Spring has Sprung!

A “Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!”
Sitting Bull

No sooner had the snow started to recede and the mud started to rise, the babies began to arrive. Little, tiny pinkies that will one day become chatty, fractious squirrels are being fed every two hours. The first raccoon baby arrived April 1st weighing little more than ????.

Fortunately as the babies arrive so too have the first volunteers. Thank goodness as it looks like we are in for a bumper crop of babies this year. First to arrive was Thomas and Hannah from Belgium. They have been crossing the country having arrived last November. They will be staying with us until the middle of May. Thomas is in the process of constructing improved quarters for Gandalf, Elly and eventually Subira. This talented, hard working man has already become a huge asset to the Staff and especially the animals. Hannah along with latest arrival Jan, (from Hamilton) who is back for her second stint at AVWS, are working very hard with the babies and making sure that all is in order in the nursery.  This weekend we will be joined by two more volunteers, Jennifer and Marta.

There has been a lot of activity here at AVWS. We now have all the raccoons situated in a single area from babies to release to ensure there be no contamination to other animals in our care. Thanks to Jason and Joe and Trevor, we have running water and  hydro in the raccoon nursery and raccoon city! No more hauling buckets to feed, water and clean the enclosures!

Soon last year’s babies will be released back to the wild. Along with the 13 permanent residents, through the winter 14 raccoons, 26 squirrels, 10 fawns, 9 bear cubs, 2 otters, a beaver, a fox, and a porcupine were fed and cared for in preparation for their release.  Release sites have been chosen and where necessary, approval obtained so that when the peepers start singing and the buds are rich on the branches and the minnows are swimming we shall transport the animals to their chosen site and send them off to the wild, where they belong. Another successful year for the animals at AVWS!

There have been few more changes at AVWS in the last week.  Steve Catt who has been with us since January 2010 has received a terrific offer of employment elsewhere which he simply could not refuse. Steve’s time at AVWS has been memorable and while we shall miss his sense of humour and his antics we wish him the very best in his new career. In the wake of Steve’s leaving we will be adding to team AVWS in the person of Jock McPhee. Jock has an incredible background in the aircraft industry and brings with him a strong work ethic and a desire to “get the job done and get it done right.”

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