Updates from Anna Gateley-Stanton

When you explore the outdoors with your grandkids, you might meet some interesting creatures like coyotes. Today, you'll learn why coyotes are important for nature and discover ways to keep our furry friends safe during our adventures.

Coyotes are like nature's superheroes! They help keep a balance in the wild by eating pests like rodents, but they also eat rabbits, frogs, and snakes. This makes sure there are not too many of them running around. Coyotes also help other animals by influencing where they live and how they act. So, when you see coyotes, you should remember they are just doing their jobs to help nature.

But you need to be careful when you have your pets with you. Here are a few simple tips to make sure they stay safe:

Always keep your pets close to you by using a 6- or 8-foot leash. This keeps them safe and lets them explore without getting into trouble. Don’t allow them to go behind bushes where you can’t see them.

Pay attention to your pets and nearby areas, especially during sunrise and sunset when coyotes are more active. Watching your pets helps you make sure they're safe and sound. Be extra careful if your pets are small. You might also check the area for signs coyotes have been there. You can look for scat or tracks. If you want to know my favorite book for learning  about that, you can find it here! 

Make sure your backyard is safe too. Use higher fences or enclosures to stop coyotes from coming in and bothering your pets. You might also install motion detecting lights and/or sprinklers.

Coyotes are opportunistic and will eat a variety of things. I’ve seen coyote scat (aka poop) with gummy worms inside! So, don't leave any type of food outside that might attract coyotes. Keep your garbage cans secure, and don't leave pet food where coyotes can find it

Let your grandkids and other adults know about coyotes and why it's important to be careful. Sharing what you've learned helps everyone stay safe, including the coyote.

These superheroes of nature make sure everything stays in balance. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy our outdoor adventures with your pets while keeping them safe. Let's appreciate the wonders of nature and make sure all creatures, big and small, can live happily together.

This blog post provides three critical safety tips for Adventure-Seeking Grandparents who embark on outdoor adventures with their grandchildren. The first tip emphasizes the importance of staying hydrated to ensure the well-being of both the grandparents and their grandkids. The second tip highlights the significance of communication, urging grandparents to fully charge their mobile devices and share their itinerary with a trusted person. Lastly, it stresses the necessity of packing a well-equipped first aid kit to address any minor injuries or unexpected incidents that may occur during outdoor explorations. By following these safety tips, Adventure-Seeking Grandparents can create secure and memorable experiences with their grandchildren.

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is just around the corner, offering a fantastic opportunity for adventure-seeking grandparents and budding birders to connect with their grandchildren and foster a love for nature. This annual event invites people of all ages, especially beginners, to join in the global celebration of birds right from their own backyards. By participating, you contribute valuable data to scientists studying bird populations, aiding in bird conservation efforts worldwide. The GBBC is beginner-friendly and welcomes birders of all levels, providing a unique bonding experience for grandparents and their grandchildren.

To get started, create a welcoming space for birds in your backyard with feeders and birdbaths. All you need for birding are a pair of binoculars, a bird identification guide, and a notebook to record your sightings. Take advantage of technology by using bird identification apps like Merlin Bird ID or Audubon Bird Guide. Involve your grandchildren in the counting process, teach them about different bird species, and capture the moments to share with the GBBC community online. Join the global community of birders by participating in online forums and social media groups dedicated to the GBBC. The Great Backyard Bird Count is not just an event, but a journey into the fascinating world of birds that transcends generations.

Hey there, adventure-loving grandparents! Are you ready for a journey that goes beyond generations and brings the pure joy of exploration to new heights? The enchanting outdoors is calling, offering an incredible chance to craft unforgettable memories with your grandkids.

You can say goodbye to the ordinary and dive into the vast playground Mother Nature provides. Imagine strolling through picturesque landscapes, surrounded by trees and the delightful melody of a birdsong. Nature becomes your canvas, inviting you to explore, discover, and relish the simple yet profound pleasures it has to offer.

In a world dominated by screens and constant digital buzz, our outdoor escapades are a breath of fresh air. Take a break from technology and immerse yourself in the sheer beauty of the natural world. Engage in heart-to-heart conversations, share laughs around a crackling campfire, and witness the genuine joy that blooms when screens take a backseat.

