The Chimney Swifts of Crosby Mansion | | |
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WATCH juvenile Chimney Swifts
being fed at Wild Care. Sound on!
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by Stephanie Ellis
The Crosby Mansion in Brewster is home to Chimney Swifts that roost in 12 of the mansion's chimneys during the Spring and Summer months. This is one of the last known swift roosting locations on Cape Cod. The Friends of Crosby Mansion and Properties Manager Richard Archer are proud of their beloved swifts. It is possible that the swifts have been returning annually for decades to roost at this 149 year old historical mansion.
These amazing birds are endangered migratory birds once abundant, and now unfortunately in decline due to lack of natural nest sites, chimney capping and pesticides. While they nest in North America, they migrate all the way to Peru and locations along the Amazon Basin! Interestingly, Chimney Swifts cannot perch, or even stand on their legs. What they can do is hang. When not hanging they are in flight. All day long the adults fly. They eat on the fly (consuming 1/3 of their weight per day in flying insects). They even get sticks for their nests on the fly, they break the stick off as they fly by!
Visit the grounds of Crosby Mansion at dusk to watch the swifts funnel into the chimneys.
Every year, Wild Care receives orphaned chimney swifts from locations throughout Massachusetts. When timing is right, we release our juvenile swifts at the Crosby Mansion so they can join the flock and head south together during fall migration. The Mansion and its swifts has become an incredibly meaningful location for Wild Care's swift rehabilitation, and an integral conservation site for this important declining species.
If you hear chattering in your chimney, you are a lucky one! Here's how you can help protect swifts, keep your Chimney Swift friendly, and build an artificial "swift chimney": http://www.chimneyswifts.org
| | Fancy Hat Contest Winner Maureen McCarthy | Wild Care Executive Director Stephanie Ellis | Raffle basket winner Susan Ellis | |
Wild Care Staff - Gionet, Leah, Stephanie, Chelsea, Kerry, Eva, and Jennifer
PHOTOS by Lydia Leclair Photography
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Wild Care Celebrates Mother's Day With a Tea Party Fit for a Queen
It was a day fit for a queen at the Wild Care tea party held at the Crosby Mansion on Mother’s Day Weekend. Guests enjoyed a talk about wildlife moms and Chimney Swifts given by Wild Care’s Director, Stephanie Ellis. Tables were spread throughout the elegant first floor rooms of the mansion decorated with vintage tea cups, and beautiful bird themed centerpieces and mantles created for us by Volunteer Carol Wright. Traditional three-tiered trays were filled with vegan sweets and savories from Herbivore Patisserie with tea, jam, and honey donated by Cape & Islands Tea, and Lighthouse Keepers’ Pantry. The Friends of Crosby Mansion gave guests guided tours and spoke about the history of the Brewster architectural treasure. We are so grateful to everyone that was part of this beautiful event that helped raise over $8,000 for Wild Care!
Congratulations to basket winners Susan Ellis and Betty Steele, and grand prize basket winner Christine Butler! There were many beautiful, fancy hats to be seen making selecting just one to win our Fancy Hat Contest a difficult job for Wild Care’s Animal Care Director and Judge Jennifer Taylor. Congratulations to our winner Maureen McCarthy!
Thank you to our event sponsors: The Bird Watcher’s General Store, Cape Cod Bliss Realty, Lisa Holt & Michael Brown, and Judyth and Dan Katz.
Thank you to Lydia Leclair Photography for donating her talent and time taking the most incredible photos of the day!
Thank you to donors: Bay Spirit Tours, Marshside Restaurant, Main Street Wine & Gourmet, Oceanair Himalayan Salt Cave, Ego Essence of Beauty Salon, Sol Spa, Herbivore Patisserie, Beth Cicero, Marie Battista, Carol Wright, Judy Bullard, Cape & Islands Tea, Lighthouse Keepers’ Pantry, Hot Chocolate Sparrow, and Dune Jewelry.
Special thanks to Richard Archer and The Friends of Crosby Mansion volunteers. Thank you to Carol Wright for her creative, elegant decorations. Thank you to our volunteers: Lynn Adams, Thayne Cameron, Alexandra Carroll, Christine Kelly, Alyse Demary, Ally Concra, Judy Bullard, and Steve Carbonaro.
CLICK HERE to see the entire Tea Party photo gallery
Lydia Leclair Photography
Instagram: @lydialeclairphoto
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Wild Care's Jennifer Taylor
Speaks with NPR's Mindy Todd
Mindy Todd, host of NPR’s The Point recently interviewed Wild Care’s Animal Care Director Jennifer Taylor, and The Birdsey Cape Wildlife Center’s CEO Zak Mertz. Listen as they discuss the challenges of wildlife rescue and increased need for education, and wildlife rehabilitative care.
