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XXV. The Nut House weathers the storm
B: So many exciting things have happened since our last blog! Endless babies continue to arrive, as well as numerous injured adults, and we were out of power for a very touch-and-go 20 hours last week when that big semi-tornado storm hit the DC metro area.
B: We were able to hook up our small, gas-powered generator and run an extension cord back into the house so we could power our refrigerators, freezers and most of our heating pads. I can see now why wildlife rehabilitation is a relatively new science: some things just cannot be accomplished without the benefit of electricity. But onto newer things, such as new babies. We have added several more species to our baby bird brood, including House wrens, Baltimore orioles, Brown-headed cowbirds, Grey catbirds, Chipping sparrows and Northern flickers.
A: We also have two baby American Crows (as well as an adult Fish Crow) who are just adorable- I just love their "waa, waa, waa"s. Everyone is getting fed once an hour at this time, but thankfully, our older babies are now on an even-hourly schedule. Other new babies include the usual array of squirrels, raccoons, opossums and bunnies. All of whom, we've had quite enough of, thank you.
B: Try telling that to all those females out there that insist on breeding, birthing and losing their babies. I honestly believe that is why we are still getting random baby squirrels: we have mom's first litter and she decided to try again. *sigh* We have been able to transfer a great many of our raccoons, which is good for us since Montgomery County is pluck full of them. When we transfer a dozen or so raccoons, we open up our cages to the continuing demand from our local suburbanites.
A: In other new-patient news- we have received a couple of new owls; the larger is a Great Horned and the smaller and Eastern Screech. Both were hit by cars, both have eye issues and both are magnificent. We have high hopes for the Screech, who must suffer through another ten days of eye meds but can then go into an outdoor cage. The Great Horned's fate is still murky as she is suffering from painful injuries similar to whiplash as well as a concussion. We are treating her with anti-inflammatories, force-feedings and eye meds. Everyone keep your fingers crossed!
B: Another new patient is an adult Killdeer, a bird of the plover family that resides in fields and marshes instead of beaches. This bird came in with a leg fractured above the knee, which is now splinted. Named for their call ("killdeer! killdeer!"), these smart-looking brown and white birds are extremely fragile in captivity. Since our patient is in a mesh cage made from shade cloth (which provides security while protecting the wing and tail feathers) which is in our upstairs Quiet Room, we expect a full recovery.
A: Reptiles have been on the move lately (it's nesting and laying season for our native turtles) and we've received a number of turtles that have been found on the road. We find that a number of the turtles we receive calls and visits about do not need to be brought in- they just need a helping hand. If you see a turtle on the road, check it over to look for any cuts or damage to its shell. If the animal is injured, by all means take it to a rehabilitator. If she appears unharmed and is bright-eyed and alert, take her to the side of the road she is trying to get to and release her. Turtles are extremely particular about where they nest and nothing will deter them (not you, not the road, not that sedan) from their intended site. If you try to second-guess her by relocating her, you may be risking her life as she will wander indefinitely in search of her original destination.
B: As put-upon as we may seem, there is a silver lining to the summer season: summer interns. Every summer, SCWC opens its doors to six college students interested in learning about wildlife rehabilitation as it applies to their major, which generally include biology, pre-vet, wildlife management and ecology. Though we may work them harder than any job they have ever had, they gain valuable insight to the ins-and-outs of wildlife rehab as well as more Maryland species natural history than they could possibly imagine (or want). College interns help us get through the busiest time of the year, as they work at the Center five days a week; our average volunteer will work for one four-hour shift a week. But then, it is the volunteers that support us year-round while the interns depart once school starts again in September.
A: We are so grateful to all the wonderful, committed people to supply the man-hours required to run an operation the size of Second Chance Wildlife Center (www.scwc.org). And now, dear readers, we must leave you to once again feed endless mouths and soothe endless hurts.
B: Yes, I hear the beckoning calls of five raccoons, six squirrels, two of the most adorable opossums, and what seems like several hundred baby birds. TTFN.
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