Question: I live in West Virginia, just across the river from
Washington County, Ohio. WV DNR surveys have shown this to be the
worst year in 40 years for mast production - hard and soft -
especially along the western edge of the state.  The number of road-
killed animals is far higher than normal (squirrels were everywhere
this fall!) due to abnormal movement in search of food. Wildlife in
this area is facing winter starvation. Is this also the case in parts
of Ohio? If so, wouldn't the shortage of small rodents affect raptor
numbers?

Just a thought  . . .


Deborah Griffith
Washington, WV (across from Belpre, OH)



On Jan 18, 2010, at 11:19 AM, Russowl wrote:

> I too  have been wondering about the low numbers of raptors
> presently.  I live in Allen county   and traverse the counties
> around our area and have  notcied  a decline in numbers .  In my own
> backyard I am not seeing the hawks the way we have in the past.  My
> best hope is that prey numbers are either up  in the areas they come
> from  or  down  in our areas. On a recent ride to Ft Wayne  we would
> usually see upwards to a dozen Redtails going over there and the
> last time we went , none.  Not a one.  I have been seeing Amercan
> Kestrels and actually had one right here  at the house for the first
> time in a  few years. Last winter was a good winter here for us as
> we had Redtails , light and dark phase Rough Legged Hawk and also
> Red Shouldered Hawk. These times always make me think of  2002 when
> WNV  hit the birds of prey here. I was a transporter for  the  wild
> life re-haber here and  I picked up 35 hawks and owls . Out of those
> 35  we only released 5 back out in the wild. Was sad to be able to
> walk right up to a Redtail or a Great Horned Owl and pick it up.  I
> sure hope they aren't still being victims of WNV.     Just some
> thoughts.   Russell    Lima , Ohio
>
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