It's beginning to sound like spring. Lots of baby birds peeping excitedly for their next feeding. A sure sign of spring is all the Osprey that are nesting. Chicks are beginning to hatch!

NESTS IN PLACE

Many people may not be aware of our ongoing Osprey advocacy behind the scenes. We work with Eversource to prevent nests, eggs, and chicks from being displaced. We also work with USDA who contacts us when they have a human-Osprey nesting conflict on a homeowners home. In the cases where USDA must remove the nest, Wild Care receives the eggs or chicks.

We strongly believe that more education is needed for homeowners and property owners. Osprey should be discouraged from nesting in undesirable locations such as homes and chimneys, EARLY in the season when nest building first commences. Appropriate deterrents need to be immediately placed to discourage the birds from continued re-nesting attempts. Ideally, nest platforms would be installed in situations like this, to provide Osprey a place to nest so they cease to seek out locations on personal property.

While we would love for all nests to stay in place, we understand that nests on utility poles and chimneys in some cases can cause serious public safety concerns.

We absolutely love these iconic birds. Our hearts are heavy when eggs and chicks are displaced. Know that we are here for them, and will continue to advocate for "nests in place".

Caring for Osprey eggs and chicks, and finding them suitable foster parents in the wild is a time consuming endeavor. Please consider a donation today for our life saving work.

MA Osprey Nest Regulations

Stephanie Ellis,

Executive Director

Orleans Residents Welcome Osprey Back Home

We are delighted to share that the Osprey from Orleans who suffered burns after being entrapped in electrical hardware has made a full recovery after over a month in our care. He was released in Orleans near the location of his nest. The neighborhood residents were there to welcome him back, and excitedly awaited his return. Since his release we’ve received over $1,000 in donations from the wonderful residents of Freeman Lane who have shown love and concern for the bird since it arrived into our care.

Common Loon Released After 20 Days at Wild Care

This gorgeous Common Loon was found stranded in a driveway in West Barnstable. The bird was debilitated, and remained in our care for over 20 days. This beautiful bird made a full recovery and was released.

Common Loons have legs placed far back on their body. This enables them to have strong leg/foot propulsion under water. Common Loons cannot walk or take off from land. They need a running start on water. If you find a loon stranded on dry land, do not put it back in the water. It may have suffered injuries or stranded due to underlying issues. It is best to contact a licensed rehabilitator. Wild Care Helpline: 508-240-2255.

If you would like to sponsor

the care and release of this beauty,

please contact Stephanie.

Rodenticides are Killing Massachusetts Wildlife.

Harvard Law School Submits Petition to End Their Use

Harvard Law School Animal Law and Policy Clinic along with a coalition of Massachusetts residents petitioned the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to immediately suspend the use of anticoagulant rodenticide products that are killing eagles, owls, and other wild animals throughout the Commonwealth. This petition was submitted on behalf of rehabilitators from Cape Ann Wildlife, Newhouse Wildlife Rescue, Save Lexington Wildlife, Friends of Horn Pond, and Save Arlington Wildlife. This is an important step and hopeful news towards stopping the use of these poisons that are killing our wildlife and causing unreasonable adverse effects to the environment.

Wild Care Executive Director Stephanie Ellis plans to speak about rodenticides at Association to Preserve Cape Cod on June 13th.

READ more about this important petition here

Wild Care’s Director Honored as Community Hero by Monomoy

Middle School Students

Wild Care’s Director Stephanie Ellis was selected as a Community Hero by Mrs. Sheppard’s Monomoy Middle School 6th grade students on behalf of Wild Care. A celebration was held at Wychmere Beach Club. The students presented Stephanie with a booklet filled with drawings depicting all of the things they admire about the important work Wild Care does for wildlife. The students define heroism as someone who leads through selflessness, persistence, and compassion when someone is in need of help and inspires others in the community recognizing that heroes are all around us helping to make our community a safe place to live. Such an honor!