Admitting over 100 nestling Ring-billed gulls within a few days presented its challenges, but the enormous amount of support we received from the community to respond to their needs was heart-warming. Donations made to support the gulls’ care helped our team purchase all the fish needed to feed their hungry mouths, it provided medical treatment to care for wounds caused by heat burns, wing fractures and abrasions. New volunteers came to donate their time to help cut fish, clean aviaries and prepare many other essential foods to ensure the young birds were healthy. A true community effort on so many different levels.
Now in August, migratory birds are preparing for their annual trip to warmer climates, and adult admissions are mostly birds injured during the beginning of their migration. But, there are always some younger stragglers – an occasional young American Goldfinch recovering in an aviary, a juvenile Common Loon swimming in one of our pools, or turkey poults waiting to be reunited with a wild family.
