Le Nichoir - Wild Bird Rehabilitation - Hudson, Quebec, Canada

	About us Le Nichoir provides proper care and treatment for injured, sick, or orphaned wild birds and releases them back into their natural habitat. Le Nichoir also provides advice and information about wild birds and their environment through educational programs and annual public events. There is no charge asked for any of our services. In 1995 Le Nichoir received 478 birds. Today, it is the largest rehabilitation centre for songbirds in Canada. We admit more than 1400 wild birds and receive 5000 telephone calls each year. Le Nichoir Wild Bird Rehabilitation Centre was founded in 1994 as a non-profit organization and is Located in Hudson, Quebec. Le Nichoir is a licensed centre, part of a community of North American rehabilitators, supported by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) and the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA). Our mission is to conserve wild birds as part of our natural heritage.				Drop Offs / Visitors We are open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM for drop offs starting May 15th to September 15th. After this time, we are open by appointment only. Visitors are welcome at Le Nichoir but please call beforehand. Group visits are welcomed by appointment only; call Le Nichoir to make arrangements. Le Nichoir is fully wheelchair accessible. Donations Birds are saved thanks to your donations! Funding for the care we provide comes mainly from private, individual donations. If you love wild birds and would like to help Le Nichoir, please consider making a gift. Your generous donations are greatly needed. Donations in kind are also welcome (see our wish list Wish List ). Memorial gifts and bequests can also be made. Please contact us to discuss your legacy gift to Le Nichoir. Send your donation to: 637 Main Road, Hudson, Quebec (J0P 1J0). Or visit us. Events & Announcements Help Wanted! Can you please help us? We are looking for auction donations (antiques, collectibles, packages, gift certificates, corporate gifts, etc) to be auctioned off on April 4th, 2008 at Le Nichoir's "For the Birds" Benefit Dinner and Auction.All auction donors will be mentioned in the Auction Booklet 2008, our Newsletter and on our website, and income tax receipts may be issued upon request. Antiques and collectibles are sought after items and generate enthusiasm with bidders. Please do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible if you have auction items to give, need further information or would like to help. Leave a message at Le Nichoir at 450-458-2809.



	Advertisement Opportunity for corporations* YOU WOULD LIKE TO POST PUBLICITY ON OUR WEB SITE OR NEWS LETTER AND SAVE BIRDS? We offer advertisement space at different prices. We estimate our web site traffic at several thousands, mainly nature and animal advocates looking for general information or to help them with a bird in distress (see "bird help 911" section). Our news letter - now in color- is sent to all our supporters and donors about 3 times per year. ALL THE MONEY FROM BANNER ADVERTISEMENT WILL BE USED TO SAVE BIRDS. This is an opportunity for your company to get noticed and help birds at the same time. A win-win offer! Please contact us at: 450-458-2809 *Conditions apply


	How To Reach Us Le Nichoir is located in a 160 year old barn, at 637 Main Road, Hudson, Quebec (J0P 1J0). Telephone: (450) 458-2809 Email: info@lenichoir.org or lenichoir@hotmail.com To reach us, follow Highway 40 to exit 22. Approaching from the east (Montreal) turn right off exit 22, if you are approaching from the west (Rigaud, Ottawa) turn left. You will be on Cote St-Charles. Stay on Cote St-Charles until the end (Main Road), and turn left. Le Nichoir is approximately 1 kilometer from the intersection, on the left side of the road, opposite St. James Anglican Church. Turn into a small gravel lane, and park in the lot beside The Barn. "The Barn" is open from May 15 - September 15. It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. between May 15 and august 15, after this time please call to make an appointment for a drop-off. You can bring injured or orphaned birds during the above hours. Call the center before bringing the bird(s) for information about care and transportation. If we are busy with the birds already in our care, the answering machine will take your message, and we will call back as soon as possible. The answering machine is available during the hours we are closed as well; your calls will be returned in the morning. Find us on MapQuest Find us on Google Maps


