Red-tailed Hawk Release

Went to The Raptor Center today with a couple of our birds that needed a check up. I left with more birds than I came with! Transported a peregrine falcon back to its home and got to release a red-tailed hawk.

Hawk Release

Close up of the hawk!

On Friday morning, the Audubon Center got a call from the Raptor Center. They were sending a rough-legged hawk up with a volunteer to be released on our property. Its always exciting to see an animal released. We were lucky enough to be able to share this with about 40 fifth graders that were visiting - what a memorable thing for them to see at the end of their trip!

Showing students the hawk right before release

Back to the wild!

Owl Release

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to watch 2 immature male snowy owls be released on the Audubon Center property. These birds were brought up by The Raptor Center so they could begin their migration north. It is always great to see the birds return to the wild!

One of the owls right before release

 

Jeff releasing the owl

It landed in a tree and immediately got mobbed by crows!

There is also a video of the release if you want to watch it: Snowy Release

Care and Management

Last week, I got to take a workshop at The Raptor Center down in the cities. It was 4 days learning about training, first aid and raptors in general. For me, it was fun and I learned some fun facts to take back with me. As part of the class, we got to handle some birds - I got a peregrine falcon and bald eagle on glove for the first time. This won't surprise some of you but the peregrine was more exciting and beautiful to me!

Transferring the bird to my glove

Getting adjusted

This is a male eagle - he weighs about 7 pounds.

As usual in pictures with me and bird - my mouth hanging open

One last photo - my arm was getting tired!

We also got to spend some time practicing our first aid skills down in the clinic on actual patients. I got to give fluids to a couple peregrines and a goshawk. I also bandaged a peregrine and sharp-shinned hawk. Let me tell you, those teeny toes make putting a bandage on difficult. This was one of the most beneficial parts of the entire workshop - getting hands on experience on birds that are alive!

More pictures to follow once The Raptor Center puts there's online. I didn't take too many and sadly did not get my photo with the peregrine :(

Barred Owl Release

Went down to The Raptor Center on Tuesday for the little birds to get their beaks and talons trimmed. As a bonus, we returned with more birds than we went down with. A male barred owl had finished rehab and needed to be released...guess who got the honors!?!? Don't worry, the owl did fly off eventually :)

(I apologize for the sound ahead of time)

A Raptor Weekend

Last weekend, was filled with raptors!

On Friday, the wildlife staff took a field trip down to the University of Minnesota for a lecture on Apex Predators but on by The Raptor Center. There were 2 speakers: Mark Martell who spoke about recent tracking research on birds of prey and Dave Mech who spoke about his wolf research. Each speaker taught me a thing or two that I can use when I teach. Both were really interesting but I preferred Mark Martell's program a bit more. It was fascinating to hear about data that had just been received in the past month and what it means for the species as a whole.

View from the observation deck at the National Eagle Center

On Saturday, my parents met me in the cities. After a fantastic Panera stop, we headed down to the National Eagle Center. I think working with raptors and in the education field has jaded me a bit when it comes to visiting other centers. I did enjoy looking at some of the education displays; in particular one where visitors could lift a replica eagle. My favorite thing was looking through the scope for eagles - and actually finding several perched in trees!
It was really nice to get off site for a bit, hangout with the family and learn a few things!!

Owl Release!

We went down to The Raptor Center today to get the 3 littlest birds beaks taken care of. While at the clinic we found out that the 5 Northern Saw-whet owlets had been released. We also returned with a Great-Horned Owl. This spring it was brought to the Audubon after it was found injured outside of Sandstone. Following an exam, it was transferred to The Raptor Center. After 3 months of rehab, it was ready to be released!

FIELD TRIP!!!

Today, the interns got the chance to go to the Raptor Center and Como Zoo in the cities.

First stop was the Raptor Center where we got the chance to see the education facilities, including many of their birds. We also got the chance to talk to someone who has worked in the wildlife field for a while and pick her brain. Below are 2 of the birds - a barn owl and great horned owl.

Next up was the Como Zoo. A nice small zoo near the raptor center. I had lots of fun taking pictures of plants in the conservatory (see below). In the cafe, I got a delicious mint chocolate coffee. I must admit that it was Caribou Coffee which makes it that much more amazing that I enjoyed the drink. (For those of you who don't know this, I am a Starbucks girl and usually hate Caribou drinks)

Overall, it was a good day. I learned a thing or two while I got some good coffee, a trip to the zoo and the chance to see some birds. Definitely cant complain!!