Marin is absolutely bursting with new life right now: flowers blooming, birds singing, bees and butterflies appearing, and, of course, wildlife babies being born.

During spring, Marin plays host to a variety of baby wildlife — from fawns to ducklings to baby squirrels to opossum babies riding in their mom’s pouch. This means the phone lines at Marin Humane and WildCare stay busy with calls from worried residents. It’s a good time to be reminded about when to help, when to ask experts for help and when to just let nature take its course.

Fawns are often left alone for hours while their mom’s away foraging for food. Their primary survival mechanism is to stay still and quiet while she’s away. Only if a fawn is walking around and crying are they in distress. If you see a fawn, don’t try to move them before calling WildCare or Marin Humane. Every year, we must remind well-intentioned people not to “kidnap” fawns. And as much as we may want to stick around to bask in the fawn’s cuteness or just to see the fawn’s mother return, it’s best to leave the area. The fawn’s mother will be hesitant to return to her baby if pesky humans are close by.

While you likely won’t see them, this is also when coyote pups are born. It’s important to give a wide berth if you suspect a den is nearby, especially when out with your dogs. Coyote parents become more protective during this time and soon after, when pups begin to venture out. Never leave small pets outside unattended and keep dogs on leash on trails known to have coyotes.

And while it’s generally a good idea to leave baby wildlife alone, sometimes they can use our help.

Marin Humane receives many calls this time of year from residents who’ve seen and heard a distressed mama duck near a storm drain calling for her babies that had fallen through. Our animal services officers spend quite a lot of time every spring rescuing ducklings from precarious situations and returning them to their mother.

Alison Hermance, director of communications and marketing for WildCare, reminds us to keep an eye out for fallen baby birds and squirrels, especially after a windy night.

“If you find a fallen baby, call WildCare. Second, don’t trim your trees, shrubs or bushes until autumn — animals are probably already using your trees and bushes as nurseries. Third, if it’s safe to do so, check a hit-by-car opossum on the side of the road to see if it’s a nursing mother with babies in her pouch. This can save as many as 13 tiny lives. Last, consider putting a couple of ramps or floating haul-outs in your pool or pond to help ducklings and other wildlife escape the water,” she said.

And it bears reminding, please drive carefully and slowly, especially around dawn and dusk, as baby wildlife and their parents are making their way in the world.

To report an animal in trouble, call Marin Humane at 415-883-4621 or WildCare at 415-456-SAVE (7283). Note that WildCare has moved to its transitional location behind 251 North San Pedro Road in San Rafael.

We’re so fortunate to live in a place teeming with wildlife. Let’s try to keep all baby creatures safe and sound.

Lisa Bloch is the director of marketing and communications for Marin Humane, which contributes Tails of Marin and welcomes questions and stories about the people and animals in our community. Go to marinhumane.org, find us on social media @marinhumane, or email lbloch@marinhumane.org.