Sweetbriar Nature Center

11/04/2026

Introducing the newest members of the Sweetbriar family: Kiwi and Apricot!

These two adorable Nigerian Dwarf goats are rescues and are already settling into life here at Sweetbriar. They will eventually grow to be about the same size as our other goats, Apollo and Venus. One happy goat family!

The four get to enjoy playdates together at least once a day, and it is so much fun to watch their personalities and relationships develop.

Did you know that every goat herd, whether it consists of two goats or a hundred, has its own hierarchy? Each goat has a social standing within the herd. While the goats are the only ones who truly know the official pecking order, humans can observe and begin to understand it by watching their interactions over time.

Our goal is for all four goats to eventually live together in the same pen once Kiwi and Apricot are a little bigger. We are enjoying watching them get to know one another along the way!

And here’s another fun goat fact: goats are incredibly intelligent, with a serious motivation for food! This makes them surprisingly good learners. With the right rewards, goats can be taught all sorts of tricks and commands.

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London even taught goats to solve a puzzle originally designed for primates. When the goats were given the same puzzle again ten months later, they performed even better! This is a pretty impressive demonstration of just how intelligent goats are and how incredible their memories can be.
And if you need another example of just how smart goats are, look no further than Hoover, our former Sweetbriar goat, who used to pick the Super Bowl winners! Guess he was putting that impressive goat intelligence to work!

11/03/2026

Take a quick peek inside our wildlife rehabilitation hospital and listen closely to the sweet baby noises of a young Red-tailed Hawk!
When this young hawk first arrived at Sweetbriar, he was unable to stand or eat on his own. With dedicated supportive care, patience, and a little encouragement from our resident Red-tailed Hawk ambassador, Stitch, he has made incredible progress. He can now eat independently!
Unfortunately, due to an eye injury, he will not be able to return to the wild. But his story doesn’t end there. He will remain at Sweetbriar, where he will begin a new chapter as one of our Red-tailed Hawk ambassadors, helping educate and inspire others about the importance of wildlife conservation.
In the best circumstances, Red-tailed Hawks can live for two decades or more. But life in the wild is not always easy. Many young hawks never reach adulthood as they face threats such as starvation, vehicle collisions, window and building strikes, and illegal shooting or trapping. Despite being protected throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, these birds continue to face significant challenges.
Not every animal we rescue can return to the wild, but every life saved has a purpose and a story worth sharing.

11/02/2026

Newton!!!! It’s starting all over again!
Imagine having to raise a brand-new family every single year. First, you need to find the perfect home. Then comes the courtship, trying to woo a partner by making the cutest little noises from inside your chosen home. Before you know it, you’re raising a family together. You instinctively know your role, what needs to happen, and when it’s time to do it. And then, just as quickly as it began, it’s over.
You don’t necessarily know why you feel compelled to do it all again the following year, but you know it’s what you’re meant to do.
And so, it begins with Newton!
His favourite bag has become his chosen home, and his target? Us humans! He tries to lure us in with the most adorable little noises.
But there’s something important to understand about Newton. He is imprinted.
Imprinting is a form of learning through which a young animal develops its sense of species identity. Birds aren’t born automatically knowing what they are. Shortly after hatching, during a critical period of development, they imprint on their parents or caregivers. This helps them recognise their own species and follow the appropriate adult, providing safety and guidance.
Once imprinting has taken place, that identification can remain with them for life.
The timing of this critical period varies between bird species, and some are particularly susceptible to imprinting inappropriately on humans. The reasons for this aren’t fully understood.
So while Newton may think we’re exactly who he needs to attract into his little world, there’s a lot more going on beneath those adorable noises.
And here we go again...

10/29/2026

10/28/2026

A second chance for this Canada goose.
Geese are often admitted to our care with respiratory issues, and this poor fellow arrived in serious condition. He was gurgling and drooling from his beak, unable to swallow food, and extremely weak and lethargic.
Our first step was to remove a huge ball of undigested grass from his crop. We then medicated him and treated him for parasites.
Ten days later, look at him now. He is feeling better, stronger, and ready to go home!
Why is getting him home so important? Canada geese form strong, devoted pair bonds, often staying with the same mate for years. When one goes missing, its partner may search, call out, and wait for days or even longer. If a mate is injured and unable to fly, the other may even remain behind rather than leave them.

10/25/2026

Get ready for Animal House—a wild night of comedy in Sweetbriar Nature Center’s historic barn! Enjoy an outstanding lineup of comedians, great company, and nonstop laughs, all while supporting Sweetbriar’s mission of wildlife care, education, and conservation. Don’t miss this unique fundraiser where every laugh helps make a difference.
$25pp tickets on our website www.sweetbriarnc.org

10/25/2026

Little kid rock show is today at the barn! Join us at 2pm, free show! Hot c***r for sale too.
We will be postponing our 12 noon program due to lack of sign ups.

10/24/2026

Come with us on a rescue, rehabilitation, and release journey with this young cygnet whose life was put at risk when a large fishing lure pierced straight through its leg.
As you’ll see, it truly takes a village to save a life.
From the Good Samaritans who made that all-important phone call, to the dedicated rescuers who patiently returned over several days, carefully working to catch this injured baby, every effort mattered. Once safely captured, the cygnet was transported to us where we were able to remove the hook and provide the care needed.
Today, this young swan has been given a second chance at life. A reminder of what can happen when people come together.

There is so much to learn about these incredible birds. Mute Swans primarily feed and live in freshwater habitats, including ponds, lakes, rivers, and inlets. However, they also have a specialized salt gland located near their eyes that helps them process excess salt. This remarkable adaptation allows them to tolerate saltwater environments, with excess salt expelled through their nostrils.

Thank you to everyone who played a part.
Please remember to dispose of fishing hooks, lines, and tackle responsibly. And if you unintentionally hook a wild animal while fishing, please at the very least report it to a wildlife rehabilitation center. Every life matters.
Thank you Nancy Prior, Strong Island Animal Rescue and Gina Scandarito

10/23/2026

Owls get a spooky reputation this time of year. Up close, they’re something else. 🦉

Sweetbriar Nature Center is bringing live animal ambassadors to Spooky Science at Wardenclyffe tomorrow, including an owl. Meet them from 1:00–2:00 PM and find out what actually makes them fascinating.

Saturday, October 24 | 11 AM–4 PM
Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe, 5 Randall Road, Shoreham, NY

Tickets: https://teslasciencecenter.org/events/spooky-science-at-wardenclyffe/

What’s the most surprising thing you know about owls?

10/22/2026

Have you spotted a wild green parrot on Long Island?

Quaker parrots, also known as Monk Parakeets, are bright green birds that live right here in the wild in New York! Although native to South America, these non-native parrots have established colonies throughout our region.

How did they get here?

According to a popular account, in 1967, a shipment of Monk Parakeets arrived at JFK Airport from South America. The crates reportedly broke open, allowing the birds to escape. Since then, wild colonies have become established throughout the tri-state area.

What makes them unique?

Quaker parrots are intelligent birds known for mimicking human speech. They also build enormous communal stick nests, sometimes containing up to 20 chambers! These nests can be found in trees, on bridges, and even on utility poles.

Where can you spot them?

Look for them in North Woodmere, Merrick, Wantagh, Howard Beach, Whitestone, Ozone Park, Brooklyn, and occasionally the Rockaways.

As a wildlife rehabilitation hospital, we care for wild animals in need. If a Quaker parrot is brought to us, we arrange for it to be adopted into an appropriate home.

Keep your eyes on the sky! Have you ever spotted a Quaker parrot? Tell us where in the comments below!