Unlike the Eastern Gray Squirrel, which was deliberately introduced to
city parks in the American and Canadian west, the Opossum arrived here
on its own and without the intentional intervention of humans. Like
the Anna's Hummers who enjoy the micro-habitats that we have created
and which have enabled their expansion, the Opossum in the Northwest
can be considered to be self-introduced and therfore, a native (i.e.,
naturally occurring) mammal.

Robert Pisano
Ravenna, Seattle



On Jan 25, 2008, at 12:43 PM, Messick, Katie wrote:

> Hi Tweets,
>
> I live in a very urban neighborhood with lots of concrete and lawn and
> few large trees, and subsequently we have a substantial population of
> starlings. However, I replaced my lawn with a "forest" of small trees
> (still saplings at this point) and a varied, largely native understory,
> and I almost never see starlings in my yard. I do have a caged
> squirrel
> proof suet feeder, and from time to time a couple starlings from the
> flock feeding on the neighbor's lawn will make an attempt at the suet,
> but that just gives me an opportunity to examine their beautiful,
> still-fresh plumage more closely. They always leave within a few
> minutes and rejoin the throngs next door. If we provided less habitat
> for starlings (the beloved American lawn), we'd have fewer of them
> around our houses. I can't make my tiny urban plot into a haven like
> the woods, ravines and other spreads I wistfully imagine when many of
> you post about your yard sightings, but the birds I do have are still
> many and mostly native.
>
> As for mammals -- I hate to say it, but the oppossum is no more native
> to the Pacific northwest than the eastern gray squirrel. The only
> mammals that pre-dated European arrivals I've seen in my neighborhood
> are raccoons. I do enjoy the antics of the eastern grays, though,
> especially as they persistently try and fail to access my birdfeeders.
> If only they were Douglas squirrels, as Dennis wished!
>
> Robert Pisano wrote:
> "And yes, I share your sentiments about the absence of native mammals
> from our urban scene. Although I did have an Opossum last week in full
> daylight, easily the size of a Warthog!"
>
>
> Katie Sauter Messick
> Wallingford neighborhood, Seattle
> _______________________________________________
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> Tweeters at u.washington.edu
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
>
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