmithdesigns.com, monarchbutterflyfilm.com, and pipingploverproject.org. Author/illustrator "Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities! Notes from a Gloucester Garden."

BEAUTIFUL WILDLIFE CURRENTLY AT EASTERN POINT, BRACE COVE, AND NILES POND – GREAT BLUE HERON, HARBOR SEALS, AMERICAN COOTS, BONAPARTE’S GULLS, RUDDY DUCKS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, LARK SPARROW AND WILL THE RECENTLY DEPARTED SWANS RETURN?

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The past week Eastern Point has seen a wonderful influx of wildlife, in addition to the beautiful creatures already wintering over and migrating through.

On Tuesday before Thanksgiving, a great raft of Ring-necked Ducks joined the flock of Buffleheads and Mallards at Niles Pond. Five chunky American Coots have been there for over a week, and two female Ruddy Ducks have been spotted.

American Coot

Fifteen Harbor Seals were sunning and basking on the rocks at Brace Cove on Wednesday, along with several Bonaparte’s Gulls that were diving and foraging in the waves. The increasingly less timid Lark Sparrow is still here, too.

Lark Sparrow

Great Blue Heron agitating the Ring-necked Ducks

The most enigmatic of Great Blue Herons criss crosses the pond a dozen times a day but, unlike last year’s fall migrating GBH, who allowed for a closer glimpse, this heron is super people shy. He has been here for about a week and was present again today.

This morning I watched the four beautiful Mute Swans depart over Brace Rock, in a southerly direction. Will they return? Mute Swans migrate from body of water to body of water within a region. Perhaps they will return, or they could possibly have flown to a nearby location–further exploring our Island.

The four had not returned to Niles Pond by day’s end. If any of our readers sees a group of four Mute Swans, please write and let us know. Thank you so much!

 

Leaving Niles Pond this morning and flying over Brace Cove.

 

LOBSTER TRAP TREE POLL- PLEASE HELP US DECIDE WHETHER TO DECORATE THE TREE WITH WHITE OR COLORED LIGHTS

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It’s that time of year when the awesome David Brooks and Crew are once again constructing Gloucester’s famous and fabulous Lobster Trap Tree. Friday morning, the base of the tree and entrances were laid out and tomorrow, Saturday, construction will be complete. The lights won’t go up for several days.

This year David is leaving it up to the community to vote on whether warm white or multi-colored lights are preferred. The voting ends at 6pm on Tuesday, December 3rd.

Please vote your preference for Gloucester’s unique and beautiful Lobster Trap Tree. Thank you!


Jason Burroughs, Shawn Henry, Shane O’Neil, and David Brooks laying out the tree.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU!

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Happy Thanksgiving to all our Friends of the Blog!

Each and every day we are thankful for your interest, kind comments, and suggestions. I hope your Thanksgiving  is filled with family, friends, and joy. 

Today’s Brace Cove sunrise – My heart is filled with gratitude for this beautiful, beautiful island we call home and for the amazing and fascinating wild creatures that call our shores home.

I think I speak for many in the community in that we are so especially grateful for the return of Swans!

LOOK AT ALL THESE AMAZING BAGS OF THANKSGIVING DINNERS!! IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO DONATE TO THE OPEN DOOR’S THANKSGIVING FUNDRAISER

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Let’s help the Open Door continue to surpass their fundraising goal. Thanks to the generosity of our community, as of Tuesday evening $10,673.00 has been raised towards the goal of $10,000.00.

One in six local peoples receive food assistance. Every $30.00 provides a complete dinner. If you haven’t yet contributed, please consider donating. Every penny helps. Thank you!

DONATE HERE: TOGETHER WE CAN SET THE TABLE FOR LOCAL FAMILIES

 

ENCHANTING ENCOUNTER WITH THE BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN BITTERN

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Taking advantage of whatever sunshine can be had at this time of year, I took Charlotte to Plum Island for the day this past Thursday. We began at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and were immediately enchanted with an American Bittern stealth hunting in the marsh, a regal buck, Pintail Ducks, and hawks. Next we made sand castles at Sandy Point and then spent a great deal of time exploring a seemingly abandoned bulldozer in the parking lot there.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5J-kSDnwTM/

Lunch was a shared lobster roll from Bob’s Lobster Shack, which is located on the causeway heading out to Plum Island. We then stopped at the refuge headquarters to see the Snowy Owl, Piping Plover, and Monarch displays.

Charlotte’s day was made perfect when we learned that homemade cupcakes could be found at the Buttermilk Baking Company.

