Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter

Year End 2011

2012-01-31T03:46:00.004-05:00

378 birds came to the Sea Biscuit last year. Of the birds who were treated, a whopping 45% were released. Many had injuries that made them non releasable and they were transferred to educational facilities. Sadly, many were unable to be helped at all.
Of the total number,115 of them came from Oak Island and another 59 from the Southport area. 50 pelicans, 49 gulls and other beach birds outnumbered the 34 hawks and owls

Winterizing Update!

2012-01-02T06:39:00.004-05:00

Ray Barham, with Scott and Duane, spent a day and a half installing the new roof and trapdoor for the final new bedroom for the big birds. New heaters are installed and fresh sand will be added soon. The birds hop right in and out when fish is offered!

Four out, two in!

2011-12-22T20:33:00.002-05:00

TOM SHILSON drove 2 hours down to Buck Hall in So. Carolina to release 4 pelicans this morning. They needed to be further south at this time of year. All were hatch year birds recovered from their fish hook injuries. If released here, they would likely get frostbite with the first cold snap!
On his return, two new birds arrived. One was a very skinny hatch year gannet from Ocean Isle and the other is an adult loon from Sunset Beach. These birds are migrating through the southeast and not common to the region. So, I still need lots of fresh fish!

Heat for the Pelicans

2011-12-11T15:31:00.002-05:00

The St.James Service Club just gave us a grant to winterize the 16' back pen. Home Depot in Shallotte is donating materials for the new roof construction so the days of moving birds morning and night are coming to a close. They'll go through a special door to swim and enjoy the sun each morning but return to the heated pen at dusk.
This will definitely improve their environment and shorten the time they spend in rehab.It's interesting to note that the 2 most recent banded pelicans came from Virginia and Cape Hateras! Pelicans DO migrate!

TIS THE SEASON

2011-12-06T11:51:00.005-05:00

Rehabbers try to find homes for animals that can't be released. Bob the kestral is one of the lucky ones. He has a new home in Littleton, Mass. at a facility called Windows on Wildlife where he teaches youngsters about raptors. Dawn Olmstead is a talented and big hearted local artist who created this stunning portrait of Bob, now called Ranger. It can be seen at the Oak Island Recreation Center and is being raffled off on Jan 31,2012. $1 per chance or 6 for $5 at the Rec Center or send a check to SBWS at 1638 E. Beach Dr., Oak Island, NC 28465

2011-11-22T20:35:00.003-05:00

GIVING THANKS

On behalf of the over 300 birds that were treated here at the shelter we’d like to recognize those who make it happen….we appreciate every single one of you!

Friends David & Penny Conners, Margaret Delbridge, John Ennis, Nancy Hahn, Michael & Wendy Hicks, Carolyn Pryor, Peggy Rowan, Edwin & Wanda Turlington, Arlene Van Sallsbury, Marcia Wentworth

Sponsors Ave Armstrong, Brenda Behr, Cynthia Corcoran, Elizabeth P Flint, Ellen Huffman-Zechman, MD, Donald & Sharon Irons, Sherryl Janosko, Donna Jansen, Little Lambs Preschool, Cary Paynter, Jeanne Provencher, Cornelia C Rogers, Gretchen Schramm, Judith Scott, Arthur & Linda Seifert, Aileen Wu Viorel.

Patrons Jane Boyce, Ruby Calhoun, Ginger DeLario, Shep & Pete Foley, Nancy Gillen, Amanda Hall, Carol Hasty, Miles & Megan Highsmith, Herb & Laura Grosch Jackson, Thomas Kuzenko, Elizabeth Lytton, Jo O’Keefe, David Scanlon, Cathy Skipper,

Corporate Oak Island Beach Preservation Society, Hat Creek Cattle (Richard &Roseanne Fortner), PawsAbility, Cape Fear Audubon Society, Hope From Helen, Oak Island Lions Club

Dave Schade, Joe Dorner, Sandra Palmer, Steve Edwards, Fred Foster and the Wounded Warriors spent many hours installing wiring and a well. Nick Rouns and his family, Chris Atack and his family built bird housing and installed flooring in the new shed.

