What about the Sierra Wildlife?

[Love the Sierra]

Does anybody know if we are going to lose a lot of wildlife this year due to the extreme snow? I keep thinking that we have already lost some to freezing, starvation, avalanche and more stuff I do not know about. Yet to come is flooding, more starving until the snow pack thaws, etc.
Those poor critters have already lost so much habitat due to fires and weather.

This is what I imagine, do any of you know? Have you read reports?

Thanks!

[dave54]

The ones that could migrate did. I am seeing reports of increased backyard wildlife encounters in the foothills on both sides.

Most are adapted and handle the winters okay. All the water will jumpstart new brush and forb growth in the burned areas, providing lots of browse. Deer love recent burns, and mountain lions will follow the deer herd.

[Gogd]

Generally wildlife is more affected by the duration of snow season than by extreme snow levels. Pica , marmots, etc may have a hard time next winter, if the snow pack abbreviates the summer growing season. Severe cold is also a significant factor, so that may or not have been a factor this season.

[Love the Sierra]

Thanks to both of you.