Forest Wildlife

Once you’ve heard the call of the Chuck-will’s-widow, chances are you won’t easily forget it. This vocal bird has been observed, or heard, throughout Maryland except for in Carroll County.

Maryland is home to two members of the skunk family. The striped skunk is found throughout the state. The striped skunk is actually a very successful species, with a range that occupies a large portion of North America. While the mammals have adapted to a wide range of environments, they prefer habitat with a variety of woodlands and open fields, and with a water supply within 2 miles of their home range.

The News and Notes roundup for this issue features more kudos for Maryland Forest Service Project Manager Mike Kay, a study about the importance of community forests, news about bats, and an invitation to list your green industry business in a new Extension directory.

The sharp-shinned hawk is unlike many of the raptors that make a home in Maryland. Some migrate to warmer habitats; others will remain year round. The sharp-shinned hawk, apparently, does both.

These resources provide information about managing wildlife damage caused by deer and by voles.

The striped skunk is found throughout Maryland and is actually a very successful species, with a range that occupies a large portion of North America. They prefer habitat with a variety of woodlands and open fields, which means they can also be found in both rural and suburban settings.

The red fox is the largest of the fox family, found throughout this continent, from the Arctic Circle to Central America, as well as in Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. DNA tests have shown that the red fox is indeed native to North America and that the populations in the mid-Atlantic and southern states are the result of range expansion from the northeast and Canada.

The Eastern wild turkey performs a year-round role in the woodlands of Maryland and the mid-Atlantic. Because the turkey does not migrate, they may be found across Maryland year round.

Of the three bear species native to North America, Maryland is home only to the black bear. The mammal was once widespread throughout the state, but habitat loss and unregulated hunting reduced the population to its current range.

One of the benefits of returning to Standard Time in the late fall is the opportunity to see great horned owls at dusk, as they begin their hours of hunting. Even if you do not see them, you will know they are in your woodlands, as their deep hooting calls can be heard echoing across forests on mid-winter nights.