20 Years of TLC

WOW! What a day. We celebrated the 20th. Anniversary of Bird TLC, showed our last respects to One Wing, our beloved mascot of almost 20 years who passed away earlier this year and just had a good time.

For Education Birds, there were Bald Eagles, a Golden Eagle, Great horned Owls, Snowy Owl, Saw-whet Owl, Short Eared Owl, a Raven, and a Stellars Jay.

We had guest who were volunteers in the past 20 years, supporters big and small. We had a event called "The Early birds", that featured TLC Education Birds that started before 1995. We heard some good stories out of there. Mary Bethe told the timeline history of Bird TLC and had some pictures to show.

DR. Scott, the founder of Bird TLC, was blessed by the Native Elders. People lined up to shake his hand, show their respect and thanks for the organization he founded.

We had a Merlin release by Erin and then a Bald Eagle release by Dr. Scott, Barbara and 2 visiting Native Elders. 18 years ago, Dr. Scott wrote a poem called "One Wing", I've posted on here before. He was reading it to the crowd, but before he started he said "If you don't want to see a grown man cry, leave". Well, as he read it I don't think there was a dry eye around.

He also told some fond stories of his past with One Wing that definitely kept the crowds attention. He had a special bond with that bird.

Then it was time to spread the ashes. Bird TLC Volunteers and some of our invited Native Elders and Drummers set One Wing free.

Thanks to the Native Drummers visiting from Anchorage and Fairbanks. They were AWESOME! Thanks to Bill Smith who's taking some of One Wings ashes back to Valdez, close to where he was found. Thanks to Kaladi Brothers Coffee for coming out and donating their services. Also, Thanks to Salmon Run Express for their awesome food.

Check out the following for more pictures...

Bird TLC

Britt Coon

John Gomes

Squirrel Chatter

20 Years of TLC

Bird Treatment and Learning Center Celebrates 20 Years of TLC:
Bird TLC has been returning birds to the wild and educating the public since 1988.


What: 20 Years of TLC: A Bye-Bye Birdie Event
Where: Bird TLC Property above Potter Marsh (aka Old Rabbit Hutch)
When: Saturday, August 23, 2008 11-4pm

Come celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Bird Treatment and Learning Center and the end of the migratory bird season.

This event will include live education birds on display from 11-1pm with a special presentation featuring some of the oldest birds in our program at 12:30. Various speakers will speak on the history of our organization, the importance of wildlife rehabilitation and the significance of our community partnerships over the years. We will hear Dr. James Scott, DVM, founder of Bird TLC will share his memories. There will be activities for children in a kid’s activity tent from 11-1, and food and beverage available from local vendors. Bird TLC merchandise will be on sale at a discounted price. And, of course, a Bye-Bye Birdie Event wouldn’t be complete without a rehabilitated bald eagle release which will take place around 3:00pm.

This occasion also lends the opportunity for Bird TLC to say farewell to our dear friend One-Wing who recently passed away. One-Wing was one of the first bald eagles to come through the center after the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in 1989. Due to injuries sustained One-Wing could not be released and became the mascot and blood donor for other unfortunate eagles. He was with us for close to 20 years until this past spring when he passed away due to natural causes. Native drum groups and elders from around the state will be present to help us commemorate his passing with an ash spreading ceremony.

This event is free and open to the public. We hope you will join us in celebrating 20 Years of TLC! For more information call Bird TLC at 562-4852 or visit our website at www.birdtlc.net.

Wraps and bandages

We're not all veterinarians at TLC. As a matter of fact we only have two who volunteer regularly. The rest of us are salesman, therapist, artist, retired, wives, husbands. etc. So Cindy has hands on training for us as often as she possibly can to get us or keep us up to speed.

This past Thursday we had a class on "Wraps and Bandages". During the weekdays, Cindy would be the person handling the W&B's, but at night or on the weekend you might be the one. So you better know what your doing if you want a happy patient.

