LESSONS LEARNED AND BEING LEARNED
Spring nears and the wildlife care volunteer’s thoughts turn to... babies!
We know what spring means: the quiet hours at the Center will be over! The time fast approaches to roll up the sleeves and get busy. Caring then goes from dawn to dusk and cleanup continues into the night.
What can we expect? Any care classes scheduled? Any hands-on rehab training on how to fill those gaping beaks? Any books recommended?, although we all know you really only learn by doing, assisted by the ancients, those with hard-earned skills and many baby seasons under their hats.
Share with others your experiences with small mammals, songbirds, raptors, reptiles, and seabirds, too. What are their requirements, what did you learn? We’ve heard about the poor possum returned from an operation at CARE, placed outside at the Center where it died. Surely, that won’t happen again. Warmth, duh!, but what are the other essentials for proper care? Species by species — few know all. And do you have a favored species, which and why? Share with others which creature interests and calls out for your help.
(It’s also baby (and lost spring migrant) seabird time, but the seabird pond is closed for the unspecified future. What will be done for the lost and injured? What’s being done, anyone know? What should one do if one sees an injured or oiled/cooking oiled seabird?)
To see what people are saying, click on COMMENTS and scroll down; the most recent posts are at the bottom. Anonymity is promised and welcomed here.
Messages from: Sharon, Betsy, Connie, E. Mtn. Drive Charis (posting J. Parker's "training" e-mail) and posting Trace Eubank's moving report on the rehabilitation of a PEREGRINE FALCON, and a few anonymice
(No editing here but online reading is hard: brevity is not only the soul of wit, thanks, long-winded Polonius, but highly recommended in online writing..............)
posted by citizenRB @ 2/13/2006 08:50:00 AM
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15 Comments:
No the little opossum will not die in vain. New procedures have already been put in place. I don't know of a single person that has help animals for any lenght of time that hasn't misread the condition and the animal passed over. this is a great idea exchanging idea's and knowledge on different animals. Isn't it going to be confusing with so many types of animals to follow and capture information? Maybe the first word of the post should be the animal you are posting about. I know there has been classes on raptors and the NWRA has a symposium next month and at the next Animal Action meeting on the 18th of March, we will be giving reports and hopefully handing out notes and information from the classes. anyone one else going down to join us?
Looking forward to question on opossum so I can learn more. And if I can help...let me know!!! I have a little guy right now that may lose an eye...so doing lots of research on the internet...so far it looks good for his release!
Interesting new study on West Nile Virus in Montana, showing that the blood of mourning doves is the preferred food for the W.N. virus-carrying mosquito.
I've posted the article on my pelican web site, PelicanLife - click the pelican news page, at the top left of the navigation column. (Over 1,000 pelicans died of West Nile in 2003.)(No, they didn't "pass" - they died.)
Because of what happened to the much-cared-for pond pelicans (who doesn't miss the sweet "Blue"!), I've fallen behind on updating my site. I have a lot of pictures from the pond in happier days and shall post them soon.
I second the post (from another Anonymous - maybe we should be Anonymous 1, Anonymous 2, etc. ;)) in the Greetings/Welcome column:
"Anonymous said...
How about some modern, up to date training classes for ALL volunteers before caring for anything?
2/13/2006 11:01 PM"
What classes? What are the backgrounds (re wildlife rehabbing) of the trainers, if there are any classes? What resources are there for up-to-date training? (Here in Santa Barbara or elsewhere in this general (50mile radius) area? No training schedules have been received (yet) by this volunteer.
Anyone care to respond, including from the SBWCN staff?
thanks,
A.1 ;)
Hi, Sorry the blog started when I was so busy! This is the first time I've actually had time to look at it and want to say I think it's great and I'm thrilled to see so much participation! I'd like to go back and comment on the sanctuary question, but for now, re the start of baby bird season and training....
In the 20 or so years I did rehab at home before the center opened my experience was that the real flow of baby song birds doesn't happen until mid April, so we probably have two months to go (could be considerably earlier in such a warm winter though). In terms of training, it's hard to show how to identify, diagnose, handle, feed, house,etc. baby song birds without actual babies to learn with, so this probably isn't the time to start, and, also, anything learned too far in advance might not be retained by the time baby bird season really hits. Baby crows, which are another huge part of the spring influx, don't start hitting the ground in large numbers until mid May, so that training should happen even later.
Also, from years of experience, I have lots to say on how to handle baby song bird calls and baby crow calls, but again, those topics would be better addressed closer to the time when they will actually be coming in.
The warm weather we have been having is playing havoc on the wildlife already..I have raccoons breeding on my property and that usually happens end of March. I was told some baby birds camein last weekend..I do not think they were songbirds..now a cold spell!! Poor critters!
