Apparently, I am no good at this. I had never seen this before, and I've lived here 8 years.
Hartley is where Ian Aldrich and Jenni Stafford led volunteers from Wildwoods on a nature hike today. Ian developed a well-planned route (including a taste of deep-fried fiddlehead ferns); Jenni provided intense local knowledge. It was a great joy for all involved.
Ian told us that the root cellar was part of a farm that was largely possible only because of poor refrigeration technology; cheap refrigeration makes cheaper, less local veggies possible. For more on the history of the farm and the park, see hartleynature.org/explore/timeline.html.
Critter updates:
We've been busy this morning with taking care of new admits and setting up critter transports! We got a fledgling barred owl from Ginny in Meadowlands, and an injured, very skinny mourning dove from Judith in Barnum.
The barred owl has some neurological issues, and we think he's suffering from some head trauma. After we gave him subcutaneous fluids and pain meds, we offered him food. Wow, was he ever hungry! As part of its neuro issues, he can't stand, though he can move his feet and legs. When stressed, he kept grabbing one leg with the talons of the other foot and repeatedly injuring himself. After consulting with the Raptor Center, we put both his feet in ball bandage dressings, covered with vet wrap. Now he looks like a boxer ready to head into the ring!
Wayne called with a ride for the owlet 6 minutes after I put up the post on FB; a new record!
The mourning dove has an injured wing, and is terribly skinny. She's on her last legs and may not make it, but we're doing our best. She's had subcutaneous fluids as well as a dilute tube feeding of dove food, and some medication for the pain in her wing.
We got a very skinny little brown bat, and are working to get some food and fluids in him. He's starting to get the hang of mealworms, but is very scared of us.
We also got our first ever wild rat. He was hit by a car and has head trauma. He was being pecked at by crows when a kind person saved him. He's in tough shape; not sure whether he'l make it.
The 6 new young raccoons are doing well. The bluebirds, phoebe, and other birds are doing well, and the Franklin groundsquirrels are getting big!
Mixed updates today.
The young wild rat who came in suffering from head trauma yesterday died during the night. The flicker who was mobbed by other birds and suffered grievous injuries also died. RIP
All of the birds are doing well. Click on the bluebird and dove pics to read about what these guys are up to...
The 3 young Franklin ground squirrels are off formula now, and eating rodent chow, clover, mealworms, veggies and fruit. They are so industrious--shredding newspaper and moving it into their nest box! They'll be moving outside to a pre-release enclosure tomorrow.
The skinny little brown bat is being fed by a team of enthusiastic volunteers (wearing gloves, and armed with their rabies pre-exposure vaccines). He's not so scared anymore, and is getting the hang of eating the mealworms we offer him.
The pigeon with burned feet, feathers, and beak, now know as Singe, is in the care of our pigeon and dove expert, and has moved to a spacious, padded cage with a garden view and the company (from a distance) of other recovering pigeons. He's still not able to eat on his own, so gets gentle tube feeds every 2-3 hours. In the meantime, he basks in the glow of the full-spectrum light and enjoys the view. He's never looked happier since his admission.
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wildknits
about 11 years ago[email protected]
about 11 years ago[email protected]
about 11 years ago[email protected]
about 11 years ago