News

One good tern deserves……..

A. An undisturbed beach

B. A gravel rooftop

C. Someplace to rest and raise a family

D. All of the above

For least terns, small fish-eating birds that are a threatened species, the correct answer is D.  Least terns have already proven to be a species good at adapting.  With few undisturbed beaches left in Florida, flat gravel rooftops have made an adequate substitute for the birds to nest and raise their young.  Many beachside buildings have installed new roofing since the 2004 hurricanes, and many gravel roofs were replaced with other materials.  The consequences of rooftop nesting also mean that babies fall off the roof when they are too young to fly back up.  The terns eat fish and sometimes drop them in the parking lots and on the roof of their chosen nesting site.  The resulting smell has meant that they were unwelcome tenants at some of their chosen nesting sites this year. 

During June, Florida Wildlife Hospital admitted almost 70 young terns.  Most years we admit about 10.  Although the birds are small in size, they are very labor intensive to raise.  Housing so many young terns is a challenge.  They need proper temperature and lighting, and a habitat that insures they won’t sustain any injuries while in our care.  They also eat enormous amounts of food.  We are very lucky to have a dedicated volunteer who supplies us with large quantities of small minnows, but this group has managed to eat our entire stock. 

As they grow, they need room to stretch their wings and make practice flights, hovering and flying in small circles.  Providing this required a little creativity.  Since the birds are so small, they are vulnerable to predators such as snakes that could enter a cage through a very small opening.  To be sure they would be safe, we purchased a camping tent and set it up inside a larger cage.  With sides made of nylon and netting, and fiberglass poles on the outside, any collisions with the sides would not result in any injury.  On June 20th, we were able to release 17 of the young birds at the beach where they rejoined their flock.  On June 28th, we released another 17 birds.  There are currently 18 birds in “flight practice” outside in their custom tent habitat, and the youngest and injured are still in indoor habitats. 

Terns in the news June 16

Terns in the news June 24

More about least terns

Recent Releases

In addition to all of the least terns, we have successfully released numerous other patients this summer.  This diamond-backed terrapin was recently released.  Other former patients now enjoying life in the wild include 10 eastern screech owls, 6 red-shouldered hawks, 6 northern shrikes, several brown pelicans, lots of mocking birds, blue jays, grackles, opossums, and cottontail and marsh rabbits.  We still have many patients in our hospital recovering from injuries or illness, and many juveniles, including a black skimmer, who will soon be old enough to go back to the wild. 

If you would like to contribute for food, care and medications for these birds and the other 3000+ wildlife patients we receive yearly, you may donate online using the donations links of PayPal or JustGive or mail donations to : Florida Wildlife Hospital, 4560 N. US Hwy 1, Melbourne, FL 32935. Check out our website for more information or email to request more information. Thank you for supporting Florida Wildlife Hospital and Florida's Treasure...our wildlife.

Events

Stay Tuned for more information on our Fourth Annual 'Born to be Wild' Poker Run scheduled for August 20th!