Patrick Scheuer of New Jersey Audubon's Lorrimer Sanctuary in Franklin Lakes advises:

  "Please use a little extra caution while driving over the next couple of weeks.

  "We're at the peak of roadkill season. Local mammals are groggy, hungry, and hormonally charged in early spring. Young of last year are being kicked out of their parents' territory and are forced to find their own turf.

   ..."Some ornithologists claim an expanding highway system (and its associated roadkill) have assisted turkey vultures and black vultures in stretching their ranges northward."

   Given the number of deer in suburbia these days, probably wouldn't hurt to drive a little extra cautiously year-round. :-)