Very hungry baby grackle at the Bird Center of Washtenaw County.

On Sunday, I had an introduction to letterboxing thanks to one of my friends. The letterbox we went to find was easy to locate, being “hidden” at the Bird Center. The center is a wonderful place, doing great work saving birds on a shoestring budget. They are one of my favorite places to support, as the unsung and under-appreciated wildlife rehabilitators need all the help and support we can give them. Two recent local news items, Bird Center of Washtenaw County has become a vital resource for avian rehabilitation, seeks help in finding new location and Ann Arbor area wild bird rehabilitators open their season already at capacity, brought a spotlight to the center’s ongoing needs as well as shared information on simple ways to help wild birds.

Another Bird Center baby, this one a mourning dove. There were three of them, and they were absolutely adorable. That tub of icky-looking stuff on the left side of the photo is dove food. It takes a syringe and a lot of patience to simulate a mother dove and get these little guys to eat. Did I mention they and their 100-some friends at the shelter need to be fed every 30 minutes?

The Bird Center is not open for tours or visitors to the bird care area, but it is doing important work for all of us. If you can, send a donation in any amount to help their work. Or support your local rehabilitator(s) and help them help birds. Please share this information with others who will be interested and supportive.

Look at those sweet little birdy faces! How can you not help them, and their helpers?