SEPTEMBER 2023

 

The last days of summer are here and friends and family are heading back home after enjoying the sun and surf of another Cape Cod summer. As you take in the quiet time and cooler temperatures remember that now is the time to prevent a different type of houseguest from spending the winter with you. A little preventative work now will go a long way towards stopping animals from making your home their winter nesting place. Go around the foundation of your home and seal up any large spaces filling any smaller spots with steel wool, and eliminate food sources that may attract rodents. I can’t stress enough the harmful impact rodenticides have. There are alternative methods.


I recently wrote an article for Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch for their Fall newsletter titled, “Poison is Never the Answer”. The article details the harmful impacts of rodenticides on wildlife, answering questions about what rodenticides are and how they work, why using them is a threat to many other animals including domestic animals and children, and offers solutions using safe and effective alternative methods to control rodent populations.


Thank you for caring about all of our wild creatures.


Stephanie Ellis

Executive Director

READ "Poison is Never the Answer"

More humane rodent control solutions



UPCOMING COMMUNITY OUTREACH


Wild Care’s Stephanie Ellis to Speak About Endangered Species in Local Habitats


Wild Care’s Executive Director Stephanie Ellis will be the Keynote Speaker for the Friends of Herring River Annual Meeting on Wednesday, September 27th, 5pm at the Chequesset Yacht and Country Club in Wellfleet. Stephanie's presentation is titled “Endangered Species in Local Habitats”. All are welcome!

Meet Up Up, Wild Care’s Eastern Screech Owl at Wellfleet Mass Audubon’s Flocktoberfest


Wild Care’s Animal Ambassador Eastern Screech Owl Up Up will be at Wellfleet Mass Audubon’s “Flocktoberfest” on Saturday, October 21st from 1-2pm. Wild Care will have merchandise, information, and a fun children’s owl craft at the event from 11am til 2pm. There will be lots of fun ongoing activites, a food truck, beer vendor, live music, and more!


GET all the details here

 
 

Look at me Now!


This Eastern Screech Owl has come a long way from his before photo! He was found in Orleans in poor condition, very thin, with an injury to his wing. With wound care and pain management, he is eating well, and looking quite handsome. What a transformation!


Please contact us for more information about sponsoring

the care and release of

this magnificent raptor.


LEARN more about

Eastern Screech Owls

Time to Fly!


Southern Flying Squirrels are nocturnal mammals that make their nests in the cavities and hollows of trees. This tiny one was found in the middle of the road with four deceased siblings. We think they may have fallen from a log onto the road. This little glider is thriving in our care, eating well, and should be released soon.


Southern Flying Squirrels are nocturnal creatures, and while they don't actually fly, they have a special membrane between their front and back legs that they use to glide through the air between trees.


LEARN more about

Southern Flying Squirrels

 
 

Update on Non-Releasable Shorebirds from New England Aquarium



We received an update from the New England Aquarium (NEaq) that the non-releasable shorebirds we transferred to the aquarium over the years are doing well! "Parker" the Piping Plover (right) was transferred from Wild Care to the NEaq in 2018. It suffered a wing injury as a chick and was non-releasable. "SESA" the Semipalmated Sandpiper (left in photo) had a permanent wing injury and was transferred to the NEaq from Wild Care in 2013 (10 years old!) The aquarium also has a Sanderling in their exhibit named "Peepsqueak".


We are grateful these birds are able to live out their lives at the NEaq and serve as educational ambassadors for their species!



 

Wild Care Expansion

Project Ready to Go


We are so excited to let you know that our Expansion Project is about to begin! We’ve gone through all the permitting, and our builder is scheduled to start work in October. The first phase will be water hook-up, a fire road, and parking. The projected finish date is before the start of our busy spring baby animal season. We are still hopeful to raise additional funds to help with pricing increases, and appreciate donations of any amount. The new building will help us work more efficiently and save more animal lives!


Also happening this month will be the relocation of our beautiful Chestnut Tree to the Eastham Town Hall location. 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 for everyone to enjoy it's beauty!


LEARN more about Wild Care’s Expansion Project

 
 

WATCH a baby Snapping Turtle make its way to water

Video Martha Meier





Baby Turtles are Hatching Now


It is turtle hatching season! Be on the lookout for these little hatchlings emerging and making their way towards their new habitats. If you spot a turtle in the road and it is safe to do so, pick it up and carry it to the side of the road in the direction it is heading. Please do not place them in water, and never take a turtle home with you.


LEARN more about turtles native to MA

Get more details and TICKETS here

Wild Care to Host OWL-O-WEEN Party


Get ready to hoot and howl at Wild Care’s Owl-o-Ween Party on Sunday, October 29th from 6pm til 9pm at Hog Island Brewery in Orleans. Fun for the whole family! Dance and shake your tail feathers down with live music from Doctor Bombay, and wildlife themed costume contest with great prizes! Enjoy goodies and treats, and have some fun while helping wildlife on Cape Cod!

 
 

Shining a Spotlight on our EXTRAORDINARY INTERNS

Seasonal Intern Serafina Day



It’s no secret that summer in the Wild Care clinic and nursery is no vacation. It is our busiest time of the year! We are so grateful for interns like Serafina Day for being part of our animal care team! Serefina is hardworking and compassionate with a sunny personality. She was an absolute pleasure to work with! She recently moved back to the UK to finish her education, and we wish her well with her next endeavors!

 

WILD CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

 
 


Wild Care Joins Eastham’s Windmill Weekend Celebration on the Green


Wild Care took part in Eastham’s Windmill Weekend celebration. For the past 46 years, this beloved event has been a way to celebrate the conclusion of the summer season, and to welcome back a slower pace of life. Thank you to volunteers Greta Maria, Lynn Adams and Sharlene Silva for coming out to help with Wild Care’s booth on the Green. 


Fun Facts About Ducks Shared With Guests at the Annual Rubber Duck Regatta


Did you know that ducks can yodel, and that they never get cold feet? Wild Care shared some fun facts about ducks with guests at Dennis Conservation Land Trust’s annual Rubber Duck Regatta at the West Dennis Yacht Club. Thank you to volunteers Lynn Adams and Laura Curran for helping out! We had fun talking about ducks and making cute paper duck puppets with all the kiddos!


Check out Wild Care’s

Fun Facts About Ducks


 
 
DONATE TO WILD CARE
 
Check out our Amazon and Chewy WISH LISTS and donate much
needed supplies to help the animals being cared for at Wild Care.
 

10 Smith Lane, Eastham, MA 02642 

Email Us I. WildCareCapeCod.org


When in Doubt Please Call Us

508-240-2255

We Are Here To Help!


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