Finding an Injured Bird

A robin rasing her young under the
table umbrella in our yard.

It is spring in New England and our feathered friends are busy, busy, busy! With all the activity it is easy to stumble upon what may appear to be an injured bird. During this time of year, I am happy to say that usually the bird in question is most likely a fledgeling. A fledgeling is a bird that has just left its nest and is learning to fly. It is important to know that many fledgelings spend quite a bit of time hoping around on the ground. Do not worry, their parents are close by, they are always under a watchful eye. I learned this lesson one day when I was trying to capture a fledging cardinal. It is important to take a moment, observe and learn the difference between typical and not so typical bird behavior. 

Spring is also a great time to observe the birds in your yard. One spring we had a robin create a nest under our table umbrella, it provided a wonderful learning experience for the whole family. I also learned the difference between nestlings and fledgelings as I tried to put back the fledgelings that were hopping from the nest. When they are ready, they are ready to leave! 


Before you find yourself face to face with an injured bird, it is best to know what to look for and who to call. If you stumbled upon this blog because you are in an emergency situation, call your town animal control. Otherwise, familiarize yourself with the steps to take in rescuing an injured bird.

Following the steps below will ensure the safety and future for the injured bird. Never under any circumstance should you attempt to keep an injured bird and care for it yourself. There are laws that protect birds so finding out who to call is the best option for everyone involved.

Assess the Bird
Most likely if you found an injured bird it is either a bird of prey or a song bird. During the late spring and summer baby birds may have left the nest prematurely and are referred to as nestlings. Nestlings if small enough can be placed back in the nest. If the bird appears to be larger and moving around freely it is most likely a fledgling. Observe the bird for a couple of hours. If it can walk, hop, and flap its wings, or if adult birds are nearby, leave the bird alone. The parents will continue to care for it. 

If a bird on the ground is unable to flap its wings and appears to be alone it is probably injured. Slowly approach the bird, and if it doesn't fly away when you’re within 10 feet or so, there may be something wrong.

When a bird hits a window, swelling in the brain may temporarily incapacitate it. Countless times, I have run out of the house to find a poor birds lifeless on the ground, then all of a sudden it will shake  itself and fly away.  In some cases, it may take a while. If there are cats or other predators nearby, place the bird in an enclosed box or under a colander to keep it safe. Handle the bird as little as possible and do not attempt to give it food or water. As the swelling subsides and the bird becomes more active, you may release it. 

Know Who To Call
Now is the time to find out who to call in your area for emergency injured bird services. A google search for your state will provide you with specifics and laws around transporting and rescuing birds. Each state has a certified wildlife rehabilitator and though they may not be able to come to your location to physically pick up the injured bird, they can provide you with the protocol should the event happen to you.

List of wildlife rehabilitates by state:
http://www.wildcarebayarea.org/site/DocServer/otherrehabbers_correction_1-29-10.html?docID=381.

Birds of Prey 
These birds need to be approached with extreme caution as they have talons and can really injure a human. Last year, an inured red tailed hawk appeared in our driveway. I called our local Audubon office, found out they do not come to rescue injured birds, they suggested

Injured juvenile red tailed hawk that arrived in our yard.

I call animal control in our town.  Interesting to note, in Massachusetts,  rehabilitates  are usually unable to respond to pick up injured wildlife, but they will provide advice on the best procedures for safely collecting the animal and will offer directions to their facility. This is a problem when it comes to birds of prey because unlike a song bird, they are dangerous to handle. The best thing to do is call your local wildlife rehabilitator  ahead of time and ask them who they recommend you contact in your area should you find an injured bird of prey.

Song Birds
Unlike birds of prey, it is easier to deal with the capture of an injured song bird. They are much smaller and it is far easier to place an object like a small box or colander over them. Like Birds of Prey, your local wildlife rehabilitator will be able to give you information on whom to call.

It is important to remember that mortality rates in wildlife is extremely high. Birds especially. It is natures way of maintaining balance. It is a different world from ours in that as harsh as it sounds, sometimes our well intentioned human acts often prolong suffering and distress for our feathered friends. Naturalists learn to accept that a sick or injured bird becomes prey for another animal thus ensuring that animals survival. 

There are some amazing wildlife sanctuaries and refugees who care for these injured animals once emergency medical care has been given and their fate is determined. Often times juvenile birds make wonderful additions to wildlife education centers. They are young enough to learn to be handled safely and brought about to classrooms or live comfortably in a sanctuary. Other birds are able to be released back into the wild. Check out some great  places I have visited that dedicate their time and efforts to these amazing birds!

Sanctuaries that make a difference for the lives of birds.

