No real knowledge here, just "informed speculation" or "pretty  
educated guesses." Re the article in Bird Watchers Digest (which  
refers to chipmunks but might apply to other animals as well):

According to the South Carolina Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont  
Natural History website (www.hiltonpond.org), "On average . . .  
stomach analyses reveal plant material makes up 90 to 95 percent of a  
chipmunk's diet, except in spring, when animal components may increase  
to 30 percent—possibly an attempt to replenish protein lost during  
winter torpor."



Deborah Griffith
Managing Editor
Ohio Winter Bird Atlas
Black Swamp Bird Observatory


On Jun 5, 2009, at 3:06 PM, Witter, Jim wrote:

> Hello everybody,
>
>
> After reading these anecdotes and observing predation events in the
> past, I was wondering if anyone had an idea as to why animals will
> consume non-traditional/unusual prey items during late spring/early
> summer. Birds are obviously not a common prey item for chipmunks,  
> deer,
> grackles, etc, so why does it seem that they are more like to take  
> these
> items at this time of the year? Is it because they might feed more
> protein-rich items to their young, or maybe because they are simply
> exploiting a food source that is more easily taken during this time of
> the year? Let me know if you folks have some knowledge about this
> subject. Thank you.
>
>
> Jim Witter
> Seasonal naturalist
> Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
>
>
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