OCTOBER 2023

GET more tips on how to keep your yard safe for wildlife



What do you call a Group of Crows? The Name Might Give you Chills!

There are many strange and interesting collective nouns for birds, but none quite as macabre as a murder of crows. So why such a sinister name? Superstitions and folklore around crows being associated with death could be the cause. In reality crows are extremely social and intelligent birds known for their loud “caw”. So if you see a group of crows, chances are they are not plotting a murder, but communicating with each other. Not to be confused with a conspiracy of Ravens, but that’s another story.

For decades the city of Lawrence, Massachusetts has been home to an incredible annual winter crow roost which starts as a swarm of approximately 2,500 in October, and grows to an impressive 15,000 crows in late January and early February! Watch this four minute documentary which shares beautiful footage of the flight and sound of American and Fish Crows in their annual gathering in Lawrence.

WATCH the Lawrence, MA Winter Crow Roost

Wild Care's Chestnut Tree has a New Home

Our beautiful Chestnut Tree was successfully relocated to the Eastham Town Hall recently to make room for our expansion project. Thank you to Dale Tree Movers & Tree Farm for taking such good care of this beauty! Chestnut Trees grow to an incredible 100 feet, and were nearly wiped out by a fungus called blight. We are so happy we could save it!

Leave the Leaves Alone

Good advice from the Catskill Native Nursery

It's that time of year again - Please consider raking your leaves into a corner of your property, putting them in a compost area or using them as a blanket for your flower beds until spring. Wildlife such as turtles, toads, songbirds, mammals and invertebrates rely on leaf litter for food, shelter and nesting material. Many moth and butterfly caterpillars overwinter in fallen leaves before emerging in spring. Rotting leaves are the food that feed our forests and their decomposition is an important part of our environment. Avoid gas powered leaf blowers as the blasts are strong enough to kill the smallest creatures who use leaves as shelter; plus, raking is good exercise. 

ANIMAL CARE AND RELEASE SPONSORSHIPS

Eastern Screech Owl's Care and Release Sponsored in Honor of Patrick Sekerak

This red morph Eastern Screech Owl was brought to us in late August. It was suffering from a head and wing injury, and was very thin and weak. After wound care and pain management and several weeks of supportive care at Wild Care, this beautiful owl was released! Jennifer Taylor, our Animal Care Coordinator, said it took the owl about .005 seconds to shoot out of his transport box" during the release.

Eastern Screech Owls have three color variations or morphs - red, brown, and gray. They are small in size, comparable to the size of a Robin, usually between 8-10 inches with the male being somewhat smaller than the female.

This owl release was generously sponsored by Kate Sekerak,

in honor of her father Patrick Sekerak. This donation continued the circle

of life for an animal in need.

Hear different owl sounds

Photos: Kerry Reid

It Musk be my Lucky Day!

Musk Turtle Relase Made in Honor of Gabriel Kornbluh

This beautiful Eastern Musk Turtle was found at Bell's Neck with a hook through its upper mandible. Wildlife Rehabilitator Leah Myrbeck removed the hook and fortunately the turtle did not suffer any extensive injuries.

Musk Turtles are one of the smallest North American turtles. They are also referred to as Stinkpots because of an odor they release to keep predators away. Although they are almost completely aquatic, they are poor swimmers preferring to walk along the bottom of lakes and rivers instead. They are even known to climb trees, and have surprised a few people by dropping into boats and canoes from trees above them!

This turtle's care and release was generously sponsored by Peter Kornbluh in honor of his son Gabriel Kornbluh. This donation made

a difference in the life of this beautiful animal so that it could be wild again.

Great Black-backed Gull's Care and Release Sponsored in Memory of Agnes Joan Schobel

This Great Black-backed Gull was rescued in August at the Cow Yard in Chatham. The bird was thin and debilitated. After over a month in our care, the gull recovered and was released back at the Cow Yard. It was nice to watch it fly off to sit on a sandbar with other gulls.

Great Black-backed Gulls are the largest gulls in the world. They are devoted parents, and breeding pairs take turns gathering food and defending the nest for their young.

The care and release was sponsored by Marie Donlan in loving memory of Agnes Joan Schobel. This donation enabled this beautiful bird

to fly free once again.

Southern Flying Squirrel Nicknamed Tony, Flies Free Again. Release in Memory of Tony Ferreira Jr.

This big-eyed beauty Southern Flying Squirrel came to us in August as a tiny orphan, after it was found in the road with 4 deceased siblings. We nicknamed her "Tony". After intensive care and nursing her for many weeks, she was released from her squirrel box. The photo above is her sweet face looking out into her new home.

Southern Flying Squirrels are nocturnal, social animals that live and forage in groups. They actually don’t fly, but glide, and make their homes in deserted woodpecker holes and bird boxes.

The care and release was sponsored

by Marie Donlan in loving memory

of her brother Tony Ferreira Jr.

This donation gave new life

to this adorable little creature.

Here's to Co-Existing by Stephanie Ellis

This 5-day old mouse was brought to us on a paper bowl, rolling around like a little pink and gray ball with legs in the air. It was found in a driveway in Orleans and brought to us by a compassionate person who said, "I need your help!". This young mouse was healthy, but must have been dropped by a mother mouse who was in a hurry. The baby mouse was placed in an incubator and nursed every 2-3 hours for 9 days and is now all grown up and will be released into a wooded area soon.

Now, I realize that most people do not like mice as much as I do. But after all, mice do play important roles in the environment. They exist all around us and are here to stay.

This is the time of year when mice and other "creepy crawlies" start entering homes to retreat from the cold weather. There are many ways to humanely deter mice from your home and other dwellings without poisoning wildlife and their habitats.

For humane rodent control solutions

10 Smith Lane, Eastham, MA 02642 

Email Us I. WildCareCapeCod.org

When in Doubt Please Call Us

508-240-2255

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