A Noisy Neighborhood

A cousin of the chipmunk, the 13-lined ground squirrel has a few similar features, especially around the head area. It also lets out a warning call when threatened, just as the chipmunk does.

Everybody seems to be in a frenzy these days.

The grackles are busy feeding their squawking fledglings, both sounding disagreeable in the process. Grackles, by the way, are among the earliest nest builders, the earliest to lay eggs, and the earliest to fill up the neighborhood with a population increase-induced chatter. That they're among the earliest makes them also among the most successful. The young have a long period of decent weather to mature and prepare for winter, and, if tragic events should visit them--say, a storm destroys their nest--grackles have more than enough time to hatch another brood. Sparrows and finches come in a close second, followed by robins. The meat eaters, unfortunately, tend to build their nests late, have fewer chicks, and, as a result, their numbers hardly compare to those of the grackles. The swallows, wrens, and bluebirds are good examples.

The chipmunks are also chattering away. Sometimes, they will just sit still and chirp, probably calling to their buddies across the yard. To the inexperienced ear, the regular chirp of the chipmunk could easily be mistaken for the song of a finch or sparrow. It's fairly consistent and regular. If you watch a chipmunk calling another one, you'll see it pause, as if waiting for a reply. After awhile you'll notice when a "conversation" is taking place. And you have to hand it to the cross-talk of Rose, Chipper, and Chip-Chip: They can keep in touch with each other without text messaging or cell phones or outrageous carrier fees. Wi-fi and broadband don't improve the quality of their lives one little bit.

Myth buster Alert: You'll not have to look far to find some nit wit discussion about how chipmunks are solitary animals. Although it's true that they need their space--and they will chase off competitors for food, just as other critters and birds will do--chipmunks prefer company to isolation. Whether it's staying in touch through chirps or by lounging on the deck with a cool drink, chipmunks are social animals. At times, they seem to prefer scampering around the shoes of humans, sniffing them, and looking up curiously as if to find out who belongs to that particular scent. At other times, they seem to shun their human companions for a time and focus on each other. But the conclusion is clear: Just like most humans, chipmunks seek out contact with members of their own species or members of other species--us. (Another minor myth buster: A critic of my argument might suggest that chipmunks are merely exploiting their relationship with humans for food. That is in part true. But they will also ignore peanuts or sunflower seeds, preferring instead to just sit quietly and look at or listen to the ramblings of their human companion. They indeed show enduring patience for the long-winded rambler.)

Then there's the other kind of chipmunk communication.

If you want to hear a chipmunk throw a hissy fit, introduce a cat into the area. Chipmunks will act as if they're personally offended that such a nasty creature has encroached upon their territory and threatened their daily routines. Chip-Chip is no different. He seemed completely inconsolable for a good ten minutes when a cat decided to lounge on his front step.

Advice: If you hear chipmunks getting all worked up--which means that birds may be doing likewise--take a moment to step outside and check out the usual hiding places. A critter is probably lurking in their comfort zone. Get out the broom and redirect the critter into your neighbor's yard. Your neighbor won't mind.

An upset chipmunk will appreciate your attempts at comforting him.

A few peanuts couldn't hurt, either.