Crumbly Acres Squirrel Release

 Sunday, June 7th, we went to the wildlife sanctuary Open House. Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (RVWS) was giving tours. We jumped at the chance. We donate monthly to this group. They do amazing work.

They sent an email, letting us know they had 3 orphaned squirrels that needed to be released. Could we help? They were having trouble finding a willing host for a release location. We jumped at the chance to make a small difference to 3 little orphaned rodents. We did this for #75, May, 2025, and he is doing well. Crumbly Acres Rehab: #75. 

They have a lot of predators. Coyotes and Barred owls, for example. I dissected an owl pellet in 2017, and found the black fur of a black squirrel! 

Crumbly Acres Rehab: #75, 2025.

We had a tour of the different rooms, with volunteers and staff feeding orphaned animals patiently with milk in syringes. The kits grab their hands and eat for dear life. No photos, as a flash could be disturbing. 

There were raccoons babies, groundhogs, bats, gray, red and black squirrels.

Lots of food and fun. They were bussing people in from the road, but since we were picking up the critters, we were granted permission to park at the facility. We don't do well in crowds. 

Some, with better constitutions walked back to their cars.  

Home we went.

They were quite quiet on the way home. I took a break for lunch, and a change of clothes. Taking the ladder, I got it ready, while going back for the drill and the camera. Joe was my personal assistant.

I did not get it up to the 10' up they recommend, tough for old farts. On the balls of my feet, balancing on the ladder, holding the nest box and the drill. It is a balancing act.

Joe put down water and some of the bird seed they sent us home with. I rested on my laurels. 

After an hour and a half, they were exploring their new tree. 

The squirrels did fine. I think they were practicing, up and down the tree for awhile. 

I think one left, and another a little bit later. I visited in the morning, and all was quiet. We shall see what happens. 

A busy weekend in a small town

 1. Perth Market – Saturday: 8 - 1, Joe had to go early to miss cycling traffic. The cyclists come right down our highway. He got us Korean dinners from Jinny. 

2. Rideau Lakes Cycling tour – June 6 / 7  leaving Perth at 8:30 a.m. They go to Kingston, about 200 km, and come back Sunday.  They aren't all the nicest people. They have maps, and since we were going to the RVWS Open House Sunday, and to pick up 3 orphaned squirrels, we checked into it. Rideau Lakes Cycling Tour 2024.

• RLCT-CLD1 2026 Classic Day 1
• RLCT-CLD2 2026 Classic Day 2

3. Perth Triathlon June 7th 7:30 a.m.

4. Perth PRIDE – Parade Sunset BLVD. 3:30 p.m.

5. Otty Lake Annual Meeting – June 7, 1 - 3 p.m.

6. Rideau Lakes Antique Car and Craft Show, in Lombardy June 6/7.

🚴 🚴 🚴 🚴 🚴 🚴 🚴 🚴 🚴 🚴 🚴 🚴 🚴 🚴 🚴

Rideau Lakes Cycling tour 

 

This dude didn't stop at the stop sign, and pulled right in front of the car when Joe and I were in town in 2016. 

We learned our lesson in 2016:
STAY OUT OF TOWN! 
Ottawa Bicycle Club.

🌈 PRIDE Month

Smiths Falls Police Service Press Release:

 "On the 28th of May 2026, Smiths Falls Police Service initiated an investigation into the hate related mischief at the Town Hall band stand and the Pride crosswalk at Beckwith St N and Church St W. Through assistance of security surveillance footage, investigating officers were able to identify 4 suspects."

🐿️ Sunday, we went to our local wildlife sanctuary Open House. RVWS was giving tours. We jumped at the chance. They sent an email, letting us know they had 3 orphaned squirrels that needed to be released. They were having trouble finding a spot. We jumped at the chance to make a small difference to 3 little rodents. We did this for #75 and he is doing well.

I'll post more once I curate the photos! Joe Brian is in charge of food and water. He handed me my drill as I was atop the ladder. It wore me out. I had to take a seat. 

Freds and owls, June 3 & 4

We are moving into summer. Inching slowly... The horse chestnut tree is in full bloom. Bees abuzzing!

