Wildlife

Birds

The Shelburne area is part of a coyote’s natural habitat.  They are common in this area and their high-pitched barks and yips can be heard year round.

January is the start of coyote mating season. Coyotes search for mates and usually begin mating in February. Coyote pups are typically being born around the end of March through April. During this time of year, you may see, hear or encounter coyotes as they look for their mates. You may also hear them howl and yip more as they communicate and establish their marked territory. 

Coyotes play an essential role in an urban ecosystem as they help control rodents and other wildlife populations. You may see coyotes foraging during the day when their pups are born – as the need for food increases. They often move around in search of food. They are opportunistic and will eat what is readily available, including mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons, berries and nuts. They become attracted to communities because of food and shelter.

According to the Humane Society and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Coyotes are mainly nocturnal hunters, looking for small mammals (mainly rodents) to quench their hunger.  Attacks on people are almost unheard of, however it is recommended that young children (infants and toddlers) should not be left unattended outside after dark.  Attacks on pets are also overall rare, but more common than on humans.

Here are some recommendations from the Ministry of Natural Resources:

If you see a coyote, wolf or fox, keep your distance and the animal will most likely avoid you.

If you encounter an aggressive animal:

• never approach or touch a wild animal
• do not turn your back or run from a wild animal
• back away from the animal while remaining calm
• stand tall, wave your hands, and make lots of noise
• carry a flashlight at night
• if a wild animal poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety — call 911

How to make your property uninviting

• use flashing lights, motion sensors and noise makers
• put up two-meter high fence that extends at least 20 centimeters underground
• install a roller system to the top of your fence so animals can’t gain a foothold

How to prevent conflicts with dogs

• keep dogs inside at night
• clean up after your dog — coyotes are attracted to dog feces
• spay and neuter your dogs — coyotes are attracted to, and can mate with, domestic dogs that have not been spayed or neutered

In the Town of Shelburne it is the White Tailed Deer that shares our greenspace with us. Although deer appear to avoid human interactions when possible, they do easily habituate to human development and use residential areas that contain sufficient cover, such as golf courses, parklands, and Shrub lines. Conflicts do occasionally occur and include things such as collisions with vehicles and damage to property.

To look for tips on how to protect your property and make if less inviting to deer and what precautions you can take to avoid conflict see this short read on the Ontario Ministry Website, Preventing & Managing Conflicts with Deer, Elk & Moose.​

Frogs and toads are a part of local biodiversity – the amazing variety of life around us. Frogs and toads have a special role to play in keeping the environment healthy. Perhaps because they live “on the edge” between water and land, and have semi-permeable skin, frogs and toads are very sensitive to pollution and other environmental changes.

In Ontario there are 13 species of frogs and toads and they each have a very distinctive mating call. Male frogs and toads call to protect their territory and attract females during mating season in the springtime. All but one species is non-poisonous, the Pickerel frogs are the only poisonous frog native to Ontario. When attacked, they produce toxic skin irritations that can be fatal to other animals and may cause skin irritation in humans if handled. As you can imagine, most predators leave them alone! These frogs have prominent yellow dorsolateral ridges and bright yellow on the belly and undersides of the hind legs. It is distinguished from other frogs by the parallel rows of dark, squarish spots down the back. Adults can grow to almost 9 cm.

Frogs are good to have in your yard.  In fact, a single frog can eat over 10,000 insects during a seasoning of gardening. They will happily eat caterpillars, beetles, moths and even slugs. Insects and slugs would normally be harmful for a garden, but with the aid of frogs and toads, you will not have to rely on other pesticides to get rid of them.

Generally, frogs are attracted to people's homes because of the presence of humidity created by water features, leaky hoses, sprinklers, damp decks, plants, and swimming pools on their property. Toads may also accidentally fall into window wells when attracted to a home.

Mother rabbits only nurse their babies once or twice a day, usually at dawn and dusk. Mothers run over to the nest, nurse the babies, and then run off. These behaviors help to protect both mother and babies from predators.

Rabbit nests are commonly in short grass, like your lawn. Check before you mow.

Baby rabbits are independent at approximately 3 weeks of age. If you see baby rabbit hopping around, even if they are very small, they are okay. Let them be.

