Wildlife Neighbors: Tales from the Northern Prairie

Living in the northern prairie comes with its fair share of perks and quirks. One of the biggest advantages? No HOA breathing down your neck about the state of your lawn during the fall wood-cutting season. I mean, who cares if split wood is piled all over the place? It’s part of the charm, right? But then, there’s the downside—our "wildlife neighbors." Imagine all the annoyances of town neighbors, but instead of calling the cops, you’re left chasing deer out of your garden or shooing off a stray cat.

Deer, Badgers, and Ground Squirrels – Oh My!

Over the last six years, I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with the local wildlife. Deer have made themselves right at home, munching on my trees and flowers, and giving me those guilty looks when I catch them in the act on my driveway. The stray cats, of course, think our woodpile is their personal hunting ground for mice. And don’t even get me started on the ground squirrels—those little guys have turned my yard into a maze of tunnels.

I once had a badger show up, leaving mysterious dirt piles on our driveway that had me scratching my head until I caught him in the act. But, for the most part, the birds have been more of a background chorus than a direct problem—until recently.

Birds of the Prairie: Not Always the Gentle Neighbors

Birds have generally been the least of my concerns. We have our fair share of Canadian Goose, especially since they’re drawn to the creek on the north side of the property and our ducks. Every year, like clockwork, they nest in the cut field to the south, and while they can be mean, we’ve learned to coexist. Pheasants, barn swallows, robins, and songbirds like chickadees flit around the property, and their songs have always been a welcome part of life here. I’ve even had friends tease me, calling me "Snow White" after they saw me whistling back to the birds during one of our walks. Embarrassing, yes, but it’s a small price to pay for feeling connected to this land.

Chickadee: song 'cheese-bur-ger'

 The Curious Case of the Western Meadowlark

Now, let’s talk about the Western Meadowlark. These guys are a familiar sight in these parts from spring to fall, and their bright yellow chests and deep black V marking against the golden prairie grass are usually a welcome sign of the changing seasons. That all changed a few weeks ago when one of these birds decided my house was the perfect spot for a daily head-to-head.

It all started innocently enough. I was cleaning the windows when I spotted a robin-sized bird with a yellow breast hopping around near my basement window.
At first, I thought it was kind of cool—I'd never seen one so close up before. But then, the bird kept coming back. Day after day, there he was, hopping just a few inches from my foundation like he owned the place. I started to get a little uneasy when I noticed him trying to get into the house through the window, or at least that’s what it seemed like. I had a moment of panic thinking, "What on earth does he want?" Every time I got close, he’d fly away, only to come back again.

Credit: Matt Bango unsplash.com

Then came the morning wake-up calls. Imagine being jolted awake at 4:30 a.m. to the sound of a tennis ball hitting your window—except it wasn’t a tennis ball. 

It was that same Meadowlark, repeatedly throwing himself against the glass directly under our bedroom. There’s nothing quite like the mix of confusion and annoyance when you realize a bird is causing all that ruckus.

I did some research and found out that birds sometimes attack their reflections, especially during breeding season when they’re feeling extra territorial. It seemed this Meadowlark had decided his reflection was a rival, and my windows were his battleground. I tried everything—putting up blankets, moving an owl decoy around the yard—but nothing worked. For three weeks, my family and I were forced to wake up before dawn to the sound of this persistent bird. Our two-year-old wasn’t exactly thrilled about the early wake-up calls either.

But, just like all things in life, it eventually passed. One morning, the Meadowlark was gone, probably off to find a new rival in a less reflective part of the prairie. It was one of the strangest and most tiring experiences of living out here, but it’s these moments that make life in the country so uniquely memorable.

Appreciating Prairie Life

Despite the challenges posed by my "wildlife neighbors," there’s something undeniably special about life on the prairie. Sure, the deer, squirrels, and overly aggressive birds can be a handful, but they’re also a reminder of the wild beauty that surrounds us. I wouldn’t trade the peace and quiet of this place for the constant noise of sirens and car horns in the city. So, here’s to the prairie and all its eccentricity—it’s home, after all.

Living with nature has its challenges, but it's these little encounters that make prairie life so unique. Have you had any quirky run-ins with wildlife in your area? Share your stories in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on more tales from the northern prairie!

Credit: Western Meadowlark photo artist Matt Bango with Unsplash.com