This is my second class. I take it about every year. I pick up a lot of birds at night and on weekends, but seldom do they require a wrap or bandage. I still need the practice, training and fun.

Here's hoping that most of us won't need that training, but if we do I think we'll do just fine.

Photo Credit: Ruth Dorsey / Bird TLC

Substitute Osprey Mom

Bird TLC Clinic Volunteer on Wednesdays, Erika is helping this baby osprey learn to eat on it's own. This is one of two that came to TLC about a week ago. This one was injured the worst. It had a broken wing and two burned legs from a forest fire. The wing has healed, but the burns are being a little trying.


The other was placed in a nest near Hatchers Pass by Matanuska Electric Assn. employees today.

Bird TLC website

Sorry I've been a little lite on the blog and visiting other blogs lately. I've remodeled the Bird TLC main website. It's taken up a little bit of my time. Thanks to TLC volunteer Patrick Clark for doing the headers.

About 5 years ago I was very new to Bird TLC. My wife Ruth was volunteering on Mondays crew. I would go into visit and see the different things going on, but hadn't found a spot to dig in at yet. I helped doing some repairs and did some begging at the local chain stores.

For about a month they had a sign posted on the office managers door asking for a volunteer webmaster. I had always tinkered with computers, my first was a Commodore 128, but I had never taken on a large scale project. So I finally asked about it. Glenda told me the last webmaster was too busy to keep it up. The website was down, old and outdated. I had not a clue on how to do the job, so I said "I'll give it a try". On the way home I stopped at Barnes & Noble's and bought Webmastering for Dummies.

At that time I could check out what they did have and make any changes with Microsoft Word. I got all the pages how I wanted them and updated all of the information. I just didn't know how to get it on the web. I figured it was a good time to get a return on my investment in #2 son, Ryan. He was going to UAA and computers was one of his courses he was taking. He came over and we were online in a matter of minutes.

From there it was all trial and error. I settled in and kept it updated. I figured that would be the ticket if I got one of those fancy website awards. I applied to everyone I could find. Most never answered. But I did find one guy who was really helpful. I've lost track of him over the years, but he picked the website apart and told me what changes I needed to make for it to be a good website. I stayed up all night making the changes.

After a few years I thought the website was too limiting. We needed to tell stories of what was going on. It needed to be like a journal and it had to have pictures. It also had to be easier than a website to update. It had to be friendly and not stuffy. I researched for a while and then I decided to launch "The Bird TLC blog" on July 17, 2004. For the longest time I thought I was the only one reading it, but I kept going. I figured if I got one new reader, I was making headway. The word about our organization was getting out. 4 years later and sometimes I still wonder.

I've met a lot of good blogging friends over the years. I've also made a few in person because of it. I like looking at the Feedjit Live Traffic Feed and Map on the sidebar. I see people from all over the world. I think the word about Bird TLC might be getting out.

Bird TLC Nursery

We got in 2 baby osprey today. They're very young and I don't have the full story yet. TLC was very bust when I went by today and I couldn't stay long. Cindy had visitors and then had to leave to get x-rays taken of a patient.

Our baby eagles from Fairbanks are doing fine. They seem like they're getting bigger everyday. Our other one from Soldotna (not pictured) is holding it's own for right now.

This baby Stellar Jay was being a hand full. He would run all over the cage, turn its head upside down or backwards before it stood still long enough with its head in the right direction so I could get a pix.

Kids, what are you to do?

One Wing honored with songs and celebration

By Rebecca George
Published Sunday, July 27, 2008

FAIRBANKS — One Wing, the bald eagle who amazed local veterinarians when he survived the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 with only one wing, died in early May after thriving for 19 years following the spill at the Bird Treatment and Learning Center in Anchorage.

In honor of One Wing, Fairbanks Native drum group Soaring Eagle, along with many others from the Alaska Native community will perform traditional honor songs at a ceremony that both celebrates the courageous life of One Wing and commemorates the center’s 20th anniversary.

