<< Back 9/25/02 The Naturalist's Corner SMN We’ve spun through the autumnal equinox and are headed for the winter solstice. The days will soon begin to grow noticeably shorter and cooler. Many of our feathered friends are headed south to more hospitable climes. Other creatures are preparing for a long winter’s sleep, but many species of birds and mammals will tough out the winter with us. Food is the top priority for those animals that are active through the winter. The following is a short list of the more important woody and herbaceous wildlife forage species throughout Western North Carolina and some of the resident creatures that depend on them. Woody species: Oaks are probably the most important tree species in WNC. The demise of the American chestnut has created an even greater demand for acorns. Northern red, chestnut and white oaks are some of the important species in our region. A poor crop of acorns means hard times for many species of wildlife in the area. Mammals that utilize oaks include black bear, gray squirrel, red squirrel, flying squirrel, chipmunk, eastern woodrat, opossum, raccoon and white-tailed deer. Bird species that depend on oaks include ruffed grouse, wild turkey, bobwhite, crow, blue jay, white-breasted nuthatch, tufted titmouse and red-bellied woodpecker. The second most important woody species is probably blackberry. Mammals that feed on blackberries include black bear, red and gray fox, cottontail, white-tailed deer, chipmunk and white-footed mouse. Many birds forage on blackberries including ruffed grouse, wild turkey, bobwhite, northern cardinal, robin and tufted titmouse. Over 56 species of wildlife across the nation make use of wild cherries. Pin cherry and wild black cherry are the two common species in our area. White-tailed deer, black bear, raccoon, cottontail, red and gray fox, red and gray squirrel, chipmunk and eastern woodrat are some of the mammals that depend on cherries. Birds that feed on wild cherries include ruffed grouse, yellow-shafted flicker, robin, yellow-bellied sapsucker, cedar waxwing and red-bellied woodpecker. White, pitch and shortleaf pines in our area provide winter sustenance for a variety of wildlife. Black-capped and Carolina chickadee, red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatch, eastern towhee and pine siskin are some of the birds that regularly depend on pines. Mammals that utilize pines include beaver, gray and red squirrel, white-tailed deer and white-footed mouse. Wild grapes are another popular fall and winter wildlife food. Black bear, opossum, raccoon and gray fox are some of the mammals that feed on various species of wild grapes. Birds that feed on grapes include ruffed grouse, wild turkey, bobwhite, northern cardinal, mockingbird, robin, eastern towhee and pileated and red-bellied woodpecker. Another tree species that has an important specialized niche is mountain ash. The mountain ash is predominantly a high-elevation species. It is especially important in that setting where snowfall can linger and cover the ground for days because its fruits cling to the trees throughout the winter and are accessible when other foods are hard to obtain. One of the most important herbaceous wildlife foods can be a bane to many humans from late summer to the first killing frost. While allergy sufferers have little good to say about ragweed, it provides nourishment for over 70 species of wildlife. Birds are the primary benefactors from ragweed, although it is used sparingly by some mammals in the region including white-tailed deer, chipmunk and cottontail. Mourning dove, bobwhite, wild turkey, goldfinch, junco, song, white-throated and white-crowned sparrow and eastern towhee all utilize ragweed to help them make through the winter. Another common weed of importance to birds in the region is pigweed. Pigweeds are annuals that produce copious amounts of seeds. Mourning dove, house finch, junco and song, Lincoln and white-crowned sparrow all consume pigweed seeds. Sedges are important to white-tailed deer in the mountains of WNC as well as song, swamp and Lincoln sparrows and eastern towhees. For an in-depth study of wildlife foods check out American Wildlife & Plants: A Guide to Wildlife Food Habits by Martin, Zim and Nelson. (Don Hendershot can be reached at don@smokymountainnews.com)