Can you roll your R’s and say these words – Rescue – Repair – Rehabilitation – Release? Say them with me now.
Congratulations, you’ve just described the amazing world of bird rescue. And, you can go see this world in action at bird sanctuaries all over Florida.
Bird sanctuaries save birds affected by human cruelty and violence to the environment
Bird sanctuaries struggle daily with heartbreak, beaks to feed and more rescues on the way. Why? The answer is shocking – birds arrive due human cruelty (shooting, running them over, fishhooks) and violence to their environment (BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, clear cutting land). Selfless souls work 365 days a year to undo the damage and repair the web of life.
Daily the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores feeds their resident birds (over 600) some 500 to 600 pounds of fish. Every day 20-45 birds are rescued or admitted. Volunteers square their shoulders, smile and welcome two-legged visitors, admitted free, while wondering if any donations will show up today or if new volunteers will arrive (many have been trained and shipped to the Panhandle to work on birds covered with oil from the BP spill).
In the small sanctuary tucked in between high rise beach condos, brown and white pelicans groom themselves. They seem normal until you look closely and the lower part of a beak is missing or eyes are totally dimmed because of blindness or they stand on one leg, the other one is gone.
The day I visited a young boy imitating a shore bird ran back and forth in front of a cage while a shore bird, uttering the same cries, ran back and forth with him. Perhaps the bird thought they were related.
Songbirds are in cages with mesh so thick it is hard to see inside. Wild birds come to visit and perch on cage roofs. It is surprising to learn this small place, founded in 1971, by Ralph Heath, is the largest avian hospital and sanctuary in the United States, admitting up to 8,000 injured birds a year. In addition to money donations, they have a wish list on their web site. You might want to give it a look and take something with you when you go.
Bird sanctuaries are family friendly and always looking for volunteers
Be sure to walk through the sanctuary and out onto a lovely stretch of beach fronting the Gulf of Mexico. On my visit, terns were nesting right on the sand, a perfect reminder to be careful on the beach (dogs on leashes, children supervised) because many shore birds lay eggs in shallow cavities.
Suncoast is open seven days a week, 365 days a year from 9 a.m. to sunset.
In Ocala the emergency pager (352-402-3894) is always on at Owls-Ocala Inc., Ocala Wildlife Sanctuary. Keith Belisle, a Native American Indian, and Kenneth Lane are on call to rescue birds in Central Florida – eagles, osprey, owls, hawks, doves, waterfowl, the list keeps getting longer. They’ve been doing rescues for 15 years. Owls-Ocala does educational programs to all kind of audiences.
Hobie, a great horned owl at Owls-Ocala Inc., Ocala Wildlife Sanctuary
A recent addition doesn’t have feathers but fur. Belisle and Lane were called when a fawn was spotted running down Fort King Street in Ocala (I am not making this up). Chased by people it jumped or fell into a culvert and was injured. Belisle said the fawn loves blueberries and blackberries. If you have any to spare, call the regular number (352) 895-0451 or E-mail: [email protected]
Their sanctuary is open by appointment only. Call for a guided tour. I’ve gone with my granddaughters, ages 5 and 8, and they loved it. The tour is free but donations are always appreciated. And, oh yes, they love volunteers.
By the way, Owls and Seacoast (and most bird rehab centers) are non-profit organizations and your donation can be used as a tax-write off.
More sanctuaries to visit:
Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, open since 1979, specialized in eagle care and also owls, falcons, hawks and kits. Center hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10-4. Admission $5 adults, $4 children, under the age of three admitted free.
Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, Tavernier, open sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, free admission, donations accepted. Call (305) 852-4486. They have raptors, songbirds, shorebirds, even turkey vultures.
Coming up:
A great way to learn more about native birds, and maybe get involved in bird rescue – attend a birding festival. Coming up – Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival, September 22-26, 2010. Check their Web site and sign up for guided walks and tours.
For annual Florida Bird Events, visit this Web site
Watch a short video here:Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary
©2010 Lucy Beebe Tobias, all rights reserved.
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