Last stop was one of my favorite shops for wonderfully unique and vintage home decor, The Barn at Todd Farm. The shop is decorated beautifully for the holidays and is bursting with Christmas gifts and treasures.

The American Bittern hunting in the marsh at Parker River was not at first easy to locate. Not only do the brown and buff colors of their feathers meld perfectly with the surrounding vegetation, but this heron has adapted an additional, highly effective method of camouflage. The Bittern stands motionless with its neck tilted upward, mirroring the tall reeds where the bird forages for fish, crustaceans, amphibians, insects, reptiles, and even small mammals. 

The Bittern was beautiful to watch, perfectly poised in striking mode and waiting for the exact moment to attack. He wasted not an ounce of energy and did not miss a single strike.

Swallowing fish whole and head first

American Bitterns breed in our region however, they generally migrate further south for the winter to regions where the water does not freeze. Managed wetlands such as those found within Parker River Wildlife Refuge play an important role in the survival of the American Bittern, especially during migration and the winter months.

HANDSOME BUCK OF THE MARSH

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Charlotte and I spent the morning at Parker River Wildlife Refuge this past Thursday. We saw some beautiful wildlife and I am especially excited to share about one special bird, which I will post tomorrow when I have time to write.

This handsome White-tailed Deer buck briefly appeared at the marsh edge before bounding back under cover of brush.

CAPE ANN SYMPHONY HOLIDAY POPS

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CAPE ANN SYMPHONY

THE 67th SEASON

Yoichi Udagawa, Music Director

A Festive Musical Celebration for

Orchestra and Chorus

Featuring

The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus,

The Ipswich High School Bel Canto Select Woman’s Chorus &

The Manchester-Essex Regional High School Select Chorus

AND

INTRODUCING .JAKE COPP, 

WINNER: INAUGURAL CAS YOUNG MUSICIANS COMPETITION in 

HIS PROFESSIONAL DEBUT  

The Cape Ann Symphony’s Annual Holiday Pops Concert, kicks off the holiday season on Saturday, November 30 at 2 pm at the Dolan Performing Arts Center at Ipswich High School on 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA; Saturday, November 30 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 1 at 2 pm at Manchester-Essex High School auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA with a joyful program of music from  Anderson, Bach, Herbert, Tchaikovsky and many others. The 2019 Holiday Pops concert led by CAS Conductor and Music Director Yoichi Udagawa features the return of the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus under the direction of Rockport’s Wendy Betts; the Ipswich High School Bel Canto Select Woman’s Chorus and the Manchester-Essex Regional High School Select Chorus; as well as the CAS debut of cellist Jake Copp the winner of the first annual Cape Ann Symphony Young Musicians Competition.

The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus and Orchestra are joined by the Ipswich High School Bel Canto Select Woman’s Chorus on Saturday, November 30 at 2 pm at the Dolan Performing Arts Center at Ipswich High School on 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA; and joined by the Manchester-Essex Regional High School Select Chorus on Sunday, December 1 at 2 pm at Manchester-Essex High School auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. The student choruses will perform Handel’s Hallelujah and Holcomb’s Festive Sounds of Hanukkah with the CAS Chorus and Orchestra. Cape Ann Symphony Conductor and Music Director Yoichi Udagawa is looking forward to this year’s Holiday Pops Concert, ““ The musicians of the orchestra and I always thrilled to perform the Holiday Pops concerts. We love sharing the stage with our wonderful chorus, as well as the student choruses from both Ipswich and Manchester. This year  we are especially excited to introduce our audience to young Jake Copp, the winner of the CAS’ first ever Young Musicians Competition.”

A holiday tradition, the Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops Concerts regularly sell out. The December 1 Sunday Matinee in Manchester is currently SOLD OUT! There are still tickets available for both Saturday, November 30 concerts. For tickets and information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org.

The 2019 Holiday Pops program includes Tchaikovsky’s  Selections from The Nutcracker; Anderson’s Christmas Festival , Bach’s Little Fugue in G minor, Rondol’s  ​Gloria; Herbert’s March of the Toys, Davis/Wright’s Carol of the Drum, Custer’s Winter Wonderland, Rutter’s What Sweeter Music, Handel’s Hallelujah and Holcomb’s Festive Sounds of Hanukkah

CAS Young Musicians Competition winner 16 year old cellist Jake Copp makes his professional debut at the Holiday Pops. He performs Saint-Saëns Allegro Appassionato for Solo Cello and Orchestra at all 3 Holiday Pops Concert on November 30 and December 1 with the professional musician of the CAS orchestra. Mr. Copp is a student of CAS cellist Dorothy Braker. Maestro Udagawa is eager to introduce the first ever competition winner to CAS audiences,” We had some terrific young candidates, and it was a difficult choice. But I know everyone will really enjoy Jake’s passionate playing. We are thrilled to be presenting such an accomplished young talent. And extremely grateful to Dr. Ed and Mrs. Ann Marsh for their generosity which made this competition possible.”

