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Our Neighborhood

Oh Nutria

In a Salem neighborhood, cozy and neat,Nutria arrived with tiny feet,From far-off lands, they made their way,Now in our Mill Race, they love to play. They burrow and munch in yards so green,But here we care for every scene,With thoughtful plans and gentle hands,We find a way to share our lands. Neighbors gather, young and […]

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Our Neighborhood

How Rabbits Die

“Once upon a time, there was a quiet neighborhood where people lived in harmony with their pets. Dogs barked, cats roamed, and birds sang. However, something strange started happening one day – domestic rabbits started running wild!” That is how last year’s report on two expanding rabbit colonies in our neighborhood started. It seems time […]

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Our Neighborhood

The Annual Nesting of Walter and Irene

Walter and Irene are two ducks who have become a familiar sight in the neighborhood. Every year, the pair returns to the same spot to nest and raise their ducklings. Their chosen location is in a quiet corner of the neighborhood, surrounded by trees and bushes that provide ample cover and protection. Locals have come […]

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Our Neighborhood

A heron in the neighborhood?

We got sightings, and a video, of a juvenile heron in our neighborhood. And a pretty rare one to boot. The Audubon Society confirmed this particular bird as a Green Heron. The tranquil ambiance of a backyard pool takes an enchanting turn as a juvenile Green Heron makes an unexpected visit. The vibrant yet slightly […]

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Our Neighborhood

The Tale of the Domestic Rabbits Running Wild

Once upon a time, there was a quiet neighborhood where people lived in harmony with their pets. Dogs barked, cats roamed, and birds sang. However, something strange started happening one day – domestic rabbits started running wild! It all began when a few families decided to get rabbits as pets. They were cute, fluffy, and […]

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Our City Our Neighborhood

Backyard chickens and city wildlife

Sadly enough, we have no more chickens roaming the backyard. What happened? As many other neighbors, we kept a small amount of chickens both for company and fresh eggs. Salem allows up to 7 feathered backyard dwellers if they are allotted sufficient space to roam and no roosters are included in the party. That makes […]

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Our City Our Neighborhood

Wildlife in the neighborhood

One year ago, during a sunrise timed run through the neighborhood, I encountered a wild turkey on 19th and Ferry. A beautiful animal, walking the front yards as if it always lived here. And apparently they have. Wild Turkeys are endemic to South Salem. And sometimes a couple stroll over into our southeast neighborhood. The […]