The recent increase in snowshoe hare sightings on Prince Edward Island (PEI) since the post-tropical storm Fiona has sparked curiosity among locals. While it's challenging to definitively state that the population has surged, a provincial wildlife biologist, Garry Gregory, suggests that the storm's impact on the landscape makes this possibility highly plausible. The storm left behind dense debris, creating ideal escape cover for hares and providing them with more places to hide and survive. This increased survival rate can lead to a population bump.
The storm's aftermath also brought about new growth, including early successional plants like willows, grey birch, some maples, and pin cherry. These plants provide prime winter forage for snowshoe hares, which feed on their twigs and buds. This new growth benefits not only hares but also other wildlife, such as songbirds and game birds, which rely on early successional growth.
However, the advantages gained by hares from the storm will gradually diminish as the debris breaks down and coniferous trees regain their needle coverage. The relationship between snowshoe hares and predators is complex. While species like lynx are closely tied to hare populations in northern Canada, PEI's predators are more generalists, feeding on various prey. This means that an increase in hares doesn't necessarily lead to a surge in predator numbers.
For Islanders, the presence of snowshoe hares in their yards is generally harmless, aside from occasional nibbling on vegetable gardens. Hares are cautious creatures, most active around dawn and dusk, and they typically avoid people. It's essential not to feed them, as it can lead to them becoming more approachable and potentially at risk from dogs. Additionally, the rise in reports of hares with ticks may be due to increased phone usage and public concern about ticks and Lyme disease, but the ticks found on hares are not typically the ones associated with Lyme disease.
In conclusion, the storm Fiona's impact on PEI's landscape has created favorable conditions for snowshoe hares, leading to increased sightings. While the population surge is plausible, it remains uncertain without formal tracking data. As the landscape recovers, the advantages for hares will diminish, and the relationship between hares and predators will continue to evolve.
