Sacramento Heron & Egret Rescue

09/22/2026

🪶 An update on our remote-controlled drop net fundraiser! Thanks to 24 people who care deeply about wildlife, we are half-way to our goal of purchasing a remote-controlled drop net! Every donation is bringing us closer to having this important rescue tool in our hands.

The drop net will help tremendously in situations where an injured or entangled bird can still fly, but is simply too wary or too far away for us to safely capture with a net gun. The system can be positioned at a safe distance and deployed remotely, allowing us to capture birds that would otherwise be impossible to rescue. This is especially important for birds tangled in fishing line or other debris, who may be able to fly but are carrying a potentially life-threatening injury.

Every successful rescue means one more wild bird gets the medical care it needs instead of being left to suffer.

If you’ve already donated, thank you! Your support is helping us build our rescue capabilities and be better prepared when the next difficult call comes in.

If you haven’t had a chance to contribute, even a small donation helps. And if you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser is incredibly helpful too.

Link to donate is in the comment section. Thank you for helping us give these birds a second chance. ❤️🪶

09/07/2026

When an injured or entangled bird can still fly, getting close enough to help is often impossible. Our amazing supporters helped us purchase a netgun several years ago, and it has helped us save many lives. But we have encountered situations where even our netgun isn’t enough. 😢

That’s why we’re raising funds to purchase a remote-controlled drop net, a specialized rescue tool that will give us another way to safely capture injured and entangled birds that are still able to fly.

Why do we need another capture tool? Wild birds are often very wary of humans. Our netgun is powerful, but it has limitations. It’s extremely heavy so only a few of our volunteers are able to operate it. Its range is limited, and birds who are wary may not ever get within the netgun's range. The drop net will allow trained rescuers to set up at a distance and remotely deploy the net when the bird is in the right location.

We often receive reports of waterfowl entangled in fishing line and/or a fish-hook, and these birds are often capable of flying or swimming away from rescuers. We have responded to over 70 fishing gear entanglement calls so far in 2026, and it's an awful feeling when we can't get close enough to help the bird.

The sooner we can rescue an injured or entangled bird, the greater their chances of survival.

Your donation will help us purchase this specialized equipment and put another lifesaving tool in the hands of our rescue team. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to putting this equipment into the field.

➡️Link to donate in comment section!

Thank you so much, and please share!

08/05/2026

We are grateful to Fox 40 for covering this important story about fishing line entanglements affecting wildlife! SHER volunteers coordinated two rescues of birds dangling from fishing line high up in trees within the past two weeks, a Swainson's hawk and a feral pigeon.

We are grateful to the firefighters... Without their help these rescues would not have been possible. There's a link to the story in the comments, which contains an interview with our co-founder, Christy Berger and her message to anglers.

We would like to thank Wildlife Care Association of Sacramento who provided care for both birds. Please show them some appreciation by donating in recognition of their help saving Wildlife every single day, and share to spread the word!

A hawk died after getting caught in fishing line, prompting wildlife rescuers to educate the public on safe fishing habits. FOX40 interviewed experts on how to keep wildlife safe.

08/03/2026

YET ANOTHER rescue of a bird caught in fishing line, not even two weeks after the entangled hawk that we helped rescue.

On Saturday morning, Sacramento Heron & Egret Rescue volunteers Judy, Miguel and Christy Berger responded to a call about a bird dangling very high up in a tree next to the Capital City Freeway E Street off ramp.

While on route to the site, Christy contacted the Sacramento Fire Department who sent a ladder truck and crew, and the CHP to help with traffic control.

Now on site, we could see that it was a pigeon, still alive and struggling to free itself. At times the bird just dangled limply, tired of struggling, and who knows how long he had been there.

While waiting, volunteers observed MORE fishing line tangled in the tree, and also a long piece going over to the tree across the street.

The awesome crew from Truck 2 quickly got to work, and did a great job getting the bird into the box we had prepared. They were also gracious enough to remove the remaining fishing line from the tree. Without their help, this rescue would not have been possible.

All of this for a pigeon? Well, some people might say that. But not us... Pigeons are actually amazing, beautiful birds just doing their best to survive. And we are happy to help. The firefighters seemed happy to help too. We are so grateful!

The bird was quickly taken to Wildlife Care Association of Sacramento where they not surprisingly found a wing injury... Thankfully for this bird the injury is likely to heal! We all breathed a sigh of relief when we heard the good news. The bird will be in care with WCA on rest until he recovers.

Please donate to WCA to show your support for the care they provide to injured, sick and orphaned wildlife every single day of the year here:

https://share.google/m0HEH5hClN6iRxa5k

We would also like to thank Andrea Willey of Waterbird Habitat Project who came to offer her support and was able to pull down the other fishing line from the tree across the street (a great organization who works to protect wildlife from fishing gear entanglements).

Discarded fishing line and tackle continue to injure and kill wildlife throughout our region. Birds become entangled in line, swallow hooks, or incorporate these materials into their nests with devastating consequences.

Please help protect wildlife by:
🦅 Never leaving fishing line or tackle behind.
🦅 Properly disposing of used line in recycling or collection bins.
🦅 Disposing of any line and gear you find, even if it isn't yours.

