IN S ID E this issue - Raptor Education Group, Inc.
Transkript
IN S ID E this issue - Raptor Education Group, Inc.
Taking Flight 2011 Spring From the Executive Director this issue INSIDE Dear Friends, It is hard to believe REGI celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year! So much has happened in those years. The organization has grown, matured, and become more successful than I ever dreamed it would 20 years ago. Our organization and the terrific REGI staff make me proud every day. Our work and training have become known and respected worldwide. The time goes by so quickly; I often feel like REGI is my child, and I am a proud parent who has watched that child grow up and help the world become a better place. 20 years of REGI p. 2 Winters Patients p. 3 International Visitors p. 4 REGI Research Partners p. 5 Peregrine Prints for Sale p. 6 Summer Tours Ahead p. 6 Wonders of the Web p. 7 Thank you! p. 7 Some 8000 birds have passed through our doors since 1991. The patients run the Where to see us this gamut from magnificent and regal endangered species to tiny and beautiful songbirds and hummingbirds. People that know me will attest to the fact that I remember almost Spring and Summer! every one of those individual patients. My staff gets the giggles, for instance, when someone brings a new patient to the clinic and starts to ask about a bird he or she Family Fun Days brought in six years ago. I pick up the conversation and talk about that earlier patient as Owl Ridge General Store Wausau, WI if it had been admitted yesterday. Our patients truly are all special to us and are always June 4, 2011 from 11am-4pm treated that way. Oak View Animal Days It has not been an easy road to get to this point. The time and finances spent with and Oak View Veterinary Clinic Plover, WI on our patients are enormous. Someone once said, “Wildlife rehabilitation is not a job, June 18, 2011 from 10am-1pm it’s a lifestyle,” and I can personally and definitely say, that is a fact. While I am humbled and pleased by our success, there is still much to be done to further support and Lac du Flambeau Lake Fest accomplish our mission. Downtown Lac du Flambeau, WI June 25, 2011 from 10am-3pm An important part of our work here at REGI is education. Whether during a public tour or presentation, my staff and I are heartened by the fact that so many people, even Farm and Technology Days those who don’t know much about birds and the important issues connected to them, http://www.marathonfarmtech.com/ are open to learn and show interest in what we are trying to accomplish. We are even Marshfield, WI more delighted with the children, who represent the future and consistently show both July 12, 13, and 14, 2011 their understanding of important environmental concepts and their eager enthusiasm for learning even more. I mentioned in the past that other wildlife centers in our area, as well as around the country, are closing at an alarming rate. Each year our workload has increased, but never to the degree that we have seen so far this year. It will be a busy summer. Our interns are arriving soon. The cycle of spending every waking moment teaching, as well as feeding and caring for orphaned baby birds and adults that have suffered from injuries or illness, has again begun. We stand ready to move forward, with the same sense of mission and commitment that REGI has shown for twenty years, the work that all of us love. Your support has been, and continues to be, vital to our work, as REGI celebrates twenty years in the world of birds. I sincerely thank all of you for your ongoing, critically important, and much appreciated support of our organization. Sincerely, Marge Gibson Raptor Education Group, Inc. Spring 2011 2 T Celebrating 20 years of REGI! he Raptor Education Group, Inc. (REGI) was a work in progress from the moment Marge Cahak Gibson was born in Antigo, WI. All of her life, she was fascinated by birds; as a child, she rehabilitated many, well before the time that people needed special permits to do so. Even as a toddler they caught her attention; “bird” was the first word she ever spoke. She credits her parents, Clarence and Rosie Cahak, with infusing her with a sense of wonder and respect for the environment and wildlife. Her parents were environmentalists before it was “cool” or popular. As an adult she worked as a medical technologist in California and met her husband, Don Gibson, a pathologist. Both of their professions would prepare them for their lives as avian rehabilitators. In 1976 they began a raptor rehabilitation center in California called the Orange County Bird of Prey Center, while Marge continued doing field work on raptors. When the Exxon Valdez oil spill devastated the Alaskan coast, Marge led the Eagle Capture and Health Assessment Team. Qushquluk, the most heavily oiled Bald Eagle from the spill, still resides at REGI today some 22 years later. Qushquluk’s enclosure was Marge and Bald Eagle, Qushquluk, in the very first the first building erected on the property. structure built on the REGI property in 1990. After their work at the large wildlife facility in Orange County, CA in the late 1970’s Marge and Don were ready for a change, including less of the labor-intensive rehabilitation work. It was that and Marge’s elderly parents, still living in Antigo who would eventually bring her and her family back to Wisconsin. When Marge and Don Gibson moved to Antigo, they