Late Bloomers
by Calah BeckwithLead Wildlife KeeperWith cool temperatures and changing leaves, it feels as though summer has been over for a while now. Birds have been gathering in mixed-species flocks and foraging relentlessly in preparation for migration. Baby birds are all grown up and fending for themselves…..or are they?VINS rehabbers are playing parent to two very…
Red-tail Retirement
by Calah BeckwithLead Wildlife KeeperWhen we say we provide a life-long home for raptors with disabilities, we really mean it. A good number of our raptors have been with us for more than 20 years, and the high-quality habitat, health care, and diet we provide ensures that many of these birds will double or even…
VINS Incredible Insect Festival
Naturalist Photographer Sam Jaffe Alyssa MacLeodVINS InternWhat a perfect saturday in August – learning all about the wonderful world of insects at VINS. The Incredible Insect Festival on August 2 was a smash hit bringing out a total of 349 visitors. All day visitors were able to browse the large caterpillar collection of Sam Jaffe,…
Empty Nest Syndrome
Nestling American Robin (1) and Cedar Waxwings (4) by Katharine BrittonVINS Volunteer I’m feeling the pang of an empty nest. Not because of a last child about to fly off to college or into her own first home. No, these are actual empty nests I’m grieving. Real nests. Real birds. For the past three months…
Something to Crow About
by Brittany Redelico Wildlife Services Intern photo by Sara Eisenhauer Remember the nestling American Crow we had in our care earlier this summer? Well, I am happy to report that this (not so) little crow has moved on to bigger and better things. When admitting a young crow (or corvid or raptor) at a rehabilitation…
Bye-bye, Bittern
by Alyssa Womer Wildlife Services Intern What did you do this past fourth of July? Have a barbeque with friends and family? Set off some fireworks? Whatever you did, I’m sure you enjoyed your holiday more than the American Bittern recently released from our care here at VINS. On July 6th, a member of the…
Phantom of the Forest
by Sara Eisenhauer Wildlife Services Manager VINS Wildlife Services Dept received a mystery bird earlier this month. When the patient arrived, we knew right away that it was a baby raptor – it had a sharp curved tip to its beak, and very sharp talons – but what species of raptor?? Here in our rehab…
A Rosie Result
by Calah BeckwithWildlife KeeperRemember the Hairy Woodpecker who needed some VINS TLC after hitting a window? Well, unfortunately, that’s an all too common cause of admission for avian rehab patients. Striking a window at full speed can cause bone fractures, head or spinal trauma, internal bleeding, and often death. We recently admitted a male Rose-breasted…
Patriotic Patient
by Calah BeckwithWildlife KeeperIt’s not a Bald Eagle or even a wild turkey (Benjamin Franklin’s legendary choice for our national symbol). Today, America’s Independence Day, we received into our care a female American Kestrel nestling. Though she still has a good bit of fluff, this tyke is already sporting some red, white, and blue. This little…
Can You Handle the Cuteness?
Baby bird season is in full swing here at VINS, and we are busy, busy! Though taking care of the little ones is a lot of work, it is definitely the most rewarding season for us. I wanted to share some of the adorable babies we have the privilege of working with every day –…
