WILDLIFE REPORT FROM N.H. FISH AND GAME - FEBRUARY 28, 2006 

Keep an ear and an eye out for the stirrings of spring in the next few 
weeks: chickadees and tufted titmice tuning up their spring songs; 
white-breasted nuthatch males and females maintaining visual and voice 
contact; the "konk-la-reee" song of red-winged blackbirds perched atop 
cattails in the thawing wetlands and marshes. We may be in winter's grip 
this week, but wildlife know that spring is not far off. 

IN THIS ISSUE:
     -- That quacking may not be ducks!
     -- Changing status for eagles?
     -- Cheeky Chipmunks Out and About


THAT QUACKING MAY NOT BE DUCKS!

If you hear duck-like quacking sounds coming from vernal pools and 
other fishless waters (including swamps, pools in gravel pits and ditches) 
in the next few weeks, look a little closer. You might be surprised to 
discover that it is not ducks at all, but wood frogs calling. Male wood 
frogs often begin their enthusiastic quacking chorus in late March and 
early April, well before the spring peeper, even when ice may still 
partially cover their breeding pools. Wood frog choruses often go unheard, 
though, not only because of the brevity of their breeding activity 
(wood frogs may assemble, mate and depart their breeding pools in as short 
a time as a week), but because their quacking just doesn't carry that 
far, unlike the spring peeper. Also, wood frogs may call during the day 
in undisturbed locations but they generally begin "quacking" in the 
early evening hours and continue through the night.

The wood frog is easily recognized by its brown color and distinctive 
dark eye-mask. It is a medium-sized frog, up to 2.5 inches long, and can 
be found in woodlands and moist lawns bordering woods. Wood frog 
tadpoles feed on algae, leaves, aquatic plant material and microorganisms 
found in their breeding pools, while adults eat a variety of invertebrates 
such as worms, beetles, and caterpillars. They are quick transformers; 
tadpoles can be seen in April and small-sized versions of the adults 
can be seen leaving their pools in early to mid-summer. Hail to all 
quackers! -- Kim Tuttle, Biological Technician


CHANGING STATUS FOR BALD EAGLES?

In February the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service began the first step 
towards taking the bald eagle off the federal endangered and threatened 
species list. Over 7,000 known nesting pairs now live in the "lower 48" 
states. The recovery of the bald eagle has been a national effort. The 
most critical factor was a federal ban on the use of the pesticide DDT in 
the U.S. in 1972. The eagle was listed under the Endangered Species 
Act, which allowed us to protect habitat for the bald eagle, including 
nesting sites and summer and winter roost sites. States, private 
landowners and others played a vital role in restoring eagles, including 
purchasing and protecting important habitat, reintroducing the bald eagle back 
into the wild, and making extensive efforts to educate the public. 

Here in New Hampshire, bald eagles will remain endangered at the state 
level even if their federal status changes, according to John Kanter, 
Coordinator of Fish and Game's Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program. 
In 2005, New Hampshire had 9 nesting pairs of bald eagles that fledged 
a total of 11 chicks, the second straight year of fledgling success for 
the state (11 chicks fledged in 2004, up from 5 in 2003 and just one in 
2002). 

In addition to state protection, bald eagles are also covered by the 
Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, a 
law passed by Congress in 1940 to protect our national symbol. 
Protection under these laws would also continue if the eagle is federally 
delisted. 

The public may comment on the proposed delisting until May 17, 2006. 
For information on eagles and the federal action, visit 
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/baldeagle.htm


CHEEKY CHIPMUNKS OUT AND ABOUT

Any day now you may catch a glimpse of an Eastern chipmunk scampering 
along a rock wall or hear its endless, bird-like "chip-chip-chip" 
warning call. After spending several months underground, chippies are 
transitioning back to the active life. Though a true hibernator, chipmunks 
don't have large fat reserves, so they awaken every three to four days to 
nibble on the stores of nuts and seeds stored in their nesting burrow 
during the fall. By now, these supplies are running low, so warming days 
bring chipmunks out of their burrows in search of food. 

Less than six inches long (not counting the tail), chipmunks are easy 
to spot by the stripes on their back and sides. These little fellows are 
fast - they can zip along at up to 15 feet per second for short 
distances - which helps them stay out of the clutches of hawks and foxes. 
You'll most often see them on the ground, but you should look up in the 
branches, too, as they are agile climbers. Females give birth to a litter 
of 3 to 5 young in May, and may have another litter in 
August-September. These members of the squirrel family live about three years in the 
wild. Keep an eye out for these cheery noisemakers - a sure sign that 
spring is on the way. 


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The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the 
state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us.

 
Copyright 2005 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.