Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation
Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation is a Sarnia-Lambton based non-profit dedicated to rescuing, medically treating, rehabilitating and releasing injured birds of prey, along with loons, herons and other waterfowl. The centre coordinates emergency intakes and veterinary care, relies on volunteers and community donations to support animal care and facility needs, and conducts public education and outreach using ambassador birds to raise awareness about wildlife threats and conservation.
🕰️ Organization Hours:
Last updated on Feb 8th, 2026
Recent Activity
Certificate of appreciation presented to Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation
Mayor Gary Atkinson presented Lynn from the Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation with a certificate of appreciation at the Plympton-Wyoming municipal council on 2026-10-14. The centre introduced their wildlife ambassador Timmy the turkey vulture during the visit, making a memorable impression on council members and highlighting the organisation's community work.
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Red-tailed Hawk rescue and rehabilitation case report
Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation rescued a Red tailed Hawk found beside a busy road in Sarnia in early September, treating head trauma with cage rest, oxygen, fluids, and pain medication. After about a month of recovery and flight cage conditioning the hawk was released in October, demonstrating a successful rehabilitation outcome.
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Red-tailed Hawk head trauma case and rehabilitation outcome
A Red tailed Hawk found stunned beside a busy road in Sarnia in early September recovered from head trauma after about a month of supportive care at the Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation. Staff used cage rest, oxygen, fluids, and flight cage conditioning, and the bird was released in October 2026 after demonstrating strong flight and recovery.
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Framed print sale to fund utility wagon
The Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation is selling a donated framed print, "Little Owls on Big Hat Night" by Vicki Sawyer, to raise funds for a new utility wagon. The limited edition print is offered first come first serve for $250.00 and includes a tax receipt; contact 519-466-2443 or linnev@hotmail.com to claim it.
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Eastern Whip-poor-will rescue and release
Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation reports that staff at a Canadian Tire in Sarnia found an Eastern Whip-Poor-Will, which was transferred to Hobbitstee for rehydration, feeding, banding and release. The species is threatened in Ontario, making this successful rescue and release a rare and welcome outcome.
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Whip-poor-will rescue and rehabilitation update
Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation reports a Whip-poor-will was found inside the Canadian Tire store in Sarnia and monitored for 10 days before capture and transfer. Staff members including Robin, Kelly, Stacey, and Daniel assisted, and Chantal at Hobbitsee Wildlife Refuge handled assessment, rehab, and release on October 6, 2026.
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Urgent transport request for captured Night Hawk
The Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation urgently needs a driver on 2026-09-30 to transport a captured Night Hawk from BCRR to Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge. Call 519-466-2443 immediately to coordinate pickup and delivery from the Sarnia area.
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Peregrine Falcon rescue and treatment update
A male Peregrine Falcon found in Hensall was stabilized with towels and a heat pad, then transported to the Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation where Xrays showed both lower leg bones broken. Karina at Lakeshore Veterinary Clinic placed casting splints, and the bird will be assessed this week by National Wildlife Centre Canada Wildlife Veterinarians in Caledon with a guarded prognosis and a long recovery expected.
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Great Horned Owl release and rehabilitation update
A Great Horned Owl admitted in extreme emaciation was released near dusk on property provided by the Somes and the Devos, with rehabilitation support from the Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation and The Owl Foundation. Community members including Lisa Gee and Tammy Blonde helped with transport, rescue, and training ahead of the release recorded on 2026-09-26.
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Turkey vulture rescue and outcome
Bluewater Centre reports a Turkey Vulture found in Dover Centre with an injured wing was recovered after a Facebook call for help, taken into care, and later died due to prolonged ground time and starvation. The update urges prompt transfer of sick or injured birds to qualified rehabilitators and includes several educational facts about Turkey Vulture behavior and biology.
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Wildlife rescue update
Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation took in a Ring Billed Gull found running in and out of traffic on Exmouth Street in Sarnia on 2026-09-10. The gull arrived thin but uninjured, is alert, on pain medication, and eating smelt while staff keep him under observation for a day or two.