Wed., June 3rd

 After thinking it was very, very quiet, our groundhog family, AKA the Freds, spent the afternoon under the lower deck. They came back from the other burrow. Cinnamon was quite keen. They seem to have a healthy respect for one another. Cinnamon is curious, and a watcher and a thinker! 😏

Momma moved back from the other burrow June 2nd:

Cuteness abounds. They are weaned, and independent. Still, they gather. It seems as if one of them shadows the mother. The others move in a trio.

I had a nice afternoon watching them while I put my feet up.

 

 

 It's like Whack-a-mole, as they pop up. The lower deck burrow (#3) has 4 entrance/exits!

 

June 4th – I came back from viewing the owls, they were singing to one another, and miniFreds were watching me!

The Barred owls... sound up, you can't see them. I was totally curious. I had to go look for them.

 

It moved abruptly...

Then flew over my head. I imagine they have an owlet with them. They've been flying around the wetland for days.

Rehabbed bald eagle release

 We've sent a lot of business their way. I remember when they were in the basement of a bungalow in Nepean where we lived. My son's scout troop took a tour. 

Saturday's Critters

The phoebes have been nurtured, and now are fledged. 

My McGyvered mirror has had the biscuit. 

During COVID (June, 2020), the grandies were here and we took the opportunity to look at the precious things for a moment. It was special.

My new mirror, a little less than great. I read it had a 36" pole. I neglected to read the size of the mirror! A full size security mirror is $143! 

It wasn't as bad as I thought!

 

Barry has disappeared deeper into the wetland. I hope there is water there for him. The path is frequented by both Butch raccoon, and our pregnant doe.

   

 A bear came by. It was captured on the driveway, and on the same path in the video above.

   

 A coyote was another brief visitor. Too brief for a video. Got him on the driveway camera!

The porcupine(s?) are out and about on an irregular regular basis. It seems to take the same path. I guess, when you are a porcupine, you can amble where you want.

 

We've a lot of wind. The doe seems a bit unsettled. They can't hear predators with the sounds.

 

Saturday's Critters # 651 <= visit more critters from around the world at Eileen's blog.

Freds on the move

We enjoy watching Fred. They are so funny. May 31st: 

I thought the Fred's had settled in under the lower deck. I believe she is acquainting them to her other burrows. Now, I realize that they are virtually weaned, although they still beg. This was May 31st, the last time they were together as a group. I thought.

 

I moved the camera there. There was some fun action. Did you know groundhogs can climb a tree?

Fred on moving day <= in 2025 she moved them June 7th. This year she is a week earlier. 

The big event. Fred Groundhog was having terrible worries. I thought it a coyote or fox, but I think she was reacting to Butch Raccoon. 

I could tell, as two cats were sitting on the table looking out into the yard. Yes, we've only one rule, stay off counters and the table. Fat lot of good that does. 🤷

They were at the lower deck burrow for only a day.

  

Noticing Momma Fred going towards the gully Monday, I wondered what was up to. She didn't reappear until the end of the day, looking very concerned at the shed. I couldn't see any kits. She was sitting here whistling at a potential predator. Hard to know who or what. 

The cats were VERY concerned.

I don't think raccoons kill groundhogs, groundhog teeth and claws are too powerful. I know raccoons scavenge dead stuff, though.  

I could hear her whistling at the shed, burrow #2. Next she was whistling at burrow #4.

I donned a hoodie and long pants, and followed the sound. Sure enough, Momma Fred was at burrow #4. It is just off the septic bed. 

There was more commotion, and I realized it was only Butch Raccoon coming back. Tuesday morning Momma was over near the water fountain eating. I'll have to move the trailcam again. 

Two All of the 5 phoebes have fledged as of yesterday. 

Barry has disappeared for deeper water. The wetland is drying up. I wish I had a drone to explore. 

Joe Brian had his PSA test Wednesday. They actually had butterfly needles, and it only took one hand. His numbers haven't changed since Nov., 2017. This is good. The prostate cancer is still there, but not increasing.