Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary Fall

Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary
Fall-Winter 2014
The Sanctuary is manned by volunteers—no employees. Your donations are used to care
for the many animals that need a helping hand, or a permanent home at the sanctuary.
Together we can make a difference!
Together We Can Make A Difference!
Other Ways You Can Help Wildlife
Always keep dogs and cats under control. Don't let them roam. Cats can disturb, maim, or kill nesting birds as
well as young birds just out of the nest during breeding season. The bacteria transmitted in a cat bite will
quickly cause infection and become life threatening. If cats are permitted outside, put at least two bells on their
collar to help alert birds that danger is nearby, giving them extra time to escape.
Before you cut down or prune trees and shrubs, check very carefully for nesting birds. You could
unintentionally destroy a nest by trimming too closely or destroy the habitats provided in the tree. It is always
best to leave dead trees or snags standing. They provide food and shelter for many birds throughout the year.
As an added benefit, you can enjoy the wildlife attracted by snags!
Never feed wildlife. Natural diets are always more nutritious for wildlife than human food. Bird feeders can be
stocked with balanced mixes of different seed, appropriate for the birds in your area. Old bakery goods do not
supply nutritional levels for good health, especially when birds are preparing for migration or breeding.
Many birds depend on insects in and around our backyards. So, limiting the use of insecticides can help protect
the health of our wildlife and water resources too. Instead of using dangerous chemicals, contact local
conservation groups to obtain ideas for environmentally safe alternatives.
If woodpeckers drum on your house it could mean several things: you may need to have your house inspected
for termites, the bird is displaying territorial behavior and communicating with other woodpeckers or it is
attempting to begin a nesting cavity. You can try supplying a nest box for them to use. Your local Audubon
Society can provide you with instructions.
Reflections from windows can confuse birds. This may cause them to fly into the glass or repeatedly peck at
what they see as their competition. Some simple remedies include breaking up the reflections with stickers,
decals, or aluminum pie pans. Strips of colored plastic flapping in the wind or balloons with big eyes painted
on them also break up the reflective pattern.
Never litter! All species of birds can become easily entangled in man-made products such as plastic, fishing
line, cans, and bottles. Struggling to be free of such entrapments often results in serious injury or death. Help
by disposing of litter properly, and recycle whatever you can.
DWS NEWSLETTER FALL-WINTER 2014
Home Sweet Home
Most of the numerous creatures that come to the sanctuary are here for a relatively short time. They need
appropriate food and shelter and often some level of medical care. Most are released back to the wild, but some
arrive too grievously sick or injured. The volunteers make them as comfortable as possible during their final
days here. A few special individuals survive against the odds but are not releasable. These animals find a
permanent home at the sanctuary and win the hearts of the volunteers. These special residents need more than
the basics if they are to be happy in confinement and the sanctuary provides an enriched habitat to meet their
needs. The blind fox has tunnels to run through and hide in, topped by a platform to relax on. The little raccoon
has a wonderful new two-floor enclosure with plenty to climb on, toys and a private bedroom. The parrots
have an avian paradise with plenty of perches and toys and even a water fountain. It may not beat living wild,
but it’s home.
Together We Can Make A Difference!
Our Apologies…
Sanctuary Wish List
* Building supplies and/or tools
In Honor of and In Memory
of acknowledgements will be
in our Spring-Summer
newsletter. Thank you for
your patience and
consideration.
* Volunteers! Training provided:
feeding, cleaning, general
maintenance
* Rough cut lumber: 1”x6”x16’
for fencing
* Boxed and canned food, all
types (non-perishable)
* Canned fish: tuna, sardines,
herring, salmon
* Wild bird seed, sunflower seed,
millet
* Large parrot seed mix
* Cedar shavings for cages
(bagged)
* Puppy pads (for bird cages)
* Forever stamps
* Gift certificates for: Bowen’s
Farm Supply, Home Depot,
PetSmart, Ace Hardware
Cookie Doe and Chip
We walk almost every night after feeding the horses and burros; one human, five dogs. It is a magical time.
Wispy fingers of magenta, tangerine and crimson cradle the vestiges of light behind the darkening silhouette
of trees, the deer emerge and sometimes a fox or groundhog. I am thrilled to see these critters in their natural
habitat, but my greatest joy is Cookie Doe. This elegant little deer comes to greet us most nights. Late last
spring her belly grew rounder, then she was gone for a couple of weeks. The next time I saw her, her ribs were
clearly visible and I worried she was sick. When I didn´t see her for several weeks, I feared the worst. What
a happy night when she walked out of the woods and approached to just beyond the reach of a dog leash. By
her side was the most beautiful spotted baby! Tank gave Cookie and her fawn a quick glance then went back
to playing ball, the little dogs yapped and jumped excitedly, Cookie ignored their hysterics. The proud new
mother stood calmly for several minutes while I admired her fawn, then turned and went back into the woods.
The little one stayed hidden for several weeks, but now we see Cookie and her little Chip most nights.
Magical!
Legend of the Donkey Cross
Legend tells us that the donkey that carried Jesus into
Jerusalem on Palm Sunday followed him to Calvary.
Appalled by the sight of Jesus on the cross, the donkey
turned away but could not leave. It is said that the shadow
of the cross fell upon the shoulders and back of the
donkey. A cross marking found on many donkeys today
remains a testimony of the love and devotion of a humble,
little donkey.
fVisit us on Facebook site! We have a PayPal button for anyone who wishes to donate online.
We Desperately Need Your Help... Please!
You can also visit us at:
www.wildlifesanctuary.us/dws
Web Site Design by: KoolStuf
Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary
$25
$50
$100
Other
Yes, I would like to help the birds and animals
Name:
Address:
Please Make Checks Payable to Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary
And Mail to 3156 Beards Point Road, Davidsonville, Maryland 21035 (410) 798-0193
All Donations Are Tax Deductible!
If you receive a duplicate newsletter, please pass it on to a friend or relative... Thanks!
Sanctuary...
My fears are over... now I am home,
And so my story ends.
Thru these woods & fields I’ll roam,
And live with my new friends.
DWS now accepts donations online via PayPal at www.wildlifesanctuary.us/dws