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This is a great article in the NY Times written by Natalie Angier about squirrels and how well they adapt. My favorite excerpt includes this story about the Washington DC squirrel.

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No, it isn't Halloween. It is turtle season! Over a lifetime that can span 40-120 years, a female box turtle will lay several hundred eggs. Unfortunately, only 2-3 of her hatchlings will survive to become adults at the age of 7-10 years old. As a result, the turtle population in any given area remains stable only as long as there are enough offspring to replace the parents.

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Bird feeders and bird baths are a wonderful way to attract birds to your backyard. To help prevent the spread of the diseases among birds, especially salmonellosis, it is recommended by experts that bird feeders and bird baths be disinfected regularly with a 10% bleach solution. Also, periodically move the feeders and baths so that seed and feces do not collect under them.

Another communicable bird disease is conjunctivitis, which affects the eyes of house finches and some goldfinches. Tube feeders should also be disinfected regularly, since the birds pass the disease to other birds when they eat seeds from the small openings, and their eyes come in contact with the feeder. Another preventive measure is to switch to platform feeders.

This is the time of year when rehabilitators get phone calls for injured or orphaned birds. Here are some tips on what to do if you have a bird emergency......

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If you have disturbed a nest of baby bunnies, place all material back in the nest and snuggle the bunnies down inside it. The nest will be lined with the mother's fur. Cut several pieces of string (about a foot long) or use very small sticks and cross them on top of the nest to make a star. Check the nest the next morning to see if the string or sticks have been disturbed by the mother's coming and going. Remember, you may never see her.

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