Owl Moon Raptor Center

08/22/2026

Help keep our waterways clean! Substances that go into home drains, sidewalk drainage systems, and small creeks and streams can all make their way to larger bodies of water. When people dump paint, cooking oil, used cleaning products, water contaminated with chemicals, medications, contents of RV waste tanks, or other oils and petroleum products, these can all affect the local environment.

Yesterday we received multiple calls about this osprey, which was found in Olney. Its feathers were coated with what appears to be a petroleum-based oil product. We don’t know the source of the contamination. It is difficult to treat wildlife that gets coated in oils or other contaminants. Rehabbers must identify the best way to safely remove the substance without damaging skin, fur or feathers, manage the animal’s stress during the process, and make sure the animal stays warm and healthy afterwards.

We are transferring the osprey to Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc. for a specialized bath and further rehabilitation.

Visit owlmoon.org to learn how you can help with Owl Moon’s mission of raptor rescue, rehabilitation, and release.

08/21/2026

08/15/2026

Earlier this week we had the joy of releasing five juvenile red-shouldered hawks that were successfully rehabilitated. On Wednesday our volunteers took them to points close to the place where they were found, with three birds released at Lake Artemesia in College Park and two released at Monocacy Battlefield in Frederick County. We will share more of these birds’ individual stories over the coming weeks, but for now, here are a few release pictures and videos!

If you’d like to learn how you can support Owl Moon’s mission of raptor rescue, rehabilitation, and release, visit owlmoon.org!

06/27/2026

Protected species (in more ways than one!): Cpt Asmussen gave this gorgeous Red-Shouldered Hawk a hand when she was found injured near NSWC Carderock. Parting was such sweet sorrow as Asmussen handed her to the Owl Moon Raptor Center for care.

(Shoutout to Ofc Boyd-Harris and Sgt Varanelli for the assist!)

05/17/2026

Did you know that Baltimore Ravens Stadium actually has real ravens as residents? It’s not just Edgar, Allan, and Poe, their costumed mascots! Today Owl Moon Raptor Center visited the stadium to release one of the young ravens that has been in our care for a few weeks, recovering from pain and reduced range of motion in the left wing at the wrist. Rescuer Billy Rios was able to corral the bird and bring it in to Owl Moon for evaluation and treatment, where he regularly screeched at staff and volunteers.

With help from stadium staff, this afternoon we released the fledgling raven in the area where the ravens live. We expect that they found the little one when they returned to roost in the evening. We also learned that the stadium ravens are rambunctious potato thieves!

Visit owlmoon.org for more information about how you can help with Owl Moon’s mission of rescue, rehabilitation, and release!

05/10/2026

04/19/2026

Reminder: when you go fishing, please clean up your fishing line. We were alerted to an osprey that was hanging by its feet from a dead tree, tangled in fishing line. The bird had been in that position for at least three days. Rescuer Billy Rios teamed up with a local tree company to get the osprey out of the tree. They cut off the branch, and the bird was able to glide to a lower tree where also became stuck, though this time low enough that it could be reached with a net. The bird was transported to Owl Moon, where the line was removed. Unfortunately, the osprey passed away overnight due to its injuries.

As the weather gets warmer and you spend more time on outdoor activities, you can help birds like this osprey by cleaning up things that could cause entanglement. This includes fishing line (especially if it is tangled in trees or bushes), kite string, plastic can holders, netting, and more. Balloons are also a common hazard, both the string and the balloon itself, which is a choking hazard for wildlife. Please do not release balloons outdoors. If you find a raptor that is entangled, please call us for assistance.

Want to learn more about how you can help raptors? Visit our website at owlmoon.org.

04/11/2026

Baby season is here, and there are two ways you can help us prepare for the influx of baby birds in need:

First, your donations help! All financial contributions go directly toward our mission of raptor rescue, rehabilitation, and release. Or, if you want to provide a specific item, visit this page to see our Amazon wishlist and more: https://owlmoon.org/how-to-help/

Second, let us know about active raptor nest locations in Maryland and nearby states. It is not true that bird parents will reject babies that have been touched by a human. Birds are faithful parents, and will return to take care of them. Also, raptors make surprisingly good foster parents! By sending us information about active raptor nests, we can renest babies who are orphaned or abandoned. Please submit know sites here: https://forms.gle/MEUQdKNV6CA6pYFD9

We appreciate your assistance! Don’t forget, it is illegal to approach a nest without proper permits. Getting too close is dangerous for the birds—and also dangerous for you, as parents will protect the babies.