Those who donated goods, services and talent Martyn Hawkins, Naomi & Bob Martin, Carolyn Pryor, Gary Saxon, Mary McDaniel, Dawn Olmstead, Jenny Peterson, Rick & Dinah Rucker, David & Catherine Smith, Ruth Snarr, Jim Stoddard, Jack & Emily Wallace, Clarence Wishart, Marty & Linda Wright, Ellen Zechman, Tammi Smith and Gary Green

Volunteers Hours of Service in Clinic, Transport and Fishing! Diane Butzin, Linda Carver, Anne Corrao, Warren Crane, Nancy Fahey, Jim and Karen Freeze, Nancy Gillen, Andrew Gould, Gus Grosch, Carol Hasty, Jane Kulesza, Erin Kirley, Janet Kurz, Micah Kurzer, Naomi Martin, Amelia Mason, Barbara McLane, Jack Nelson, Greg and Lydia Rowan, Michelle Rowan

We are especially grateful for the donated services of Dr. Alyssa Travis of River Rd Animal Hospital and to Dr. Flint King of Oak Island Animal Hospital.

Clydes Rescue Team

2011-10-30T11:47:00.005-04:00

Juvenile pelicans often find fishing bait very appealing! This poor youngster was entangled in a mackerel rig with 3 treble hooks, wire leader and heavy weights. It took Jack and Dot Moore about 3 hours to find and capture him. On arrival at the Sea Biscuit, clinic volunteer Michelle Rowan removed the tackle, cleaned and bandaged his wounds. It was Michelles last day in NC and she now resides in Dallas. The next day, Dr. Travis at River Rd. Animal Hospital stitched up the deep lacerations in his neck and provided the antibiotics to insure his recovery. It was a great teamwork effort!
Jim Stoddard has taken it upon himself to print up some super T Shirts and Hoodies with a special Sea Biscuit photo and "GOT FISH?" logo. They can be purchased for $15 and $25 at the Duck, Duck, Goose shop in Southport. Profits are donated to the shelter.

Owl PT

2011-09-06T06:58:00.003-04:00

This hatch year great horned owl just arrived. Dr. Travis found shot pellets in his wing and a fractured ulna. Since he is so young, there is a good chance that he'll recover well. While the bone heals, his wing will be exercised frequently so it stays flexible and the muscles continue to improve. Volunteer Nancy Gillen gently restrains him as the wing is stretched.

EAGLE AIDS SHELTER

2011-08-06T02:50:00.005-04:00

A shed was added to the shelter last year but there was nothing but dirt beneath it. Eagle Scout candidate Nick Rouns planned his project. He organized a work crew, measured, scraped out dirt, replaced it with a stone base, hauled pavers and installed a great floor. Dad Tim Rouns, Mom Linda and other eagle scouts worked in 90 degree heat for many hours. The surface is perfect for the heavy use it gets and looks great too!

It Takes a Village

2011-08-06T02:41:00.003-04:00

Lots of water is used at the Shelter. It became apparent that a well was needed to avoid the high cost of town water. Turned down for grants, the Shelter was very pleased to have other non profit groups come to the rescue. The Wounded Warriors dug the well last month and The Cape Fear Audubon Society donated money for the electrical and pump connections.
Sandra Palmer of Lowes Home Improvements raised money for the fittings and fixtures.
David Schade of Delta Properties and Joe Dorner spent hours doing the wiring for the well and for much needed electrical fixtures.
A donated pump was reconditioned by Steve Edwards and installed by Fred Foster but the water is not usable! Any well experts out there who might want to help us out?