expected to live a quiet mid-western existence, but life had other plans. REGI was founded in 1990. The intended focus of the organization was primarily wildlife education. Historically, raptors were feared and killed because people didn’t understand them or the valuable role they play in the ecosystem. Marge experienced the need to educate the public on wildlife issues first hand, while a young child. The need to bring understanding to the public involving wildlife and their interaction with people was constant from the time she was 11 years old. REGI has helped thousands of people understand that raptors and other species are valuable to healthy ecosystems and are to be respected and cherished, not feared. Today, REGI takes in an average of over 700 avian patients per year with a rehabilitation staff of 2, an education staff of 3, and a variety of well appreciated volunteers. The staff, interns, and former interns at REGI, are a tight-knit family. Sharing the daily roller coaster of patients cases and incidents, both good and bad, creates strong bonds. Along with the staff, the facilities have also grown into a variety of 11 small buildings and gazebos for patients to recuperate, a fenced-in pond for waterfowl, and a clinic for treating patients. Responding to a need in the area, REGI also boasts one of the Marge and Red-tailed Hawk, Julie, in 1990. country’s finest flight buildings. They built this flight barn suitable for exercising even the largest adult Bald Eagles in the winter season. The phrase “if you build it they will come” applies well to how REGI grew. Soon there were so many patients, REGI needed more facilities and with that a staff...fast! The organization and facility continue to grown by leaps and bounds with this year perhaps bringing more growth than any time in the past. All of these things help REGI provide outstanding care for protected wild avian species as well as excellent wildlife education for schools and adult groups. Everything REGI has become is due to the hard work of the Gibsons, the staff, volunteers, and local communities over the years. None of this would be possible without the help and support provided through donations and volunteering. We thank everyone who supports REGI, today and in the past. We look forward to many more anniversaries! Raptor Education Group, Inc. Spring 2011 3 Winter’s Patients This stunning male Northern Cardinal broke his wing when he hit a window. He was released in March. We hope he found his mate and is raising a family as you read this. (Learn tips on preventing window hits at: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/ bwdsite/learn/top10/windowstrikes.php ) This Barred Owl was admitted after being hit by a car. His first few days here were rough; he had blood in his nares (nostrils) which is indicative of internal damage and common in birds that have been hit by cars. Luckily for this gorgeous owl, his injuries have healed, and he has been released! This Tundra Swan, formerly known as a Whistling Swan, was admitted after she was found acting oddly and nearly half the weight of a typical adult swan. She has been steadily gaining weight since she arrived at our clinic and has a healthy appetite. She will be released into a migratory flock. A woman found this adorable little Screech Owl perched atop one of the vases in her home! The owl was covered in soot and had roughed-up feathers. She had entered the house though the chimney. Many species of owls are cavity-nesters. That means they nest in holes in trees. Chimneys can resemble tree cavities. Installing a chimney cap will protect you from unexpected “visitors.” This Great Horned Owl was found tangled in a barbed wire fence. Barbed wire is a dangerous obstacle for birds. Once an animal is caught, it often needs help to get free. This owl was lucky; his injuries were minor and someone found him quickly. He was recently released. This magnificent adult male Bald Eagle suffered from lead poisoning. Sadly, lead poisoning is a common cause of Bald Eagle deaths in the fall and winter seasons. This lucky bird was released in the spring. 4 Raptor Education Group, Inc. Spring 2011 F International Visitors or two weeks in March, we were honored to have three exceptional visitors from the Kuzey Doğa Association in Northeastern Turkey. The organization was established in 2008 “to prevent extinctions and consequent collapses of critical ecosystem processes while making sure that human communities benefit from conservation as much as the wildlife they help conserve.” Ahmet Emre Kütükçü, a wildlife veterinarian; Derya Cil, biologist; and Önder Cırık, project manager, came to learn avian rehabilitation and housing techniques, handling and training of education birds as they develop the first-of-its-kind, Celal Acar Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, in Turkey. Construction began in April and they hope to have it finished Photo Above: Left to right, Ahmet Emre Kütükçü, Marge Gibson, Önder by World Animal Day Cırık, and Derya Cil working with Bald Eagle, Qushkuluk. on October 4, 2011. Marge taught them many avian rehabilitation and safe handling techniques, great experiences for them that they can apply when caring for their own patients in Turkey. Photo above: Dr. Ahmet Emre Kütükçü holds a Snowy Owl Not only did Ahmet, Önder, and Derya learn from us, but they also taught us about Turkey and Turkish Culture through stories, gifts, and