Fern Wildlife Refuge: The House That Gretl Built By Holly Ross Haynes, Volunteer Staff Writer

Rescue Report Newsletter of the Wildlife Rescue League Summer 2007, Vol. 25, No. 3 Fern Wildlife Refuge: The House That Gretl Built By Holly Ross Haynes, Volunteer Staff Writer Way, way up north, about 16 miles northeast of the heart of Winchester, VA, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, unheralded, worthy work takes place. Signs with the simple admonition Quiet Please appeared at various points along the paved, narrow driveway ending at Fern Wildlife Refuge (FWR). Situated on 23 wooded acres, the grounds serve as a protected habitat for countless birds and small mammals released by the refuge over the years. Friendly and gracious, Gretl Learned came out of the refuge s main structure to greet meet me, my 80-year-old mother, and my sister. (It was a beautiful spring day, and they agreed to come out with me in exchange for a shopping stop at a favorite bargain store in Winchester on the way home.) A smiling and healthy woman with a sunweathered face extended her strong hand and remarked, I know I must look like something that the cat dragged in. We poured a concrete foundation yesterday for a new cage and I am still covered with cement dust! I was glad to have my family members along, as wildlife rehabilitation and the work of licensed rehabilitators is totally new to them. Their questions were fresh, and Gretl s answers were simple and to the point. We immediately matched our lowered voices to hers. When asked why the need for quiet, Gretl, FWR s resident, full-time permitted rehabilitator, explained, Not only do we keep conversation to a minimum while working around the animals, we also try to avoid touching them. She continued, We do not want them to become habituated to humans. Approximately 800 orphaned, injured, sick or displaced birds and mammals are brought to FWR yearly. Although they will take all creatures insofar as their space and surrounding habitat support, the refuge predominantly caters to songbirds and small mammals such as skunks, fox kits, squirrels and flying squirrels. Gretl loves skunks and says their baby season and feeding schedules fit in nicely with songbird rehabbing. Photo by Gretl. Our goal is to provide rescue, rehabilitation and release of orphaned, injured, and displaced wildlife, but saving a life is not an end in itself. My sister asked what criteria is used to decide when an animal is releasable. It must be able to fend and hunt for itself and be fit enough to breed. Gretl then shared a sobering statistic, It is estimated that 80% of otherwise healthy young do not make it to breeding age, despite the fact they had moms to teach them largely due to lack of an adequate food supply. So you can imagine the extra time and effort a released creature will need in order to learn how to survive, as they did not have the benefit of a parent to teach them. Like the Wildlife Rescue League (WRL) and countless other wildlife rehabilitation organizations, FWR s caseload increases every year. I am always glad when newcomers such as my mother and sister can hear the reason for this: As urban sprawl takes over more natural habitat, hundreds of animals are displaced. W W W. W I L D L I F E R E S C U E L E A G U E. O R G

the increase in the number of houses induces more traffic which leads to more accidents and injuries. Many of the animals brought into our care have suffered injury from car accidents, or from flying into obstacles; still others have been the victim of attacks by domestic animals primarily cats and dogs. She added that, of course, there are always those who have been orphaned because of their mother being killed by one of the foregoing reasons. My mother was impressed by the beauty and acreage of the rolling hills and vegetation. With a nod of her head and wave of her arm, Gretl replied, All of this belongs to the animals, and their needs come first; I just happen to live here. On first glance, the grounds belie the fact they teem with wildlife both indigenous and those that have been released. We take in the area behind the hospital and, on further scrutiny, see bird boxes and feeding stations mounted on tree trunks, dishes of fresh water here and there on the forest floor, and various nut trees and berry bushes. One of the tree-mounted feeding stations was a worm station where meal worms are put out for birds and squirrels alike; an innocuous pile of grey, slate-like rocks serves One of 37 brush piles Gretl painstakingly built with separate entrances, exits and living chambers. as a dwelling for either foxes or skunks; and a dome shaped collection of large and small branches is one of no less than 37 brush piles Gretl built, featuring separate dens, entrances and exits. These piles are home to a variety of mammals. Of the more obvious structures, large and airy cages stationed a good distance from each other stood clean and ready for the season. Over the years, Gretl has adapted the design and materials such that the current, ideal cage has a metal structure and wire sides. They are not as charming to look at as the wooden ones, but wood absorbs water, warps and deteriorates very quickly. A Jill-of-all-trades, she is a very creative and skilled carpenter. Not only did she renovate the interior of the two-story house to convert it to the hospital, her newly built Chimney Swift flight cage is situated on a new Gretl in front of a Chimney Swift flight cage. Chimney Swifts are one of her favorite species. deck on the front of the hospital, built by volunteers with donated Trex planking. If cleanliness is next to godliness, entering the interior of the hospital placed one on hallowed ground. It is vital that it be so. Despite a constant parade of new animals and visitors, not once since the refuge s inception in 1993 has there been a bacterial outbreak. As for the careful storage of items, Gretl often works alone and, therefore, it is important that everything be easily accessible. The rooms were bright and cheerful and a tangible sense of her heart was everywhere. Pencil and charcoal drawings of the human figure graced the walls. She is an artist with little time these days to dabble in one of the affectations of her younger days. She custom-made a variety of painted cupboards and cabinets to hold every sort of supply imaginable. All furnishings are on wheels to adapt to the fluctuation in the number and kind of patients. The main room is for intake. After undergoing special triage protocol and treatment, some are moved to rooms for further rehabilitation where full spectrum lighting hangs from the ceilings. Baby Season being just a few hours or days 2 Rescue Report Summer 2007