Soaring Eagle drum leader Bob Maguire saw the eagle as the true symbol of courage and sacrifice.

“He needs to be honored in the right way,” Maguire said.

Many in the Alaska Native community refer to One Wing as a special eagle brother because of his strong spirit.

A teary-eyed Maguire said “One Wing fought so hard to be free, and that’s how he destroyed his wing. But the bird kept lively as ever even though (the doctor) drew blood from the eagle countless times.”

Veterinarian Cindy Palmatier was the primary caregiver for One Wing at the Bird Treatment and Learning Center.

“We had to amputate his entire wing from his shoulder down when we rescued him, because he tore it fighting so hard to fly away free,” she said.

The chance that One Wing would live after his wing had been amputated was slim Palmatier said.

But the stubborn and regal survivor continued to serve as a blood donor to the hundreds of other birds that came in suffering from anemia and other blood disorders caused by the effects of crude oil and amazed veterinarians with his strength.

Despite the overwhelming amount of blood One Wing was transfusing, he continued to grow stronger each day.

“That bird gave and gave and gave way beyond what any bird should be able to accommodate, and we really utilized him heavily to help other birds,” Palmatier said.

The bird quickly earned a place in the hearts of many and was known for his bravery and noble demeanor among the other birds.

One Wing has had quite a following throughout the years thanks to poems written by now retired veterinarian Dr. Jim Scott and Joan Harris, who has written a popular children’s book titled “One Wing’s Gift: Rescuing Alaska’s Wild Birds.”

“People came from all over the country to check up on One Wing, so it’s only right that we finally release him in such a special way,” Palmatier said.

The ceremony will release One Wing’s ashes back to the Eyak Nation and into the Prince William Sound.

At the same time, another eagle will be released, and the members of the Treatment and Learning Center will be celebrating their 20th anniversary.

Soaring Eagle will perform traditional honor songs gifted by Chief Marie Smith-Jones of the Eyak tribe.

Maguire explained that the Eyak honor song holds a special place among the Native community as it was given back to the people about six years ago when they traveled to the now quieted village of Eyak.

“People were singing the song, but had no idea what it was about or where it came from,” he said. “The elders explained to the curious singers the origin and home of the song.”

Maguire explained that the elders told the younger generations the songs were still alive even if people weren’t living there to sing them.

“The songs are in the mountains and trees of Eyak, and that’s where One Wing should be, too,” he said.

The celebration and farewell ceremony will be held Aug. 23 at the Bird Treatment and Learning Center in Anchorage.

In addition to Soaring Eagle, many other Alaska Native drum groups and author Joan Harris and Dr. Jim Scott will be celebrating the life of One Wing.

Copied from the Fairbanks Daily News Miner.

3 baby eagles, YIKES!

This has been a crazy year. We seldom get in such young eagles. We got 2 in from Fairbanks on Friday and Cindy and Todd picked one up in Soldotna today. All had fell from nest and no parents around.

Look at the feathers on the one getting an exam. They are still downy feathers. Dark beak, dark head, and bright yellow feet. Oh boy!

3 New patients, an update and some bad pictures

BE 08-66 was brought in today by USF&W from Girdwood. He's seen better days. He wasn't too happy about getting his picture taken. He just wanted to be left alone.

Ruth and I chased a duck around the Anchorage Daily News parking lot for about a half hour. He couldn't fly, but he sure could run and hide under cars. I found him after TLC got a call this morning, but I knew I needed back up. I also figured it would be easier with an emptier parking lot. Well it wasn't easy enough.

OK ladies, everyone say AWWW. ain't it cute. This seagull chick has a broken leg. It'll be with us a couple weeks while it mends and grows a little more.

Our junior great horned owl is coming along fine. He still has the external fixiter on, but he's jumping all over trying to get out. He should be a fun release when it's time.

Sorry about the pix's. The subjects weren't cooperating and like I always say, that sodium lighting in the clinic is a killer for pictures.

