Stratford Wildlife & Animal Services

25/09/2025

🍂 A Pile of Leaves = A Living City
One leaf pile can shelter 100+ species: moths, beetles, salamanders, earthworms, millipedes, spiders, and pollinators overwintering in safety.
• Bagging them doesn’t just “tidy up” → it evicts an entire ecosystem your garden relies on for pest control, pollination, and soil health.

🌱 Leave the leaves. Protect the life beneath.

22/09/2025

20/09/2025

The real consequences of choosing anticoagulant rodenticides as a method to address rodents is this…

The rodents will never go away if you choose poisons. It’s not how to propely tackle the issue.

I can’t look away. I am reminded almost daily that these poisons are lurking and the birds we cater to are under attack.

You choose poisons or hire a company who uses them, you are directly responsible for this assault on our wildlife.

Let that sink in. THIS is the result.

This first year Red Tailed Hawk from Waterbury struggled for five days to overcome the anticoagulant overdose. We did all we could to reverse the symptoms associated with rodenticide secondary poisoning. We failed… again. Not because we didn’t try or don’t know how to treat, but because these poisons are that potent. This hawk died because it ate a rodent who consumed the poisons. How does any of this make sense ?

Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides used by Pest Management and placed strategically around human related structures (in those bait boxes) are everywhere. These boxes contain the truth. And it’s deadly.

RIP to yet another victim to this outdated tragic method regarding rodent control. To learn more visit www.poisonispoison.org

10/09/2025

05/09/2025

How many of these have you seen this summer?
🐛🟰🦋

02/09/2025

Follow these steps to help an injured bird and give it it’s best chance at recovery! Find a wildlife rehabilitation centre near you : https://flap.org/finding-an-injured-bird/

01/09/2025

Now is the time to start your fall rodent proofing.

As the days get shorter, our rodent friends are starting to look for their winter homes. Did you know that if you put out or you pay someone to put out rodenticides (aka rat poisons) you are actually attracting the rodents to your dwelling as these poisons are flavoured to attract the intended target? Rodenticides DO NOT address the root cause of an infestation. "Pest control" providers push subscription rodenticide use (as opposed to fixing the issue by sealing entry ways) because it is in their economic interest. Not only are these poisons ineffective but, they cause a slow and inhumane death and they are killing companion animals and our wildlife, poisoning our waterways and putting children at risk. For the sake of the safety of our children, companion animals and the environment, please choose preventative and exclusion measures over poisons.

30/08/2025

Only the bottom will help all life on earth. The top hurts all life on earth.

26/08/2025

🚨 VOLUNTEER DRIVER NEEDED 🚨
We are looking for a volunteer driver to transport this hawk from Stratford to Salthaven Wildlife in Strathroy today. The hawk will be safely contained in a carrier. If you can help, please send us a PM.
Thank you

25/08/2025

Please help us locate Stratford’s missing swans!

UPDATE: One of the wanderers has been located as a result of helpful tips provided by the community. We are still looking for five more. Thanks for your assistance and your concern, everyone.

***

From time to time, some of our swans go wandering.

Sometimes they leave the main river system in Stratford and travel to nearby tributaries, parks, stormwater ponds or even the golf course.

Over the past week, we have noticed that some of the swans are unaccounted for.

Because we don’t use tracking devices on the birds, we’re turning to the community for help to crowdsource the search effort.

If you’ve seen any of our swans off the river, at a stormwater pond, park or nearby Avon tributary, please let us know by calling our Parks and Forestry staff at 519-271-0250 extension 5246 or emailing [email protected]

Thank you.

24/08/2025

Crane flies are often mistaken for giant mosquitoes, but these gentle creatures don't bite or suck blood. Instead, they sip flower nectar and help pollinate plants, contributing to the health of your garden.

While crane flies might look a bit intimidating with their long legs and wings, they are completely harmless and actually beneficial for your plants. Their role in pollination ensures that flowers can thrive and reproduce.

Next time you spot one of these fascinating insects, remember to appreciate them for their role in supporting your garden’s ecosystem. 🦟🌼