Sometimes it's best to let nature be nature -- but sometimes intervention is needed

I've often shared the trials and tribulations of being a bird — or any animal, for that matter — in the age of humans, known as the Anthropocene. There is no mistaking that humans run the world, and too often that means animals find themselves getting in the way of our personal needs, convenience or desires. Spring is an especially dangerous time for birds. Migration alone can mean traveling thousands of exhausting and hazardous miles, where they must navigate buildings, windows, lights, wind turbines, planes and countless other human-made obstacles. Spring is also the season of courtship and nesting. Birds spend their days chasing rivals, defending territories, seeking mates, gathering food and caring for young. In all that frantic activity, they often become less aware of the dangers surrounding them. Young birds, especially, are vulnerable. They are inexperienced and still learning the world around them — a world filled with cars, roads and people. A couple of years ago, I watched a young starling walking across Broadway in Lorain. As a car approached from the other direction, I watched nervously, hoping the bird would fly out of the way like they usually do. When it didn't, I thought, "That's it — another dead bird." The car never slowed down. It simply drove right over the bird. But when I say, "right over it," I mean literally over it. After the car passed, the young starling was somehow still standing there, wandering in the middle of the road. I stopped to help it across. Of course — and this could probably only happen to me — the bird darted underneath my car. There I was, lying on my stomach in morning Broadway traffic, trying to rescue a young starling from beneath my vehicle. I can only imagine what that must have looked like to passing drivers. I was afraid to move the car and accidentally hurt it, so I kept trying to flush it out from the other side. The bird, however, was not cooperating. Between attempts, I had to stand up and wave traffic around me. Thankfully, a kind passerby stopped, quickly realized what I was doing and said, "I can help." She was much more agile than I was, crawled under the car and carefully retrieved the young bird. We carried it over to a grassy area safely away from traffic. Almost immediately, an adult starling flew in nearby. I'd like to think it was one of the parents. I then headed off to work in my dirty shirt. Many people have questions when they encounter injured wildlife. What should we do? Can the animal be helped? Where should it go? And perhaps just as importantly, when should we intervene — and when should we leave nature alone? Personally, I try to let nature be nature whenever I can. It can be tough and heartbreaking. I tend to intervene only when a bird or animal is in clear, unnatural distress. Sometimes, though, even our best intentions are not necessarily what is best for the animal. Years ago, a neighbor discovered baby raccoons in a storm drain and asked if I could help. Wanting to save them, I climbed down and carefully pulled out each baby raccoon. At the time, I thought I was a hero. But when the babies were reunited with the mother raccoon, she promptly carried them right back into the drain. For the next couple of weeks, we watched the young raccoons climbing in and out as if nothing had ever happened. When we receive phone calls at the Black River Audubon Society about injured birds or wildlife, we generally refer people to licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers. They are far better equipped to answer questions, assess injuries and provide proper care. They have seen it all before. Generally speaking, wildlife rehabilitation centers will not come out and catch the animal for you, and they are often unable to accept non-native species, such as my little starling. Fortunately, we do have some local birders who are experienced in safely capturing injured birds and are willing to help when they can. It is also important to note that under both state and federal law, native birds are protected wildlife. While individuals may temporarily assist an injured or orphaned bird for the purpose of transporting it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, it is illegal to keep a native wild bird — or any other native wild animal —in personal possession for more than 24 hours without the proper permits. What to do according to National Audubon Society If you find an adult bird with obvious injuries like a broken wing, unable to stand, or wounded, secure the bird in a box or paper bag with airholes and some crumpled paper towels in the bottom. Place the bird somewhere quiet and call a local wildlife rehabilitator. If a small adult bird has just hit a window, it may simply need time to regain its senses. Place the bird in a paper bag or box with airholes and lined with paper towels. Do not offer food or water. Keep the bird in a quiet place for one hour. Open the box or bag up outside and if the bird does not fly away, call a wildlife rehabber. If it has obvious injuries (such as bleeding or a broken wing), you should contact a wildlife rehabilitation agency. It is important to note that some wildlife rehabilitators recommend that all birds involved in window collisions be evaluated, even if they appear to recover initially, because internal injuries or brain trauma may not be immediately visible. Locally, we refer people to the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center and Back to the Wild. Both have an excellent reputation and very informative websites with more information. There are other places that can be contacted as well including the Medina Raptor Center and Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Contact information and how they help wildlife Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, 44140 Found an injured animal? Please contact our wildlife specialists at (440) 871-2900 before intervening with ill or injured wildlife. Wildlife intakes of injured animals are offered at no charge to the public. Due to high demand for our services, please anticipate leaving a message for our wildlife specialists who will return your call as soon as possible. Wildlife rehabilitation is not intended to interfere with the natural life cycle of wild animals. The majority of animals treated by the Center have sustained injuries from unnatural occurrences such as domestic cat attacks, window strikes, car collisions and unnecessary interference with baby wildlife. Back to the Wild, 4504 Bardshar Road, Castalia, 44824 If you've found an animal and think it may need help, you're in the right place. Each year, we receive thousands of calls about injured, orphaned and sick wildlife, but in many cases, the animal may not actually need rescue. Why are we working so hard to keep the baby with its parents? Baby birds raised by their parents have a much better chance of survival. Wild parents teach critical skills that humans can't replicate. Why shouldn't you rescue a fledgling? Fledglings (young birds hopping on the ground) are in a normal stage of development. While they may look vulnerable, their parents are usually nearby. Removing them too soon can do more harm than good. Not sure what to do? Give us a call at (419) 684-9539. Next time In my next column, I hope to sit down with a wildlife rehabilitation specialist to hear firsthand stories from the front lines of wildlife rescue — along with practical advice for anyone who encounters an injured bird or animal.