#backyardwildlife — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #backyardwildlife, aggregated by home.social.
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We came back from vacation and there were not nearly as many eggs as there should have been. I put a camera in the coop to find out what was going on. I was thinking it was a snake, somehow turned out to be a skunk!
I guess today is going to be investigating how the skunk gets in. -
We came back from vacation and there were not nearly as many eggs as there should have been. I put a camera in the coop to find out what was going on. I was thinking it was a snake, somehow turned out to be a skunk!
I guess today is going to be investigating how the skunk gets in. -
Marshmallow is making friends:)) #opossum #backyardwildlife #skunk #critter #cute
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Marshmallow had a nice quiet dinner 💟💟💟 #opossum #backyardwildlife #raccoon #critter #cute
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Marshmallow had dinner with nice company:) #opossum #raccoon #backyardwildlife #critter #cute
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She eats 40,000 grubs and pest insects per family per season. She eats carrion. She buries seeds that become oak trees. She's running a three-shift operation — pest removal, sanitation, reforestation — and she remembers the face of everyone who's ever thrown a rock at her.
#Crows #BackyardWildlife #BirdIntelligence -
She eats 40,000 grubs and pest insects per family per season. She eats carrion. She buries seeds that become oak trees. She's running a three-shift operation — pest removal, sanitation, reforestation — and she remembers the face of everyone who's ever thrown a rock at her.
#Crows #BackyardWildlife #BirdIntelligence -
Marshmallow fluff visited later than her normal💟💟💟 #opossum #backyardwildlife #raccoon #critter #cute
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Baby chillin' in the grass near the patio while mom grazes in the back.
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Baby chillin' in the grass near the patio while mom grazes in the back.
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marshmallow fluff :) #opossum #raccoon #backyardwildlife #critter #cute
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marshmallow fluff and raccoon:) #opossum #raccoon #backyardwildlife #critter #cute
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Finally got a couple of bad photos of Wee Bunz, who is Mama Bunz' only surviving kit from spring 2026.
As you can see, Wee Bunz has already adopted the family habit of not caring about me or my dog (who is always on a leash when we are outside.)
I do not yet have a guess as to whether Wee Bunz is a male or female. I was about 50 feet away when I took these photos.
#alttext #backyardnature
#BackyardWildlife #wildrabbits
#NatureLovers #naturephotography
#backyardphotography #easterncottontail -
Hot robin just took a bath, grooming on the plant hanger arch. Can’t believe it’s still 99F (37C)… 💦
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Hot robin just took a bath, grooming on the plant hanger arch. Can’t believe it’s still 99F (37C)… 💦
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A visitor in the #Berkshires.
#BackyardWildlife -
A visitor in the #Berkshires.
#BackyardWildlife -
On a personal note, I am so excited to tell you that Wee Bunz is alive and well. I have not seen Wee Bunz since he or she was a tiny toddler who popped out of the nest under my neighbor's tarp-covered woodpile one morning, to play in the spring rain. Mama Bunz moved in quickly to safely relocate Wee Bunz back to the nest, and not long thereafter, the Wandering Fox came through, sniffing for food. I was genuinely concerned that Wee Bunz was no more.
But yes! Wee Bunz has grown a lot, and most likely outgrown the nest, so he or she has been making appearances almost every afternoon, in my neighbor's fenced back yard, or in my unfenced one. He or she stays close to "home" and is quite skittish (which is a good, and totally normal behavior for a wild rabbit.)
To be clear, for those reading my bunny tales for the first time: I don't interfere with their wild lives. I don't feed them; I don't approach or talk to them. I've made no attempts to "tame" them by any means. I document their little lives, as they hang out in my back yard, but otherwise, they are free to come and go as they please.
#wildrabbits #easterncottontail
#BackyardWildlife #backyardnature
#goodnewsthread #goodnewsfeed
#goodnewspost #NatureLovers
#WildlifeMoments -
marshmallow fluff and a raccoon friend:) #opossum #raccoon #backyardwildlife #critter #cute
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How does #wildlife beat the heat?
Learn the wild ways #Massachusetts critters survive the summer.
7/01/2026"What do wild animals do when temperatures start to climb? Like any good New Englander, our local wildlife is built to survive all 4 seasons. From bizarre bodily functions to wardrobe changes, here’s how they’ll stay cool this summer.
