Do Birds Matter?

We believe they do. And, we believe you do to. 

When you find an injured bird, where do you turn to? Probably Le Nichoir. We are here to help when you find a bird in distress.

You care enough to call us and to transport birds to the Centre. Our team of wildlife biologists, students and volunteers are committed to providing helpful advice and compassionate and professional care to every wild bird brought to us.

Every fall we invite caring people like you to show support for the work we do at Le Nichoir.

Your gift during this annual campaign is extremely important to us because it allows us to continue to be here for you and for the birds in 2018.  Over 90% of our budget comes from individual donations and fundraising activities.

 

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird was admitted for care after colliding with a window. To mimic an optimal natural diet, she was fed a customized blend of sugars, proteins and other nutrients every 30 minutes. After a 2 week recovery period she was released to continue her life.

Amazingly, a tenacious goose recently pierced by an arrow succeeded in raising a clutch of goslings on an area golf course before being caught and admitted to Le Nichoir for care. X-rays showed that in addition to the arrow, the goose had also been shot several times. The goose was transferred to the Pierrefonds Animal Hospital where a team of vets performed surgery to remove the arrow. The goose was subsequently cared for at Le Nichoir while it recuperated. It was banded and released in late August.

An exhausted and dehydrated Chipping Sparrow caught on a sticky trap was brought to Le Nichoir.  It took fluid therapy and several hours of repeated careful washings with a toothbrush to remove the glue. The sparrow was banded and released.

Just 3 of the over 1,800 bird stories we could tell so far this year…

Did you know?

• Over 100 different species of birds are brought to the Centre each year.
• Our biologists will have responded to over 12,000 emails and phone calls this year.
• Last year, 154 volunteers donated over 5,700 hours to help care for the birds.
• Individuals from over 180 Quebec municipalities have brought birds to Le Nichoir for care this year.
• Almost every admission is due to an unfortunate human impact.

In addition to being here 365 days a year when you call us for advice or you admit a bird for care, we also invest our resources into education.

Education is key to conserving bird populations and their habitats.

At Le Nichoir we use our unique perspective on the impact human activity has on wild birds to develop and deliver 3 interactive education programs for children: Bird Adaptations – Custom made for Habitat, Avian Detectives and for very young children – What is a Bird?

Our goal is to create in children an understanding, an interest and a desire to conserve wild birds.

Your gift will help make our unique education programs available to more Quebec children – an investment for the future of our local birds.

You are part of the important community who make Le Nichoir’s commitment to conserving our local birds a reality. Today and tomorrow.

Thank you for your trust and for making a gift during this campaign.

Sincerely,
Susan Wylie, B. Sc. Wildlife Biology
Executive Director

Jo-Annie Gagnon, B. Sc. Wildlife Biology
Education Coordinator

Weiyi Liu, B. Sc. Wildlife Biology
Operations Coordinator