We loved having the Pinellas Beaches Chamber at the Sanctuary this week! (fb)

Our hospital admitted these two nestling Downy Woodpeckers today. Unfortunately, the tree housing their nest was cut down. While we always make an attempt to re-nest whenever possible (even using artificial nests or nest boxes), there are cases such as these where a re-nest is either very challenging or not feasible. We encourage everyone to refrain from doing tree trimming or tree removals during the spring and summer months when many species are actively nesting. If you have a tree that absolutely must come down or be trimmed, always use a wildlife-friendly tree service that will check for active nests! Many species (such as woodpeckers and Eastern Screech Owls) nest inside tree cavities, so their nests are not often easily visible. Trees should be checked thoroughly before any work is done that could potentially displace wildlife. Birds also develop extremely quickly! So if you have an active nest in a tree that needs trimming or removal, you may only need to postpone the service for a few weeks. For many species, the process from the first egg being laid to the last baby leaving the nest as a fledgling is often less than 6 weeks. (fb)