away at the time of our interview, a dove recuperating from a pelvic fracture was the sole occupant in the larger of the rooms which used to be Gretl s bedroom. She good-naturedly explained more space was needed for the animals so she moved to a smaller room at the end of the hallway. How did you come into this vocation? my mother asked (stunned that people dedicate their time and energy to rehabbing). A great deal of my childhood was spent on a selfsufficient farm where I was always surrounded by animals. Other than that, my father gave me a book written by the late anthropologist and paleontologist, Loren Eiseley, entitled The Immense Journey. I was simply HOOKED and I figured the study of animals was just perfect for me as I am not, naturally, partial to the human species! For nine years, she lived and studied in Europe, Africa and Australia, where she received a variety of degrees with a focus on nutrition and bio-energy. In addition to working as a physician s assistant, she received a degree in Chinese acupuncture and was in private practice for 20 years. Although she maintained that it is not necessary to have a medical background to be a rehabber, one MUST have a thirst for knowledge. If I don t know the answer to something I immediately pick up the phone. One of her most revered and influential mentors is Lessie Davis, president of the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association. Gretl s approach to rehabilitation is meticulous and given with careful consideration of ethical and biological issues. Heavy use of conventional veterinarian care, medications and antibiotics are used with discretion. Homeopathy and nutritional therapies are used whenever possible. A particularly memorable success was the complete recovery of a female grey fox. She had been hit by a truck and was totally paralyzed and blinded due to a massive concussion. She enjoyed a full recovery with minimum medical interaction but with supportive care. After releasing, she chose to stay and live in a brush pile on the refuge where she has raised her kits two years in a row. Gretl concluded: Seeing future generations as a result of helping one animal is what is so rewarding about this work. Favorite Species: I particularly love Chimney Swifts. I appreciate their unique intelligence and feel when you make eye contact with them there is someone looking back! Funniest Call: A young man called me in a panic one day. It seems he bought a tarantula from a pet store only to find, a few hours later, it had given birth to hundreds and hundreds of offspring all in the confines of the bedroom he occupied in his parents house! I told him three things: 1) No, I would not be coming over to help; 2) Don t tell your mother; and 3) You d better start getting very familiar with the vacuum cleaner! Favorite Way To Relax: What is that? When I can, I love to read, sew and do various crafts. Favorite Junk Food: York Peppermint Patties. Favorite Music: I love all kinds but in particular, cultural/world music especially Pygmy music I have some recorded. As for Western music, I particularly love jazz, blues and opera. Greatest Wish: That all wildlife be SAFE that they not need to come into a rehabber s care. This will require humans waking up to their responsibility and place on this planet. Gretl Learned is held in high esteem by many of WRL s past and present veteran rehabilitators. Through the years, both organizations have shared advice and support. WRL s and FWR s hotlines are vital keys to inform the public of the emergency care available for area wildlife. Both serve as essential conduits of education and information and offer many ways in which ordinary citizens of all ages can take a part in assisting wildlife. If it should turn out that we have mishandled our own lives as several civilizations before us have done, it seems a pity that we should involve the violet and the tree frog in our departure. Loren Eiseley Rescue Report Summer 2007 3