The Cape Ann Symphony launched The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus at the 2005 Holiday POPS Concert. The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus is a chorale with over 75 voices from the North Shore area. The group performed with the Cape Ann Symphony at Holiday POPS Concerts in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 2013, 2014. 2015, 2016. 2017 and 2018. The 75 plus member chorale under the direction of Wendy Betts is comprised mostly of North Shore residents, the majority of which live on Cape Ann. According to Betts, “It is such a pleasure to work with the singers in our CAS Chorus! They work hard, are disciplined in their music tasks, and put out a lovely choral sound. But best of all, they truly enjoy one another, which is what choral singing is all about! Making music TOGETHER! And this year we are looking forward to again singing with the young people from Ipswich High School and Manchester-Essex Regional High School.

A voice teacher and choral director, Ms. Betts is the Organist/Director of Music Arts as well the Director of handchime and newly formed handbell ensembles at Our Savior

Lutheran Church in Topsfield. In October 2017, to celebrate 500 years of the Protestant Reformation, Wendy directed a Bach choir of over 50 voices of North Shore choral singers, performing portions of Bach’s cantata #80 Ein feste burg ist unser Gott with trumpet, organ, piano, and percussion, as well as incorporating area soloists and ensembles in singing several of Bach’s beautiful arias and magnificent chorales. Ms. Betts has an independent voice studio and teaches piano and voice as well as leading seminars with area vocalists and choral groups and sharing music ministry with church and studio choirs in North of Boston rehabilitation centers. She is also the Founder and Director of Share the Music, a group of 20-plus singers who present favorites from the American Songbook each March. Ms. Betts’ vocal performances include several Victorian Parlor Concerts and two Emily Dickinson programs. Ms. Betts presently serves as Music Chairman for the Women’s Council of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Wenham, MA.

Founded in Gloucester in 1951, the Cape Ann Symphony is a professional orchestra of over 70 players from throughout the New England area. They perform a subscription season of four concerts per year plus several Pops and youth concerts. The Symphony Board of Directors named Yoichi Udagawa the Music Director and Conductor of the Cape Ann Symphony in the summer of 2000 after a yearlong search. In addition to his leadership of Cape Ann Symphony, he is Music Director and Conductor of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, and the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and a cover conductor at the Boston Pops Orchestra. Frequently invited to guest conduct, Mr. Udagawa has worked with many different orchestras including the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Nobeoka Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston, the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, the Indian Hill Symphony, the Garden State Philharmonic, the Brown University Orchestra, the Syracuse Society for New Music, the Boston Conservatory Orchestra, the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, the Newton Symphony, the Austin Civic Orchestra, and the Mid-Texas Symphony. Mr. Udagawa is at home in popular and contemporary music as well as the standard symphonic repertoire. He is known for his relaxed manner and ability to speak from the podium which has helped new audiences as well as enthusiasts gain a greater appreciation for symphonic music. His programs often include premieres of new works – some specially commissioned for the orchestra — as well as great orchestral works across the symphonic repertoire and lively Pops programs. He is also an integral part of the Cape Ann Symphony Youth Outreach programs to area schools.

Cape Ann Symphony’s Holiday Pops Concert is Saturday, November 30 at 2 pm at the Dolan Performing Arts Center at Ipswich High School on 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA; Saturday, November 30 at 7:30 pm and a SOLD OUT concert on Sunday, December 1 at 2 pm at Manchester-Essex High School auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. Single ticket prices are $43 for adults, $38 for senior citizens, $15 for Students of any age; $5 for youth 12 years old and under. For tickets and information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org.

DOG SNARLING AT SEAL PHOTO- HOW NOT TO TREAT WILDLIFE

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The woman in the above picture was trying to capture a photo of her dog and the seal together. A friend of mine took the photo late last winter at a local Massachusetts beach and shared it. The seal was terrified and the woman appears to be oblivious to her snarling dog. I was in the area earlier that day when she was asked twice by an Audubon employee to stop disrupting a Snowy Owl.