When we see raccoons near our homes, especially during the day, we can quickly become concerned. it is not necessary to become overly concerned with wild animals we see out during the day. Here are some tips to understand their behavior so you can know what to report.

Never approach wildlife. Keep children and pets away from all wildlife.

While raccoons are primarily nocturnal (they are awake at night and sleep during the day) they are often seen out during the day in the spring. During the day babies are usually sleeping and this gives mother raccoons and a chance to look for food.

Raccoons usually hibernate and sleep for the winter months. If we see them out during the day in the spring they may simply be groggy and disoriented as they wake from hibernation.

When we have warm and mild winters, old or infirm animals are more likely to survive and we may see more unhealthy animals in the spring.

Be very careful around any animal that is circling, somersaulting, dragging its back end, or has discharge from its eyes or nose. These symptoms can mean the animal is suffering head trauma from being hit by a car, distemper, or rabies. Rabies can only be positively diagnosed by testing the brain of the animal.

If you are having an ongoing problem with raccoons remove sources of food, water, and shelter on your property.

Rats

Rats are common pest in urban settings such as the Town of Shelburne. The brown rat also known as the Norway rat is the most common rat in Southern Ontario and not uncommon to be seeing throughout Shelburne. This type of rat will build elaborate systems of tunnels and burrows just under the surface of the ground. They are commonly found in wood piles, rubbish bins, sewers and sometimes even homes if there is a cooler damp area of the home for them to dwell within.

There is also the roof rat (Also known as the Black Rat), which is significantly smaller in size, but often have longer tails than the brown rat. The roof rat is more of an agile climber and prefers to live in trees, vines and other dense vegetation. It is this type of rat that would be found in the roof or eaves of a building. It is very difficult to suggest you can get rid of all the rats from any one property, however you can control the numbers which intern controls the impact they can have within our community.

When we see skunks near our homes, especially during the day, we can quickly become concerned. it is not necessary to become overly concerned with wild animals we see out during the day. Here are some tips to understand their behavior so you can know what to report.

Never approach wildlife. Keep children and pets away from all wildlife.

While skunks are primarily nocturnal (they are awake at night and sleep during the day) they are often seen out during the day in the spring. During the day babies are usually sleeping and this gives mother skunks a chance to look for food.

Skunks usually hibernate and sleep for the winter months. If we see them out during the day in the spring they may simply be groggy and disoriented as they wake from hibernation.

When we have warm and mild winters, old or infirm animals are more likely to survive and we may see more unhealthy animals in the spring.

Be very careful around any animal that is circling, somersaulting, dragging its back end, or has discharge from its eyes or nose. These symptoms can mean the animal is suffering head trauma from being hit by a car, distemper, or rabies. Rabies can only be positively diagnosed by testing the brain of the animal.

If you are having an ongoing problem with skunks or other wildlife remove sources of food, water, and shelter on your property.

Garter snakes are non-venomous, as are all of Ontario's snakes except for the rare Massassauga rattlesnake. The gentle Butler's Gartersnake will never bite unless handled roughly.

Garter snakes are a gardener's friend! Harmless to humans, they eat the pests that wreak havoc in your garden. Learn more about the shy but helpful gardening helper who just wants to live peacefully in harmony with you—and eat your slugs!

Did you know that all native turtles in Ontario are designated by Provincial and Federal legislation as endangered, threatened, and species of special concern? 

Each year during April - October it is not uncommon to see turtles cross our roads.  During this time turtles are known to travel great distances to find a mate and often nest on the sides of the road. Due to the turtles slow speeds they often become victims of road mortality. Please stay alert, drive slow and watch out for wildlife.

Watch this Turtle Time Video video and learn all about the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre and how they help native Turtles.

If your pet or livestock have been bitten, or had direct contact with a wild animal, contact your vet.

If your domestic animal has been in contact with a raccoon, skunk, fox, or bat that you suspect has rabies, contact Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs at 1-877-424-1300.

If a wild animal has been in contact with a raccoon, skunk, fox, or bat that you suspect has rabies, contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry at 1-888-574-6656.

For lost animals or wildlife removal please call pest control or animal control companies in your area.

Dead wild animals should not be disposed in your waste bins but instead should be buried or removed by professionals (use “Pest Removal” for your searches). Be sure to wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly after handling dead carcasses. If an animal is found on the municipal right-of-way, please call the municipality.