Surprising Nature Treasures at the Roger Williams Zoo

During a recent New England January thaw, we set out to explore and found ourselves at Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island. What impressed us most about this zoo was the incorporation of the native land. The zoo itself was home to some pretty impressive animal species.  We were able to observe unique wildlife from New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia and Africa. The elephants and giraffes were inside due to the weather however it gave us a unique opportunity to view them up close. It was also uncrowded so you could ask questions and really get to know these magnificent creatures.

The Marco Polo's Wild Journey was an adventure, we were able to view animals that he may have encountered during his travels. The red pandas were adorable. It is interesting to note that these animals are found in extreme environments and have extreme adaptations, seeing these wonderful creatures up close provided a unique window into what it may have been like taking a journey in Marco Polo's footsteps.

We walked on a 1/4 mile path through what was described as Rhode Island's most endangered habitat, the wetlands. It was an awesome experience, seeing it in winter and taking pictures we plan to compare it when we return in Spring, Summer and Fall. We were able to see Canada geese and vibrant native plants like dogwood and birch which always make an impressive New England backdrop especially in winter.

If you are planning a trip to this zoo during the colder months, you will be happy to find Tropical America, the zoo boasts it is home to Rhode Island's only rainforest. Once inside you are arms reach to tamarins, white-faced saki monkeys and dozens of other amazing creatures. The monkeys are free roaming and entertaining to say the least. Outside we were captivated by the flamingoes and giant anteaters.

One of the most impressive exhibits that I found at this zoo was in the North America section. Sitting on a perch were two majestic bald eagles. I was amazed how beautiful they were in their natural habitat, not behind bars out in the open. A must see.

Always in search of a nature themed playground, we were delighted to find "Hasbro's Our Big Backyard." Complete with a fascinating tree house, an indoor activity space which includes a Nature Swap. The nature swap is a place where you can trade items collected in nature. The nature trail and natural playground was fun for all ages to explore. There were lots of opportunities to be creative and enjoy the natural environment.

January and February admission is half-priced. In the spring of 2014, a barn and farmyard section will be opened. October - November is the zoo's famed Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, perfect to get you in the mood for Halloween.

Looking to get involved? The zoo is currently sponsoring a FrogWatch. They are looking for volunteer age 7 and up to participate. https://www.rwpzoo.org/176/frogwatch.

A Unique Encounter at Animal Adventures

I often struggle with visiting animals in captivity. Rescuing injured animals and having children, has given me an opportunity to see things through a different lens. Animals living in captivity often provide enriching experiences for both the animal and human. I am on a constant quest to find moments that provide an opportunity to connect with creatures that live in our natural world.

Animal Adventures in Bolton, MA, provides this type of unique opportunity. It is home to many exotic animals and reptiles from all over the world. The first noticeable difference is that these exotic animals and reptiles connect with people. A rare experience like no other. How does this happen? I learned that not a single animal that lives on the premise is wild caught. They are rescued from situations such as abandonment, being orphaned or neglected. I observed that they are given a wonderful life and are being used to educate. A win/win situation!

Our tour lasted two hours and during that time we saw a variety of animals, birds and reptiles from all over the world. Our guide was well educated and able to talk about every single animal. We were able to witness the gentleness of their lynx, learning that the adornment on this ears are for warmth. We met an adorable fox that is afraid of the dark and has a favorite stuffed animal. We also heard the soft cries of a little fox while she lay sleeping. We heard the amazing song of the kookaburra, did you know they are meat eaters? We heard that ferrets make great pets, a fact we already knew having owned several. We got to touch a skunk, tortoise, rabbit, lizard, boa and marvel at an anaconda! We also got to meet and learn about the habits of the ring-tailed lemur, misconceptions about them created by Hollywood were clarified. My children hung on every word that the guide spoke. They learned that it is not advisable to put a boa around your neck at a friends house and to always use caution when you come in contact with a wild animal. The best part of the experience is that you are able to interact with animals from all over the world.

All creatures play an important role in our natural world, there are many that are misunderstood and even feared and killed out of that fear. The opportunity that Animal Adventures provides gives a unique prospective on these animals and connects you to them in ways that would never happen in their natural environment.

The animals who reside at Animal Adventures would not survive in the wild. The owners of Animal Adventures are giving us and these animals the best gift by caring for them and educating all of us about their role in our natural world. If you are visiting Massachusetts, please give them a visit, if not, consider donating to their cause as they are truly fulfilling the mission

It is important to keep in mind when visiting that you are not going to a zoo, aquarium or museum. It is a home for abandoned animals and it is growing and evolving. All the animals have ample space and are taken care of and interacted with daily. While some of their enclosures may not look as posh as your local zoo, they are sufficient and appropriate for their individual needs. The animals all have time out of their habitats to interact and provide  educational experiences. We were told that the kangaroo gets to spend play time with the owner and that the owner says good night to all the creatures. An example of the love and devotion to the inhabitants of this very special place.