It’s that time of year when Snowy Owls begin to arrive from the Arctic and a time of year when we may be fortunate enough to see a seal hauled out on the beach. Seals are only on the beach to rest, to recuperate, or to escape the jaws of a shark. NOAA’s rule of thumb is to keep at least 50 yards (150 feet) away from a hauled out seal.

If you make a Snowy fly, you are too close.

Please show your love for our local wildlife. Thank you ❤

 

FINAL TWO WEEKS FOR THE EXQUISITE “HOMER AT THE BEACH” SHOW AT THE CAPE ANN MUSEUM – A WONDERFUL EXHIBIT TO SHARE WITH YOUR LOVED ONES OVER THANKSGIVING WEEK!

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FINAL WEEKS!

HOMER AT THE BEACH CLOSES DECEMBER 1ST

Get inspired to visit (and re-visit!) Homer at the Beach … Catch the PBS News Hour segment (originally broadcast on November 18) here.  

Homer at the Beach has sent attendance soaring, bringing visitors from near and far and surpassing all previous records for the Cape Ann Museum. The exhibition has garnered excellent reviews and publicity in major national media including the Wall Street Journal, theWashington Post and PBS Newshour and has been covered closer to home on WGBH Open Studio,  Chronicle and the Boston Globe (find links to news coverage here). The exhibit closes on Sunday, December 1; the Museum will be open for extended hours on the final day from 10 AM to 5 PM. But don’t wait, the last weekend is expected to be quite busy!

FINAL DATES FOR THESE EXHIBITION-RELATED PROGRAMS

 

THE RARELY SEEN IN MASSACHUSETTS LARK SPARROW IS STILL WITH US!

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The sweet Lark Sparrow has been spotted daily at Eastern Point now for over two weeks. I’ve been able to take a longer look on a sunny day and think he is an immature Lark Sparrow because he lacks the rich chestnut color of an adult.

On one fine chilly, chilly morning, he even let me spend more than a few moments watching as he dozed in the sun while puffing his feathers for warmth.

The Lark Sparrow spends a good deal of time foraging on the ground for tiny seeds. When disturbed, he flies up into the trees and at that moment you can catch a glimpse of the white outlined feathers of the bird’s long rounded tail.

Lark Sparrow tail feathers

Unlike Song Sparrows that dart and zoom horizontally across the landscape, when heading to the next location, the Lark Sparrow flies upward in more of a whirring helicopter movement. I love this little bird and if he stays all winter I hope he will find plenty of seeds to eat.

Lark Sparrow foraging for seeds

Compare and contrast the Song Sparrow to the Lark Sparrow. Both species are currently at Eastern Point/Niles Pond area. Both species forage on the ground for tiny seeds. The breast of the Song Sparrow is streaky while the breast of the Lark Sparrow is solid white with a dot of black feathers centered at the upper chest.

Song Sparrow Eastern Point

 

Don’t you find it fascinating, these avian visitors that are so far off course that find themselves on our shores? Here’s an account from 1905 —

The Lark Sparrow in Massachusetts.– On August 12, 1905, at Ipswich, Massachusetts, I observed at close range a Lark Sparrow (Chondesres grammacus). This makes the sixth record of this species for the State, and the fourth for Essex County. Nearly a year before this, on August 21, 1904, I took at Ipswich an adult male Lark Sparrow (Birds [Auk 104 General Notes. I. Jan. of Essex County, p. 268). It has occurred to me that stragglers in the migrations along our Eastern Coast may not be so very rare, but that they are overlooked, being mistaken for Vesper Sparrows, owing to the ‘white outer tail feathers. In both of the above instances, however, the slightly fan-shaped tail, and the fact that the white was not confined to the two outer feathers, as in the Vesper Sparrow, attracted my eye. The characteristic marking on the side of the head in the Lark Sparrow, seen with a glass within thirty feet, made the diagnosis in the second ca. From the Supplement to the Birds of Essex County by Charles Wendell Townsend.

Lark Sparrow Range Map

HAWK-ON-THE-HUNT JOINS US AT CAPT. JOE’S FOR THE GMG PODCAST THIS MORNING!

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Perched on the lobster traps, I only had a fleeting moment to take a photo pulling into the parking lot at Captain Joe’s. While getting my camera out, the Hawk appeared to pop into a lobster trap. He popped back out, I took a snapshot under cover of car, then off he flew.

Raptors such as Sharp-shinned Hawks and Peregrine Falcons are attracted to lobster pots because the traps often house songbirds such as sparrows. The smaller birds eat the crusty tidbits found on the pots and the larger birds have learned to find a tasty meal there.

