We definitely have our share of wonderful moments here in the Wildlife Services Department at VINS. This was honestly one of the most heartwarming of those moments so far this spring.
A young tree swallow came into our care just four days ago after being found disoriented in the road in Weathersfield, VT. At first, she would not beg for food or eat on her own. We started to get a little bit worried. But within just a few days she started begging, eating and taking occasional field trips around the exam room here at VINS when we opened her box.
We decided the time had come to say goodbye.
What made this moment so special, though, was not just seeing a beautiful flight from a former patient. The amazing part was the reception she received once she hit the sky. On the VINS Nature Center campus we have a whole flock of tree swallows raising their own young in the nest boxes we provide. When this young swallow flew from Sara’s hand, she was greeted by the flock and all of them swooped and dove and frolicked through the air in a beautiful display of the swallow family’s agility.
It was a beautiful, heartwarming moment that made all of us say “awe”.
Come visit VINS soon and you may be able to see this amazing young bird flying with her new, adopted family.
It is so nice to see the connection between the work VINS is doing in wildlife rehabilitation and the work VINS is doing to manage the campus and surrounding landscape. Well done all around.
Thanks, Tree! And great post, Lauren!