Chair: Rich Guffanti, RichGuffanti@gmail.com
We hope you enjoy our urban woodland treasure.
The Bird Sanctuary is open to the public from dawn until dusk.
We ask that you respect:
● the neighbors and their property
● the birds and other creatures
● the trees, shrubs and ground covers
● the peace and quiet of the space
Visitors must also abide by the following rules:
● No fires
● No dumping
● What ever you bring into the sanctuary must be taken with you when you leave, including trash
● Don’t leave food for the birds
● Dogs are welcome but you must pick up after them
● The basic rule is “Take only pictures, leave only footprints”
● Use of the space is at your own risk
Get the most out of your Bird Sanctuary visit:
When people first walk in, the birds fly into the trees. Have a seat and relax – within a few minutes you will see and hear the birds enjoying the feeders, baths, and foliage.
For your enjoyment download the free Merlin Bird ID app developed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
After you open the app and click on the microphone the names and pictures of the birds you hear will appear on your phone.
Seeing the birds at the feeders will happen if you sit quietly.
You might even get to see a cat catch a bird.
There are more sparrows than anything else.
There are no trash cans.
Hours of operation is sunup to sundown.
As of 2015, 16 different species have been sighted: see Bird List.
Injured Bird
When you come upon an injured bird or a chick on the ground that appears to be orphaned, your first instinct is to help. But it’s always best to stop and think. In many cases, the best action is to do nothing.
However, if you encounter a bird that is obviously injured, it will be in danger if it remains where it is, or appears too young to move itself to safety, here are some recommendations:
If you find an adult bird (any bird smaller than a crow. House Finches, California Towhee, and Mourning Doves for example) with obvious injuries like a broken wing, unable to stand, or wounded, secure the bird in a box or paper bag with airholes and some crumpled paper towels in the bottom. Place the bird somewhere quiet and call a local wildlife rehabilitator.
If a small adult bird has just hit a window, it may simply need time to regain its senses. Place the bird in a paper bag or box with airholes and lined with paper towels. Do not offer food or water. Keep the bird in a quiet place for one hour. Open the box or bag up outside and if the bird does not fly away, call a wildlife rehabber. If it has obvious injuries (such as bleeding or a broken wing), you should contact a wildlife rehabilitation agency.
What to Do if You Find an Injured or Orphaned Bird
Volunteer: Interested in volunteering? Contact RichGuffanti@gmail.com
The Bird Sanctuary Committee is very informal.
Volunteers come whenever they have time and do the job they volunteered for.
As of December 2025
Rich fills the feeders
Evelyn fills the bird baths. Needed to be designated Audubon Bird Sanctuary
Visitors pick up any trash they find.
Background
In 1981, the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) purchased the “builder’s remnant” in the interior of the block bounded by 45th, Locust, Melville and Spruce Streets. In 2011 Julie Bush & Ann Froehling, two landscape architects designed the layout including trees and feeders they wanted received a Sustainable Community Initiatives – West grant from the Dept of Agriculture to transform the lot into a bird sanctuary. They recruited volunteers and created the Spruce Hill Bird Sanctuary.
Since then, a number of volunteers continue to maintain the space, plant native plants as funds are available, feed the birds, and provide fresh water. Planting native trees, shrubs, and perennials help attract birds, providing food and shelter.
Education – Local school classes, and scout troops are welcome but must take their trash with them. Through our kiosks children learn about the history of the Sanctuary, the native plants and their benefit to birds, and the various bird species seen in the Sanctuary.
Please Donate to the Bird Sanctuary
Budget–Our annual spending is generally between $1,000 and $2,000.
We pay for an arborist, purchase birdseed, feeders, plant material, and signage.
Donations: No birdseed, plants or nesting houses. Just donate money.
Donations allow us to maintain arborist work, birdseed, feeders, plant material, and signage.
Make checks out to the Spruce Hill Trust with “Bird Sanctuary” in the memo section.
Send checks to: SHCA, 257 S. 45th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Attn: Rich Guffanti