We're also grateful for organizations like Project: Pick up fishing line which regularly organizes local cleanup efforts to remove these hazards. Join them in a cleanup to help prevent the next tragedy.

07/23/2026

💔 A heartbreaking rescue today reminds us why properly disposing of fishing line and tackle matters.

This morning, Sacramento Heron & Egret Rescue volunteers Judy and Dawn responded to a call about a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk dangling approximately 65 feet above the ground from its nest tree in South Sacramento. The young hawk's wing had become badly entangled in fishing line.

Near the nest tree, a stick wrapped with fishing line was found. We believe one of the adult hawks likely picked it up while gathering nesting material, unknowingly bringing a deadly hazard home to their young.

While on route to the site, volunteers contacted the Sacramento Fire Department who sent a ladder truck and crew. These dedicated firefighters made this incredible rescue possible. We are deeply grateful for their willingness to help retrieve this young bird from such a dangerous height.

Sadly, the hawk had likely been suspended for nearly 12 hours, and the damage to its wing was too severe to repair. Despite best efforts, humane euthanasia was the only compassionate option.

This tragedy is a powerful reminder that discarded fishing line and tackle continue to injure and kill wildlife throughout our region. Birds become entangled in line, swallow hooks, or incorporate these materials into their nests with devastating consequences.

Please help protect wildlife by:
🦅 Never leaving fishing line or tackle behind.
🦅 Properly disposing of used line in recycling or collection bins.
🦅 Disposing of any line and gear you find, even if it isn't yours.

We're also grateful for organizations like Project: Pick up fishing line and the Waterbird Habitat Project, which regularly organize local cleanup efforts to remove these hazards. One piece of discarded fishing line may seem insignificant, but today it cost a young hawk its life. Together, we can help prevent the next tragedy.

We would also like to thank Master Tree Care Inc who will be coming out to the site tomorrow morning to remove the remaining fishing line, which stretches across to two other nearby trees

07/13/2026

A big thank you to Helping Paws and Claws for the donation of gas cards to fund transport of injured and orphaned wildlife to a rescue facility. There are a number of areas of California that lack a nearby rescue, so this type of help is crucial to getting animals into care. Truly lifesaving, and we are grateful!

06/25/2026

Please support Wildlife Care Association of Sacramento and the RECORD NUMBER of herons and egrets they are caring for! Our volunteers have now brought them OVER 300 injured and orphaned babies from a nesting site that surrounds an apartment complex and is also on the grounds of an elementary school. Babies become injured often in this environment, and our volunteers go out twice a day to bring those needing help to WCA for care. We couldn't do this work without them - they provide a full assessment of each bird, treatment for wounds, hydration, medications, and time to build strength prior to release. Please donate to show your support and help save the babies! https://www.facebook.com/donate/1508076457764795/1564048212427243/

06/25/2026

I'm sure many of you have seen/heard the advice that is commonly given when a bird hits a window (give them time to recover and see if they fly away). We still see many people online giving this outdated advice. Instead, if a bird strikes a window and is stunned enough for you to pick it up, it is important to contain the bird and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance - even if the bird appears alert. Window strikes can cause internal injuries and concussions that aren't immediately visible. Birds may later become unable to fly, fall victim to predators, or succumb to their injuries. Please share and let people know about this important newer advice that will save many birds!

💭 Thoughtful Thursday Tip: Preventing Bird Window Strikes

We regularly admit birds (including all four you see here) that have collided with windows, and unfortunately, many do not survive their injuries.

Birds often see reflections of trees, sky, and habitat in glass and mistake windows for open space. The good news is that there are simple ways to make your home or business safer for birds:

🐦 Apply decals, stickers, or sun catchers to the outside of windows
🐦 Use tempera paint, soap, or specialized products to create visible patterns on glass
🐦 Install bird-safe window film
🐦 Add screens or netting to the outside of windows

If a bird strikes a window, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance - even if the bird appears alert or flies away. Window strikes can cause internal injuries and concussions that aren't immediately visible. Birds may later become unable to fly, fall victim to predators, or succumb to their injuries.

A few simple changes to your windows can save lives.

Have you made your windows bird-friendly? We'd love to hear what has worked for you!

For more information, including an extensive list of ways to reduce window collisions, please visit: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/why-birds-hit-windows-and-how-you-can-help-prevent-it/

06/03/2026

Don't miss this great event, and be sure to come by and visit our booth!

🌿 Nature. Discovery. Adventure. 🌿

Join us for NatureFest 2026 at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center! Discover hands-on exhibits, local vendors, and nature-inspired experiences for all ages, including live animal shows, educational and cultural presentations, and interactive science and art booths.

Celebrate the beauty of the natural world while supporting environmental education programs that connect thousands of children and families with nature each year. 🌎🐾🦋

📍 Time & Location
Jun 07, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM PDT
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael, CA 95608

🎟️ Pre-sale tickets available now through June 6!

Get Tickets Here: https://www.effieyeawnature.org/nature-fest-2026

11/19/2025

Congratulations to our friends at Wildlife Care Association of Sacramento !