Lake Erie Nature and Science Center

[Lynn Farris]

I haven't been here for quite some time and was surprised how nice it was today.

http://www.lensc.org/

Found a tiny baby bird, who had been laying on the ground for 2 days with no signs of the mother anywhere. It was alive and chirping but the mother was no where. So we couldn't stand it any longer, we carefully moved it into a box and took it to our vet in Lakewood who offered to put it to sleep. Heck, I could of left it where it was if that was my goal. But then I remembered the Nature Center in Bay Village. We took the bird there. The wildlife rehabilitator said the bird was fine - just dehydrated. She gave the bird fluids and gave us a fake nest and told us to either find the original nest or hang the fake nest near where we found the baby. The mother she said wouldn't come to the floor - but would be looking for the baby if we could get it up into the air. She couldn't guarentee the bird would live - but this was the best hope.

She also had signs that indicated that if you find baby birds, picking them up and putting them in the nest is the best thing that you can do. The mothers won't reject them if you touch them (I had always thought that).

I was extremely impressed by the professionalism of the staff. I look forward to returning when I don't have a baby bird in my care.

[Hope Robbins]

My kids have been there multiple times on school trips, but I never had been until my husband took me last weekend...it is very nice there!

Added to my growing picture collection!

[Dee Krupp]

I always thought you shouldn't touch baby birds or the mother will abandon it also. I did a little research just to confirm what the LENSC told you. Here's what I found:

Touching Babies: If a baby bird is vulnerable and it appears to be in danger, then by all means, return it to its nest or to some sheltered branches. Parent birds do not abandon their young if they have been touched by human hands. That is a myth. Birds have a poorly developed sense of smell but strong protective instinct. Make sure you complete the 'rescue' quickly, distance yourself from it, and the mom and dad bird will find it in no time. Source: www.wildbirdcarecentre.org