Spring Street Resident Finds Backyard Bruin

A Spring Street resident called police Wednesday night after spotting a black bear at a backyard bird feeder.

Hopkinton Police Officer Lou Gonzales said Thursday afternoon there was little to report on the bear.

"He was there in the back yard and he ran away," Gonzales said.

Was it really a bear?

Yes, Gonzales said. Officer Peter Booth, who responded to the call, saw the bear make its retreat.

The Mass. Wildlife Field Office in Westborough has a recording with recommendations on measures for making residential back yards unattractive to wildlife at 508.389.6300. Select Option 5. 

One of the things Mass Wildlife specifically mentions is emptying bird feeders in early spring because not only bears but turkeys, skunks and raccoons like to eat bird seed.

Other recommendations include fencing vegetable gardens, feeding pets indoors, if your outdoor cat brings home birds, rabbits or squirrels throw them away in a sealed container since the carcasses attract larger wildlife, clean up or block wood and brush piles that wildlife can use as shelter, and block crawl spaces under your house, garage and sheds for the same reason.

Here is a link to information on Black Bears in Massachusetts from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.