Taking the toll

By CONNIE MERTZ

We usually assess drought conditions by the way they impact our personal and business lives. This summer, only 12 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties were not under a drought watch or emergency. For the first time, a joint food survey was completed by both the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (NCNR) to determine the effects of wildlife foods from drought conditions.

The prognosis is that there is a tremendous decline in soft and hard mast produced by trees and shrubs due to late May frosts and lack of rainfall in the growing season. Still the top 10 foods for wildlife based on abundance and productivity are: red oak acorns, black cherry, pokeberry, blackberry, dogwood berries, sassafras berries, corn, white oak acorns, oats and raspberries. Apples and grapes declined this year, and beechnuts, a valuable food source, were below average as well.

The drought tended to make the size of the acorns much smaller and they are dropping sooner. The good news is that the gypsy moth infestation declined, though some counties suffered from their presence. Yet, from past destruction arose understory, which came to the rescue for the wildlife community.

Because natural foods were not available, many wild species wandered into farmlands for an easy meal. As a result, there appears to be more crop damage due to wildlife over the summer. But these crops may have very well been a survival tool and with the recent rains, growth spurts of alfalfa and clover fields are luring herbivores.

This fall, our fields and forests are once again rejuvenated with rain, and hopefully the drought across Pennsylvania and New York’s southern tier will come to an end—for the sake of wildlife.