Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Sanctuary In Ponce Inlet

My day was a bit different today, it started out the same as usual though. I got to the office and went out back to feed my "canal critters", as I walked back to the office I almost stepped on something green on the sidewalk.

As I looked closer it was a tiny bird. I went to see if it was alive and it scooted towards the bushes but did not try to fly away. I bent down and was able to pick it up. It attempted to fly away, but couldn't go far and I picked it up again, this time held it better and brought it inside and put it in a big box. Once I made it dark in the box he became calm.

I've heard people talk about a "bird lady" here that rescues birds, but try typing that in the search field on the internet. Next I tried searching for Volusia County bird rescue and found a couple things.

First I found BIRD RESCUE CENTER in New Smyrna Beach and got voice mail. Then I found a Wildlife Rescue Volusia County Wildlife Rehabilitators site and saw a address right down the road from where our office was located and called. Left another voice mail.

Two hours go by and no one calls me back about my poor little bird. I remember there is a place in Ponce Inlet that takes in birds, but can't remember the name. I try searching bird rescue again and go back to the Wildlife Rescue site and look at it more closely and there it is, the place in Ponce Inlet and this time a real life person answers the phone! The lady I speak with tells me my bird is exhausted and emancipated from migration and they've got 5 others just like it there now, can I bring him over? I think she tells me he is a Yellow Throated Warbler. I could be wrong, for some reason what she told me just didn't stick.

The place I am on my way to is called Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Sanctuary and it did not come up under my searches. I've been next door to it when visiting Marine Science Center where they rehabilitate sea turtles and a friend pointed out the bird aviaries to me that day. I didn't know they were both run by the Marine Science Center though.

When my tiny traveling companion and I arrived 40 minutes later we were greeted by a couple riding bicycles and the woman asked what I had, I showed her and she said this was a wonderful place to bring it, how sweet I was to rescue the tiny bird. I thanked her and told her I was an animal lover she said she was too.

As I walked up the wooden sidewalk there was a small daycare field trip going on. A older gentlemen was telling the small children about the birds they were looking at.

The children were very attentive to what they were being told about all the birds. I would have loved to have had more time, I would have stuck with them. Pretty much what you see right here is what I saw. To the right is the water bird hospital. Ahead and to the left are the birds of prey rehab cages.

I took my little charge to the office and met with Chris Wise, Environmental Specialist. She took the bird in the back, and I asked if I might take a photo of her examining the little guy. She had a look in the box, but I guess he got a good rest and didn't want to be caught. She expressed concern about him flying away if she tried to take him out. I said that was fine, then explained why I wanted to get the photo, but yes I do have one of him in the box already. I also told her what a hard time I had finding her and I intended to blog about the work they do at Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Sanctuary In Ponce Inlet so that maybe the next person may find it easier. She smiled and said thank you.

I took all the photos on my way out. The cages make it hard for you to see the birds, but they are there to keep the birds safe. I would like to thank Chris and everyone at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet for all the work they do for our Florida Wildlife.

Recovering Red Shoulder Hawk

One of 2 recovering hawks in another cage near by

A very relaxed owl, seems to be recovering nicely!

The water bird hospital with 2 pelicans, 1 stork and a couple gulls recovering.

I think this is a stork anyway, his/her, left wing appeared to have been hurt.

No matter what kind of hurt bird you find Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Sanctuary In Ponce Inlet will gladly take it in and nurse it back to health. If you get there and they are closed there are cages outside the office you can lock the bird in, someone will come take the bird inside and take good care of it.

Update 5/18: I failed to mention that I did get return phone calls from both parties I left messages with before taking the little guy to Ponce Inlet. They both told me they were going to advise me to take my guy to Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Sanctuary In Ponce Inlet, that they are the closest bird rescue people to me.