Waterford - The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center says this has been a particularly difficult season for raptors, and three hawks suffering from malnutrition currently are being rehabilitated at the nature center.

Birds of prey — hawks and owls — have had a hard time hunting small rodents underneath the crust of ice and snow.

“They are hungry and looking for food in marginal areas where they may not typically venture” and at times of day when they are not usually active, said nature center spokeswoman Elissa Bass.