P.E.I. wildlife: A 2016 roundup of fascinating facts

People are endlessly curious about the world around them, which is one reason CBC P.E.I. launched a regular feature on wildlife this year. From skunks to birds and even bees here's a roundup of some of our most popular critter stories.

Eagles can see five times better than a human, and more interesting info

Sara Fraser CBC News Posted: Dec 27, 2016 8:00 AM EST | Last Updated: December 27, 2016

Foxes have exceptional senses of hearing and smell and can feel the vibrations of rodents beneath metres of snow. (PEI Urban Fox Project/Facebook )

People are endlessly curious about the world around them, which is one reason CBC P.E.I. launched a regular featureon wildlife this year. From skunks to birds and even bees, it's clear Islanders enjoy reading about critters that share our world.

First, avery hearty thanks to all the experts who generously shared their knowledge with me. And secondly, an observation: even to scientists, much is still unknown about virtually every species discussed here why and how they do certain things, their migration patterns or mating habits. Often, answers to my questions were simply: 'I wish we knew. No one has studied that.'

Foryour enjoyment,here are some of our most popular columns on P.E.I. wildlife from 2016.

Skunks

"Striped skunks don't deserve a bad rap," asserted wildlife biologist Bob Bancroft from his home in Nova Scotia. "Odoriferous maybe, but they release that nauseating spray with reluctance."

Weekend wildlife: 11 cool facts about skunks

City of Windsor officials haven't yet decided on how to remove skunks from the city. (Flickr)

Foxes

The most visible wildlife on four legs in P.E.I. even in urban areas is undoubtedly the fox. Scientists aren't sure of exact numbers, but believe the Island's fox population is thriving and healthy.

Foxy facts: 8 things to know about P.E.I. foxes

Foxes are quite at home in Charlottetown but officials ask residents to refrain from feeding them. (@bkcrossman/Instagram)

Bats

Most people are afraid of bats but scientists say there's no need, because they won't harm people. Rather, they eat thousands of insects every day.

Sadly, the species that call P.E.I. home have become endangered after being struck by a deadly fungus called white nose syndrome.

The truth about bats: They're 'super cute' and useful

A little brown bat, the most common type on P.E.I. (Jordi Segers/Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative)

Barn Swallows

Barn swallows are the most widespread of all swallow species they're found on every continent except Antarctica but the tiny songbirds are actually threatened in Canada, with a population decrease ofan estimated 76 per cent over the past 40 years.

9 cool facts about barn swallows

Aerial insectivores, that is birds that catch insects in flight, like this barn swallow are declining more steeply than any other group of birds, according to a recent report. (Submitted by Nick Saunders)

Blue Jays

The blue jay became the provincial birdback in 1977 after a province-wide vote, and isis plentiful and plenty visible at feeders and in the wild across the Island.

They are loud, colourfuland pushy!

9 things to know about blue jays, P.E.I.'s provincial bird

Blue jays can be seen hogging the space at feeders across the Island. (Submitted by Paul Gauthier)

Owls

At least eight species of owls have been seen on P.E.I. including short-eared, borealand northern saw-whet owls, although barred and great horned owls are the only species that are year-round residents.

What a hoot! 10 fun facts about owls on P.E.I.

Boreal owls like this one can sometimes be found on P.E.I. (Donna Martin )

Eagles

Brought back from the brink of endangerment, the eagle population on P.E.I. could still use some help, say conservationists.

The magnificent birds have a wing span of two metres or more and eyesight five times better than a human's. Read on for more cool facts.

8 things to know about bald eagles

Did you know female eagles are usually larger than males? (Lorne Kelly)

Seals

Seals are "amazing animals" that have the ability to live in both the marine and terrestrial worlds, are loved by animal rights groups and reviled by most fishermen.

Four kinds of seals make their home around P.E.I.: harbour and grey seals are here year-round, while harp and hooded seals come in the Gulf of St. Lawrence to give birth on ice floes in early spring and sometimes even on the Island's shores.