By Jennifer Guess, Senior Wildlife Technician

Eastern Fox Squirrel
By Anne Slattery

November marks the end of baby season at California Wildlife Center (CWC).  It was another year full of energetic squirrels, curious crows, grumpy mockingbirds, and aggressive woodpeckers.  This year we had quite a busy season.  CWC took in over 275 Eastern Fox Squirrels and over 85 Virginia Opossums between the spring and fall months.  Throughout the height of summer we saw over 200 American Crows, Common Ravens and Western Scrub-jays, over 300 Mourning Doves and Band-tailed Pigeons, and 135 Northern Mockingbirds.  We also had a few unique patients come through our doors.  Many volunteers working in our Orphan Care Unit have fond memories of feeding our one and only Pacific-slope Flycatcher or a few of our Western Bluebirds.  Even more volunteers will remember building up the courage to feed our lively Acorn Woodpeckers.

Nestling Northern Mockingbirds
By Alyssa Schlange

We’d like to thank all our fantastic Orphan Care volunteers for their tireless work and dedication in helping us feed and care for the almost 1,500 young patients that came through our doors for this season.  We’d also like to thank our wonderful transport team who helped bring almost 300 young patients from shelters across the Los Angeles area.  We are so fortunate to have an amazing group of people committed to helping injured, sick and orphaned wildlife.

I’m sure we are all looking forward to taking a deep breath and relaxing a little during the relatively calm winter months.  But, don’t get too comfortable; spring will be here before you know it!