Here we are inching closer and closer to the fishing opener and summer. Walking on the Blazing Star trail and driving by open fields I have noticed flocks of robins gathered and each day as I pass by the channel there are getting to be more and more waterfowl showing up. I’d have to say the coots or “mud hens” as we called them as kids outnumber the rest but there is a larger variety of waterfowl appearing each day.

One of the things that I have noticed this year is the low number of robins that have been frequenting my yard. I’m not saying that the robins should be hanging out in my yard like past years but it is something I always look forward to. I did see a robin busily checking the neighbor’s yard for food the other day when I noticed that across the street was lurking one of the neighborhood cats. It was hunched down and stalking that robin looking ever so much like a puma in one of those wildlife documentaries on the Discovery Channel. As the cat inched its way toward the unsuspecting robin a car passed by and the cat had to retreat momentarily. It was just long enough for the robin to decide to move on to another spot.

This was just a reminder to me that there are too many cats in the area whose owners allow them to have free run of the neighborhood. Spring is the time when owners should keep their pets at home and not allow them to roam free. Birds are nesting in the spring and along with birds are the resident rabbits and squirrels. I know that some gardeners wouldn’t mind a little culling of the herd when rabbits are mentioned and I have a few squirrels that reside in my storage shed which can be a real nuisance when they get into peoples garages and houses. I plan on squirrel-proofing the shed this spring to hopefully alleviate that problem and hopefully that will not force them to check out my garage.

Getting back to the cat thing with the birds. I have often thought about putting up a bird feeder in the back yard but then I would probably be spending the money on birdseed to ultimately feed the neighbor cats. If you enjoy birds and watching them and can’t figure out why they are not around you might want to keep an eye out for a stray cat. Last year I found a variety dead critters in my yard from baby bunnies, a small squirrel, dead crow and some smaller birds. I attributed this to three different cats that I had seen stalking critters in my yard from time to time.

The bottom line is that if everyone who owns a cat would keep it indoors for the next few weeks it would give the young bird population a chance to mature. A few years ago the Minnesota DNR even sponsored a children’s poster contest to encourage pet owners to keep their cats inside.

The DNR also issued the following statement: “In spring and early summer, birds, their eggs and hatchlings are vulnerable to becoming a meal for predators. One of America’s most efficient predators is the domestic cat, which if allowed outdoors might kill birds and small mammals, even if the cat is well-fed by humans. Every year the lives of free-roaming cats are cut short when they are run over by cars, attacked by other animals, contract diseases, pick up parasites, or are poisoned or harmed by humans.”

I am not an anti-cat person but the reasons for keeping your pet inside as stated by the DNR make sense. Protect wildlife and protect your cat. That way we can enjoy the best of both worlds — watching some of nature’s wildlife and cleaning out the litter box. It just doesn’t get any better than that!

Whenever the weather allows the fishermen are there trying their luck. I’ve seen some dandy perch being caught and have heard that there is also some nice crappie to be had. Blackmer Bridge used to be the main attraction for crappie fishermen this time of year and I have seen a few more fishermen lining the shore in the past couple of days. If you’re ready for some fishing and can’t wait until the walleye opener there are fish to be caught locally right now.

If you are more interested in larger game fish (walleye and northern) and can’t wait until the opener you might want to check out the “Mighty Mississippi.” The season is open now; it’s not all that far and there is always that chance of catching that lunker you’ve been looking for. The Red Wing area is a very good place to try.

Until next time enjoy the spring, play safe and get out and enjoy the great Minnesota outdoors.

Remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers throughout the year.