EAGLE BOXES

2011-05-17T09:43:00.003-04:00

Chris Atack of Oak Island needed a project to attain Eagle Scout status. The project had to include elements of organization, perseverance, leadership and learning new skills. To his credit, he was not easily discouraged. He created a really useful new habitat for the small birds. They need room for flying and a perch. It also must be open to the elements and light weight for easy moving and cleaning. He organized a working group and spent a lot of hours building these great cedar flight cubes. Every one of them is currently in use!

Carolina Country

2011-05-01T20:21:00.004-04:00

Carolina Country Magazine of electric coops sent Hannah Miller to the Sea Biscuit to do an article. Not only is Hannah a talented writer, she took these great photos of Michelle Rowan and myself while we moved pelicans from cage to cage.

CYCLOPS AND FURBY

2011-03-21T04:03:00.002-04:00

An adult Great Horned owl arrived for treatment of it's injured eye. The eye can not be repaired. Recovery was quick but the outlook for "Cyclops" was not good. He keeps his head at an awkward angle to compensate for the loss of the eye. His flying ability is also impaired. His mission became clear when an orphaned Great Horned Owl arrived...all fuzzy down and wide eyed curiosity. At this critical pre flight stage, the youngster could easily be imprinted and needed a foster parent. After 2 days when they spent time in face to face kennels, they were put together in an outside enclosure. Cyclops is showing Furby how to grab his food and hiss and clack at potential predators. This is wonderful for Furby's future release to the wild.

COLD WEATHER

2011-02-05T13:31:00.002-05:00

Our facilities are not designed for keeping a lot of big birds inside. We can accomodate about 20-25 indoors if necessary. Bob and Naomi Martin took it upon themselves to provide a kerosene heater and the heavy duty plastic to enable the pelicans and vulture to stay outdoors on chilly nights. They and donor Martyn Hawkins also purchased a lot of fuel.
It costs roughly $4 per night to keep them warm when the temperature drops below 40. When it is under 30 degrees, they must come inside. The power bills are doubling. The water bills are tripling due to the recent installation of sewer lines. So, the Sea Biscuit needs more donations to cover the added costs. If you can help out with a check, it will be greatly appreciated.

TWITCH!

2010-12-22T07:25:00.003-05:00

Last year a young pelican came to us from Possumwood Acres near Jacksonville, NC. Nicknamed Twitch by volunteer Lee Eskey, who brought him to us, he recovered quickly. Lee released Twitch near his home on the ICW and provided food for him for a short time afterwards.Lee and his wife Bonnie grabbed a camera recently when they spotted their old friend out on their deck!

Take two, get one free!

2010-11-10T07:22:00.005-05:00

Volunteers Gus and Jane brought two pelicans down to So. Carolina for a release at Murrels inlet. Both youngsters had been fish hooked and injured by monofilament line. Since they missed the migration, they went 100 miles by car instead. Gus and Jane also released a rehabbed Coopers Hawk in a wooded area nearby. He took off like a shot! Maybe he didn't like driving with pelicans.

Osprey Adventure

2010-10-15T14:32:00.003-04:00

A young osprey managed to grab a bait fish on a king mackerel rig. He flew to a pine treee, ate his catch but got hung up! The three treble hooks were lodged in his side, wing and foot. There was at least 15 ft of line and wire wrapped around his legs and wings. It caught on a tree limb over the Davis Canal and was weighted down by 2 large sinkers. Charlie Thompson happened to stroll by, saw the unfortunate bird and called police. OIPD called the shelter and another call was made to Gus Grosch. He grabbed his canoe and paddled with Mary Ellen to the other side of the Canal where the hanging osprey flailed and flapped. Just as the sun set, the tree limb broke...dropping an ornery osprey into the water - hook, line and sinkers. Back at the dock, Fred Foster clipped the barbs from the hooks enabling the bird to be free of his fishing line.

Three releases on Aug. 29

2010-08-30T21:49:00.003-04:00

First the Great Blue Heron that was entangled in a Winnabow fence 2 months ago was able to join other herons and egrets at the marsh on Oak Island.

Second, a beautiful Coopers Hawk, stunned after a window strike, was returned to his home territory after only 2 weeks rehab.