In addition to the Bolton, MA location, Animal Adventures can be found at Kimball Farm in Westford during spring, summer and fall.  We were able to visit them over the summer at Kimball Farm and enjoyed the animals and presentation that they had at the farm.

Enjoy your animal adventure!

Dinosaur State Park

On a trip to Connecticut, we visited the Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill. What a magical place. The most unique aspect of the park is that the trackway which consists of an amazing fossil track is preserved in place and is a Registered Natural Landmark. 

In 1966, a bulldozer operator was excavating for a development of a state building, he turned over a slab and found there-toed footprints. The decision to preserve this site as a state park and the work to carefully excavate has made the Dinosaur State Park one of the largest on-site displays in the world.

The tracks are housed in the exhibit center which is open throughout the year and admission is charged to enter. Six dollars for adults and teens (13 and over), $2 for youth and free for children 5 and under.

The rest of the park which is free to explore. It provides nature trails over two miles highlighting the rich diversity the land has to offer. Beautiful and full of wonder at every turn, we were awe struck by seeing beautiful habitats with gorgeous maples, living creatures such as frogs, snakes, butterflies and amazing rocks. In addition to the hiking trails, the arboretum stretches 10 acres and is home to conifers, katsuras, ginkgoes, magnolias and other living representatives of plant families which appeared in the Age of Dinosaurs. They have a great representation of as many of the Mesozoic Era plants families as possible.

The two activities offered that made an unforgettable impression on our children was track Casting and Mining for fossils and gems. Track casting is offered from May-October weather permitting. Visitors must provide :

• 1/4 cup cooking oil
• Cloth rags and paper towels
• 5-gallon plastic bucket
• 10 pounds of Plaster-of-Paris (no substitutions).

Casts are large but make for a nice garden accent for home or for a for a display piece.

The Mining for minerals activity involves purchasing a bag of "mining rough" we were surprised to find our full of gems! This is a summer activity and a must do for any budding geologist. 

We also took part in the annual Dinosaur State Park day. The exhibit hall is free on this day and it is a very festive and fun event.  

If you are planning a trip to Connecticut, the Dinosaur State Park is a must see. 

Bringing Nature Indoors

Every time we go for a hike we come home with different treasures from nature. Sometimes it is a rock that catches the eye, a twig that has a unique marking, a colorful leaf, these objects are wonderful to bring into your home but finding the perfect place may require some thought. One of our favorite things to do is find different ways to incorporate nature into art.

Sometimes we do not even have to travel as far as our backyard to stumble upon a surprise.  One summer, a robin decided to make a nest in the umbrella above our outdoor dining table. She raised two clutches and the summer was filled with entertainment and curiosity as we watched our feathered friend. When she left in the fall, we needed to close our umbrella and considered her nest to be a "hostess gift". As we were adding the nest to our ever growing collection of found items, we decided to put to use our new found art.

Creating a Shadowbox
Like our encounter with our robin friend, those who pay close enough attention will find that the natural world tells a story. Taking objects from your own personal experience in nature and displaying them in a shadow box brings nature inside and can serve as a reminder of a special nature connection made.  Creating a shadow box filled with the abandoned robin's nest, photo's and captions from our nature journal, gives our family a reminder of our special connection. It is hanging in our dining room near the window where we used to watch her.

Decorative Bird House
Making a decorative bird house with found nature items is another way to display nature treasures.

We used an empty half and half carton, you can use match boxes, large carton's anything that resembles the structure of a bird house. We used the twigs for the roof, birch bark for the walls and a hot glue gun to put it all together. Popped in a owl made out of pom-pom's.





Hanging Mobile
Finding that perfect stick seems to be a daily occurance. What is a hike without spotting that kind of treasure? Adding a mobile to a room can bring in nature and serve as an inspiring decorative piece.

Books and Blogs:

http://www.naturalearthpaint.com/resources/nature-related-art-activities/

Mourning Cloak Butterfly, Harbinger of Spring

Our Mourning Cloak with proboscis extended.

Sring in our home is a very busy time. The ordering of caterpillars is high on our to do list and is a much anticipated event. This year we find ourselves in a unexpected butterfly situation. It began one day in early March.

There was nothing unusual about our daily walk home from school, lively discussions with friends and neighbors, pats on the heads of our fury friends as we walked along and then a shrill of joy, "mom, mom, a butterfly!" Joy turned to concern as we looked closely and observed that the butterfly was struggling. Half a wing had been torn off.

"Can we take him home mom?" "Yes," I replied, my mind racing as to what we were going to do with our new friend from nature. Thinking he was a Swallow Tail and wondering how he was surviving in what was still a very unpredictable New England spring, I thought this little guy or girl (we refer to the butterfly as a boy because we are unable to identify its gender) would be with us a day at the most. That was in the beginning of March, it is now April and as I blog, he is happily sitting next to me on a rotten piece of fruit.

