March 12, 2026
Horned Grebe at the Celery Farm
My first ever here. And the spring arrivals are arriving! The grebe was No. 186 on my Celery Farm life…
Nature Done Wright
Incorporating the Celery Farm and Screech Owl Companion blogs
June 30, 2021
Red-shouldered Hawk Update
I stopped by The Raptor Trust to check in on the young Red-shouldered Hawk that fell out of the nest four weeks ago.
Deputy Marsh Warden Gaby Schmitt took the bird there via the Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital (FLAH) to make sure it was healthy.
Turns out it had some ear problems and lung problems (the latter from the fall), but it is now on the mend.
The bird is now sharing a flight cage with a second-year Red-shoulder (below), and they have become buddies.
(The Allendale Red-shoulder is in the bright sunlight; the older roommate is up higher and in the shade. Wisdom comes with age.)
Here's what the flight cage looks like…
And here are the Allendale Red-shoulder on May 28 when it fell out of the nest and June 28, when I visited The Raptor Trust. Amazing how it grew in 30 days…
4 comments
-
Hi Gaby, it’s Jim Strauch thanking you again, this time for the additional information about FLAH and TRT. Do you know if TRT allow visiters?
-
A few things I’d like to mention: I was on my may to Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital (FLAH) to transport birds to TRT when Jim called about the RSH nestling on the ground. FLAH has become a collection point in Bergen county for birds and other wildlife that need medical attention for many reasons. It starts when someone cares enough to stop and help. This is a very busy time of year for all wildlife rehabilitators … at TRT it’s known as Baby Bird Season. The number you see at the top of the admit ticket – 21-1300 – indicates the year and the number of that bird. Our RSH nestling was the 1300th bird admitted this year; today they were up to #2184! At times, it seems a bit chaotic: alarms announce the varied feeding times; staff, summer interns, and volunteers ensure that all birds are given the appropriate meal…chaotic but organized. It’s not all good news: not all birds make it; some are too young, too fragile or too injured. So our little Red-shoulder is indeed very special. Thank you Jim for this great story.
Gaby -
Great news!
Thanks, Jim!
Best,
Mike -
Thanks for the update Mr. Wright, and many thanks to Deputy Marsh Warden Gaby Schmitt for taking our Red-shoulder fledgling to the Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital, and then all the way out to The Raptor Trust. It’s nice to hear some good news.
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4 comments
Jim Strauch
Hi Gaby, it’s Jim Strauch thanking you again, this time for the additional information about FLAH and TRT. Do you know if TRT allow visiters?
Gabriele
A few things I’d like to mention: I was on my may to Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital (FLAH) to transport birds to TRT when Jim called about the RSH nestling on the ground. FLAH has become a collection point in Bergen county for birds and other wildlife that need medical attention for many reasons. It starts when someone cares enough to stop and help. This is a very busy time of year for all wildlife rehabilitators … at TRT it’s known as Baby Bird Season. The number you see at the top of the admit ticket – 21-1300 – indicates the year and the number of that bird. Our RSH nestling was the 1300th bird admitted this year; today they were up to #2184! At times, it seems a bit chaotic: alarms announce the varied feeding times; staff, summer interns, and volunteers ensure that all birds are given the appropriate meal…chaotic but organized. It’s not all good news: not all birds make it; some are too young, too fragile or too injured. So our little Red-shoulder is indeed very special. Thank you Jim for this great story.
Gaby
Mike Limatola
Great news!
Thanks, Jim!
Best,
Mike
Jim Strauch
Thanks for the update Mr. Wright, and many thanks to Deputy Marsh Warden Gaby Schmitt for taking our Red-shoulder fledgling to the Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital, and then all the way out to The Raptor Trust. It’s nice to hear some good news.