BE 10-25

Orientation

A Presenters Orientation class was held on Saturday for those interested in presenting and caretaking of one of Bird TLC's Education Birds.

Afterwards they were able to try it out to get a taste of things.

I think I saw a few smiles.

For more photos, click here.

Wednesday's Crew

Say hello to Wednesday's morning crew taking a break when all is done.

AUCTION TIME!!!!!

Building Taz a mew

Taz is a merlin that has now become a part of our education program due to a permanent wing injury. He has been staying at my house waiting for a permanent home. Terri stepped up and is going to house him at her place.
We spent Saturday afternoon at Todd Palmatiers house while his wife Cindy was away playing outdoor girl. Todd had recently made a mew for a sharpie that would the perfect model for a merlins mew.

Terri got right into it with a little help from our visiting intern from England, Grace.

After a few hours, no injuries and a few mistakes, we had a new merlin mew. After it's approved by USF&W and Bird TLC, Taz will be moving to a new home with Terri.

Of course once Taz moves in it will have a perch, water, etc.

Have fun Terri!

For more photos, click here.

Getting ready for the auction

We're getting ready for "For the Birds" Live and silent auction this coming Friday at the Anchorage Hilton. Lot's of great donations have been pouring in. The nice thing about helping with the auction, you get an early preview of what's going to be there.

There's everything from art, trips, beer, dinners, and a few surprises. The committee is in the process of getting the items organized and cataloged and stuff.

I think Cindy is trying out a few things that she's going to bid on. I hope they come with instructions.

The support of people and businesses is amazing. It should be an awesome auction. It's both live and silent and our auctioneer is Cary Carrington. Tickets are available and will also be sold at the door.

Call the Bird TLC office during normal business hours at 907-562-4852.

This is our main fundraiser for the year. Proceeds help out Alaska's wild birds in need.

"Because wild birds don't have health insurance".

Tickets are available at the door!

Love Is In the Air

Lots of kids of all ages had fun at todays "Love Is In the Air" at Alaska Heritage Museum. Today kicked off a series of Second Saturday events held on the second Saturday of every month through July.

There were all kids of birds from songbirds to a great horned owl.

Kids could make make Valentine's Day cards. There were all kinds of snacks and drinks.

 

A good day to be inside since it was 8° outside.

To see more photos, click here.

Out with the old

Nah, I can't say that.  Valerie is no where's near old. But she is leaving Bird TLC and taking a full time position with USF&W. Lucky for them. However, she plans on coming back to TLC as a volunteer. She wants to become an education presenter. With her sparkly personality and good humor she'll do great.

Monique is new. She's taking over Val's position as administrative assistant and fitting in just fine. We haven't run her off with our mice, rats and other quirky stuff yet. I look forward to working with her more.

We're going to miss you in the office Val and welcome to TLC Monique!

On Channel 11 this morning.

Click here on link.

Bald Eagle #7

This young guy was fished out of one of the bays in Kodiak. When he arrived at Bird TLC it still had a pretty full crop and was really soaking wet.

Here' Cindy Palmatier is smelling its breath to make sure the food still in its crop hasn't soured.

 

Ginamaria and Cindy tube fed the young guy with a diluted solution of Critical Care. The main idea if for it to help dissolve the food that's in its crop. Brian's holding our guy and afterwards placed him in a warm kennel.

We're getting a lot of eagles in early this year. Everything from airplane hit, snare or trap caught to being fished out of the water.

I did it!

After months of practice, studying and observing other presentations, I checked off today on presenting Petra the bald eagle for Bird TLC.

With great help from my mentor Lisa and great support from my friends the day finally came.

 

Petra and I hope to see you at a presentation soon.

Photo Credit: Britt Coon / Bird TLC

For mor photos, click here.

As the Snowy flies

Back in November, a couple brought in this snowy owl that wasn't doing well. It was very lethargic and obviously hadn't eaten in quite a while.

On Friday Britt and I took him to the flight center to see how it's coming along. It's eating well and all other signs are good. There is some concern about its eye sight, but we'll let it tell us how that's doing.

Right now, it's the only snow that's flying around here. It took off right out of the kennel.

 

A little more time is needed to know for sure how it's doing and if it'll be able to be released. Right now it needs to get its bearings, get it's flight strength back and remember how to hunt.

We'll keep you updated.

Happy New Year!

Here's hoping everyone has a Happy and Safe New Year!

Happy Holidays!

Lisa and Petra go to Hope School

I had the pleasure of accompanying Lisa and Petra to Hope where they did an awesome presentation for the students and staff at Hope School.

Hope School is a little over an hours drive from Anchorage and has a student population of about 24 with 3 of them being seniors this year. Lots of questions were asked by all and both Lisa and Petra were happy to answer.

Both were asked to return again along with other presenters and education birds from Bird TLC. It was a fun time for all.


For more photos of their visit, click here.

Who doesn't like leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner?

Turkey necks, legs and cranberries are some of the items donated to Bird TLC after Thanksgiving. Petra here is showing her appreciation.

Fresh snow

Fresh Snow is very pretty, but when it snows a lot it creates a lot of work. Wet snow doesn't pass through the nets that cover our flight pens, it just collects it. The weight of the snow makes the nets droop lower and lower. To much weight from the snow can cause damage to the cells, so it needs to be removed.

Britt and I were out there Friday afternoon knocking the snow off of the nets and then shoveling the snow we knocked down to make paths for the non-flighted eagles. To knock it down we use long aluminium poles with squeegees on the end. The squeegee end keeps from tearing the net.We raise them to the nets and push up and down causing the snow to fall through. Sounds easy, doesn't it? Thrust me, your arms, neck and back feel it after 1/2 a cell. Your also guaranteed to be dumped on often.  By the time you're done, you are beat and soaking wet.

Everyone at the flight center gets their turn during the winter. This time was Britt's and mine. If the amount is too much, you call for back up.

Palmer Senior Home presentation

Erin, Ghost, Randy and Artemus did a presentation the day before Thanksgiving at the Palmer Senior Home to a very large audience.

The weather cleared up enough for the presenters and their birds to make it out to Palmer and back safely. The birds seemed excited about being out the day before a famous bird holiday.

Stories and questions filled the air.

 

A good time was had by all.