Wildlife Encounters

[Dr. Medulla]

I haven't mentioned the latest raccoon skirmish. Last week we had one guy—pretty sure it was the same one based on the consistent route he took—come back every other morning. Somehow he was evading the spike strips on a support post under the stairs, scaling it and then making his way to the deck. I moved the critter camera to see exactly what he was doing and, yup, he was navigating the spikes rather elegantly. I decided on a new strategy. I took down the spikes and applied an old piece of metal siding around the post, hoping he wouldn't be able to get sufficient traction with his claws. He hasn't been around in three days, so perhaps that's done the trick.

Raccoons are magicians. He'll be back.

I know that if he really really really wants back, he can do it for the reason you state. I really didn't think he'd be able to get past those plastic spikes (they hurt!). But I'm counting on making it tough enough that he pursues an easier option somewhere else.

[Sparky]

I haven't mentioned the latest raccoon skirmish. Last week we had one guy—pretty sure it was the same one based on the consistent route he took—come back every other morning. Somehow he was evading the spike strips on a support post under the stairs, scaling it and then making his way to the deck. I moved the critter camera to see exactly what he was doing and, yup, he was navigating the spikes rather elegantly. I decided on a new strategy. I took down the spikes and applied an old piece of metal siding around the post, hoping he wouldn't be able to get sufficient traction with his claws. He hasn't been around in three days, so perhaps that's done the trick.

I hope the metal band works, we've used something similar on our fruit trees to try to keep squirrels and rodents from climbing them.

[Dr. Medulla]

I haven't mentioned the latest raccoon skirmish. Last week we had one guy—pretty sure it was the same one based on the consistent route he took—come back every other morning. Somehow he was evading the spike strips on a support post under the stairs, scaling it and then making his way to the deck. I moved the critter camera to see exactly what he was doing and, yup, he was navigating the spikes rather elegantly. I decided on a new strategy. I took down the spikes and applied an old piece of metal siding around the post, hoping he wouldn't be able to get sufficient traction with his claws. He hasn't been around in three days, so perhaps that's done the trick.

I hope the metal band works, we've used something similar on our fruit trees to try to keep squirrels and rodents from climbing them.

If it seems to succeed, I'll be heading to the hardware store to get some thin steel sheets (for stuff like furnace duct repairs) to replace some of the spiked locations. As much as anything, now it's just a competition of wills between me and the raccoons.

[Dr. Medulla]

Someone came across a bunch of sleeping Canada geese goslings snoozing by a lake here in Ottawa. (There were a couple adults nearby.)


edit: Also this:

[revbob]

2025_05_28_21_15_38_1.mp3

(126.12 KiB) Downloaded 102 times

[Kimmelweck]

2025_05_28_21_15_38_1.mp3

Frogs?

[revbob]

2025_05_28_21_15_38_1.mp3

Frogs?

I think so

[Kimmelweck]

2025_05_28_21_15_38_1.mp3

Frogs?

I think so

Yeah, sounds like frogs - or at least one of them. Cool to hear. Do you live by a pond?

[revbob]

2025_05_28_21_15_38_1.mp3

Frogs?

I think so

Yeah, sounds like frogs - or at least one of them. Cool to hear. Do you live by a pond?

No, but less than half a mile to the lake and its been a very wet spring, whoch I think is making a difference because I don't think I've heard it like that in previous years

[Dr. Medulla]

Bozo raccoon came around at 5.45, looked up at the post with the metal covering and wandered off. Human 1, raccoon 0!

[Mimi]

Hovering

[Sparky]

Hovering

And going in reverse as well!

[Dr. Medulla]

I assume the kids don't get pushed out to force them to fly like with smaller birds, no?

[Mimi]

I assume the kids don't get pushed out to force them to fly like with smaller birds, no?

It sounds like they leave on their own with the parents coming to nest less often.

[Dr. Medulla]

I assume the kids don't get pushed out to force them to fly like with smaller birds, no?

It sounds like they leave on their own with the parents coming to nest less often.

Ah, I see. So a mild starve 'em into independence.