As we walked home with our wounded butterfly on that early spring day, I had no idea that we were going to learn another interesting lesson from nature.  I stopped to talk with a neighbor, while engaging in conversation my neighbor had to ask, what's up with the butterfly on your arm. The little guy crawled up my sleeve while I was talking! So off we went to settle the butterfly into our home.

Creating what I thought would be a temporary habitat for our wounded friend seemed simple enough. We set him in our Butterfly Garden kit, inserted a few sticks, some sugar water and some fruit.

Every day for two weeks we would let the butterfly out to stretch his wings, he seemed to like the sugar water, would land on the fruit and liked walking on the sticks. What I could not figure out is how he was still alive.  So, I took a photo and when I dropped my son off for his weekly Audubon class I showed the photo to a naturalist who told me that what I had was indeed a Mourning Cloak Butterfly.

It all made sense, for weeks I could not answer the questions that people would ask. "You found it as a butterfly? How did it survive the freezing nights? To that I thought, it must have either been released from a butterfly kit or perhaps caught in the wind during migration. None of the above. We had a Mourning Cloak. It was living as nature intended it to live, overwintering and emerging as a first sign that Spring was coming to New England.

The Mourning Cloak is an amazing butterfly, it is one of the first butterflies to appear as the days start to lengthen at the end of the winter, usually several weeks before spring. The reason for this seemingly anomalous behavior is that the Mourning Cloak overwinters as an adult. Amazing.

Even more amazing, The Mourning Cloak is capable of surviving the cold of the winter through "cryo-preservation," a generic term for the various methods used by animals that have not evolved a migratory pattern and must survive temperature extremes. The Mourning Cloak secretes chemicals that act as anti-freeze to prevent ice formation.

Mourning Cloaks live for almost a year, the life cycle begins when the overwintering adults emerge in the spring to mate, the males basking in the sun pending the approach of a female.

So here we are almost one month with our Mourning Cloak friend. With a torn wing and limited flight we watch him enjoy his days in his butterfly sanctuary, we allow him to sun himself on our enclosed porch. We found that offering him water and rotting fruit, time to fly and spread his uneven wings and sticks to climb are making him happy. Sad that he (or she) will not be able to complete his mission in life to reproduce, we can simply just offer our new friend a sanctuary to spend the rest of his days.

Visit a butterfly sanctuary in Massachusetts:
Butterfly Garden at the Museum of Science
The Butterfly Place, Westford, MA
Magic Wings South Deerfield, MA

How to care for injured Butterflies:
Fixing butterfly wings
First aid for butterflies

Butterfly Books
The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies
The Family Butterfly Book
Stokes Butterfly Book: The Complete Guide to Butterfly Gardening, Identification, and Behavior

In crawled a crab!

Our 6-year-old son first met a hermit crab a few years ago when we were on a beach vacation. We went to a hermit crab race, the crabs were offered for purchase after the race. Understanding the hazards of a pet impulse purchase, we took our saddened little boy home with the promise to research hermit crab ownership.

Fast forward. On a beautiful sunny day in September we took our son to a local Town Day. Armed with his well earned allowance money we told him there would be an opportunity to purchase something from the fair. Who would have ever thought there would be hermit crabs for sale.

Happy with the condition of the crabs and after a brief conversation with the vendor we allowed our son to take home his first hermit crab "Pinch Pinch."

Having owned Pinch Pinch for the past couple of months, we are finding hermit crab ownership to be a wonderful window into nature.

We learned very quickly that you must have a proper "crabitat." The starter habitats that often come with a newly purchased hermit crab are not adequate enough to keep a hermit crab alive and are too small. We purchased a 10 gallon tank, temperature and a humidity gage, a day and night heating lamp, timer, repti fogger to help control the humidity, substrate, toys and salt water.

When considering a hermit crab it is important to know:

• hermit crabs need a constant temperature of at least 75°F and a constant humidity level of at least 70% ,
• hermit crabs molt! Ours is currently in a molt and has not surfaced out of his substrate for the past couple of weeks. It is very important to provide adequate substrate for a hermit crab to properly molt and dig,
• chlorine is harmful to hermit crabs. You must use chlorine free water,
• hermit crabs are nocturnal and,
• hermit crabs can live 15 to 30 years in captivity if cared for properly.

I was bothered by the information I read regarding hermit crabs being forced into painted shells for sale. The crab we purchased came in a painted shell. The vendor told us that the shells were hand painted and offered to the crabs to choose. It is interesting to note that our crab quickly chose a natural shell that we offered him once he became settled in his new home. It is important to do your research and find a suitable supplier. You can also find hermit crabs who are up for adoption.

If you are considering a hermit crab there are two wonderful sites that we have been using. Jam packed with information from adopting a hermit crab to the wonders of molting, these two sites are perfect for hermit crab owners.

• www.hermitcrabs.com
• HCA: Hermit Crab Association