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Len built spec homes in New Jersey and is currently involved doing home improvements
here. What little time Kathy [a retired nurse] has is devoted to volunteering in the
school clinic, library and the computers. Len 'has boat will travel' and has had bad luc^p
with his fishing, and Kathy just loves the beach.
A warm welcome to this energetic yoimg family.
JACKI DAVIDIAN
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WILD BABIES — THOSE TEENAGE YEARS!
It is important to be aware of the age at which baby animals can care for themselves.
For instance, baby cottontail rabbits are self-sufficient, at four weeks of age. They are
only about 5 inches long, but no longer depend on their mother. They should be left alone;
although they seem too tiny to be alone, they are just fine!
Birds which are fully feathered and unable to fly are called fledglings. Fledglings
should also be left alone, as this stage is normal in the development of baby birds. They
have just left the nest and must learn to feed themselves. The parents are still caring
for the birds, and are usually nearby. Observe the babies for about an hour, and you will
likely see an adult return to feed them.
Other ages to remember:
Baby raccoons leave the nest at 8 to 10 weeks to hunt with mom, but remain with her
for 5 to 12 months.
Baby gray squirrels are on their own at 10 weeks. Ducklings are led to water by their
mother within 24 hours of birth, but stay with the flock for 3 months. Baby raptors [birds
of prey] are fed by the parents for about 4 months.
During May, O.W.L.S. had 135 admissions!!!!
The cost of raising our 2 osprey chicks, [born about May 20] is about $1,100.!! Con
sider adopting one...we can match every dollar you send with$3.00 from other sources.
Adoptive parents will be allowed to view the osprey as they grow. Call 240-1200.
S. GOETZINGER
LOST AND FOUND
This is certainly the most successful column the Shore Line has run! Up until this
month v/e had enjoyed 1009^ success and now this month we did even better! Bill Macdonals's
canoe can be reported both lost and found in one issue!
Apparently the canoe was taken from its place on the bank as a vandal's prank. Bill
says he knows v;ho did it — and when. Where it \ras dumped into the water is not certain
but it had travelled a good way from home before it was found.
Dick C'jmberland, Hank Ingram and Hank's son-in-law were going fishing a few days
later. As they were leaving the canal our alert police officer. Bob Hamilton, asked them
to investigate an object floating far out beyond the middle of the sound. It was, of
course, the canoe. But they didn't toow whose it was so after they towed it in they took
it over to Commissioner Roderick's for safe keeping while they tried to find the owner.
E)van made inquiries at the Toivn Hall and that was enough. Mystery solved and property
returned to omer.
We like to see people have fun but not if it disturbs the peace in the middle of the
night and involves damage to or loss of private property. We are glad this incident had^^
a happy ending.