even preparation of food. Ahmet has extensive experience as a veterinarian in Turkey. He was a great help at REGI and shared his techniques with us that we can Photo above: Ahmet and Marge work use on our patients on a Barred Owl patient. as well. Ahmet has been in contact with Marge for over a decade. It was a great pleasure to finally meet him, Önder, and Derya during their stay. We wish them all the luck in the world as they develop and succeed with their rehabilitation center in Turkey. They have definitely touched our lives and we will remain lifelong friends. We look forward to working with Celal Acar Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center as they develop their wildlife rehabilitation facility. Celal Acar Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center will be the first of its kind in Turkey. Photo above: (Left to right) Katie Rymer, Nigel Golden, Yuta Motoi, Marge Gibson, Kohei Kobayashi, and Steve Fisher We also hosted other terrific international wildlife professionals this winter and spring including Dr Kohei Kobayashi, wildlife veterinarian, and Yuta Motoi, a research biologist, from Japan who visited in February. Raptor Education Group, Inc. Spring 2011 5 REGI Research Partnerships II T he Buena Vista Kestrel Research Program is another program that REGI is proud to work alongside. It has a long tradition of excellence dating back to 1968 when Frances Hamerstrom, a well known naturalist and biologist, put up 50 nest boxes. When Fran Hamerstrom began her work, she found only 3 American Kestrel nest sites in the Buena Vista Grassland. American Kestrels are the only North American falcon or hawk species to nest in cavities, or holes in trees. Kestrel populations have been declining, largely due to habitat loss, over the past few decades. Providing cavities or nest boxes for birds is an excellent way to improve their populations. The Buena Vista Kestrel Research Program is a part of the Central Wisconsin Kestrel Research. This program is run by Janet Eschenbauch and Amber Eschenbauch, along with a crew of dedicated volunteers. The research team cleans out and prepares the nests before each season, monitors them weekly from May 1st, until all of the chicks have fledged, or left, the nest. The team also bands the nestlings and collects scientific data on weight and growth in the youngster. The Kestrel is the smallest North American falcon species. The facial markings, along with its orange and blue colorations, are very distinct. Help support the Buena Vista Kestrel Research program by adopting a Kestrel nest box. Visit: http://www.kestrelresearch.com/adopt.html Marge Gibson and Robert Prinsen prepare these 2 young Kestrels for their placement in a nest box at the Buena Vista Grassland. Last year this terrific project provided a very special experience for both our summer interns and three of our orphaned American Kestrel patients . It is always best for a bird to be raised by its own species. Most birds are willing to foster young of their species that are not their own as long as their own chicks are the same age, not overcrowded, and there is an adequate food supply. Our chicks were placed in nest boxes in the Buena Vista Grassland. Our summer interns were able to learn more about this wonderful monitoring program and become active participants in it! Our thanks to Janet, Amber, and the Buena Vista Kestrel Research Project. Intern Karissa Mohr climbs the ladder to a Kestrel nesting box to place an orphaned chick in its new home. Kestrel chicks are weighed as a part of the banding process. Minutes after this photo was taken, this little female had new parents and new siblings. Raptor Education Group, Inc. Spring 2011 6 Beautiful Peregrine Prints for Sale A re you looking for a way to help support the Raptor Education Group, Inc? Do you have a love for bird art? If so, we have the perfect thing for you! REGI is offering our supporters the opportunity to purchase a beautiful Peregrine Falcon print. This is not just any Peregrine, it is Ishmael, a longtime education bird. Some of you may have met Ishmael at programs, tours or other events. The drawing was done by one of our past interns, Alexis Zenner. Alexis has created a variety of pieces of art for REGI over the years to be used as fund-raisers. Each 8x10 Peregrine Falcon Print is $10, including shipping and handling. For more information on ordering a Peregrine Falcon print, contact: Molly McKay Environmental Education Coordinator mollym.regi@gmail.com (715)623-2563 Summer Tours Just Around the Corner! T he cold days of winter are barely behind us, yet we here at REGI know that the summer is just around the bend. And along with summer comes tours! Summer tours gives you a chance to meet some of our partners in education. See hawks, eagles, owls, and falcons up close. Learn about their unique adaptations and experience their powerful grace. Karissa Mohr explains about the amazing eyes of an owl, while Robert Prinsen and volunteer, Megan Rekowski, hold birds at the owl station during a summer tour. The owl station is one of 5 education stations tour attendees stop at. Fast Fact Broad-winged Hawks migrate an average of 4,350 miles, from our northern forests to northern South America, each year. REGI Summer Tours Beginning Tuesday June 7! Tuesday, Thursday and the 2nd Saturday of each month. Time: 10:00 am and 1:00 pm Where: Antigo, WI Fee: $8/person (kids under 5 