Injured Baby Hawks Facing Long Rehab

Two baby hawks rescued from a tree that came crashing down in Monday night's storm are now in the care of Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.


Troy and Marci Anderson, the Berea couple who rescued the nestlings from the fallen nest and tree, brought them to our Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Program staff yesterday. After a visit to the vet, the birds are starting what looks to be a long-term rehab, recovering from leg fractures.

Both nestlings were hand-fed a good morning meal today and received anti-inflammatory meds. We're keeping them contained and limiting movement to promote healing of the fractured legs. They'll be returning to the vet in a week to remove bandages and re-xray the legs.

We posted a whole album of photos this morning on our Facebook page and WKYC-TV Reporter Jennifer Lindgren filed a terrific report on Channel 3 last night, complete with video of the adorable babies. As Jennifer notes, our nonprofit rehab services are offered at no cost to public and are supported through donations. Want to help these patients and others? You can donate online now.

Here's our own "LENSCTube" video clip from breakfast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ytG-Ifioew

Rehab's Pretty Patient- the Pileated Woodpecker

Our Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Program has a fascinating and beautiful avian patient in treatment this week—a pileated woodpecker that suffered head trauma, most likely after flying into a window.

Pileated woodpeckers are similar in size to a crow and are the largest woodpeckers found in the majority of North America. The call of the pileated woodpecker has a loud and resonant “kuk-kuk-kuk” sound. Listen to their call by clicking here.

These birds also have a distinctive red crest on their heads and live in deciduous and coniferous forests with large trees, which they prefer for nesting. The pileated woodpecker will create a nesting cavity in a dead tree and empty it completely except for wood shavings.

Pileated woodpeckers also engage in an unusual behavior in searching for food. They dig rectangular holes in trees to search for ants. Sometimes, when digging holes in small trees, they create holes so deep that the tree may actually break in half!

The pileated woodpecker population encountered a large decline with the clearing of eastern forests, but their numbers have been making a comeback since the mid-20th century. They are not considered to be a species of concern.

If you see a bird or other animal that you believe to be injured, or if you have backyard wildlife questions, please contact Lake Erie Nature & Science Center at (440) 871-2900.

Abandoned Fawn?

Our Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Program staffers are receiving their first calls of the year about potentially abandoned fawns. We field a ton of calls during the spring from concerned wildlife lovers, asking if a fawn lying down alone is orphaned.

Our answer? The fawn usually is NOT abandoned, but rather following its instincts. In order to protect her young, mom will frequently leave her fawn alone to prevent attracting predators to her vulnerable baby. She will return when she feels it is safe to do so. However, if a fawn is consistently walking around and making noise, there may be cause for concern.
You’ll find much more information about fawns by reading Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s Wildlife FAQ #13 on baby deer.



The fawn is born with very little scent and white spots for camouflage. As long as the fawn does not move, it will be hidden from all kinds of danger.



Birds on the Road to Recovery in Rehab

Our Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Program is just starting the busy season right now, so it can be difficult to pause long enough to share cool animal photos and stories. We did manage to photograph three current avian patients during treatment this week.

The first is a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak with an injured leg. Grosbeaks live in any type of woods, and have a very distinctive song that is said to sound similar to that of a robin, but more melodic, as if it were sung by an opera singer. The Center also has a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Click here to see the differences between the male and female Grosbeaks and to hear their song.


We also have a female Belted Kingfisher that is being treated for a fractured clavicle(collar bone). Unlike most bird species, the female Belted Kingfishers are more colorful than males, with a rust-colored band on their breast. Kingfishers are known for having a large head and bill for their small body size, which allows them to easily catch fish. They can even dive at 25 mph from great heights while hunting! The Belted Kingfisher can live in any area where there is an open body of water.


Another bird currently in treatment for a wing injury is a baby Rock Pigeon. Although many people often see pigeons as “dirty city birds”, humans have valued them for thousands of years for many reasons including as food and to carry messages. Their natural environment is rocky cliffs in the mountains and coasts of Europe. They are highly adaptable often utilizing man-made structures such as bridges and buildings for nesting which has allowed them to establish healthy populations worldwide.

The rescuer of the baby Rock Pigeon is actively searching to find the roost site in the hope that we can return the baby to its nesting family following treatment. Wild baby animals belong in the wild to learn from their parents. Please do not approach a baby animal unless it has been seriously injured.

Oftentimes baby animals may appear to be abandoned, when in fact the parents are staying away to protect them. A baby animal’s best chance of survival is to remain in the wild where their mother can care for them. If you have questions regarding a wild animal, please call Lake Erie Nature & Science Center at (440) 871-2900.

Honeybee Hive Buzzes to Life - Watch Videos

 Lake Erie Nature & Science Center's honeybee hive is buzzing with activity again! Lorain County beekeeper Scott Danniger set up the new observation hive with approximately 3,000 busy bees today.

This larger hive has more trays (20), room and ventilation than our former observation hive which lost its queen and bees over the winter.





The queen bee (center)  is marked with a white dot.



The queen of these gentle, Italian honeybees is marked with a white spot on her back and she's already laying eggs. Stop in and try to find her in the Stickney Honeybee Exhibit. We're open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week and admission is free!

We have a some great still photos of the transfer posted on our Facebook page.

For more information on beekeeping, check out the website of the Lorain County Beekeepers Association. They make educational appearances and hold a series of classes, if you're interested in learning more about raising honeybees.