New Hampshire Nature Notes
by Eric Orff

Lots of crickets and grasshoppers to feed New Hampshire's wildlife right now. (VIDEO)

Wednesday 08/05/2020

The local hay fields are filled with the chirping of crickets these summer nights. I walked in the hay field across from my house this afternoon. Waves of grasshoppers leaped away from me as I walked. Yes there is an abundance of these high protein foods for all sorts of wildlife. From the small gatherings of turkeys nearby to no doubt this year's young of coyotes and foxes they are likely zeroing on these fields .

The waves of grasshoppers reminded of a recent study on the impacts of trails have on wildlife. Your "wake" through the forests on trails disturbs wildlife for 300 feet either side of you as you walk. We humans throw out a wide bow wave as we drift through the forests.