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No rabbits at all

17 years ago

I have not seen any trace of a rabbit in my neighborhood since late last summer.

I know there was a nest of barred owls about a block away, as the crow flies ( and it does!) last summer, but could they completely eliminate all the rabbits in a square mile area, while seemingly leaving the squirrels and chippies untouched?

Or are we dealing with a disease of some sort?

Linda C

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Comments (8)

Elly_NJ
17 years ago
Rabbits make lots of babies and therefore their progeny tends to survive most predators. In nature, predators only get the slower and weaker ones; they do not get all. Rabbits are there. You just don't see them.

Anyway, barred owls don't kill rabbits. They tend to kill smaller prey.

Go to www.owlcam.com
lindac
Original Author
17 years ago
Perhaps they are GH owls? But I heard the bark of a barred owl earlier.
Trust me....there are no rabbits here. I live in an area of big yards with lots of rabbit cover and many gardens full of tasty tulips and hosta. We cursed the rabbits for years. There weren't even any rabbit tracks in the snow. And I feed lots and lots of birds and only saw a hawk once this past winter.
We have lots of crows, and I know crows will gobble up a nest of baby bunnies, but in the past there have always been enough to make more...but now they are just...GONE.
I may plant some pink petunias this spring, because I have no doubt they will be back.
Will the owls nest in the same tree again?
Linda C
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Elly_NJ
17 years ago
The owls and hawks tend to use the same nests, yes.

The population will recover. Your petunias will be nibbled again.
richardzone7maryland
17 years ago
I've seen rabbits in my yard after a 2 or 3 absence. I think they returned once the foxes moved on.

Richard
goldenpond
17 years ago
I have lived on my 2 and a half acres with no sign rabbits at allfor 3 years. I have hawks and owls and many water birds that visit the pond.I garden daily and I am outside all year.Maybe a big neighborhood cat population is to blame.There are plenty of other critters to enjoy though.{{!gwi}}
richardzone7maryland
16 years ago
Rabbits started showing up in my yard once the foxes stopped hanging out in my neighbor's yard.

Richard
dakster
16 years ago
A few rabbits I have in the yard could very well put up a nice sized fight if an Owl ever tried to get them. they look like they weight about 10 lbs..maybe more.. Super Bunnies even..
sunshine923
16 years ago
I am new to the Garden Web Forums and mostly just check on the stained glass and mosaic board. Thought I would write here and get some information on rabbits. I live on Long Island. We haven't seen any rabbits except for an occasional one for a few years. WE NOW HAVE A RABBIT EXPLOSION. They are all sizes and roam and play all day long. They lay around like cats and they are now coming up to us. Is this normal. They ate all my flowers. I would never harm them, just wondering if anyone has experienced "friendly" wild rabbits. Any info is appreciated.
Marie

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