Thermal panting and gular fluttering
You’ve likely seen a dog pant after laying in the sun. Wild animals do this too. Thermal panting increases the evaporation of liquid off their tongue and inside of their mouth, lowering their body temperature. Members of the canid (dog) and cervid (deer and moose) families are especially known for panting to thermoregulate. Certain birds, like owls and cormorants, use a similar strategy called gular fluttering—rapidly vibrating their throat to increase evaporation and cool themselves down.
“Hot yoga” for birds
When it gets hot, great blue herons will spread their wings in a dramatic, statue-like pose. Although it may look like yoga, they are actually striking this pose to release heat from their body and allow a cool breeze to reach areas of skin with fewer feathers. Interestingly, they also do this in the morning sun to warm up their bodies after a cool night.
A messy solution
Turkey vultures purposely defecate on their legs when it gets hot out. As the waste evaporates, it cools the bird down.
Turkey vultures and northern gannets use a unique, albeit gross, cooling strategy called urohidrosis (pronounced yoo-roh-hi-DROH-sis). These birds purposely defecate on their featherless legs to keep cool. The evaporation of the waste along the blood vessels results in a cooling effect. They’re not the only animals that do this. Harbor seals urinate on their hind flippers while sunbathing to regulate their body temperature too.
Shifting scenery and wardrobe
Blanding's turtles often move into shaded areas or underneath leaf litter to escape the summer heat
Sometimes survival just requires a change in routine. Some wildlife exhibit more nocturnal or crepuscular (dawn and dusk) activity so they can rest through the hottest part of the day. When it gets too warm, reptiles and amphibians move to cooler microclimates, underneath leaf litter and rotting logs, or submerge themselves in water. Black bears and moose will seek shelter in forested wetlands and use mud and shallow water to cool down. Occasionally, they come to artificial water sources, like swimming pools or water troughs. If you find wildlife cooling off, always keep your distance and wait for the animal to move on.
Many mammals, like coyote, deer, and fisher, also have thinner summer fur compared to their winter coats. Taking it a step further, bobcats not only have a thinner coat, they also tend to have less spots and more tawny, reddish fur to better camouflage with their summer habitats.
Want to help wildlife stay cool this summer?
Wild animals can care for themselves year-round and almost never need our help, even when it’s hot. However, you can make your yard a natural, cooling oasis for wildlife with these tips:
Note: If there are West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) detections in your area, remove all standing water to avoid attracting mosquitoes.
- Grow native plants: For all wildlife, grow native plants, shrubs, and trees that offer natural sources of food and shelter from the sun.
- Bird bath 101: For songbirds, provide a shallow, clean bird bath with 1–2 inches of water. They are especially attracted to moving or dripping water. Be sure to replace the water weekly and regularly scrub the bird bath to remove build up. Learn more about creating a bird-friendly area.
- Be a rest stop for bugs: During droughts, or in areas far from natural water sources, create a water station in your garden for bees, butterflies, and other insects. Fill a shallow saucer with water and place items for bugs to perch on, like small rocks and twigs, in the saucer. Don’t add sugar, but a small pinch of salt can provide minerals that bees and butterflies need. Change the water at least weekly.
- Avoid causing harm when trying to help: Never intentionally feed wildlife. This can cause individuals to gather at the site, creating a place for disease to spread and for wildlife to become less cautious around people. This could further harm the animals you were trying to help."Source:
https://www.mass.gov/news/how-does-wildlife-beat-the-heat#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningForWildlife #GardeningForPollinators
#BeeWateringStations #BirdBaths #Heatwave #Heatwaves #BackyardWildlife #KeepCool #KeepingCool #ClimateChange -
How does #wildlife beat the heat?
Learn the wild ways #Massachusetts critters survive the summer.
7/01/2026"What do wild animals do when temperatures start to climb? Like any good New Englander, our local wildlife is built to survive all 4 seasons. From bizarre bodily functions to wardrobe changes, here’s how they’ll stay cool this summer.
Thermal panting and gular fluttering
You’ve likely seen a dog pant after laying in the sun. Wild animals do this too. Thermal panting increases the evaporation of liquid off their tongue and inside of their mouth, lowering their body temperature. Members of the canid (dog) and cervid (deer and moose) families are especially known for panting to thermoregulate. Certain birds, like owls and cormorants, use a similar strategy called gular fluttering—rapidly vibrating their throat to increase evaporation and cool themselves down.