President s Message Baby season = busy season, and that season is upon us as I write this message in late April. I hope, however, that you will take time to read the latest of Holly s wonderful interviews of area rehabbers. This time she spoke with Gretl Learned, a songbird and small mammal rehabber, who is well known and highly regarded by many of you. Another interesting article will teach you about the Eastern Box Turtle, one of our most visible and well-liked native reptiles. You can learn what has been happening in WRL by reading reports from the February and March board meetings, as well as assorted other announcements. I would like to encourage everyone to attend the June 2 nd membership meeting both to hear Aleta Dust s presentation and to provide input on the new public education program. We really need and want your thoughts. The Hotline Committee recruited five new volunteers thus far in 2007, but filling all the open shifts remains a challenge. We also have two new apprentices working with sponsors, but our need for rehabbers remains great. No one has yet stepped forward to serve as the newsletter editor or to be on a committee that will research the feasibility of an intake center. The Supply Donations Committee chair also became vacant. We need your help! Linda Finding Help for Native Wildlife WRL operates a wildlife hotline in the Northern Virginia and surrounding areas to assist the public in obtaining information and assistance in locating a wildlife rehabilitator. Immediate assistance for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife is essential as even a few hours can mean the difference between life and death, or the ability to be returned to the wild. If you are outside the Northern Virginia area, good sources of help include your local animal shelters, humane society, or vets. Do not attempt to care for a wild animal yourself because wild animals require specialized medical care and diets. If you find wildlife you believe is in need of human assistance, call the WRL Wildlife Hotline at (703) 440-0800. A volunteer will return your call and give you instructions on how to proceed. The hotline operates from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (6:00 p.m. in winter) every day of the year. If you call after hours, your call will be returned the following day. For more information, see our online brochure Does This Animal Need Help at http://wildliferescueleague.org/rescue.html. 4 Rescue Report Summer 2007

e Rescue Report Wildlife Rescue League P.O. Box704 Falls Church, Virginia 22040 (703) 391-8625 wrl@wildliferescueleague.org www@wildliferescueleague.org Wildlife Hotline: (703) 440-0800 Editor Linda Jasper Layout Editor Kathleen O Connor Writer Holly Ross Haynes Contributors Rachel Tolman Grace Holden Distribution Nancy O Malley President Linda Jasper Vice President Chris King $$$ Help WRL Save Money $$$ The Rescue Report editorial staff continues to offer all WRL members the opportunity to receive this newsletter via email rather than snail mail. By choosing an e-newsletter, you will receive your newsletter more quickly and save WRL the mailing costs. Please seriously consider participating; all you need do is send an email to LndJasp@aol.com. Current E-Mail Addresses If you have changed your email address in the last six months, please send your new address to LndJasp@aol.com. We tried an experiment in notifying members via email of the May 5 th Clean-up Day at the WRL storage unit and received back many unknown address or mail undeliverable messages. We promise not to flood you with emails, but sometimes things need attention between editions of Rescue Report or our quarterly membership meetings. Articles published in Rescue Report are for the information of WRL member and do not necessarily reflect the views of WRL. All materials printed in Rescue Report are the intellectual property of WRL and may not be used without permission. Direct permission requests to WRL Rescue Report, Attn: Editor, P.O. Box 704, Falls Church, VA 22040. Please send submission, including scanned digital images, to Lnd.Jasp@aol.com. Only electronic files (articles) will be accepted. Electronic photos are preferred. Holiday Cookbook To Come! WRL will be printing and selling a cookbook as a fundraising event. Please start thinking which of your favorite recipes you want to include. The book will be available at the December meeting, just in time for your holiday purchases. More information soon. Rescue Report Summer 2007 5