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Injured Turkey Vulture sighting - request for rescue assistance
The Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation reports an injured Turkey Vulture last seen at 8349 Bush Line in Dover Centre, Chatham Kent on 2026-09-10. Neighbors are asked to check the area and text sightings to 519-466-2443, and if able to help bring a blanket, gloves, and a large box with holes to safely contain the bird.
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Vulture Awareness Content
Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation marked Vulture Awareness Day with Timmy the Turkey Vulture, sharing key facts about how vultures detect carrion, travel long distances for food, and neutralize disease with highly acidic stomachs. The post includes practical advice to slow down or move roadkill to a safe spot so vultures and other scavengers can feed.
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Wildlife injured by discarded fishing gear
The Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation urges anglers to keep fishing line, lures and weights secured because discarded gear can kill water birds and reptiles. A cormorant was recently found entangled and treated quickly, illustrating both the danger and the difference fast help can make.
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Summer student volunteer farewell and centre activities
The Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation marked the final week for summer students Teagan and Maia on September 4, celebrating their hands on work cleaning cages, learning mice husbandry, and training to feed raptors in care. The update highlights educational bird walks with Nico the American Kestrel, Miller the Peregrine Falcon, and new member Timmy the Turkey Vulture, with supervisors Dagmar and staff supporting the students.
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Roadway bird-safety advisory
The Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation warns drivers to slow down when birds are near the roadside during migration, noting that young inexperienced birds and geese are on the move. This simple safety step reduces collisions and protects both wildlife and drivers during peak migration season.
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Wild turkey rescue and rehabilitation
A young male wild turkey that wandered through Brights Grove in April and suffered multiple injuries was rehabilitated by Bluewater Centre For Raptor Rehabilitation with veterinary support, including X rays reviewed by the National Wildlife Centre Canada and surgery by Lakeshore Veterinary Clinic. After months of care the bird was released back to Huron Farms on July 24, 2026, walking without a limp and rejoining the local flock.
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Support via National Wildlife Rehabilitation Foundation Ticketed Fundraiser
The National Wildlife Rehabilitation Foundation is running a ticketed fundraiser that helps buy supplies for rehab centres, with the Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation named as a beneficiary. The Bluewater Centre asks supporters to consider buying a ticket to help care for wildlife that desperately needs help.
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Red-tailed hawk rehabilitation update
Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation reports that a Red tailed hawk, which suffered serious head trauma after being hit by a car late last fall, has recovered and will be released this week in Sombra Township. Charlie Fowler from Hawk Cliff provided a banding demonstration for volunteers Laura and Loren as part of the release preparations.
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Merganser rescue follow-up and wildlife water request
Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation reports a stranded Merganser was treated, found healthy but dehydrated, and released into a local Conservation Area pond on July 16, 2026. The center asks neighbors to leave water baths or bowls on the ground to help wildlife that cannot reach water during hot weather.
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Rescue of stranded Red-Breasted Merganser
The Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation reported that on 2026-07-16 volunteers Mark and the author rescued a stranded Red-Breasted Merganser in Wyoming by corralling it into a flower garden. The duck cooled off and drank from a sprinkler while neighbors recognized it needed help.
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Communication outage and interim instructions for wildlife assistance
Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation reports their primary phone is out of service and asks the public to use the secondary help line at 226-349-2443 or Facebook Messenger for inquiries. The team recommends searching Ontario Wildlife Rescue to direct callers to another rehab if needed, and asks locals to put out water for bees and other critters while response may be delayed.
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Wildlife rescue and veterinary surgeries highlight
The Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation posted a highlight on June 23, 2026, about a recent wildlife rescue and the surgical work carried out by National Wildlife Centre Canada veterinarians. The brief update spotlights clinical care and collaboration between rehabilitation and wildlife veterinary teams.
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Warning: sticky traps unsafe for wildlife
The Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation warns against using sticky traps and fly strips because they pose a danger to wildlife. The advisory, published on 2026-06-21, urges people to choose safer alternatives and to contact the centre if they find entangled animals.
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Nestling Merlin Falcon intake
Bluewater Centre for Raptor Rehabilitation admitted a nestling Merlin Falcon on 2026-06-21 after it fell from a pine tree. The team will try to renest the chick with its parents or place it with a non releasable foster Merlin, while using special housing and feeding precautions overseen by Lynn and Dagmar.