“Hot yoga” for birds
When it gets hot, great blue herons will spread their wings in a dramatic, statue-like pose. Although it may look like yoga, they are actually striking this pose to release heat from their body and allow a cool breeze to reach areas of skin with fewer feathers. Interestingly, they also do this in the morning sun to warm up their bodies after a cool night.
A messy solution
Turkey vultures purposely defecate on their legs when it gets hot out. As the waste evaporates, it cools the bird down.
Turkey vultures and northern gannets use a unique, albeit gross, cooling strategy called urohidrosis (pronounced yoo-roh-hi-DROH-sis). These birds purposely defecate on their featherless legs to keep cool. The evaporation of the waste along the blood vessels results in a cooling effect. They’re not the only animals that do this. Harbor seals urinate on their hind flippers while sunbathing to regulate their body temperature too.
Shifting scenery and wardrobe
Blanding's turtles often move into shaded areas or underneath leaf litter to escape the summer heat
Sometimes survival just requires a change in routine. Some wildlife exhibit more nocturnal or crepuscular (dawn and dusk) activity so they can rest through the hottest part of the day. When it gets too warm, reptiles and amphibians move to cooler microclimates, underneath leaf litter and rotting logs, or submerge themselves in water. Black bears and moose will seek shelter in forested wetlands and use mud and shallow water to cool down. Occasionally, they come to artificial water sources, like swimming pools or water troughs. If you find wildlife cooling off, always keep your distance and wait for the animal to move on.
Many mammals, like coyote, deer, and fisher, also have thinner summer fur compared to their winter coats. Taking it a step further, bobcats not only have a thinner coat, they also tend to have less spots and more tawny, reddish fur to better camouflage with their summer habitats.
Want to help wildlife stay cool this summer?
Wild animals can care for themselves year-round and almost never need our help, even when it’s hot. However, you can make your yard a natural, cooling oasis for wildlife with these tips:
Note: If there are West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) detections in your area, remove all standing water to avoid attracting mosquitoes.
- Grow native plants: For all wildlife, grow native plants, shrubs, and trees that offer natural sources of food and shelter from the sun.
- Bird bath 101: For songbirds, provide a shallow, clean bird bath with 1–2 inches of water. They are especially attracted to moving or dripping water. Be sure to replace the water weekly and regularly scrub the bird bath to remove build up. Learn more about creating a bird-friendly area.
- Be a rest stop for bugs: During droughts, or in areas far from natural water sources, create a water station in your garden for bees, butterflies, and other insects. Fill a shallow saucer with water and place items for bugs to perch on, like small rocks and twigs, in the saucer. Don’t add sugar, but a small pinch of salt can provide minerals that bees and butterflies need. Change the water at least weekly.
- Avoid causing harm when trying to help: Never intentionally feed wildlife. This can cause individuals to gather at the site, creating a place for disease to spread and for wildlife to become less cautious around people. This could further harm the animals you were trying to help."Source:
https://www.mass.gov/news/how-does-wildlife-beat-the-heat#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningForWildlife #GardeningForPollinators
#BeeWateringStations #BirdBaths #Heatwave #Heatwaves #BackyardWildlife #KeepCool #KeepingCool #ClimateChange -
Bizarre ways #Massachusetts #wildlife beat the heat as state braces for 100+ degree week
By Liesel Nygard
Jun. 30, 2026"As Massachusetts prepares to face a brutal and prolonged heat wave that could push heat indices well past 100 degrees this week, local wildlife is already equipped with bizarre and fascinating methods to survive the sweltering temperatures.
"An extreme heat warning is in effect for most of the state from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 8 p.m. Saturday. The impending conditions are commonly referred to as a heat dome, with peak heat index values expected to range from 98 to 112 degrees across the region as the week progresses.
"National Weather Service meteorologist Rob Megnia clarified that the system references an extended ridge of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, noting in an interview with MassLive that the technical makeup creates 'a big plume of heat that’s going to be covering the whole East Coast.'
"While human residents are advised to stay indoors, avoid strenuous activity and constantly hydrate, New England’s wild animals rely on a mix of unique physiological adaptations and behavioral shifts to cool down.