This Barred Owl from Lumberton made a speedy recovery also and was released by volunteer Naomi Martin who originally drove to transport him.

2010-05-25T02:51:00.001-04:00

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION FOR 2010
Many thanks to:
Jane Kulesza – for writing grant applications and being a garden tour guide, providing greens for the ducklings, balancing the budget
Gus Grosch for taking photos, for writing the newsletter, making note cards and watermarked paper and lots of other stuff.
George Kuester for finding the pump and making it work, repairing the hose and the wiring and fixing the fence gate.
Diane Butzin for keeping the records straight, designing the banner, and making the displays for special events
Dr. Ali Travis who has been there for every injured bird I bring her. She Xrays, diagnoses, treats and uses the best new tools like laser therapy for these non profit patients.
Dr. Flint King has painlessly ended the suffering birds that are beyond help.
TRANSPORTERS:
Anne Corrao, Carol Hasty, Barbara McLane, Lisa Weller, Tammi Smith, Sharon Stockholm, Tom Shilson, Nancy Fahey, Jennifer Metzler-Fiorino
CLINIC STAFFERS:
Amy Williams. Heidi Kuester, Warren Crane, Dinah and Rick Rucker, Janet Kurz and Rookie of the Year - Jack Nelson.
UNSUNG HEROS:
Willy Drey – partner for Ann Corrao – picks up, drops off, takes messages
Mike Hasty – (Carols husband) runs to the ferry landing with rescued birds

2010 Open House

2010-05-25T02:42:00.004-04:00

Donations of $500 were received from:
Hope From Helen Foundation
Sally Buchanan
Holden Beach Turtle Watch
Oak Island Beautification Club
Donations of $100 came from:
Joyce Baldwin, Jane Kulesza, Pricey Harrison, Kelly Carnahan, Rachel Kurzer Givens, Reg Brown, Ken and Irene Hoffman, Joanne & Kenneth Underwood, Linda & Marty Wright, Cape Fear Audubon, Amanda Hall.
Donations of cash and/or supplies came from
Diane Butzin, Rick and Dinah Rucker, Sandy Mitchell, Nancy Hahn, George and Heidi Kuester, Sandra Lockner, Jack and Dot Moore, Gary Deorsch, Dawn Olmstead and Jim Fowler
Other financial supporters include:
Jenny Kurzer, Lee and Bonnie Eskey, Lynn Outlaw, Cape Fear Garden Club, Lelia Gore, Possumwood/Toni O’Neil, Jennifer Metzler-Fiorino, Nancy Hahn, Dennis Frazier, Elizabeth Kurzer, Richard & Edith Edwards, Deborah Fosbury, Adele McLaughlin, Sherry Bergman, Allison Benton, Jane Suits, Caroline Frazer, Dick Harris and Norma Queen, Linda Huff, David Gilmore, Bonnie and Craig Thomas, Thomas Kuzenko, Warren & Marcia Wentworth, Beverly Guerre, Charles and Holly Horner, Linda Seifert, John Ennis, Penny Chestnut, Barbara Stokes, Frances Messick, Southport Womens Club, Amanda Hall

The New Peli Pond

2010-04-06T12:44:00.003-04:00

Jane Kulesza prepared an application for a Brunswick Electric Grant. It was speedily approved and construction began as soon as their check went into the bank. Gus Grosch was the first volunteer on the scene and stayed right through to the finish. Lisa Stites, the State Port Pilot reporter brought along her husband and son. Little did they know that they were volunteers too. Jack Nelson and the McDade family all shoveled sand, pushed, pulled, stapled, rolled and unrolled and it was basically finished the next day at noon. Trevor Holmes owns The Natural State Landscapers. He designed the pond so the pelicans can walk into the water. As many as six can share the space to float around. It's easy to clean and the new sand substrate is much better for the birds than the grass they had before.