Sharp-shinned Hawk Range Map

Several years back when there was a male Snowy Owl at Captain Joe’s, a Peregrine Falcon flew on the scene, defending his territory by repeatedly dive bombing the Owl. The Falcon disturbed him so much so that the Snowy eventually departed.

GOOD MORNING BROUGHT TO YOU BY BRACE COVE SUNRISE AND SEASMOKE

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Several days ago at daybreak after photographing the setting Moon, I popped over to Brace Cove. The temperature was 19, the wind was biting. and my hands were already frozen stiff from photographing the Moon. I only stayed for a moment but as you can see, the seas smoke was rising in the distance. Happy for the return of warmer temperatures, albeit however brief!

TREMENDOUS MARKDOWNS – DONNA FROM THE WONDERFUL DIVA JEWELRY SHOP IS CLOSING HER DOORS

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Retiring after 50 years and closing award-winning jewelry store!

Selling entire shop contents all together or in parcels, including cases, props, lighting, etc. DIVA (Donna’s infinite Variety of Adornments) in Gloucester, MA, has been awarded as “Best” by the Boston Globe and with countless “Reader’s Choice” awards.

Donna Soodalter-Toman, the owner, has been a maker, designer, collector, buyer and seller for 50 years! She is also an appraiser and licensed auctioneer. This inventory is unmatched in terms of originality and saleability. Priced at keystone and slightly above, retail prices start at $10 and scale up to $30,000.

This unmatched inventory includes thousands and thousands of pieces from the late 1700’s to today in every metal, color and stone/gemstone, and for all genders.

Costume jewelry, for example, includes antique, vintage and contemporary pieces from names like; Chanel, Barkley, McClelland Barkley, Florenza, Lisner, YSL, Carnegie, Haskell, Hagler, Boucher, Roberta, Jomaz, Mazer, Trifari, Eisenberg, Schiaparelli, Bittar, Renoir, Matisse, KJL, DeLaRenta, Monies, Bonaz, Bengel, Diamonbar, Galiano, Lagerfeld, Prada, etc., plus countless collectible pieces in paste, Galalith, Bakelite, Lucite, celluloid, etc.

The collection of sterling silver is unmatched in size and piece. Antique, vintage and contemporary (mostly one-of-a-kind) pieces include makers like; NE From, David Anderson, Hull, Jensen, Hans Hansen, Coro, Trifari, DeTaxco, Aguilar, Kerr, Tiffany, Peruzzi, Coppini, Cini, Levin, Wiener, Shiebler, Robert Lee Morris, John Iverson, Linda Tesh, Betsy Fuller, Jayne Redman, Roberta and David Williamson, Bezak. Rebecca, F. Kite, Joseph Downs, Collen Denton, Romanik, Von Musulin, Judith Jack, John Hardy, Vitresse, David Yurman, Gabriella Kiss, DVA, Elyn Blake, Anne Besse Shepard, Wolf Doesch, Margaret Thurman (Echo of the Dreamer and Mars/Valentine), Eileen Sutton, Amy Kahn Russell, Tabra, Todd Reed, Linda Kindler Priest, Goudji, Lori Leonard, Sydney Lynch, Mar, Carol Webb, Carolyn Morris-Bach, Deborah Armstrong, Ford/Forlano, Nancy Kennedy, Biba Shutz, Elizabeth Garvin, Patty Walton, Urso, Naftali, Ray Tracey, Cavender, Girardi, Kristi Anderson, Kirstin Lora, Kristin Holeman, Judith Ripka, Magik-Fusager, Lagos, Rebecca Collins, Joan Dulles, Kiestlestein-Cord, Sebagg, Daus, Bigazzi, Messenger, Bayanihan, Sam Shaw, Terri Logan, Flying Anvil, Kabana, Hermes, etc., and a huge array of additional US, Scandanavian, Mexican, Italian, Other European and Native American pieces.

Antique, vintage and contemporary gold and platinum pieces, which cover Victorian, Georgian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern and contemporary time periods, are signed by makers like, DVA, Reinstein-Ross, Menagatti, Tiffany, Kabana, Chris Ploof, Esti’ Frederica, Konstantino, Andy Cooperman, Ripka, Yossi Harari, Charriol, Roberto Coin, George Sawyer, Paul Lantuch, Ross Coppleman, Homero, Sevan, Yvan Wolf, Asch-Grossbert, SOHO, La Novelle Baque, Gurhan, Rob Green, Todd Reed, Morelli, Marraccini, Omega, Concord, Hamilton, Gubelin, Tourneau, Chambers, etc. Many more are unsigned or signed by names unknown to Donna.

