Mutual of Omahas Levittown Kingdom (Hempstead, Plainview: neighborhood, live, law)

[mongoose65]

Ok, so anyone else notice the continuous escalation in rabbit population over the last 5 years? Started off on the exit median of the Southern State. Now they are all over. Walking the dog at night I see at least a half dozen in just a 3 block radius and each of my neighbors has seen them have litters in their yards (under sheds or just in burrows). This winter I saw a hawk for the 1st time in the tree our front. I'm thinking maybe he's found a nice bunny smorgasbord however he hasn't been back. Just think it's interesting. I like the idea of hawks. Feels like I'm in the country. Also, we went from a slug epidemic to a current (summer) earwig (?!) epidemic (slugs practically gone, earwigs taken over...all over the neighborhood...nasty little creeps). Anyone else noticing any of this or am I just nutso cuckoo? Oh well, takes my mind off other pressing matters like the Coliseum chicanery and Town of Hempstead nepotism team.

[TJLamb0518]

Funny, I've seen 2 foxes in the last couple of weeks....I didn't even know LI HAD foxes (insert hackey joke here).

[dman72]

I saw a fox near a small patch of woods in Sayville a few weeks ago. I couldn't believe my eyes. What was scary is that it showed no fear..there were quite a few people around. At first we all thought it might be rabid.

I did some googling and it seems that the urban and suburban Fox population is on the rise, and when they become urbanized they don't fear people.

[Jetties]

I have seen Hawks in Eisenhower Park golf course several times. Once, one cam swooping in to pick some kind of rodent off the ground, when you see their wingspan up close it is stunning how big they are.

[dman72]

Originally Posted by Jetties

I have seen Hawks in Eisenhower Park golf course several times. Once, one cam swooping in to pick some kind of rodent off the ground, when you see their wingspan up close it is stunning how big they are.

Red Tailed Hawks are fairly common on Long Island now. You can see them sitting on top of light poles on Sunken Meadow Parkway looking for a meal pretty regularly.

[lubby]

My mother in law has a family of bunnies in her yard, mom, dad and 4 babies.

[Gkap190]

Plenty of bunnies and an occasional hawk in Plainview too.

[twingles]

We had tons of bunnies in GC....one had babies in my neighbor's yard last year.

[Lyriel]

I can't swear on it, it all happened so quickly, and I require glasses for long distance vision, which I wasn't wearing, so mayhap I didn't see it right. But, I'm fairly sure I saw a falcon hunting near my bird feeder about two months ago. The feeder had attracted a bunch of pigeons as regular guests. I saw them scatter, saw a shadow swoop, and then saw this maybe-falcon land momentarily on my garage. I live near a golf course, so I'm frequently treated to sightings of the more rare birds, though, I never saw a falcon out back before. Nice!

What I'd like to know is what is this increasing Camel Cricket invasion due to? Mostly harmless, true. But wow they're hideous! As I understand it, it's not just LI either, I hear from family that they're also increasing in the midwest in places they've never been seen before.

I do have a minor issue with poor drainage under a shed near the house. It's my understanding that they breed in moist & dark places. I best get on with a fix and see if that clears it up.

[lubby]

Originally Posted by TJLamb0518

Funny, I've seen 2 foxes in the last couple of weeks....I didn't even know LI HAD foxes (insert hackey joke here).

I have a friend who lives out east in Laurel and he has seen dozens of foxes when he takes his dog for walks.