Owl Odyssey

2010-02-27T20:50:00.006-05:00

A roofer who drove 4 hours from Charlotte, NC to Southport, NC was quite startled last week. An uninvited guest had moved into his truckbox! After 4 days of "lockdown" the equally surprised Barred Owl was VERY hungry and thirsty. In less than a week, the owl had gained enough to be released. It's not known if the bird returned to Charlotte or just decided to make the coastal region it's new home.

BRRRRR!

2010-02-13T21:39:00.006-05:00

Chilly nights mean that ALL the birds come indoors. Sometimes they would rather not stay in their kennels and playpens. Though chaotic and sometimes messy, they like spreading their wings in the clinic where it is almost always comfortable.

CONTACT US!

2010-02-04T19:51:00.001-05:00

email us at :
seabiscuitshelter@yahoo.com
phone 910-278-7871

Newest Sentinel

2010-02-02T16:01:00.001-05:00

Newsletter Link:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/25031377/Sea-Biscuit-Wildlife-Shelter-Newsletter-Dec-2009

2010-01-01T07:20:00.005-05:00

Who's injuring the pelicans?

These young pelicans are two of a dozen received with broken wings from Oak Island area beaches. The wing wrap is in place to keep them stable. They get painkillers and fish while awaiting euthanasia. The splintered, shattered bones cannot be repaired and hopefully the individual responsible will stop. Pelicans are harmless, helpless birds that symbolize our beaches

Eyes bigger than his throat!

2010-01-01T07:14:00.003-05:00

Joshua Bruce and transport volunteer Anne Corrao hold a mature pelican from Carolina Beach just after she was relieved of the large fish lodged in her throat. After some suitably sized fish, she'll be released.

Remarkable Raptors

2009-11-16T20:18:00.007-05:00

This beauty was photographed by Gus Grosch, the official picture taker of the Sea Biscuit Shelter.

The Red Tailed Hawk, was found roadside by Sam Melville on November 11, 09. One of her wing bones was broken. "Red" is scheduled to be the first 2010 release. Rick and Dinah Rucker will transport her back to Sam and Ranger Toby at the State Park.

First Responders

2009-10-16T20:35:00.003-04:00

This group of people are the unsung heroes of the Shelter. From left: Randy and Lisa Weller handle the Ocean Isle Beach area. Mary Lynne Meissner transports injured birds found near St. James. Diane Butzin transports Oak Island birds and serves as Board Member at the Shelter. Janet Kurz works in the clinic and does transport too. Barbara McLane captures and transports birds from the Sunset Beach area. Carol Hasty (in foreground) captures birds at Carolina Beach. Mary Ellen Rogers is transport coordinator. Jane Kulesza serves as Board Member and transports Oak Island birds. Nancy Fahey captures and transports Wrightsville Beach birds. Anne Corrao cares for the birds found on Kure Beach and Ft. Fisher. The Goose is a recent patient

Osprey Rescue

2009-10-15T23:13:00.010-04:00

Oak Island has 3 resident ospreys. Two are youngsters and not real sure how they are supposed to catch fish. There is a fishing tournament going on. A King Mackerel Tournament requires the fishermen to use large, live baitfish on two treble hook rigs - one above the other on a wire leader line. The wire line can hold an 80 pound fish. The live baitfish swims on the surface to lure the mackerel
Evidently, this 'teenage' raptor decided that the baitfish looked mighty good to him. He swooped down, grabbed the fish with his 2 inch talons and took off. The fisherman cut the monofilament line (and his rig) and the bird flew away.
The bird attempted to perch in a big pine tree over the Intracoastal Waterway to enjoy his catch. The wire leader tangled in the branches 40' over the waters surface. The branches were thin, flimsy sticks attached to a huge tree on the bank.. a slippery 20 foot cliff. The first branch was 20 feet off the cliff.
A child reported to her dad that a big bird was hanging like a bat from this big tree....10 phone calls later, Mary Ellen, with net and gloves and advice and determination called EMS volunteers Niki and Thomas Cutler. They called assistant fire chief Danny Kiser. Danny called Captain Bobby Carmon who brought a long pole designed to move high power lines. The local dog catcher contributed ropes and a telescoping branch trimmer. After calls to a hook and ladder truck requesting search lights and duct tape to attach the tree trimmer to the power line pole, the bird was finally in hand.
NO serious damage done...lots of superficial puncture wounds to legs and feet... lots of monofilament line wrapped around his wings and legs. After the obligatory photo session with his rescuers, the osprey came to the Sea Biscuit, got a tummy full of pedialyte and a pain killer. He was put in a kennel with a heating pad under it and a towel over it. His wounds were cleaned and bandaged in the morning. He should make a full recovery. On Sunday morning, the osprey was ready for release. Two bald eagles witnessed the release.