Say Goodbye to Dances with Wolves

Back in January of this year we were going nuts with all of the eagles from Kodiak. We were sending all other eagles to The Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka because we were maxed out several times over. However, Shannon, a curator from the Alaska Zoo brought in an immature bald eagle. She said it landed in the wolf pen and the young wolves were playing tug of war.

We took this girl in and named her "Dances with Wolves". An exam was done at the zoo by their DVM, Dr. Riley Wilson who is one of our back up DVM's. He couldn't find anything wrong except for a bunch of missing primary feathers. So we fed her and placed her in a mew. It was determined that she would be fine after a molt.

Friday, Megan and I went to the flight center to pick out an eagle for a release that evening at the TLC property. There was an immature flying very well so she was selected. Megan researched the band when we got it back to the clinic and realized it was "Dances".

At the release she did just fine. She was ready to go. The weather turned nice with a little sun, no rain or wind. She left the box, flew low level until she reached the bluff. Then she perched on top of a dead tree and decided to stay there and check things out for a bit. Everyone was able to get some nice last pictures before she took off for the rest of her life.

For more pictures, click on these links.....

Photo Credits: #1 & 4 Dave Dorsey / Bird TLC
Photo Credits: #2 & 3 Britt Coon / Bird TLC

4th Blogoversary

Today is the our 4th Blogoversary. So I'm rerunning my first post about some of our patients. Thanks to everyone who has come to visit during the past 4 years.

These guys were found too close to the Palmer Airport. They are being cared for by one of our falconer friends, Tim Sell. He took them home to "hack out". Hacking is a method of raising young raptors so that they don't associate humans with food and can become independent at their own rate of speed.

Well, they're called Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus) and they are
the only species of harrier in North America. They are somewhat
similar to accipiters such as Northern Goshawks, Coopers Hawks or
Sharp-shinned Hawks, but their lifestyle is very different. They hunt
over open meadows and marshes and nest on the ground. They were
formerly called Marsh Hawks. Their chief prey is the vole (meadow
mouse), but they also eat other small mammals as well as birds.

Thanks to Chris Maack for the info and pictures!

Update: 7/17/2008 These guys were released about 1 1/2 months later. To our knowledge they have not become repeat customers.

2008 Midnight Sun Intertribal Pow Wow

Ruth and I had the pleasure of driving to Fairbanks this past weekend to take a rehabilitated bald eagle to the 2008 Midnight Sun Intertribal Pow Wow for a ceremonial release. The Pow Wow was started back in 2000 to educate the general public about the heritage of the indigenous people of North America, to share and to celebrate the similarities and diversities, and to honor their elders and their children. Bird TLC has participated by bringing an eagle to most of the Pow Wow's.

The weather cooperated for most of the day and the temperature was in the low 60's. Our eagle was placed in this lodge in the release box until ready for release about 2 hours later. They placed a guard for security.

Prior to the release there we many tribal and intertribal dances. Everyone was able to participate and show their regalia and their pride. There were dancers of all ages.

Native veterans were out in force and they were shown honor and respect from all who attended. I didn't know this, but there are more Native American veterans than any other minority.

As we got closer to the release time, the eagle and the release box were blessed. An honor guard of veterans were used to move the eagle to the release site. Elders and council members surrounded the box and one more blessing was given.

We knew we were going to have a good release when we picked this eagle to take with us. It flew well in the flight center and it was very aggressive. It didn't let us down. When they opened the box the eagle came out, flew low through the releasers and then over the crowd. It crossed the Chena River and landed on top a spruce tree where it could over look the Pow Wow.

After the release ceremony, Ruth and I were called into the ceremonial circle where we were presented a Certificate of Appreciation for Bird TLC. Since we didn't take a donation box, they decided to perform a blanket dance to take up a collection from the crowd. The crowd was extremely generous.