Reptile Report: Box Turtles By Rachael Tolman, Long Branch Nature Center It s that time of year again, when it starts to warm up and stay warm, a time for gardening, hiking and observing nature. It s also about the time our local reptiles become visible again. Keep your eyes out for the Eastern Box Turtle. They are some our most visible and well liked native reptiles. A Little History The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) is widely distributed throughout much of the eastern half of the United States ranging from Massachusetts to Texas and from Michigan to Florida. Box turtles are terrestrial and prefer a wide variety of habitats from moist forest to What To Do If You Find a Box Turtle First, determine if it needs help. Just because you come upon him or her does not mean it needs your help. Is it near the road or other high disturbance area where it may encounter cars or construction equipment? Is its shell intact, that is, does it have any cracks or holes? Does it have any fresh wounds on its shell or extremities? Does it have any trouble breathing or lumps on its neck? How to Help If you find a box turtle wandering about in a park or wooded area and it shows no signs of injury or illness, it s ok. Just leave it alone; it is not lost. Many people try to return them to a water source, but they are terrestrial, not aquatic. Of course, they typically do have a water source within their home range. If you find a turtle crossing the road or near a road, do stop and give a hand. Move the turtle to the One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human. Loren Eiseley pasture even your own back yard! They are most easily recognized by their highly domed carapace or upper shell. Their lower shell or plastron is hinged, which allows them to shut themselves in almost completely. Males tend to grow larger than females, up to 8 inches in length. Males also commonly have red or orange eyes and a concave plastron. Females typically have brown eyes and flat plastron. These, like many other members of this family, are long lived. They easily survive into their 30s and 40s, with a few documented living to and above 100, although it is not known if this is common. Turtles can take 5 to 7 years to mature. When they do mate, females lay a clutch of 3-8 eggs. Females can even store sperm for future egg laying for several years after mating! side it was crossing to or in the direction it was heading. If you hit a turtle or find a turtle with a newly damaged shell, please make note of where you found it and get it to a rehabilitator. If you find a turtle with lumps on its neck or having trouble breathing, also make note of where you found it and find a rehabilitator. Turtles often times become play things for dogs. If your dog has been chewing on a turtle and caused any damage, please get the turtle to a rehabilitator. Where To Take a Turtle The most common problems with turtles are being hit by cars, attacked by dogs or raccoons, and illness. If you have found an injured turtle that needs help please call either the Wildlife Rescue League at (703) 440-0800 or Long Branch Nature Center (LBNC) at (703) 228-6535. You will need to drop the turtle off (during business hours for LBNC) and give as much detailed information as you can. If the turtle can be rehabilitated, it is also helpful for you to return it to where you found it. 6 Rescue Report Summer 2007

Wildlife Rescue League Board of Directors Meeting: February 19, 2007 Treasurer s Report Kelly Eigler informed the board that she had difficulty converting the old financial records that were on a different computer system, but that she hoped to resolve it soon. She is working on completing the CFC application. She suggested converting the WRL bank account to an interest-bearing account that will permit online bill paying. New Business The Board discussed the proposed 2007 budget. It was noted that we need better statistics on rehabilitator supply needs and need to know whether the current amounts are sufficient. Since WRL s expenses are currently greater than its income, the Board discussed possible areas where the budget could be cut, such as the frequency or length of the Rescue Report and spending less on our phone system. Committee Reports Chris King, hotline coordinator, talked about plans for the volunteer appreciation luncheon and ideas that the Hotline Committee (Chris, Grace Holden and Ann Busby) had for recruiting new volunteers, such as contacting retirement centers, AARP, and WRL members. Linda Jasper reported that Steven Nunes agreed to be transport coordinator. Regarding rehabilitator updates, Sherry Keen said that she is contacting rehabilitators to see who is willing to take apprentices. As chair of the Rehabilitator Education Committee, Erika Yery reported that the bird rehabilitation class on February 24 went well and had 35 attendees. Kimberley Sisco, public education chair, stated that she wants to create a new look for WRL and its Web site. She plans to create some generic brochures and to redo our current brochures using the new look. She also reported that the well known wildlife photographer Carl Samms will allow us to use his photographs free of charge and to purchase his products at wholesale and resell them at retail prices. The next Board meeting was set for March 24, 2007. Will You Help? WRL needs volunteers to staff these positions: Rescue Report Editor Solicits and gathers articles Edits Rescue Report Obtains final review from permitted rehabilitator designated by the board, if necessary Submits the draft to the layout editor Approves the final copy for the printer Committee To Study the Feasibility of an Intake Center Research legal, space, logistics, insurance and staffing requirements Write a report of the findings for the WRL Board of Directors Supplies Donation Chair: Respond to calls and emails from individuals wishing to make donations. Pick up donations as needed and arrange delivery to individual rehabbers. Solicit donations from veterinary offices and pet stores. Let Your Opinion Be Known! Come to the June 2 nd membership meeting and voice your opinion on the new look for WRL s public education material and Web site. Kimberley Sisco, Public Education Chair, is planning to redo our current brochures and create new ones, and she wants your input. She is also working on a new look the WRL Web site with a new color scheme, new ways to access information, and a featured content on the home page that would change each month. Mostly the animals understand their roles, but man, by comparison, seems troubled by a message that, it is often said, he cannot quite remember, or has gotten wrong. Loren Eiseley Rescue Report Summer 2007 7

