Raccoons are one of a set of species of birds and mammals that are
obviously very successful in inhabiting human-altered landscapes. Without
thinking about it for too long, it seems to me that a good number of the
species in this set--both mammals and birds--are in some ways detrimental
to other native species, especially when in the substantial populations
that build up where they are subsidized by human largesse. Raccoons,
opossums, Norway and black rats, and eastern gray squirrels among the
mammals are effective nest predators, for example. All of them are
probably making our urban/suburban environments less favorable for small
songbirds. Note that 4 of those 5 species (all but raccoon) are not native
to this area.

Raccoons probably don't catch anywhere near as many birds as cats do, as
raccoons are primarily nocturnal, when most birds are fast asleep and
relatively unlikely to be discovered. Cats are active all day, as well,
and have plenty of time to stalk birds when they are active and
conspicuous. They're also presumably better adapted to catching birds than
are the omnivorous raccoons. Raccoons are more likely to be nest
predators.

I think the abundance of raccoons is a sign of an *unhealthy* urban
environment. In fact, they're common in parts of the city in which very
few native animals remain, presumably subsisting at least in part on
garbage. I used to enjoy seeing them (as you wrote, Mike), a bit of
wildlife in the city, but since we dug a pond in our backyard, they have
become Public Enemy #1, foraging through the shallow water, eating the
invertebrates and tadpoles that we encourage, dumping over the potted
plants and generally trashing the pond. They're not bad or evil in any
way, just doing their thing, but because we've altered the environment in
ways to favor them, they are brought into conflict with us, our pets, and
the little birds we attract to our feeders.

This is what we've wrought. How to make it better? I don't know.

Dennis

P. S. By the way, wrought isn't the past participle of wreak, as I thought
it might be.

And one more P.S. Putting a lot of chickenwire around various parts of the
yard has done a lot to discourage both raccoons and neighborhood cats. Our
cat stays inside except when we take him out--supervised--during the day.
You have my sympathy, Mike.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416