A long, tough winter has wreaked havoc on humans and animals alike in the Maritimes.
Migratory birds are among the most affected, something zoologist Andrew Hebda attributes to the long winter season.
“Under normal circumstances, by the end of March beginning of May, we're getting a lot more heat,” says Hebda. “We’re getting a lot less snow, and of course that’s opening a lot more habitats for animals to forage.”
Finding food sources has been difficult for the migrating birds, resulting in birds showing up to overcrowded feeders.
“They migrated at typically the time they were supposed to be migrating; however, because we still have two or three feet of snow, they don’t have any food.”
The American Woodcock is one of several types of birds struggling. Hope for Wildlife caretaker Kim Cirtrill is currently nursing eight woodcocks back to health.
She says the lack of food prevents them from building up the strength to avoid attacks.
“(Woodcocks’) main defence strategy is to camouflage and to burst in the air when they’ve been spotted,” says Citrill.
The bird is able to build up strength from the moist earth that usually is present at this time of year.
“Ultimately, for (Woodcocks) to survive and thrive they require the principle food,” says Hebda. “Which would be insects, or as for the woodcocks, things such as worms.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Vince Williams
Another possible issue migrating birds will face is a later than normal mating season, as birds continue building strength.
