IN S ID E this issue - Raptor Education Group, Inc.

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
[email protected]
(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
[email protected] 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