	Birdhelp 911 If you have found a bird in distress, the following sections may give you information about how to help. If you need further information, please telephone Le Nichoir at (450) 458-2809 What should I do If: I found a baby bird? I found an injured bird? A bird is nesting on my porch? My cat found a bird? A bird Flies into a window? I have a bird in my chimney? A Woodpecker is drumming on my house? I found ducks or ducklings? I find a dead bird? I need to release a bird after care? It is illegal to keep any wild bird in your home, or in captivity, without a special license. Bring the bird to Le Nichoir for care -it is free, we are licensed, experienced specialists in caring for sick, injured, and orphaned birds, and returning them to their natural habitat.				First Aid DO make sure the bird needs your assistance before interfering, or kidnapping the bird. DO attempt to replace baby birds in their nest, or re-unite them with their mother (if they have truly been lost): parents are the experts at raising baby birds. Parent birds will not reject babies which have been touched by a human: birds have no sense of smell. DO keep the bird in a quiet, dark, safe place, away from noise, children, and animals. DO NOT handle the bird, or cuddle it in your hands, even if it appears calm. In the eyes of a bird, human beings are the worst predators. Handling places severe stress on the bird, and will lead to, or increase shock, leading to death. Talkning to the bird will also frighten it. DO NOT attempt to feed the bird, or give it water or milk to drink. If the bird cannot eat or drink on its own, it will not be able to tolerate forced feeding.


	Releasing birds after care One of the most exciting and satisfying days at Le Nichoir is when birds are released (See picture:Juvenile Great-blue heron was found emaciated, released in Hudson after being rehabilitation in 2006). Opening the door and allowing them to fly out into their natural habitat is the goal to which we strive for every bird which is admitted. Most birds are released directly from Le Nichoir, although those which require special habitats are taken to the most appropriate place for release. The length of time birds stay at Le Nichoir depends on their initial problem(s). All birds are carefully observed each day to determine their readiness for release, and they are released as quickly as possible. Before being released, a bird must be able to fly well, and be self-feeding. We have many feeders with different types of food around Le Nichoir, as well as many bushes with berries for the birds to feed on. Baby birds generally are released about the age at which they would fledge in the wild - usually between 6 - 8 weeks of age, after several days or weeks in a large aviary practicing flying and feeding. Birds which have been injured may stay for only a few days, or up to several weeks or months, until the injury is healed.


	Wish List Le Nichoir is a registered non-profit organization which receives no funding for food, maintenance, or other needs from the federal or provincial governments. We charge no fees for our care to the birds. We depend on financial assistance (donations) from individuals, foundations and corporations to purchase food, medical supplies, and equipment needed for the birds, and to provide salaries for a few employees who work with the volunteers to care for the birds during the summer months. All donations of money are fully tax deductible. Donations of food for the birds, supplies, equipment or other items we require may also be tax deductible (donations-in-kind). Especially needed are: Urgently needed : a new (or in very good condition) heavy-duty washing machine. Cleaning supplies Food supplies for birds Equipment for birds such as: food bowls, used towels, bird houses, etc. Equipment for aviaries such as: rope, black earth, bushes, etc. A list of specifics is available at Le Nichoir or by email: info@lenichoir.org We always graciously accept money donations which enables us to buy whatever is urgently needed. Please do not hesitate to call us at (450) 458-2809, or visit us at our shelter.				Volunteers Volunteers are the heart of Le Nichoir. Without volunteers, we would not be able to provide care to the birds. The time given by volunteers makes a world of difference: it represents the hope of health and freedom to injured, ill, and orphaned birds. Volunteers perform many activities at Le Nichoir, choosing those activities in which they are most interested. No experience is needed to become a volunteer; training and experience are obtained 'on the job'. Some of the activities performed by volunteers include: 1. Cleaning of bird cages and enclosures, and equipment used for the birds. 2. General cleaning of 'The Barn' 3. Food preparation 4. Direct bird care (e.g. feeding) 5. Grounds maintenance (including care of our flower gardens) 6. Light construction and/or repair work 7. Pickup of food, donations, or supplies 8. Transportation of birds from the SPCA or other points to Le Nichoir, or to specialists as needed (e.g. CRIB, UQROP for owl and raptor care) 9. Fund-raising activities 10. Reception of visitors, telephone answering Junior Volunteers: between 12 and 16 years of age. Junior volunteers may help with many activities at Le Nichoir, always working directly under the supervision of an experienced adult volunteer or staff member. Junior volunteers do not provide direct care (e.g. handling) of the birds. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Le Nichoir, call the centre (450 458-2809), and leave a message stating your interest, name and telephone number. We will contact you as soon as possible to discuss opportunities with you.