July 2009 Newsletter Link

2009-08-23T07:39:00.001-04:00

Here is the July 2009 Sea Biscuit Sentinel.

Special Species

2009-08-11T03:13:00.005-04:00

A young Sanderling, Great Egret and American Bittern are recent and beautiful arrivals at the shelter. Photos by Gus Grosch show them in their best poses.

2009-08-11T02:52:00.003-04:00

Last February we were contacted by Justin McDade. He wanted to make something for the shelter as a school project. After several visits and lots of help from his mother, Suzanne, he completed 3 specially designed flight cages. They allow the tiny birds to hang in the trees or big enclosures while they heal or grow up. They are small enough to bring inside in bad weather. Suzanne and Justin also added framing and some hardware to the newest of the flight enclosures. His school project became a big addition to our facility!

2009-04-11T19:25:00.003-04:00

CHAPTER TWO

Frosty was originally at the shelter for treatment of her frostbitten feet. Barbara McLain and Carmel Zetts rescued her on Ocean Isle beach. After 6 weeks of rehab and the loss of webbing and toe nails, she was released at Lockwood Folly Inlet. A week later, Jeff Harms from the Bald Head Island Conservancy picked her up. She had somehow managed to break her beak...probably by diving into shallow water with a hard bottom for her lunch. With orthodontic screws and wire attached by Dr. Travis, she's on the mend - again!

Little Woodys

2009-04-05T17:06:00.002-04:00

4 orphaned wood ducks from the Lumberton State Park arrived on Thursday. Weighing under 25 grams each, they must be less than a few days old. With a heating pad, mealworms, crickets and chopped spinach, they seem to be doing well. Many thanks to Jennifer Gordon at Carolina Waterfowl in Charlotte for her 'just ducky' advice

Sea Biscuit Sentinel

2009-03-18T19:46:00.004-04:00

FIRST newsletter out!
Gus Grosch managed the photos and wrote a lot of the text along with Diane Butzin in the first of the quarterly newsletters that keep donors and volunteers up to date on activities at the shelter. Check it out by clicking on the link below and then on the Sea Biscuit Newsletter title in blue.

http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/10165115/2lqzgf0aejdx39hu2qo7

Chilly Challenge

2009-01-15T02:08:00.003-05:00

When juvenile pelicans get handouts from well meaning fishermen, they resist the urge to migrate. These two are almost ready for release but need to stay warm to ward off frostbite. Not a bad way to spend cold nights! Fresh fish delivered twice a day and a roof over their heads at the Sea Biscuit Bed and Breakfast.

2008 Summary

2009-01-12T20:46:00.002-05:00

248 birds were admitted to the Shelter in 2008. 40 of them were pelicans, 24 were gulls and an overwhelming majority (106) were from Oak Island. They came from as far away as Little River, SC and Whiteville, NC. More than 60 species were represented....from a tiny hummingbird to a tall great blue heron. Rescuers and transporters did a great job in saving their lives. More than 50 arrived dead or died very shortly after but many more survived. The ones that made it through an average of 17 days in care were eventually released to the wild.

Thought balloon!

