Wayward Wild Ones

05/30/2026

A very good question was raised on this dehydrated fawn and his ears not being curled back. They asked whether or not that meant he was okay or not. Which is an excellent question because most people think that curled or straight ears are the only indicator of a healthy fawn verses one in need of help.

Here is why I DON’T rely on the "curled ears theory" as an indication of whether or not a fawn needs help..

Sometimes when fawns are dehydrated, the tips of their ears will curl back. But, sometimes they won't. I've received both (ears straight and ears curled) and they've been dehydrated. I've also received completely healthy, hydrated fawns with ears curled back. This is why I say not to use that as the only indicator of whether or not a fawn needs help.

I usually tell people to look for the 3 B's .... Bugs, Butts, Behavior.

Bugs: any parasite (flies, fly eggs, maggots, ticks, ants, fleas, etc) visible on the face or body.

Butts: dirty butt from diarrhea or tarry stool.

Behavior: walking around crying, searching for mom, following people or pets, weak, lethargic, stumbling or falling down, laying on its side with legs out to the side, etc.

A healthy fawn that is being cared for by mom will not be up wandering around. They will stay where mom put them and lay with their legs curled up underneath them and with their little head down and remain silent.

If a fawn (especially one under 4 weeks old) is up walking around searching for mom, crying loudly, has visible parasites or injuries, is weak or lethargic, stumbling or falling down, following you or your pet around, has a dirty butt, is thin or emaciated, or if you see a deceased adult nearby... it needs help.

Healthy fawns (ones that are being cared for by mom) know to stay where mom placed them. They may stand up and stretch or even move out of or into a sunny spot... but that's about as much movement as they'll do.

***things to notice on this fawn as signs of needing help: see how wrinkly his skin is? That is a sign of malnutrition and dehydration. He also had a dirty butt from diarrhea, and he was found wandering around and crying out. He also has a bit of a underbite... which can prevent him from being able to latch on correctly (which is sometimes why fawns are abandoned... a fawn unable to nurse is a fawn in jeopardy). In the wild, babies need to latch on and nurse quickly because the mom deer doesn't want to attract predators to the fawn by spending too much time with them, so when she shows up to feed, its all business.

~Jamie @ GGWR

05/30/2026

🐢 Turtle nesting season is underway in Massachusetts, and many native turtles are on the move in search of nesting sites. During this time of year, turtles frequently cross roads near wetlands, ponds, marshes, rivers, and other aquatic habitats, making them especially vulnerable to vehicle strikes.

If you see a turtle on the road, please remember that your safety comes first. Only stop if it is safe to do so. If you can safely assist, move the turtle in the direction it was already traveling. Never return a turtle to the side it came from, as it is likely trying to reach a nesting site or important habitat and will just try to cross the road again.

If you find an injured turtle, please don't assume that nothing can be done. Wildlife rehabilitators are often able to provide care, and even when a nesting female's injuries are too severe for rehabilitation, her eggs may still be viable and can sometimes be successfully incubated and hatched.

If you accidentally hit a turtle, or find one that has been struck by a vehicle, move it safely out of the roadway if possible, place it in a ventilated container, keep it in a quiet, shaded area, and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. Do not place injured turtles back into water unless instructed to do so.

Every turtle that safely reaches its destination has the chance to contribute to the future of our native wildlife. Please share this post to help spread awareness and protect Massachusetts turtles during nesting season. 💚🐢

05/30/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18aR4mf14K/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A bat circling the yard at dusk is hunting. A bat inside the house needs an exit. A bat on the ground during the day needs a call to a rehabber. Three situations, three responses.

🌿 Bat flying in the yard at dusk — normal. Leave it.

Bat inside the house — open a window or door. Turn off interior lights, leave the exit lit. She'll find it. If she doesn't, place a container over her with thick gloves, slide cardboard underneath, release outside.

Bat on the ground during the day — don't touch with bare hands. Call animal control or a wildlife rehabilitator.

Bat in the bedroom overnight — contact your doctor. Post-exposure evaluation is recommended because a bite may not be felt during sleep.

🐾 The bat in the soffit has likely been there for multiple seasons. She returns because the structure works as a roost and the yard produces insects after dark.

Three situations. Three calm responses. Most encounters need nothing more than an open window 🌿

05/30/2026

05/30/2026

All set.

Can any volunteers do an urgent pick up of baby pigeons for me. They are in Worcester

05/30/2026

Peek-a-boo

05/29/2026

05/25/2026

From our friends at Free Bird

Lots of calls today for cold, dumpy fledglings. If you find a wet, cold bird please bring inside and warm as best you can! Wrap in heating pad, blow dryer on LOW (if tolerated) warm water bottles, snuggle discs, warmed towels....heck even a zip lock of hot water works!

3 more Wild Turkey poults found freezing in the rain today. One was dead on arrival, this one LOOKED dead too, but I could hear a faint heart beat. AMAZING!!! Here we are after a couple of hours in the incubator. How this tiny fragile bird bounced back is shocking!!! The 2 of them are both peeping. 🥰

We moved to a turkey bin, under our brooder, to spend a safe warm night with our sibling poult! (What would we do without tupperware?!! 🤣)

Last year we got no calls about poults. Already took in 8...
Just this week! 😳

05/25/2026

These 2 snuck into the rehab yesterday. They were crashing. Sadly mom and 2 siblings passed away. One was having seizures. They were so anemic from the insane amount of fleas their little bodies couldn't handle it.
Administered meds for the seizures. I got the fleas under control and warm fluids given under the skin (SQ) and a few hours later was able to get some oral fluids and then a very dilute formula/electrolyte mix in.
They made it through the night and by this afternoon are up and eating.
They're still weak and very delicate but they look so much better.

Patting myself on the back for this one. These babies were not good.
🩵🩵.
I sent this video to their rescuer. She really went the extra mile. Literally! She drove so far to get them to me. What a wonderful ending.
In the video the little guy on the right ate a blueberry but was contemplating the grape. He was the one having seizures so he has a bit more recovery to go.