"Much like a domestic dog on a hot afternoon, wild members of the canid and cervid families — including coyotes, deer and moose — use thermal #panting to evaporate moisture from their tongues and lower their body temperatures. Certain birds, such as owls and cormorants, rapidly vibrate their throats in a similar biological strategy known as gular fluttering, according to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
"Other avian species have more dramatic or unusual solutions. Great blue herons spread their wings in a statue-like yoga pose to catch cool breezes on patches of skin with fewer feathers.
"Meanwhile, turkey vultures and northern gannets practice urohidrosis, purposely defecating on their featherless legs so the evaporating waste cools down their blood vessels.
"Harbor seals employ a similar marine tactic, urinating on their hind flippers to thermoregulate while sunbathing, according to state experts.
"Survival in extreme heat also demands dynamic shifts in scenery and wardrobe. When temperatures climb, amphibians and reptiles seek out cooler microclimates beneath rotting logs or underneath leaf litter, while bears and moose look for shelter in forested #wetlands or #ShallowMud.
"In addition to adopting more nocturnal or dawn-and-dusk routines to avoid the hottest parts of the day, mammals like fishers and coyotes shed their thick winter fur.
"Bobcats take it a step further by growing a thinner coat with fewer spots and redder fur to seamlessly blend into their summer habitats, according to the state.
"Wildlife biologists emphasize that wild animals almost never need human intervention to survive extreme weather, but residents can take small steps to turn their yards into natural cooling oases.
"Residents are encouraged to grow #NativePlants for shade and to provide small, shallow #WaterStations for bugs, birds and pollinators.
"However, state officials advise regularly scrubbing out bird baths and removing standing water to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis.
"They also strongly warn against intentionally feeding wildlife, noting that doing so artificially congregates animals in a single spot, increasing the risk of disease spread and eroding their natural caution around people."
#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningForWildlife #GardeningForPollinators #BeeWateringStations #BirdBaths #Heatwave #Heatwaves #BackyardWildlife #KeepCool #KeepingCool
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Bizarre ways #Massachusetts #wildlife beat the heat as state braces for 100+ degree week
By Liesel Nygard
Jun. 30, 2026"As Massachusetts prepares to face a brutal and prolonged heat wave that could push heat indices well past 100 degrees this week, local wildlife is already equipped with bizarre and fascinating methods to survive the sweltering temperatures.
"An extreme heat warning is in effect for most of the state from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 8 p.m. Saturday. The impending conditions are commonly referred to as a heat dome, with peak heat index values expected to range from 98 to 112 degrees across the region as the week progresses.
"National Weather Service meteorologist Rob Megnia clarified that the system references an extended ridge of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, noting in an interview with MassLive that the technical makeup creates 'a big plume of heat that’s going to be covering the whole East Coast.'
"While human residents are advised to stay indoors, avoid strenuous activity and constantly hydrate, New England’s wild animals rely on a mix of unique physiological adaptations and behavioral shifts to cool down.
"Much like a domestic dog on a hot afternoon, wild members of the canid and cervid families — including coyotes, deer and moose — use thermal #panting to evaporate moisture from their tongues and lower their body temperatures. Certain birds, such as owls and cormorants, rapidly vibrate their throats in a similar biological strategy known as gular fluttering, according to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
"Other avian species have more dramatic or unusual solutions. Great blue herons spread their wings in a statue-like yoga pose to catch cool breezes on patches of skin with fewer feathers.
"Meanwhile, turkey vultures and northern gannets practice urohidrosis, purposely defecating on their featherless legs so the evaporating waste cools down their blood vessels.
"Harbor seals employ a similar marine tactic, urinating on their hind flippers to thermoregulate while sunbathing, according to state experts.
"Survival in extreme heat also demands dynamic shifts in scenery and wardrobe. When temperatures climb, amphibians and reptiles seek out cooler microclimates beneath rotting logs or underneath leaf litter, while bears and moose look for shelter in forested #wetlands or #ShallowMud.
"In addition to adopting more nocturnal or dawn-and-dusk routines to avoid the hottest parts of the day, mammals like fishers and coyotes shed their thick winter fur.
"Bobcats take it a step further by growing a thinner coat with fewer spots and redder fur to seamlessly blend into their summer habitats, according to the state.
"Wildlife biologists emphasize that wild animals almost never need human intervention to survive extreme weather, but residents can take small steps to turn their yards into natural cooling oases.
"Residents are encouraged to grow #NativePlants for shade and to provide small, shallow #WaterStations for bugs, birds and pollinators.