Wildlife Rescue League Board of Directors Meeting March 24, 2007 Treasurer s Report Kelly Eigler stated that the computer problems have been resolved, and she is now able to pay the bills. A balance sheet will be available at the next meeting. President s Report Linda Jasper stated that she sent a letter to all committee chairs asking them to come to the April board meeting to present a quarterly report of their committee s activities; those unable to attend were asked to provide a written report. She announced that Fairfax County will again give WRL $10,000, pending approval after hearings on April 9, 10, and 11. Regarding committee positions, Julie Bolt resigned as supply donation chair. Wendy Bader agreed to be the hotline scheduler as of May 1. Linda will do the scheduling for April. The Board wholeheartedly thanked Jennifer Noonan for her excellent work as hotline scheduler and will miss working with her. No one stepped forward to be editor of Rescue Report, so Linda will be the editor for the summer issue. Old Business Babiga Fund Linda presented three options: 1) Follow the current written guidelines, 2) Adopt new guidelines, or 3) Cancel the Babiga Fund. The Board agreed that the fund is worthwhile and should continue. Linda said that she would review the bills received to date in accordance with the current written guidelines and will put together a committee to write new guidelines for board approval. Committee Reports Hotline Chris King discussed ideas to recruit volunteers and enhance communication. One idea is having a critter calendar. Rehabilitator Updates Sherry Keen is collecting the email addresses of rehabilitators to set up a yahoo list of local and out-of-area rehabilitators. She requests that any rehabilitator with email capabilities send the information to her. Public Education Kimberley Sisco requested that board members send all requests for brochures, FAQs, certificates, etc., to her so they have a consistent look. She will commit to getting them competed within three days after the request is made. She then presented a new look for the WRL Web site with a new color scheme, new ways to access information, and a featured content on the home page that would change each month. She stated that she will have comps for the brochures at the next meeting. Volunteers The need for a better tracking system was brought up by Erika Yery, who said that new volunteers had been referred to her, many of whom are looking to volunteer in ways not related to Erika s work. It was agreed that we need to get information that is more specific when volunteers apply and refer them to the appropriate person. Next Board Meeting Saturday April 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the McLean House, 6800 Fleetwood Rd., McLean, VA. Mark Your Calendar WRL Quarterly Membership Meetings Date: June 2, 2007, 11:00 a.m. Mason Government Center 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003 Featured Speaker: Aleta Dust, President of the Raptor Conservancy Subject: Safely Capturing, Containing and Transporting Raptors Credit: 1 hour of continuing education credit Date: September 8, 2007, 11:00 a.m. Mason Government Center 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003 Featured Speaker: TBD Man... is himself a flame. He has burned through the animal world and appropriated its vast stores of protein for his own. Loren Eiseley 8 Rescue Report Summer 2007

Yes! I want to be a WRL member and help save Virginia s native wildlife! Membership benefits include: Rescue Report Volunteer Opportunities Meetings and Classes Much more Call 703-391-8625; e-mail wrl@wildliferescueleague.org; snail mail this form with your check to Wildlife Rescue League, P.O. Box 704, Falls Church, VA 22040; or sign-up online at http://www.wildliferescueleague.org/paypal.html. Name: Address: City: State: Zip Phone: E-mail: Individual (1-yr) $25 Family (1-yr) $35 Organization (1-yr) $35 Rehabber $0* Individual (2-yr) $40 Family (2-yr) $60 Organization (2-yr) $60 Rehabber $0* Donor Member $100 I have also enclosed an additional donation in the amount of $ I do not wish to join, but I have enclosed a donation in the amount of $ * With proof of current permit Wildlife Rescue League P.O. Box 704 Falls Church, VA 22040 Address Service Requested Non-profit Org U.S. Postage Paid Merrifield, VA Permit $ 2461 Preserving Virginia s native wildlife through rehabilitation and education. 12 Rescue Report Summer 2007