2008-11-30T13:34:00.003-05:00

This poor pelican is getting his wing cleaned and bandaged on a picnic table. He was captured with another pelican entangled in fishing line by Kim Gallup on Oak Island. The other pelican drowned by the time she arrived. The sign in the background seems to say what this bird is thinking about his exam. Photo by Gus Grosch of son Perry helping Mary Ellen.

Build it and they will come

2008-10-05T16:56:00.006-04:00

This injured falcon is a recent arrival.

The young female American Kestrel is the first bird to use the new small bird flight enclosure. Made possible by a grant from the Brunswick County Unrestricted Endowment, a component fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation, this pen is designed for the little guys who need to spread their wings prior to release. Brook Russell spent many hours on the framing and we are very grateful for his time and expertise. Perry and Gus Grosch stapled on the screening so it could be in use today! A few finishing touches, some gravel flooring and exterior plantings will complete the structure.

MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS

2008-08-25T03:39:00.003-04:00

The Hope From Helen Foundation, Holden Beach Turtle Watch and John Ennis made significant donations to the Sea Biscuit Shelter. Recent additions were made including a FOOD PREP AREA in the clinic with stainless sink, countertop and storage cabinets. More obvious is the HOT TUB that the larger waterbirds seem to enjoy. Dede Warren and Reg Brown were instrumental in getting it here from Charleston. Many thanks to all of you!

FUN RAISING AT THE FOOD LION!

2008-07-08T06:02:00.004-04:00

Wes and Sam show off their attention getting expertise. They created a 'Bills for Birds' poster and spent a good portion of their holiday at the Oak Island Food Lion. Shoppers responded well to the candy and finger puppets. Visors became bird beaks and community awareness was generated by the young supporters from Virginia. The boys were visiting grandparents (and Sea Biscuit patrons) Diane and Lee Butzin. Many thanks to parents Wendy and Jim for their super idea for the super market. Diane Butzin put together the photos with descriptions of shelter patients so the donating shoppers can see what their money is doing.

ANDREW & THE GOSLING

2008-06-25T03:17:00.002-04:00

Gary and Kathy Wrenn brought this baby goose to us just over a month ago when it was a ball of fluff. Somehow it got dropped into the middle of a field that was being mowed! Though it still hasn't learned to fly, it has adapted well to life at the shelter. Visiting grandson, Andrew Bruce has been feeding and caring for the birds and couldn't resist giving this one a hug!

2008-06-10T21:13:00.003-04:00

TOO CUTE!

The baby eastern screech owl was found by Teddy Bullard near Grissetown last month. Transport volunteer Marie Magill drove up to get it. It was placed close to and then in the same cage with an adult owl. The adult is very protective of the wide eyed newcomer and is a role model for it. The adult is not releasable due to an eye injury but the baby should be able to return to the wild.

Photo by Gus Grosch

ORPHAN SEASON

2008-05-08T05:48:00.003-04:00

New arrivals aren't always identifiable! They are pretty cute and often hungry. The baby owl has been sent to a raptor center for hunting and flight training school. As soon as we can figure out what the other guys are, we'll give them the appropriate environment too. At this stage of their lives, we can keep them warm and clean. They get a nutritious diet with added vitamins and calcium several times a day.
Photos by Gus Grosch.

Hawk Release

2008-03-22T11:58:00.002-04:00

After 3 months of being cooped up to recover from wing and leg injuries, this Red Tailed Hawk showed a group from the Audubon Society how well he could fly. John Ennis led the bird watchers at Brunswick Town. George Emery took this photo.

BYE BYE Birdies!

2008-03-01T14:02:00.003-05:00

Pat Hawkins saw Pete Pelican on the beach early in January. His feet were swollen, pink and obviously sore...FROSTBITE! Soaking in Epsom Salts and taking pain meds didn't do much for him. Finally his condition started to improve. He's walking on stumps these days. But he flies very well, fishes well and has a very aggressive style. Cassie was ready for her freedom about the same time so they were released together on March 1st.