Would like to have contents sold by end of January, if possible, as the store will close at that time and everything remaining will be packed to move.

Please contact Donna with questions, requests for appointments, request for pictures, etc. She can be reached at 617-447-7527 or donnastoman@rcn.com. While merely representing a mere dent, a number of her pieces can be viewed on Facebook (DIVA), Instagram (Adornmentdiva) and on her website (AdornmentDIVA.com).

FULL FROST MOON RISING BETWEEN TWIN LIGHTHOUSES

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Tonight’s full (appropriately named) Frost Moon rising between  the Twin Lights. The Frost Moon is also known as the Beaver Moon and Mourning Moon. Oh how I wish I had my tripod with me tonight, but this image is fun anyway. I think it would make a better painting.

CAPE ANN WILDLIFE REHABBER JODI SWENSON ON FOX NEWS SPEAKING ABOUT RAT POISON KILLING OUR LOCAL WILDLIFE

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LINK HERE TO SEE THE FOX NEWS SEGMENT

GLOUCESTER, Mass. – Wildlife rehabilitators are urging residents and business owners not to use rat poison as it is suspected in the deaths of three foxes and a coyote in Gloucester in recent weeks, as well as countless other animals.

The latest fox was found dead on Good Harbor Beach Tuesday morning.

Jodi Swenson, head of Cape Ann Wildlife Inc., said she has taken in too many animals that have died slow, painful deaths from secondary rodenticide poisoning.

Residents and business owners are leaving rat poison outside, killing mice and rats, which are then eaten by bigger predators, including foxes, chipmunks, raccoons and birds of prey.

“It’s a horrendous way to die. They’re basically bleeding out,” Swenson said. “It’s sad, and it’s maddening because we know [the fox] most likely ate a poisoned mouse or rat. He’s trying to do his job, and he’s dying for it.”

Jane Newhouse, the owner of Newhouse Wildlife Rescue of Chelmsford, said she has taken in more animals suffering from rodenticide poisoning than those hit by cars.

“Of all the things that I see, this is one of the worst things we as humans do to our wildlife,” Newhouse said. “Often, [the bigger animals] might eat one rat or mouse that has it and it’ll be in their system for a while.”

Newhouse treated a four-month-old fox that, testing showed, had ingested three different kinds of rodent poison over the course of its short life. She also cared for a pregnant raccoon that went into early labor. All of the animals died.

“It was probably the worst thing I’ve witnessed as a wildlife rehabilitator, not only to see her go through it and to see the amount of suffering that that poor mama endured, but then to have lost all the babies inside her,” Newhouse said.

As the natural predators of rats and mice are killed off, the rodent problem is only getting worse, Newhouse said.

“If you kill your local bird of prey, your local hawk who usually kills a thousand rodents a year, what’s going to happen is yes, temporarily your issue is solved, but it’s going to come back with a vengeance, and you’re going to have way more,” Newhouse said.

Newhouse is working on testing as many animals as possible for rodenticide poisoning to get solid numbers to bring to the state in order to get the legislature to ban rodent poison.

“If you’ve ever witnessed the slow death that rodenticide is, you’d absolutely be on board with banning this stuff,” Newhouse said. “It’s awful. It’s awful for the animals.”

Wildlife rescuers urge the public to use other alternatives to rodent poison, including prevention – simply limiting trash and food outside and sealing off entrances to shelter for rodents. If necessary, quick-kill snap traps are a better option than bait, experts say.

The above graphics are printable small poster size. The black and white one is great for kids to color.

 

THREE DEAD ADOLESCENT FOX FOUND IN GLOUCESTER

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Friend Jennie writes that she was able to take a photo of the dead young fox at Good Harbor Beach this morning before Animal Control arrived. This is the third dead fox found in Gloucester recently. Such beautiful creatures and so heartbreaking to see.

Although Gloucester does not do autopsies unless rabies is suspect, the ACO believes that the foxes were mostly likely killed consuming rat poison.

In the graphics below you can see how rat poison kills not just rats, but all that come in contact. Fox and raptors, such as owls and hawks, hold a similar position in the food chain. Rat poison also sickens and kill dogs and cats. Here is a link we posted a while back about alternatives to deadly rat poison:

ALTERNATIVES TO DEADLY SECOND-GENERATION RAT POISON