LISTEN HERE
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Turtles are on the Move
Eastern Box Turtles and other turtle species are out and about. Tis the season! Please be mindful when driving. If you see a turtle crossing the road, and it is safe to do so, move the turtle to the side of the road in which it was headed. Do not move turtles to a new location. Many turtles have a very limited territory and will spend most of their lives trying to get back to where they hatched. Finally, it is illegal in the state of MA to keep most species of wild turtles as pets.
WATCH this helpful video
to see how you can help turtles safely cross the road using something we all have in our cars.
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Animals Nest in all Kinds of Places. Follow These Tips to Prevent Orphaned Animals
As we get ready to start the summer season, please watch for nesting animals. If you find a nest of baby mice in your grill, place a small cardboard box in the grill with an entrance hole. Make some peep holes. Put some peanut butter in the box. Mom will do one of two things:
1. She will move her babies to another "safe" place.
2. She will move her babies into the box. You can then cover the entrance hole and peek into the peep holes to confirm they are all inside, then move the mouse family to a safe location in YOUR yard near heavy brush or a stone wall. It works!
A reminder that relocation outside of your yard is illegal in MA. Photo: Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals
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American Legion Orleans
Post #308 Supports Wild Care
With $1,480.00 Donation
The American Legion Post #308 granted Wild Care with a $1,480.00 donation. Legion Officers and Board Members approved this donation in recognition of the great things happening at Wild Care. We are beyond grateful for their recognition and generous donation which will sponsor our upcoming Wildlife Baby Shower which is a free event open to the public. Save the date for our Wildlife Baby Shower June 14th!
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Rabbit nesting
is in full swing!
Last year Wild Care received 240 cottontail rabbits, many of them orphaned and sent home with rabbit specialist volunteer, and licensed wildlife rehabilitator, Kristine Beebe. Wild Care supports Kristine during the spring and summer seasons by providing supplies, and reimbursements for supplies.
Get some helpful advice for
co-existing with backyard bunnies.
| Please click here If you’d like to donate money for bunnies. | | | |
Brewster Shops
Donate to Wild Care
Thank you to ALL who attended the Lemon Tree Village Shops for Brewster in Bloom, and thank you to the participating shops that donated 10% of the days’ proceeds to Wild Care totaling over $800.00.
Participating Shops:
By-the-Bay Designs,
Woodworks Gallery,
Brewster Bird House,
The Village Toy Store ,
La Bodega Boutique,
and West of Ireland
Special thanks to Mark Kielpinski of By-the-Bay Designs for organizing this event, singer, guitarist Derek Dibbern for donating all of his tips from the day, and our wonderful Wild Care volunteer Lynn Adams!
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If you Love Baby Animals, You'll Want to Join the Party
Join the party with Wild Care on Saturday, June 14th as we celebrate all of the precious baby animals cared for at our wildlife rescue clinic. Activities include educational presentations with our Animal Ambassadors, a talk about wildlife dads by Stephanie Ellis, and a look inside our clinic window to see some baby animal patients. There will be children's activities including crafts and games, facepainting and temporary tattoos, refreshments, and the coolest ice cream truck around Good Times Cape Cod will sell ice cream.
Admission to this fun for all ages event is free to attend. Donations appreciated. Guests bringing gifts from Wild Care's Baby Shower Wish List will be entered to win a gift basket filled with surprises from local businesses.
This event is generosly sponsord by
The American Legion Post #308
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Eastham Natural Resources and Americorps Assemble and Place Recepticles in Eastham for Derelict Fishing Gear
Such a great group effort with Eastham Natural Resources & Animal Control Stephanie Sykes, and AmeriCorps Cape Cod! PVC fishing tackle receptacles have been assembled and installed to encourage the proper disposal of derelict recreational fishing gear.
Please #trashyourtackle properly. Derelict recreational fishing gear is deadly to wildlife. When fishing, fish responsibly. Carry a box, heavy gloves, goggles and scissors in your vehicle. If you hook a gull or other bird. Don't cut the line! Reel the bird in, place it into a box, cut the line once the bird is secured, and then contact a wildlife rehabilitator. Never leave fishing gear on the ground, and effort should be made to retrieve gear at all times. You could save a life.
Eastham Locations: Salt Pond (on Town side, not NPS), Hemenway Landing, Bee's River/end of First Encounter Beach, Herring Pond, Great Pond.
Chatham Locations: Mitchell River Bridge, Hardings Beach, Barn Hill Road Town Landing and Strong Island Road Town Landing.
Thank you AmeriCorps Cape Cod for your service members’ skills and support!
Thank you to Wild Care Volunteer Michael Brown for monitoring the Chatham boxes, and Michele Burnat and Lesa Milas for monitoring the Eastham fishing tackle receptacles!
PHOTO by Kerry Reid. Pictured are Stephanie Sykes, and Americorps Volunteers Henry Torpey, Sam Wilmot, Brendan Williamson, Anthony Baez
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Check out our Amazon and Chewy WISH LISTS and donate much
needed supplies to help the animals being cared for at Wild Care.
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