SPONSOR Wildlife Efforts
We have rehabilitated a LOT of wildlife over the years! And we have released almost as many, though every once in a while, one of our sweet babies cannot be released, either because of a wing deformity or other issue. When that happens, we offer them a forever home with us on our pond and expansive property.
Mallard Ducks
We rehabilitate wild mallard ducklings (some years over 100!) each year who come to us for many reasons, from their adult mother getting hit by a car or a nest of ducklings left behind after their mother gets eaten by a predator. Each nest can have a dozen babies or more. Our baby wildlife season runs from early May through late October, sometimes November.
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We also treat and rehabilitate injured adults for successful release back into the wild.
Wild Geese
We rehabilitate wild goslings who have been orphaned or abandoned for all types of reasons.
Our baby wildlife season runs from early May through late October, sometimes November.
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In harsh winters, we can end up treating several dozen adult wild geese for starvation and dehydration when our area is so icy and snowy they cannot find food.
Wild Turkeys
We rehabilitate dozens of wild turkey poults each year. Helping turkeys is especially important to us, since just a few years ago, their numbers were suffering because the babies were having trouble surviving cold, wet springs since they grow up on the ground.
Wood Ducks
We love wood ducks! Though their ducklings are tough to rehabilitate. Even though the first thing they do in life is to drop 50 feet from a hole in a tree (that's where wood ducks make their nests!), when they are orphaned, they need to be tube fed for the first week, then fed a very special diet as they grow. They make us work hard, but they're worth it and their gorgeous adult feathering is always a treat to see.
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Bobwhite Quail
We rehabilitate the quail that come to us. Most present as adults that have been injured. The Department of Environmental Management has determined that quail cannot currently live in the wild successfully, so we permanently care for those we receive.
Wild Pheasant
We rehabilitate the pheasant that come to us, both babies and adults. Our pheasant are lucky that we are surrounded by a thousand acres of fields and woods, which is the perfect place for them. Of course, when we rehab adult wildlife, we make the extra effort to release them where they were originally found.
Songbirds
We use to rehabilitate A LOT of songbirds...but baby birds need to be fed every 15 minutes from sunup 'til sundown...and we don't have enough volunteers during the spring and summer to do that...so we changed our focus to rehabilitating wild waterfowl and game birds years ago. However, we still give out a LOT of advice each spring regarding nests of baby birds found on the ground. We love when caring humans are willing to put nests back, or build a nearby area for the nest so the mother can find their babies. But it is not always possible, and we still help out a few of these tiny creatures each year.
Our Wild Residents
After being hit with avian flu in 2022 we have paused new wildlife rehabilitation, but we have several sweet wild birds that are spending their lives with us and would love your sponsorship. When you sponsor our wildlife efforts, you will receive updates and photos on our current wildlife, a tax-deductible letter, and entry to our open house.
Buddy
Buddy came to us after someone heard a pained quacking and found him in a stream...with one of his feet caught between two boulders as the water level was rising. Though he lost a part of his foot, he kept his life. While in sick bay, he met Oreo who decided she wanted to help us take care of Buddy and she coupled up with him until she passed. Buddy was in mourning for years until Iris came. When she arrived filthy and terrified Buddy fell in love...for the second time!
Andy originally came to us very young as a "failure to thrive case" when his mother rejected him. Upon closer inspection, we discovered he was blind as he had been born without eyes. Because of this and his angel wing (a deformed wing that prevents him from flying) he was deemed non-releasable. Andy is our sweetest goose and you can find him hanging out with the domestic ducks.
Andy
Ankara, or Ank, is our first rescue turkey since the avian flu outbreak of October 2022. As a juvenile, Ank was struck by a car in New York City and suffered a broken foot. After many weeks of physical therapy, Ank made the trip from NYC to West Place to continue his recovery. Although he is a wild turkey, Ank is a sweet and gentle boy who is enjoying his new life on the farm.
Ankara
Lucky had gotten hit by a car and ended up on someone's doorstep in Newport. Brought here for rehabilitation, we expected that if he survived, he would eventually be able to leave. Though his ability for flight returned, he never left. We think he got sweet on Lady. To see him stand guard to protect her while she naps (even though he is half her size) is heartwarming.
Lucky
Although Ring Necked Pheasants can be found throughout New England, our guy Larry came to us from New York City. He was molting when he arrived and it was pheasant hunting season in Rhode Island, so we kept him safe during the winter months. After taking him in, we discovered a compound fracture in his leg, deeming him non-releasable. Larry made friends quickly and now call West Place his permanent home. Sponsor our masked superhero today!
Larry
Bow
Another ring necked rescue from NY, Bow, (short for Rainbow) came to us last-minute and we didn't know much about him. After a few days of not eating, we got him a thorough exam complete with x-rays and discovered he had multiple BBs (airsoft gun bullets) in his body, one of which was in his head. Although the physical wounds from this tragedy healed, it impaired his ability to eat. Each day we tried different foods until he could remember how to eat again and slowly but surely his instincts kicked back in. He has a long journey ahead of him but we think he is up for the challenge!
Meet our tiniest resident! When we took him in as a rehabilitation case, we discovered Peanut had an organ sitting outside of his skeleton. We knew because of this he would not be able to return to the wild; we weren't even sure he'd survive in human care. Not only has he grown up to be a strong little bird but has outlived the life expectancy of a starling in the wild by many years. His favorite food is live worms, and he goes through 10,000 a month! They are very expensive, and we have to feed his worms too, so he costs $50 a month to feed.
Check out this video to learn more.
Peanut
Midge was brought to us after being found with angel wing. Angel wing is a disease that causes the wing to grow in the wrong direction, preventing a bird from flying. This is typically caused when the bird is fed a high-calorie diet such as bread and crackers when it's still growing. Midge would have been euthanized had we not taken her as she cannot survive in the wild. Although it was an adjustment for her, Midge is now enjoying the pond with the rest of our mallards!