free) Pre-registration is required Please call (715)623-2563 to register *Tours are all outdoors and subject to weather. Find out more about REGI tours and many other activities on the Raptor Education Group, Inc events page. Visit: http://www.raptoreducationgroup.org/Events.cfm Raptor Education Group, Inc. Spring 2011 Wonders of the Web 7 Donate Online Would you like to make a donation to REGI? Just visit our web site www.raptoreducationgroup.org and click on “Donate Now.” Paypal is a safe and secure and you do not need to be a member of Paypal to use its services. Switch to Our Electronic Newsletter You can switch to the e-newsletter and help REGI lighten its environmental footprint. An e-version helps us to save paper and keeps costs down, which means more of your donations go directly to the patients. Send an e-mail to MollyM.REGI@gmail.com to make the switch to the e-version of the newsletter. Be sure to include your full name and the e-mail account(s) that you would like added. Staying connected to REGI has never been easier! Find all the ways to stay connected on our website at www.raptoreducationgroup.org Thank You ALL! We are very grateful to our supporters. It seems a cliche to say we could not have done it without your help, but in fact, it is true. State and federal wildlife agencies continue to suffer cut-backs. Services once offered by natural resource agencies are increasingly handled by non-profit private sector organizations, like REGI. A special thank you to Dr’s Sarah Lautzenhiser, Sharon Brunzlick, Dan Turunen and staff at Antigo Veterinary Clinic; USFWS; State of WI DNR/BER and Police, Sheriff and Fire Departments throughout the state who help in so many ways. Thank you to Lakeside Pharmacy and Butch’s Shop Rite in Antigo and Cousineau Recycling for continuing to be our drop-off point for aluminum cans, and Lillian Tower for continuing to collect and transport cans for us. Gary Keen and Keen Appliance of Antigo, for keeping our appliances in running order. Lances Service Garage of Antigo for helping us keep our van in working order and the Antigo Daily Journal. A million thanks to Stacie Wild for being an amazing and dedicated volunteer through-out the difficult winter season. Thank you to our volunteer transporters who put thousands of miles on their personal cars every year getting patients safely to REGI and Dave Piehler for his expert air transport of our critical patients from remote areas. Thank you to Dennis Stenstrom, Lori and Rocky Schubring, Stacie Wild, Dave Koch, Gary Whitman, Eva Nelson-Hohensee, Lynn Ott, Marv Schmeiser, Nick Salm, John Benishek, Laura Schneider, George and Rosalie Blumenschein, Kathy Blook and Ken Pedersen. Thank you David Hoffman for the much needed medical supplies you bring. Thanks to the Avian Club at the UW-Madison Veterinary School, and Pre-vet Club at UWSP for your help and Kronnenwetter Veterinary Clinic for your support. Thanks you to Ken Miknuk for our beautiful Harris’s Hawk “Gypsy”, Jim Kitzman Breeding project for our adorable “Jack” our Gyrfalcon, and Lance Lucas for our lovely female Goshawk “Rosie”. Thanks to The Dale Zimmerman and Dan Turunen Families, Ben and Kristina Mott, Jim Johnson,Jeff and Tammy Campo, Hunter Petroskey, Roger Benishek, Bill Boettcher, Dan Lipinski ,Joan Ostermeier, Dick Andres,Dan Auner, Beau Gabriel, Debra Hoffman, Robert Brentizmann, Joy Pecha, Davie Reineke, Jennifer Rysula,Jean Maney, Patrick White, Erin Maus, Dace Dahms, Dave Omernick, Jim Nelson, Ralph Staus, Jeff Konopacky, Rick Groat, Raoy Dettman, Jim Stelzer for bringing us rats, mice, fish and many other foods that help us keep our birds fed and in good health. Thanks to R.J. Hilger and Sons Baits of Antigo for supplying loads of minnows both alive and dead for our patients. Another huge thanks to Dale Waterhouse and JaDa Baits, and John Jacobs for continuing to supply us with waxworms and mealworms for our insectivore patients. Thank you to all of the hunters who collected deer hearts and encouraged other to collect and donate along with them. Thank you Teal Fyksen, Brian Fyksen, Jay Petroske and Dave Omernik for the donation of food for our birds. And a very special thank you to ”The Admirer of P.H. Osprey”; your generosity means more to us that we can express in words! Thank you all! • • • The Raptor Education Group, Inc. Mission Promote increased awareness of and respect for native bird species, their natural behaviors and habitats. Develop and promote better understanding of the natural history of avian species in both the public and scientific communities. Develop nutritional protocol, rehabilitation methods and husbandry based on the species’ natural history to assure a successful transition into the wild. P.O. Box 481 Antigo, WI 54409 Current Resident or Hello, Can we talk? That’s me on the left. If look “squished” it’s because I was run over by a snowmobile. I was hunting mice in the snow and suddenly I was under a snowmobile. To make matters worse, the people laughed when they hurt me. They left me there, hurt in the snow. I was not found again for 2 days. I was pretty sick for a few months, but by the time you read this I will be back in the wild. Here is the thing; I had no health insurance. REGI gets no state of federal funding to pay for medical expenses or other care for me or other patients. Please, we need your help. Thank you, Barred the Owl Phone: (715) 623-4015 Website: www.raptoreducationgroup.org