Winter Storms Impact on Wildlife

In an article for the Hartford Courant researchers found that with climate change will come new challenges for wildlife. Finding food and shelter is becoming more difficult for some species. A U.S. Forest Service report noted that "prolonged periods of deep snow can lead to high over-winter mortality" for deer populations. One study cited by federal authorities found a 12-inch snowfall could make 97 percent of potential food "unavailable to white-tail deer" in our region. Healthy animals will normally find enough to make it through the cold months, browsing on bark and twigs to survive. Winter deaths can have beneficial effects by killing off diseased or weak deer or animals in overpopulated areas, experts say.
Meanwhile, the enormous amounts of snow are greatly benefitting others who have learned to adapt to the northern climates of Connecticut.Year-round avian residents such as chickadees, blue jays, crows, and other species native to Connecticut also have highly developed winter strategies.