Our Avian Care team prepares meals for the birds in the commissary
|
|
Commissary meal prep area
|
|
Commissary state-of-the-art cleaning station
|
|
THE DAY HAS COME!
We've waited for this day for more than 25 years, and it has finally arrived! Our education birds and rehab birds now have a new, state-of-the-art home! Thanks to Pat and Byron Funnell for allowing us to overstay our welcome these many years.
This month, we highlight the commissary, where our Avian Care team prepares all the birds' meals each day. The old commissary was outdoors, cramped, and had a leaky roof, and the birds' view of the outdoor environment was very limited. Each and every day, without exception, our dedicated volunteers braved below-freezing temperatures in winter and scorching summer heat to give our education and rehab birds the best care possible. Now, volunteers can do their work indoors in a state-of-the-art facility that will be efficient and easy to clean and maintain. The new habitats for the birds are easier to clean, and have a view of the outdoors, and that's a big win for the birds in our care.
Because there are still some final touches needed in the critical care/ICU area of the new facility, those birds haven't moved in yet. We'll keep you posted!
|
|
|
|
Ruby is doing very well, is eating on her own, and is back to her old self.
Houdini is doing better. His eye looks great, and he is eating on his own!
|
|
"Take long walks in stormy weather or through deep snows in the fields and woods, if you would keep your spirits up. Deal with brute nature. Be cold and hungry and weary."
-
Henry David Thoreau
|
|
Thanks to Beth Woods of Indiana Wild, who connected Soarin' Hawk with Deron Meador, a falconer from Maryland, a captive-bred Barn Owl has joined our educational bird population. He was born on September 24 and came to Soarin' Hawk the first week of December. Gigi Stewart, Jillian Price, and Kim Westfall have been involved with his care until he can be moved to our new facility, weather permitting.
Deron Meador, Adventures With Raptors, has been a falconer for 22 years, a breeder for eight years, and has been involved with presenting educational programs for eleven years. Eurasian Eagle Owls, Barn Owls, Burrowing Owls, Harris Hawks, Falcons, are some of the raptors he has bred over the years.
Deron, an advocate for educating the public about native raptors like the Barn Owl, has, because we are a non-profit organization, kindly donated this Barn Owl to Soarin' Hawk. Thanks to him, we are fortunate to be able to add such a beautiful owl to our family of educational birds.
|
|
A VERY SPECIAL RELEASE
This handsome eagle was injured in the Huntertown area and saved by Brandt Douglas on October 1, 2019. He was treated at Soarin' Hawk's ICU, and recovered at Soarin' Hawk's rehab facility.
Finally, on December 18, after weeks of rehab and practice flying, he was ready to return home. He was released at Huntertown Family Park, and over 150 people braved the windy cold to welcome him home and watch him take flight.
|
|
A SPECIAL NOTE FROM GIGI,
OUR VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Would you like to be a Soarin’ Hawk volunteer? Come to our next Volunteer Orientation and learn all about the different opportunities within Soarin’ Hawk. There's something for everyone! Our next orientation will be in March. We don't have a date yet, but it will be posted on our
web site volunteer page
. You can also
check our volunteer page
to read about the opportunities available.
|
|
RESCUE OF THE MONTH
by Lynne Ostergren
|
|
On December 27, 2019, I got a call from Auburn Hills Animal Hospital in Auburn, IN. A concerned citizen had seen a Red-Shouldered Hawk sitting beside the road, so he picked it up and delivered it to the vet. The vet called us, and I drove to Auburn to get it, then delivered the bird to ICU, where it was discovered that his last meal was a whole bunch of frogs!
|
|
WHAT HAPPENED TO OCTOBER & NOVEMBER, & DECEMBER'S "RESCUES OF THE MONTH?"
The
bald eagle w
as released at Huntertown Family Park on Dec. 18, 2019. (See story and video above.)
Sadly, last month's
turkey vulture
died.
|
|
CELEBRATING GENEROSITY
Thanks to December donors!
Automotive Hardware Services, P. Davich, The Foellinger Foundation, K. Forrester, Frontstream, P. Funk, S. Goshorn, J. Hostetler, D. & J. Lyons, D. McClelland, S. McInnis, Chuck and Lisa Surack and Sweetwater, Three Rivers Watershed, J. Werling, A. Zepke
Thanks also to the donors who give each and every month!
L. Dearing, Fort Wayne Subaru, S. McInnis
Adopted!
Puck and Sherman were adopted by the MacMillan family for 2020!
Skylar and Peabody were adopted by Beth N.!
|
|
Barn owls are easily identified by their heart-shaped facial disk. Does this unique feature serve a purpose?
|
|
|
|
|
We were able to rescue this beautiful little eastern screech owl that fell down a chimney, check him for injuries, and watch him return to the wild, thanks to donations from folks like you. Won't you make a donation now so we can help others like this owl? No contribution is too small!
Your donation is tax deductible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
