Bear Vs. Gator

A new tradition has begun. As Oskar grows older, we needed to figure out another way of warding off bears aside from making poor Oskar run at full speed all over the farm.

Solution found:

Step 1: Grab large pot.

Step 2: Grab large spoon

Step 3: Put on bathing suit (optional)

Step 4: Get in John Deere Gator

Step 5: Drive Gator as fast as possible shouting ridiculousness while
passenger bangs on pot with spoon (passenger also shouting)

Works every time.

Bobcats

Unfortunately we've lost some of our turkeys to the wild. The bird's propensity to refuse being contained within the safety of the electro-net barrier finally caught up to them. Every night during lock up I would find six to eight turkeys running in circles around the turkey enclosure incredibly confused as to how exactly they managed to escape, while simultaneously being desperate to get back in with the other turkeys. I would chase all of the birds back into the surround only to find the same birds loose the next morning.

We came up with a solution to this mess, however the day Whitt and I went down to correct the issue the middle pasture was covered in turkey feathers and turkey parts. It was horrible. I found one complete turkey, one turkey without a head, one head (only), and one right wing. Due to the manner in which the birds were killed and the fact that most of the victims were dragged off of the property seems to point towards bobcats, but of course we are unsure.

Unfortunately it's hard to say I didn't see this coming. We've taken a huge blow to our turkey supply, however it's a great learning process about how to raise free range birds for meat rather than easy prey for predators.

Snake Vs. Aslan

Aslan has proven to be magical in his ability to seek out anything that doesn't belong in the barnyard. At times this can be a bit annoying when the item he finds are things someone has forgotten down at the barn.

For example: I accidentally left an umbrella in the barn
after the evening lock-up and found
it the next morning in five different
pieces strewn about the field...........

Although a nuisance at times, this trait of Aslan's has proven to be invaluable when it comes to his duty as barn guardian. His most important find so far was discovered yesterday!

It's a copperhead!

This is not a "catch and release" type of situation up on the farm.
Copperheads are venomous pit vipers and pose a huge threat
to both us and our livestock. Imagine if poor little Eva accidentally
stepped on this gal. These snakes are notorious for biting first,
asking questions never whereas rattle snakes will warn you of there
presence long before it takes action.

Even long after the head is removed, the mouth still opens and closes.
The fangs and venom sacs still contain venom, so we have to dispose of
the snakes very carefully.

The best way to prevent any of our dogs finding the snake and
contracting it's venom is to bag it up and freeze it until the next
dump run.

Aslan is 100% o.k. He fought this mighty serpent valiantly for his herd and stands to ensure their safety for another day. Needless to say, he's received a lot of treats.

Box Turtle Sightings

Found any box turtles lately? Whether they're young, old, alive -- or even, forbid...dead -- report them to the Virginia Herpetological Society! The VHS is a group based on conservation, education, and research of Virginia's indigenous reptiles and amphibians. Box turtles are a very important part of Virginia's ecosystem, and we can all be a part of the research! Any time you happen across a box turtle either in the road or in your back yard, visit www.VirginiaHerpetologicalSociety.com and report your sighting by scrolling down and clicking on the icon seen in this post. Please confirm that the turtle in question is indeed a box turtle and not another common species. Box turtles look very different at each stage of growth, so use a field guide or the VHS website to help you properly identify the turtle. Then, fill out the online report form with as much information as possible, and submit! Just like that you can be a part of the research, tracking, and study of this important species.

For a direct link to the report form, click here.

For our non-Virginia resident blog followers, look into your own area's wildlife programs and see if there are any similar studies being conducted in your neck of the woods. If so, we'd love to hear about it!

Yet Another Visitor

Look what Martha found curled up in one of our hens' laying box! Martha caught the snake while it was in the middle of trying to eat an egg. Talk about a suprise! This is an Eastern Ratsnake. Scientific name Pantherophis alleghaniensis, this snake was formerly known as a Black Ratsnake. The only snake in Virginia capable of growing over 6' in length, this non-venomous reptile primarily feeds on rodents, birds, and bird's eggs. They have also been known to eat frogs. It kills it's prey by constriction, while eggs are swallowed whole and later broken in the snake's throat. Their propensity to being found in barns and agricultural areas earned this snake the vernacular name of a "chicken snake." Capable of climbing trees, the Eastern Ratsnake is found state wide in Virginia, and thrives throughout the Allegheny and commonly travels into the Appalachian Mountains.

For more information on Virginia's wildlife, feel free to visit the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fishery website @ www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/information.

An Unexpected Visitor

We had an unexpected visitor stop by the farm! Bears are a great part of wildlife in the blue ridge, but tend to get labeled a nuisance due to there incredible trash rooting skills and uncanny bird feeder destruction abilities. Just a few weeks ago we lost a couple of our bird feeders to a bear, including the one on our deck in front of the house! Although majestic creatures, we do not welcome them on to our property despite our appreciation of there innate skills mentioned above. It's too risky with our livestock being tasty treats and all. Fortunately, we have a bear police force at our disposal.

For whatever reason, bears are terrified of dogs. I guess it's the same reason why vampires are afraid of werewolves, but I can't seem to figure that out either. Usually the dogs smell the bear(s) before we get a chance to see them, but since this big one was down wind in the lower field far from the house, we got a chance to spot it before the dogs.

Shot taken from 400yds away. He was huge!

Release the hounds!!

Oskar running the bear off...

..and Annie not knowing what's going on...