MONTEREY COUNTY — Every spring, the SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center cares for hundreds of baby birds, providing critical treatment before releasing them back into the wild.
Many of these birds arrive after being injured during tree and shrub trimming. The SPCA warns that trimming during nesting season can inadvertently harm wildlife.
“Winter is the optimal season for tree trimming,” the SPCA said, noting that birds and small mammals are usually not yet nesting and are less at risk of falling when limbs are cut.
Trimming during winter also benefits trees, which are in a dormant state, helping them heal with fewer threats from pests and diseases.
Hummingbirds are among the first baby birds to arrive each year, often coming to the SPCA after being blown from trees during storms or displaced by pruning.
“While our team will always try to reunite these little nestlings with their parents whenever possible, sometimes the baby is in too critical a condition or it is simply not safe to do so,” the SPCA said.
The SPCA encourages residents to avoid trimming trees and shrubs during baby bird season and to call 831-264-5427 if they see a nest or a baby bird on the ground. Hummingbird nests are tiny, about the size of a walnut or golf ball, and the nestlings are even smaller — roughly the size of a jelly bean and weighing about a third of a dime.
The SPCA also warns against attempting to feed rescued wild animals.
“Last year, one of the rescued babies had finders who attempted to feed her sugar water. It took weeks to carefully remove the crusty, crystalized sugar from her feathers. Even just one day of the wrong diet could injure or kill a rescued wild baby. Please always call the SPCA Wildlife Center for help,” the organization said.
To report injured, sick or orphaned wildlife in Monterey County, call the SPCA Wildlife Center at 831-264-5427 or visit spcamc.org.
Each year, the center rescues more than 2,500 injured or orphaned wild animals, a mission made possible by donations. To support the SPCA, visit SPCAmc.org/donate.
