The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center has taken in more bird patients as a part of its hurricane relief efforts within the bird sanctuary community.
Due to the mandatory evacuations and the devastating outcomes of hurricanes Helene and Milton on the west coast of the state, the Wild Bird Center accepted 20 evacuating birds from three wildlife rehabilitation facilities.
On Oct. 6, the Tavernier facility received five birds from Seaside Seabird Sanctuary and five birds from CROW on Sanibel Island. A volunteer from Seaside Seabird was able to transport all 10 birds to the Tavernier bird hospital, including three masked boobies, three osprey, two red-shouldered hawks, a laughing gull and a brown pelican. Both sites sustained damages from Hurricane Milton; Seaside Seabird is still recovering from hard hits from both hurricanes. CROW was able to take all but one of its patients back on Oct. 16; the laughing gull has stayed in Tavernier to be released when he is ready. The birds from Seaside Seabird Sanctuary will reside here until they are to be released too.
Peace River Wildlife Center sent down 10 non-releasable permanent residents on Oct. 13 after the significant damages from Milton caused relocations during recovery. Various songbirds, two fish crows and a red-shouldered hawk were taken into care at the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary where they are all out on display. All these patients will be returned to Peace River once the facility is recovered. Signs on the enclosures of these temporary patients explain their story with a QR code linking to Peace River Wildlife Center’s website, where more information is available and donations can be made.
On top of the influx of patients from sanctuaries in the state, the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center had an increase of admissions from the storms. Migrating warblers that were blown off course and other birds weak from the storms have been recent patients. The sanctuary also experienced flooding from Helene and Milton, causing evacuations of permanent bird residents to the hospital site. More information is at www.keepthemflying.org.