"However, state officials advise regularly scrubbing out bird baths and removing standing water to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis.
"They also strongly warn against intentionally feeding wildlife, noting that doing so artificially congregates animals in a single spot, increasing the risk of disease spread and eroding their natural caution around people."
#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningForWildlife #GardeningForPollinators #BeeWateringStations #BirdBaths #Heatwave #Heatwaves #BackyardWildlife #KeepCool #KeepingCool
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It's a scorcher of a day today. So here are some nice flowers to cool you down...and oh...one squirell that owns the backyard along with family of skunks, bunnies, few Cardinals, finches and robins
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It's a scorcher of a day today. So here are some nice flowers to cool you down...and oh...one squirell that owns the backyard along with family of skunks, bunnies, few Cardinals, finches and robins
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How hot is it?
WAY too hot for a squirrel to lie flat out on the patio blocks, so it chills out on the patio furniture.
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How hot is it?
WAY too hot for a squirrel to lie flat out on the patio blocks, so it chills out on the patio furniture.
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CROMCH CROMCH CROMCH CROMCH!!! 🦔
(And a meow from Mama Lemon 😸)#hedgehog #loudeater #egel #cromch #crunch #chomp #noisyeater #cute #wildlife #backyardwildlife #catfoodthief #adorable
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CROMCH CROMCH CROMCH CROMCH!!! 🦔
(And a meow from Mama Lemon 😸)#hedgehog #loudeater #egel #cromch #crunch #chomp #noisyeater #cute #wildlife #backyardwildlife #catfoodthief #adorable
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The Self Sufficient Backyard Book Review🍀
Guide for the Independent Homesteader, written by seasoned off-grid living experts with over 40 years of experience, provides detailed, practical instructions.The book is filled with over 100 practical DIY projects & techniques.Take a closer look at the full review
https://www.patreon.com/DJTropica/posts/self-sufficient-161221545#survival #gardening #selfsufficientme #sustainability #selfsufficience #offgrid #backyardwildlife #foodsecurity #communitygardens #homesteading #planting #backyard
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The Self Sufficient Backyard Book Review🍀
Guide for the Independent Homesteader, written by seasoned off-grid living experts with over 40 years of experience, provides detailed, practical instructions.The book is filled with over 100 practical DIY projects & techniques.Take a closer look at the full review
https://www.patreon.com/DJTropica/posts/self-sufficient-161221545#survival #gardening #selfsufficientme #sustainability #selfsufficience #offgrid #backyardwildlife #foodsecurity #communitygardens #homesteading #planting #backyard
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#Aotearoa / #NewZealand - Make your #garden safe for #wildlife
"Love the idea of attracting native wildlife into your backyard? Planting natives, providing the right food and creating safe spaces are all great ways to make your garden a place where native birds, lizards and other species can thrive."
#SolarPunkSunday #BackyardWildlife #NativePlants #SafeSpaces #Wildlife #Nature
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#Aotearoa / #NewZealand - Make your #garden safe for #wildlife
"Love the idea of attracting native wildlife into your backyard? Planting natives, providing the right food and creating safe spaces are all great ways to make your garden a place where native birds, lizards and other species can thrive."
#SolarPunkSunday #BackyardWildlife #NativePlants #SafeSpaces #Wildlife #Nature
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marshmallow fluff and raccoon friend:) #opossum #raccoon #backyardwildlife #critter #cute
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marshmallow fluff :) #opossum #raccoon #backyardwildlife #critter #cute
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Marshmallow looks like he is healing well 💟💟💟 #cuteanimals #backyardwildlife #critter #opossum #opossumlove
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The peanut cage that gives many woodpeckers and even more chickadees joy has gone missing. Perhaps this overly large caniformia spotted in the yard early this morning was at fault?
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The peanut cage that gives many woodpeckers and even more chickadees joy has gone missing. Perhaps this overly large caniformia spotted in the yard early this morning was at fault?
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Beautiful being has clearly already survived some horrors.
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Beautiful being has clearly already survived some horrors.
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Velvet covered antlers only just coming in
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Velvet covered antlers only just coming in
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Spouse decided to begin feeding the backyard squirrels on the patio. There are now 4 squirrels feasting on the nuts he scattered out there.
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Spouse decided to begin feeding the backyard squirrels on the patio. There are now 4 squirrels feasting on the nuts he scattered out there.
