Jordan Wine Country Table - Vol. 18, 2023 - 32

Why do they suddenly have an appetite
for heirloom tomatoes? We haven't changed
what we planted or where we planted it. "
Jordan laughs it off. " Deer are the world's
most expensive pests, " he says. " They are
hooked on the welfare program we've created
for them here. They'll never leave. "
PREDATOR POPULATION SHIFTS
Deer, coyotes, wild turkeys, jackrabbits
and many species of water fowl have likely
lived at the estate for centuries. With more
than 75% of Jordan's land preserved as natural
habitat, there is plenty of space for wildlife
to live in harmony. For many decades, Jordan
has watched populations ebb and flow with
the circle of life; when there are more coyotes,
less of their prey animals, including deer,
turkeys and rabbits, can be seen. River otters
living in the Jordan Lake even help keep bird
populations in check.
Two large predators help keep the balance
of the prey populations: bobcats and coyotes.
(There are rumors of a mountain lion or two,
but neither Jordan nor Young has seen one.)
The coyote population has declined at Jordan,
according to Young. He doesn't see them nearly
as much as he did five years ago. This could also
be contributing to the higher-than-usual deer
numbers, so he'd love to see the coyotes make
a comeback-as would Jordan.
Despite variation in appearance and
common names, there's only one species
of coyote-Canis latrans which means " barking
dog " -and they live on several hills at Jordan
Estate in different packs. At night, they howl
32 THE LAND ISSUE
at each other, and that really sets off Jordan's
three dogs. Their distinct sound is often called
the " Song of the West. "
" I feel the most connection to the coyotes, "
Jordan says. " We think of our dogs as so
domesticated, but their roots, their lineage
to the coyote, is just beneath the surface. I really
feel that here on the property. "
The winery contacted the experts at Project
Coyote, a conservation group based in the Bay
Area, for advice on what could be done to help
the coyote population at Jordan bounce back.
" Coyotes are amazingly adaptable so please
be assured, " says Michelle L. Lute, carnivore
conservation director at Project Coyote.
" Predator population response to prey cycles
can sometimes lag, so if you're seeing a lot
of deer and rabbits, I anticipate the coyotes
aren't far behind. "
In the meantime, the farmer must find
ways to adapt and co-exist until the prey cycle
goes back into balance. Besides deer, the most
prominent prey animals living at Jordan are
turkeys and jackrabbits. The property has also
seen a spike in turkey and rabbit populations
since the decrease in coyotes. Young estimates
that 40-60 wild turkeys, Meleagris gallopavo,
currently live at Jordan, roaming in flocks.
" They may be a nuisance to our farming
business, " Jordan says, " but when the baby
birds are born in the spring, they look like little
chickens. They're so cute it's hard to stay mad
at them. "
Like deer, both turkeys and coyotes will
eat grapes once the sugars rise in autumn.
Because Jordan Estate vineyards are young due
to the extensive replanting project (see page10),
Deer, coyotes, wild turkeys,
jackrabbits and many
species of water fowl have
likely lived at the estate
for centuries. With more
than 75% of Jordan's land
preserved as natural habitat,
there is plenty of space for
wildlife to live in harmony.
Jordan Wine Country Table - Vol. 18, 2023

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