Minks, Marmots, and Magpies Oh My
By Lindsey Goodwick
Redstone Review
LONGMONT – Greenwood is having an eventful summer. Our facility typically sees around 130 species each year ranging from hummingbirds to herons, and from chipmunks to coyotes. Having this many different types of animals to care for requires providing a variety of diets in addition to varied habitats to make the animals feel comfortable while they are in their temporary home.
It is our job to keep them happy and healthy while in our care. Springtime means filling up concrete pools with thousands of gallons of water for ducks, geese, pelicans, gulls and more. Our hard-working volunteers early every morning to make sure the food bowls are full; grass is even collected from the grounds to feed the hungry mouths.
We are billowing with all types of mammals, with all types of squirrels including fox, pine and golden-mantled. Their close relatives are nearby including chipmunks, marmots and
This juvenile mink is one of the many mammals currently receiving care at Greenwood.
even a juvenile mink! Minks are strictly carnivorous. Much research goes into making sure each species receives the proper nutrition during their stay.
And let’s not forget the plethora of baby birds swarming the nursery. Blue jays, American robins, sparrows and finches are all typical. This year we have also been graced with Say’s phoebes, cedar waxwings, mountain and western bluebirds and even baby magpies and crows. When they are young, they all receive the same baby bird formula carefully developed by rehabbers across the nation. Over time, they begin developing and will require different foods depending on their species including many types of fruits and worms.
Everyday at Greenwood is a learning experience for volunteers and even staff. We feel privileged to be able to participate in assisting wildlife for the short time they are in our care. Volunteering means coming in each week and being able to see a new animal you may have never known existed. We encourage our Lyons neighbors to come out and get involved and learn something new!
Lindsey Goodwick is the Outreach-Education Coordinator for Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. To learn more, visit the website at www.greenwoodwildlife.org or call 303-823-8455.
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