Raven Ridge Wildlife Center

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

Another rare and threatened bird was brought to us for rehabilitation: the Yellow-crowned Night Heron. In Pennsylvania, there are only a few rookeries where these birds can be found. This juvenile heron came to us after being discovered weak and unable to fly. Like their close relatives, the Black-crowned Night Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Herons are particularly challenging and high-stress to rehabilitate and keep in captivity.

When this heron arrived at our center, it was in poor condition—dehydrated, emaciated, and suffering from a broken wing. After conducting X-rays, we found that the injury was not as severe as we initially thought. With over two months of rehabilitation, which included plenty of physical therapy and outdoor flight time, the day of the heron's release finally arrived. We transported the heron back by kayak to its original rookery on an island in the Susquehanna River. Our incredible photographer, who is also an avid kayaker, was able to return this heron home.

Our team is dedicated and goes to great lengths to ensure that every animal is cared for and returned to the wild where it belongs. Yellow-crowned Night Herons (Nyctanassa violacea) are one of the rarest nesting birds in Pennsylvania. They are regular visitors or residents in the Piedmont region of southeastern Pennsylvania, which includes parts of Bucks, Northampton, Lehigh, Berks, Lebanon, Lancaster, Dauphin, York, Adams, and Cumberland counties. In the coastal plain area along the Delaware River near Philadelphia, they are rare and irregular visitors. They may also be found accidentally in other parts of the state, particularly in late summer after the breeding season.

As a breeding bird, their rarity, tendency to nest in small groups, and nesting near human dwellings make them particularly vulnerable to local habitat disturbances or loss. The largest known nesting colony in Pennsylvania, which represented more than half of the state’s breeding population, was located on a small Susquehanna River island near the Governor's residence. This colony later moved to the mouth of the Conodoquinet Creek, but human disturbances caused it to disperse.

Degradation of water quality, along with the loss of their primary food source—crayfish—continues to pose a significant threat. Like many birds that inhabit areas close to human dwellings, Yellow-crowned Night Herons require tolerance and understanding from the people who share their environment.

08/31/2026

Part 2~ Although skunks may cover several miles each night in search of food, established individuals usually stay within half a mile of their burrows. Generally, adults range farther than juveniles, and males tend to roam more widely than females.

Skunks significantly contribute to their ecosystems and help maintain environmental balance in several ways. One of their primary roles is pest control; by eating various insects, they help manage populations of harmful pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides in agricultural areas. Skunks are foragers and consume a wide range of foods, including fruits, nuts, and carrion. This foraging behavior aids in seed dispersal and nutrient cycling. When skunks eat fruits and nuts, they inadvertently spread seeds through their s**t, promoting plant biodiversity and contributing to healthy ecosystems. Their scavenging also helps clean up the environment by consuming carrion and decaying matter, preventing the spread of disease and promoting decomposition.

Overall, skunks support biodiversity and indicate a healthy environment. Their importance as pest controllers, seed dispersers, and a food source for other wildlife highlights their role in maintaining ecological harmony.

08/31/2026

We all know how Mondays really "stink", but let's put a positive spin on it by sharing some photos from our first skunk releases of the year. Transporting 25 skunks in a vehicle can be quite stressful, making for a quiet and nerve-wracking drive to our destination. Today, we will share two sets of skunk release photos; our photographer captured several hundred images, and we couldn’t narrow it down any further! We’ll post half of the photos this morning and the other half this afternoon.

Each year, we see an increase in the number of animals we take in. This year alone, we admitted 55 baby skunks, and we’re still receiving calls about abandoned baby skunks. These skunks often come to us after being found alone, stuck in window wells, wandering along roads, or lying unattended in backyards.

The striped skunk, a common species in Pennsylvania, is known for its distinctive black-and-white fur. This nocturnal mammal thrives in a variety of habitats, including suburban gardens and rural forests. Striped skunks play a crucial role in the ecosystem by helping to control insect and rodent populations.

They inhabit diverse environments, favoring mixed woods, brushlands, rolling weedy fields, fencerows, wooded ravines, and rocky outcrops near agricultural areas. For rest, they use hayfields, pastures, fencerows, and brushy borders along waterways. Cornfields serve as excellent feeding grounds, where skunks forage for grasshoppers, grubs, and beetles. The tall corn plants also provide protection for young skunks from predators while allowing them to move freely.

Although skunks may cover several miles each night in search of food, established individuals usually stay within half a mile of their burrows. Generally, adults range farther than juveniles, and males tend to roam more widely than females.

08/28/2026

***UPDATE*** We received an urgent call from Jim, who discovered an injured Pileated Woodpecker at the end of his driveway. He noted that the woodpecker couldn't fly, struggled to keep its head upright, and was falling over. Acting quickly, Jim brought the woodpecker to us for immediate care.

This young woodpecker was facing a tough start, suffering from torticollis, a condition that causes the neck muscles to twist the head at an odd angle, leading to serious balance issues. Thanks to our dedicated team and the careful administration of fluids and medication, the woodpecker made a remarkable recovery. After nearly two months of rehabilitation, the long-awaited day of freedom finally arrived. The woodpecker was carefully placed on the side of a nearby dead tree, which is perfect for hunting the insects essential for its survival. Additionally, we have an outdoor enclosure that is in urgent need of wood replacement.

The Pileated Woodpecker, the largest woodpecker in North America, can grow up to 19 inches long. With its striking flaming-red crest and loud, monkey-like calls, this crow-sized bird plays an essential role as an "ecosystem engineer" in our forests, creating large rectangular holes in trees to hunt for carpenter ants. By supporting our efforts, you help ensure these remarkable creatures thrive in their natural habitat!

08/27/2026

We're so glad we could get this hawk back in the wild! Thanks to Manheim Township Police Department for these great photos of the release this morning.