Adventure doesn't discriminate by age, and our outdoor escapades are tailored to suit the diverse interests and energy levels of every generation. Whether it's a laid-back hike, an exhilarating zip line experience, or a tranquil lakeside moment, the adventure weaves a shared tapestry of stories, laughter, and connection.

As an adventure-hungry grandparent, you know challenges come with the territory. Whether it's tackling tricky terrains, conquering fears, or rolling with the punches of changing weather, the rewards of the adventure shine brightest when challenges are met head-on. These shared triumphs become the threads knitting a tapestry of resilience and strength.

Deep in every adventure-loving grandparent's heart lies the desire to leave behind a legacy—of curiosity, courage, and an unwavering love for the great outdoors. By choosing the less-traveled path, you're paving the way for your grandkids to appreciate nature's beauty and carry the spirit of adventure into their own lives.

So, dear fellow adventurer, are you geared up to heed the call of the wild? Join the tribe of fellow explorers and spark the flames of curiosity, courage, and connection with your grandkids. The great outdoors beckons, promising not just an adventure but a transformative journey that etches its mark on hearts and minds. It's time to thrive in the warm embrace of nature's grandeur. Ready for the ride? Let's go!

How much do you know about mountain lions? To most people, they’re big and scary because they can kill and eat you. But the truth is, they don’t want to. They prefer deer, but if they can’t get a deer, then they’ll eat something else.

 

Many people will call and report a mountain lion sighting, but most of the time, it’s a bobcat. They just see a cat larger than their pet and assume it’s a mountain lion. Look at a mountain lion and you will see an incredibly long tail, but a bobcat has a short, stubby tail. So if you think you’re looking at a mountain lion, look at the rear for a long tail. Unless you’re looking straight at it from the front or back, you’ll see the tail.

 

Adult mountain lions can…

·         Run 50 mph in short sprints

·         Jump vertically 22 feet

·         Bound 16 feet carrying a deer

·         Leap horizontally 45 feet

·         Walk many miles at about 10 mph

·         Swim well

·         Sleep for up to 16 hours a day

 

So, what should you do if your outdoors and come across a mountain lion? Whatever you do, don’t run!!! Stand your ground and look as big as possible. Make eye contact. Put small children on your shoulders or pull your shirt or jacket up over your head to look bigger. Yell! Throw rocks and sticks! Let it know that you are not a deer and you are going to put up a fight. If you are attacked, do just that. Fight like hell because many times the animal will give up and leave. It doesn’t want to get injured, because if that happens, it can’t hunt and feed itself, or its young if it has some.

 

Please, please always keep your small children close to you when you are in mountain lion habitat. Do not EVER let them run ahead of you on the trail, or fall behind playing with a bug on the ground while your group continues on. That is an invitation for an easy meal in the eyes of a mountain lion that is just learning to hunt or may be injured and looking for food. The sad thing about these type of attacks is while the kids survive, the mountain lion is tracked down and killed, when it was only doing what it does naturally in its habitat. 

 

Many people don’t stop to think about safety when they are out in nature with wild animals are all around. Please don’t be one of those people. Learn about the area you’re visiting and what you should do to keep yourself and your kids safe. If you’re walking or hiking on trails in open space, it’s not the same as an urban park, so be aware of that. Sometimes it’s best to avoid walking in mountain lion habitat at dawn and dusk, as that’s when deer are most active, so mountain lions may be as well. If you do see a mountain lion in the wild, there’s a good chance its not after you. If it were, you wouldn’t see or hear it. 

 

To put the danger of a mountain lion attack in perspective, here are a few statistics:

 

·         There have been only 27 fatalities since 1890s, 3 of which were kids

·         In 2000, 54 people died from bee stings

·         In 2008, 23 folks were killed by dogs, and 16 of those were kids

·         Hunting accidents average about 75 per year

·         On average, there are 150 deer vs. auto collisions yearly

·         From 2006-2016, there were 29,000 mountain lions killed 

 

Open spaces are where wild animals, including mountain lions, live. If we remember that and respect the animal and its habitat the way we should, we can survive living so close together.

For more information about mountain lions, check out the Mountain Lion Foundation’s website at https://mountainlion.org/.