|
"DUCK TALES"
Wild Care's Monthly E-News |
|
To learn more about Wild Care, visit our web site!
|
|
by Animal Care Coordinator, Jennifer Taylor
When an Eastern Screech Owl comes into Wild Care it is often because it was hit by a car. These little raptors (just like the larger ones) take advantage of the pavement space, where rodents run across with no cover to hide them. Vehicles interfere with the timing of the catch and the owl ends up on the side of the road, hopefully alive.
After one of our snowfalls last month an Eastern Screech Owl was brought to us from the
Brewster/Dennis line on Route 6A. Our 97th patient of the year came to us weak, dehydrated, could barely stand, and had blood in its mouth due to head trauma.
After a few days of fluids and anti-inflammatory pain meds, it started to snap at us, and was clearly on the mend! We began force feeding it tiny pieces of what screech owls like best... mouse meat. It soon began eating on its own.
The funny thing about these little owls is that they make it difficult for us to know how they feel. When they are feeling better they will puff themselves up and look fierce, bobbing their head back and forth staring you down, but, when handled for examination its defense is shut down and hope that the handler will go away. This particular owl would close its eyes, and instantly melt down to the size of a baseball then tip over to one side. So, the real test is to get them out to the aviary to give them the space away from us so we can step back and observe.
|
|
|
Screech owl #97 melting and tipping upon examination. He was successfully released back into his original territory by our wonderful volunteer Jayne Fowler, 9 days after he was admitted to our Clinic. Thank you Jayne! He was a character.
Photos by Lianna Montgomery
|
|
| Wild Care - # 97 Eastern Screech Owl Release |
|
|
 |
We're always in need of supplies. Visit our Amazon Wishlist this giving season and add Wild Care to your shopping cart!
|
Click here to donate!
|
|
|
Wild Care received our
first
orphaned squirrels of the season, and they are quite early! These squirrels were found in a truck engine. The truck had not been used in some time, and a momma squirrel nested in it. The finder tried placing the nest near the truck for several hours, but the mother did not return. There were 5 squirrels, but one was badly injured and did not survive. These guys are a critical age, and require round-the-clock feedings by our skilled staff. They are doing well & growing like weeds!
|
|
|
3/7/17 - 2.5 weeks old. Photo by SE
|
Now is a good time to start checking under your dormant vehicle hoods, boat motors, grills, lawnmowers etc. before you use them this spring! Checking & starting up engines and equipment on regular basis will discourage wildlife from nesting there. Please give wildlife a chance to relocate on their own so they are not abruptly displaced!
If you find an orphaned squirrel, please do not care for it yourself. Squirrels require a a specialized diet and care, and you can often reunite them with their moms. We can help!
Give us a call. Daily helpline.
Wildlife Helpline 508-240-2255
|
|
W
ild Care has over 150 volunteers.
We couldn't do what we do without them! Here's our chance to highlight some outstanding volunteers.This month we're spotlighting volunteer
Judy Bullard
.
Judy is a SUPERSTAR. In 2016, she contributed 172.5 hours to Wild Care!
Judy is Wild Care's President of the Board of Directors. She works tirelessly to ensure that Wild Care operations run as smoothly as possible. Judy is a fundraiser, grant writer, events planner, and a voice of reason around here.
:-)
She is also a Clinic and Baby Bird Volunteer. Last summer, she used her mad gardening skills to grow food for our animals, in the Wild Care vegetable garden. Judy is one of
Wild Care's
biggest advocates. But best of all? She does all of the above with a smile on her face, and a wonderful sense of humor. Judy, we absolutely love you. To the moon!
Judy - thank you for helping us to keep our ducks in row. Wild Care and the animals are blessed to have you!
|
|
Donate today!
Spring is right around the corner.
Know what that means?
BABIES!!!
Help us to keep our babies warm, fed, happy, & back into the wild!
|
|
|
|
March 9, 2017
February came and went, and left its mark. We received 34 patients in February 2017, compared with 25 in 2016. And yet there is another winter storm on its way. We don't mind, we will be here for the animals, and we'll be warming up at our Annual "Wild Winter Night" event on March 18th! We hope you'll join us on the 18th for some food, auctions & fun. All proceeds go to the animals!
Check out the Wild Winter Night details in this short PSA created by Lower Cape TV.
Hope you go
Wild
with us on the 18th!
Sincerely,
Stephanie, Executive Director
|
|
Direct links to class descriptions:
|
2017 Cape Cod Natural History Conference
Wild Care will be a presenter at the
2017 Cape Cod Natural History Conference
on March 11th at Cape Cod Community College! It'll be a full day of exciting presentations, from the best-of-the-best in their field. All topics relate to the natural history of Cape Cod.
Stephanie Ellis, Executive Director, will be presenting "Warm and Cold Water Therapy Pools Decrease Recovery Time of Aquatic Birds in Captivity." Her presentation starts at 10:30.
We highly encourage you to at
tend this wonderful conference if you can make it! The registration fee is $30 per person.
For more information, visit:
|
|
|
Wild Winter Night!
Go
wild
this winter at Wild Care's Annual Wild Winter Night!
Date: March 18, 2017
Time: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Elks Lodge, 10 McKoy Road, Eastham
Evening festivities include:
- Silent and live auctions by renowned Auctioneer John of Terrio Auction Knights
- Live entertainment by Bert Jackson and Roe Osborn of the Bert Jackson Quartet
- Tickets include chowder, appetizers, and soft drinks. Additional food and drinks available for purchase
- Opportunity drawings
- And so much more!
Advanced Tickets: $30
Tickets at the Door: $35
Event sponsored by Lower Cape Veterinary Services and George's Place Fish Market.
|
|
|
Snowy Owl by Shawn P. Carey.
|
|
|
Help Us Keep Our Ducks in a Row!
We need office volunteers!
Do you love wildlife?
Are you computer savvy, task-oriented, creative, and work well independently?
Well we've got volunteer opportunities for you!
Wild Care is seeking office volunteers to help us behind the scenes. Three hours of your time per week will go a very long way! We need assistance with:
- Filing, photocopying, assist with mailings
- Wildlife Photo Library Management
- Ordering/Inventory of Office Supplies
- Stock Outreach Materials for events
- Wild Care Merchandise Management
- Donor Data entry and management
Knowledge of Excel and Word preferred. Knowledge of Donor Perfect is a plus!
If this sounds like you,
Check out our other
Wild Care Volunteer Opportunities
here...
|
|
|
|
| Wild Care 10 Smith Lane Eastham, Massachusetts 02642 [email protected] 508-240-2255 |
| About Wild Care Since 1994, Wild Care has treated injured, ill and orphaned native wildlife for release back into the wild capable of independent survival, prevented wildlife casualties through public education and counseling, and engaged the community in conservation services through volunteerism. Wild Care does not charge the public for our services. We accept wildlife regardless of a rescuer's ability to make a donation; and we never compromise quality of care or the dignity of an animal's life for fundraising purposes. |
|
| |
|
