Trumpeter Swan from Ketchikan

This young trumpeter swan was sent to us from the Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery and Eagle Center in Ketchikan. After caretaking it for a few days, it seems that it had a toxic reaction to something.

It seems to be getting some strength back and got to play in one of our kiddie pools today.

Unfortunately we had to end the fun and tube feed him since he's not eating on his own yet. Hopefully he starts eating again soon.

Nisos

Nisos, the osprey, came to us over 2 years ago. Somehow he had a self amputation, either by flying into a cable or wire, or he had a situation with a airplane. He lost his left wing tip, so obviously he can't fly or be released.

Ospreys can be hard to care for in captivity. They are a migratory bird, so Alaska is a tough place to keep one year round. In the photos, he has bumper pads on his wrist so he doesn't bang them up in his kennel during shipping.

Nisos is headed to Sea World in San Diego. There he should be happy year round. With Sea Worlds reputation for caretaking birds, mammals and animals, he should be well taken care of.

Thanks for your time with us Nisos.

2nd series of photos by Sharon Larson / Bird TLC

Is it spring?

If it is, it'll be the earliest spring has started that I can remember. Not that I'm complaining. The eagles out at the flight center seem to think that it's here. They are strutting their stuff, getting their strength back, getting ready for release.

They're flying in between the post, hanging from the nets and turning around in short spaces. You can tell they are getting anxious.

We seldom do releases during the winter. The idea is that a bird should have its best opportunity on its first night out. It has been in captivity for a spell with food being brought to it and protected from all. For it to start out on its own again, it should have all of the best opportunities available.

So, spring is the start of release season. And I think these guys and gals can smell it.

"For the Birds" 2010 is over

The evening started with Eryn doing an AWESOME job playing the piano for our arriving guest. That little lady has a lot of talent.

Our education birds were out entertaining the attendees. Everyone got to see what Bird TLC has to offer for education programs.

Staff and volunteers were busy most of the night.

We had to add 2 more tables. The event turn out to be a huge success. The calculators will be clicking away on Monday, but early reports are that we made over $23K "For the Birds"

For the Birds 2010

This Saturday @ the Sheraton Anchorage from 6 -10PM. Tickets available at www.birdtlc.net or call 562-4852. Get some good stuff and raise some monies "For the Birds".

Development Directors position open

Bird TLC has a position open for a Development Director. If you are qualified and interested, review the following link. http://www.birdtlc.net/devdirector.pdf . If you're still qualified and still interested, call Cindy Palmatier, Director of Avian Care at 907-562-4852.

The Bird Treatment and Learning Center is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating sick, injured or orphaned wild birds and providing avian education programs to the public. Dr. James R. Scott, an Anchorage veterinarian, now retired, founded Bird TLC in 1988. Dr. Scott, along with other Alaskan veterinarians and volunteers, donate their time to treat these birds in need. In addition to medical care, Bird TLC provides a variety of educational programs to increase people's awareness of the wild birds around them and to encourage preservation of their habitat. Bird TLC is supported by education program fees and contributions from individuals, private foundations, and corporations.

Juvenile Detention

Earlier this winter, we closed the flight center down for the first time in recent memory. We didn't have any eagles or large raptors to put out there. Things have changed around some this year. So far we have taken in 17 eagles at the Bird TLC clinic in 2010.

The majority of them have been immature bald eagles. So if you go to the flight center now, of the seven bald eagles out there, all but one is an immature bald eagle. Four of them are fully flighted and will be ready for release come spring. Two of them are partially flighted and are working on getting their strength back to be fully flighted. The last one is in question right now, but after a molt we'll see.

These guys and gals are practicing their flying skills everyday. They are feed fresh salmon and red meat. Sometimes they get a treat of chicken or turkey, depending how much we have donated.

Each one came to us for a different reason. One had a broken leg, another was caught in a avalanche and some were toxin birds. They ate what they should not have. But now they are being taken care of by dedicated volunteers.

Any ways, they are on the road to recovery and most will be released as soon as spring weather allows.

KTVA Channel 11 news story on Cyrano

Check out the latest story on Cyrano, our bald eagle by KTVA Channell 11
http://www.ktva.com/topalaskanews/ci_14506914

If you want to know how far around the globe this story has gone, go to Google and type in Cyrano eagle alaska.