I agree that it is tough to teach about baby animals before you have a baby to show how on...but we can all be preparing by getting supplies ready and organizing our supplies, materials, meds and paperwork. Maybe people with some species specific experience can advise in this department at this time.
Julia Parker sent out to the list of volunteers, including the blog team, and some board members:
Hello Everyone, A training session on song bird feeding will be held at the Center, 819 Garden St. on February 27th, a Monday, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Baby bird season is approaching. We will be reviewing feeding technique, diets and caging. All seasoned rehabbers are invited to share their knowledge. It is possible that a repeat session will be held on a weekend day please RSVP to Julia at 966-9005. The next Animal Affairs Meeting will be held on February 18th at 11:00 at 1460 NO. Fairview. The date change is because some of the volunteers and I will be attending the NWRA symposium that goes through the 11th of February. We are updating our volunteer transporter list. You may receive a call regarding your current availability. Thank You for all you do, Sincerely, Julia Parker, SBWCN
A subsequent e- mail was sent noting that the meeting will be on March 18, not February 18.
Peripherally related: there's an article in today's San Diego paper on domoic acid and other toxins in the ocean that harm, often fatally, marine mammals and seabirds.
It points out the importance of keeping one's cat inside because of the toxins from domestic and feral cats that are known to harm otters. (The damage domestic cats inflict on wild birds is well-known .) I've posted the article on my pelican site, the wildlife news page .
News Flash!! The annual envelope stuffing and the Animal Action Meeting are both going to be held at Firth's place on the 18 if March, starting at 9:00. If you need direction, call the center...966-9005
Anyone have any question you want us to ask at the symposium next week???????????????
From Trace Eubanks (forwarded to an anon. and forwarded to another anon):
"I would like to thank Rehabbers Carol Powell and Julie Lanser for their assistance in the rescue and transportation efforts of an injured Peregrine Falcon that was successfully rehabilitated at Satellite #6.
In February 2005, a female Peregrine Falcon, (not commonly found in these areas) was rescued by Carroll in the city of Santa Maria and was discovered that someone had cut its entire primary and secondary wing feathers down to the blood line. In addition, all its tail feathers were cut and mutilated as well as the end of the bird’s beak. Thanks to the efforts of Julie Lanser, the bird was then transferred to Satellite #6 in Santa Ynez to complete its rehabilitation process.
Over the course of one full year in rehabilitation, involving a specific diet and continuous exercise, the Peregrine Falcon successfully completed its entire molting process. This bird is absolutely beautiful!! It is obvious after observing this magnificent creature why the Peregrine Falcon is recognized as, "Nature's Jet Plane"!
On March 2, 2006 the falcon was transferred to a Master Falconer in Ventura, CA. where it will be professionally flown and reintroduced to the art of hunting before it will be scheduled for release.
Without the help and professionalism of Carol Powell and Julie Lanser, this bird would have been deprived of its second chance to be reintroduced back into the wild!!"
What wonderful work! Thank you and congratulations, Trace and all those who helped you!
For those interested in information about Peregrines: a Canadian site that has a web cam and Q & A. and also The Peregrine Fund .
The NWRA sympoisum was GREAT! Learned LOTS!!
Now I have to take what was learned and turn it into action...not just by me, but by all of us. Julia, Barbara and I will be at the envelope stuffing party that Firth is giving and will be "spreading the word" If we all do our party, this will be the best year ever and we will get into our new digs faster than we thought! Bring questions & an open mind and heart! If we don't know the answer , we met some fantastic people we can ask!
see you all there!!!
make that "do our parts"..not party.
Julia DiSiento needs help with the upcoming baby season. The fawns have to be fed 4 times a day! They will be up in Santa Ynez, so we will need some dedicated folks who will be reliable and make a commitment to feed certain days and times during the week. If we can get some folks that live in the valley..that would be great!! Because they will be located on a private ranch, we want to have as few people disturbing the residents as is possible.Please call the center and give your, name address, phone number availability, and experience to Julia Parker...We do not have any fawns at this time, but the season is upon us!!
We need volunteers who are willing to rehab baby mammals!! When tiny they need multiple feedings and lots of care..we will train. You must be willing to have them in your home.Although it seems like a good experience, we do not recommend you take mammals into your home if you have young children. There is always the risk of contamination and being bitten. Anyone interested in raccoons should have pre-rabies exposure injections.Call the center and speak to Julia Parker.
Nancy Callahan needs a regular Saturday morning volunteer to help with animal clean-up and care. She also will need help during the week when baby season hits.
And!! She needs help mounting a release cage on a trailer to be used as a portable release enclousure for mammals.
And!! Help putting metal roofing on mammal cages located at her facility in the foothills of SB. call her 687-9980
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