Monday, May 20, 2013

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Unique wildlife lurks in the U.P.
Posted: 02.06.2012 at 7:26 PM
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The mild winter has brought the Northern Cardinal to the area

SENEY -- Monday's Facebook Story of the Day is about U.P. wildlife. What type of species are lesser known in the area?

We all know about the black bears, bald eagles and otters, but few may realize some other unique creatures that lurk, possibly right in our backyards.

You wouldn't expect this type of woodpecker to knock on your door, but experts said the black backed woodpecker is a rare, but possible, sight in the U.P.

"People come out here looking for it, but you may get the occasional birder that comes in and sees a black backed woodpecker and is like, 'Wow, I had no idea,'" said Mark Vaniman, Manager of the Seney National Wildlife Refuge.

That's the case with other wildlife. On Facebook, Kathy Dale Peavley wrote, "My parents had a fisher in their backyard on and off about five or six years ago on Lakewood Lane in Harvey."

That's especially the case at Seney National Wildlife Refuge.

"It's a really neat animal that actually is one of the main predators of porcupines, and not very many things can eat a porcupine because they're so prickly," said Sara Hollerich, Visitor's Services Manager at the refuge.

The refuge covers a large area of wilderness. Species flock to it because it's free of human traffic and boating. And officials said many don't know just how interesting their wildlife is. But don't expect to see the star nose mole out in the open this time of the year. The blind mammal likes to keep cool under the ice.

"The U.P. and the North is actually a great home for them; it's one of the only moles that live in the area," Hollerich said.

One mammal that isn't a surprise, but surprisingly more needed in the U.P. than many think, is the grey wolf.

"They do prey on deer, they do pray on moose, and there's no doubt they have an impact on those mammals, but they're an important part of the system, and what we like to see out here is a natural system," Vaniman said.

The mild winter has brought the Northern Cardinal to the area. Many have spotted the southern bird right in their backyards this time of year.

If you'd like to visit the refuge, you can go anytime, but the Visitors Center will be open again in May.

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