New Year, New Home!

Happy 2012!

We're back on our blog after a long hiatus for our construction and move to Bailey Arboretum!

We open up this brand new year in a brand new home with beautiful surroundings. Thus far, January has been fairly quiet with animal patients, likely due to the warm temperatures we've been experiencing. We have taken full advantage of this "off-season" by completing some very important projects before the fast approaching spring baby season! These projects include shelf installation, building indoor aviaries, an outdoor turtle garden and enclosures for ducklings and juvenile squirrels.

Now that the holidays are behind us, many schools and organizations are scheduling education visits with our engaging resident wildlife. Last week, we headed out to the Daly School in Port Washington to teach some very enthusiastic students about our resident owls. During the program, the students had the great treat of hearing our male Great Horned Owl (a Port Washington native himself) hooting in both of our hour long programs!

Today, we conducted two "Living with Wildlife on Long Island" programs at PS-33 in Queens Village. About 190 third graders learned about the fascinating tree climbing abilities of squirrels and unique pouches of North America's only marsupial, the Virginia Opossum, from our Education Volunteer Alice.

To add to the excitement of our week, installation just started on our new split rail fence surrounding the aviaries of our resident birds of prey. This fence is the first step in building an interpretive nature trail through our permanent raptor aviaries. The fence should be fully installed by the weekend. Come spring time, the area will have plantings and interesting signs to adorn the trail as well!



We look forward to keeping you posted on the latest happenings in our hospital!
Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!