Robyn's Nest Wildlife Rehabilitation

03/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18NZSHfE3h/

NYSWRC is excited to announce our Spring Virtual Seminar! Join us on Saturday, April 11th for a virtual small mammal seminar! Featuring five rehabilitators/veterinarians, these topics will help you get ready for spring baby season.

Current NYSWRC members get $10 off registration with code: MEMBER26

To sign up: https://www.nyswrc.org/virtualseminars

03/06/2026

That squirrel on your fence just stopped, stared at you, and flicked its tail.

That wasn't random. It was a sentence.

Squirrel tail movements are specific and intentional. A rapid side-to-side flick means a predator is nearby — hawk, cat, something overhead. The faster the flick, the closer the threat. Other squirrels in range read the speed and react without seeing the danger themselves.

A slow wave aimed at you means you're too close and it's irritated but not panicked. A tail held straight up and vibrating is a territorial warning directed at another squirrel. A quick upward flick means something moved and the squirrel isn't sure what — a general alert that makes every squirrel in the area freeze and scan.

When a squirrel wraps its tail over its back, it's regulating temperature — the tail works as a blanket in cold weather, an umbrella in rain, and a sunshade in heat. Flattened against a branch means it's hiding, trying to reduce its visible profile from above.

The tail also works as a parachute during falls and a counterbalance during jumps. Blood flow to the tail increases when the squirrel is threatened, making it appear larger. It's a communication device, a survival tool, and a climate system in one appendage.

🐿️ How to read the squirrel in your yard:

- Fast tail flick while facing away from you — it's not talking to you, it's warning other squirrels about something else. Look where it's looking
- Slow wave aimed directly at you — you're in its space. Take a step back and it usually settles
- Chattering bark combined with tail flicking — high alert, usually means a cat or hawk is within striking distance
- Tail relaxed and still while feeding — it feels safe. That's trust, and it takes weeks of consistent presence to earn it

The squirrel on your fence has been talking the whole time. Now you know what it's saying 🌿

03/06/2026

Update: Unfortunately not the outcome I hoped for. This one didnt make it 😢

Took in my first squirrel of the season today. This one was in bad shape, looks to have some frost nip on its back feet, has fleas and isn't breathing normally. There is no visible signs of trauma other than the feet. I administered pain meds and am providing heat while I monitor progress. Hoping for the best for this one.

03/04/2026

🦉💤 Shoppers in upstate New York earlier this month turned up a rare find while perusing a local antique store this month: tucked next to a cookie jar made in the shape of a chicken was a live owl resting peacefully on a shelf.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation said Friday that the incident happened on Feb. 21 in the hamlet of East Durham, about 127 miles (204 kilometers) north of Manhattan.

The agency said customers at The Market Place had spotted “something extremely lifelike” on one of the shelves and alerted store staff.

Environmental conservation police officers arrived to find a brown-and-white owl perched on a shelf with its eyes firmly shut.

The department said officers gently cradled the sleeping owl to remove it from the store, and then released it into a wooded area, where it flew into a nearby tree.

The bird, an eastern screech owl, is nocturnal and typically nests in tree cavities.

📸: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

03/04/2026

Please read

Many people call wildlife rescues asking for help rescuing or relocating cottontail rabbits found in their yards. While it’s wonderful that so many people want to protect wild bunnies, the best way to keep them safe is to simply leave them exactly where they are.

Cottontail mothers are not particularly attentive, and only come to their nests twice a day, morning and evening. This helps prevent predators from finding the nest. If the nest is moved somewhere else in the yard, the mother will never find it, and the babies will starve.

Moving the babies into captivity isn’t a good idea, either. Even with the very best care, cottontails raised by wildlife rehabilitators have extremely high mortality rates, with only a few surviving to release age. Wildlife rehabilitators are the best choice for a truly orphaned or injured rabbit, but a healthy baby animal’s best chance of survival is always with its mother.

Worried about dogs? Don’t be. Cottontails have essentially no smell whatsoever, so your dog won’t be drawn to the nest unless he happens to see the mother during her twice-daily feeds. The mom already chose your yard as a safe place to raise her kits, and wouldn’t have done so if she believed your dog was likely to harm them. You can keep your dog inside at dawn and dusk for extra protection, but the babies’ best chance for survival is still in their own nest.

03/04/2026

Creeping up on release time for these two.

02/22/2026

02/15/2026

Here is some info in case you come across an orphaned or injured animal.

02/15/2026

Wildlife rehabilitators are volunteers. We volunteer our time and resources to help orphaned and injured animals. Donations are always very much appreciated but we know that most people aren't sure how they can help or what we may need. Below is a my wishlist with items that I use to take care of these animals until they can be released.

02/15/2026

Good morning from Hop and Scotch.