I would like to thank the Midnight Sun Intertribal Pow Wow Council for having us and treating us to excellent hospitality. I would also like to thank the Master of Ceremonies, Robert W. Gilcrease (Bob) and Benno Cleveland for having the blanket dance performed. And last but not least, thanks to all of the members and attendees. It was a special day for us.

It made a specticle of itself

Peter, a USF&W biologist in Nome sent us a Spectacled Eider that he had caught. It had a tear in it's throat and was on the ground for a while and hiding under a building. This is a bird not seen by many even when it's not hiding under a building.

After a goat rope getting it from the airlines it was shipped on, Ruth and I met up with Pam Tuomi, DVM of the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward. She was in town for the weekend and we met her at her husband Jack's clinic, Highland Animal Hospital. There she did an exam and gave it some fluids. She determined that it was well enough to make the trip to Seward and there she'll work on patching her up.

It's now one of their patients. They are better set up to handle waterfowl and the Eider can be a little touchie during rehab. It's in good hands.

This is a very interesting species. Check out the links on both it and ASLC.

When things go bad, it's good to have a great staff

Almost a month ago we had a water pipe break on the second floor on a Sunday afternoon. That means it wasn't discovered until Monday morning. It was predicted that almost 200 gallons of water leaked all over Bird TLC. The offices are what mainly was effected.

The carpets got soaked and so did some of the walls. If you ever smelled wet carpet after a flood, it isn't nice. Drying them out wasn't an option because they were old and well worn. We sub-lease the building from the IBRRC, so the local director had to be informed and she was out of state.

To cut the story and a headache short, the offices had to be emptied and carpet had to be ordered. The staff moved to the second floor and they had to work out of boxes. People who are use to being organize had to suffer through disorganization. Nobody liked it, but what were we to do. They made the best of it and they are real troopers.

They even withstood Dave's razing. For example, Cindy was promoted to the second floor bedroom where she kept all of the files in bed.

Poor Lynette was moved to the balcony so she could see whoever came in the door and Megan was piled in a corner. Greg rewired the phones so we had them where we didn't before.

Anyways, the walls and ceiling tiles have been painted and the carpeting is supposed to be installed on Wednesday. Things should be moved back in and arranged as they want them. Maybe in a week we'll be back to what we call normal. And to look on the bright side, we all kept in shape going up and down those stairs.

A little Great Horned Owl with a big attitude

Back on 7/1, Ruth and I picked up an eagle from Homer at the airport. We arrived back at TLC long after normal closing time. We walked in on Cindy and Todd and a little patient from Valdez. We squared the eagle away first because he was an easy patient.

The little patient was a very young Great Horned Owl with a broken leg and some other minor injuries. We guess it was hit by a car. Cindy and Todd were about to do an operation that they have had the chance to do several times in the past few years. They insert stainless steel pins in each half and secure them with an external clamp, sort of. The whole deal is called an external fixiter.

So I went out to my truck and got the camera. I told Ruth we would be there just for a little while. She knew better. We stayed for the whole operation.

At the end, Todd applied a 3M putty that hardens in 5 minutes. The bird can't bite through it and it's strong enough to hold the repair until it's removed. Then it is easily removed with wire cutters.

I went in to visit at lunch today and the little booger was standing on the injured leg. Of course he huffed and puffed like the big bad bird he is. I talked with Cindy and she said he was jumping around on it earlier. He'll feel even better when he gets the external fixiter removed.

Here's a link to pictures of the whole operation, if you can handle it.

CLICK HERE

ACE to the Rescue

BE 08-63 was brought to Anchorage from Dutch Harbor by our friends at ACE Air Cargo. That's 800 air miles free of charge. This isn't their first time.

It has some minor injuries that was keeping it on the ground so it was eating at the dump. It was rescued by U.S.F.&W. and shipped via ACE. It'll spend some time getting some r&r and some good food so it can get it's strength back. We figure it's a second year bird. Check out it's coloration.

If you ship within Alaska, check out ACE and also tell them thanks from Bird TLC.