Volume 11 Issue 2 Summer 2021 Growing from Lessons Learned With the world finally beginning to turn again as we make some headway against the Covid pandemic, I’ve been reflecting on the past year and a half. It has taught me a stark lesson. I’ve been taking a lot of things for granted. Hugs. Smiling faces. The overall relative good health we have here in the US. Time with friends and family. A simple night out on the town. Executive Director Who would have thought all those things would disappear in a single, sweeping motion? Rob Hults Moving forward, it is my goal to have a better appreciation for all those things, and more. Covid caught us all by surprise. What if there had been some visible warning signs? Would we Board Members: have done things differently had we known what was about to happen? Jillaine Seefeldt We are seeing some significant red flags when it comes to the environment. There is no Rick Burton surprise that our vast and varied ecosystems are facing significant challenges. Let’s not take Rob Hults our natural world for granted. Let’s not wait until we forlornly look back on things we miss. Ryanne Lee We can all act now. Beth Meyerand Do we need to mow so many acres into a sterile environment, burning extra fuel in oversized Paul Schumacher mowers? How about natural wildflower prairie instead? It’s beautiful, low-maintenance and high-quality ecosystem for wildlife. Perhaps a higher appreciation for a view of trees, instead of cutting them down in a continual quest to see what is beyond them. Simple things like Past Board Member these can make a world of difference. Paul Burton I can’t wait to see you all again. Mask free, so I can see the joy and wonder on your smiling faces when you encounter the amazing raptors of ODBS. And if you’re ready for it, give me a Volunteer Coordinator big hug. I feel like I’ve got a lot of catching up to do! Amy Hults Rob Hults volunteers@ Executive Director opendoorbirdsanctuary.org
Program Coordinator Judy Schumacher programs@ Summer Open Days Start Saturday, June 19 opendoorbirdsanctuary.org Although we have already been out in the community and had a few events, Open Door Bird Sanctuary will Adopt-a-Raptor officially open with its summer days on Saturday, June Ryanne Lee 19. ryanne.lee@ We will be open every Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm opendoorbirdsanctuary.org through Sept. 4. There will also be Open Days on Sunday, July 4, and Sunday, Sept. 5. Website This season, we are excited to announce expanded Down Puppy Design hours and new live raptor programming every 20 Sturgeon Bay minutes throughout the day! Raptor geeks can get in- depth with our Head Bird Guy at a 1 pm presentation. Newsletter We are also able to keep our admission prices the same as last year: Adults $8, Youth 5- Jillaine Seefeldt 12 $5 and 4 and under free. Stop in, see and learn about our birds, walk the trails, bring Dave Jensen a picnic lunch and discover what makes Open Door Bird Sanctuary such a wonderful place. Feathered Focus Page 2
Get Ready for a Hoot’n Good Time Aug. 26 By Jillaine Seefeldt Development Volunteer
The Hoot-e-Nanny is Thursday, Aug. 26 and the party is ON! We are back in style with a hybrid version combining the best of all we have done over the years. For starters, we are sticking with the email format for the invites so watch for that in July. We will mail invites to folks who have not provided an email address. We are still working on the details but are very pleased to announce that Thyme Cuisine will be providing us with a most lovely dinner this year and we can’t thank them enough for very sharp pricing and for donating their time to serve us. Make sure you check out their new digs this summer and thank them for their generosity! After a brief hiatus, we are welcoming back Last Man Standing, a group who supports Open Door by donating their talents for the evening – thank you! We continue to be incredibly successful in part because of tremendous business and personal sponsors. We want to thank Dave’s Tree Service, Ecology and new this year Al Johnson’s along with Rick Burton and Bruce and Joan Pikas – all on board already. More details to come in July so stay tuned and save the date THURSDAY AUGUST 26 Hoot! Hoot!
Thank You Donors for Your Support! Grants, Annual Appeal, Membership Renewal & Adopt-a-Raptor Contributions (February-May)
Marj and Dan Andrae Steve Montagna and Kathy Romaine Leda Storm Richard and Msgr. Charles Brown III Paul and Judy Schumacher Vince Varone Sheryl Brown Ann Sheridan Arlene Johnson and Chris Weidenbacher Larry and Cynthia Crock Andy and Jillaine Seefeldt Edith Thayer and Arthur Wieczorek Roy and Betsy Gill Green Door Thrift Jill and Pete Hanley Terrence Heidenreiterr and Jeanne Rabel ODBS and You! Susan and Amiel Hepp We are continuing our business collaboration this year and want to thank Bob and Judy Jaeschke The Spoon, Door County Community Foundation, Kick Ash Coffee, Cody Johnson The village of Ephraim and The Lodgings, Wisconsin Cheese Masters, Tom and Jane Lacy Ecology and Maxwell’s House for hosting Meet n Greets this year. Anthony and Judith Licata Dave and Carrie Link We have already had the opportunity to introduce our birds to so many new Barb Lundquist people and have been successful in raising funds for a new Eagle scale and Judith Mueller food for a few weeks of our winter months. This is a great way to introduce Judy and Neil Oldridge new people to ODBS and patronize the businesses that are supporting us. John Olsan Jim Perry All of them are not only hosting us but contributing in some way so let them Bruce and Joan Pikas know you appreciate them – WE DO! Feathered Focus Page 3
Welcome New Open Door Residents!
Meet Mesa, Our New Golden Eagle! At Open Door Bird Sanctuary, we're always working to expand and improve the experience our visitors have at the sanctuary. A big part of that is new learning opportunities about the wide variety of raptors that are native to this area, as well as other parts of North America. Early last fall we were informed that there was an eagle in need of a forever home. A Golden Eagle. Here in the Midwest, folks don’t get a chance to see a Golden very often. What an amazing opportunity for ODBS and Door County to welcome a new resident Golden Eagle!
We immediately went to work converting our eagle mews to a “duplex”, as was our plan when it was originally built. The work went smoothly, and in early November the Golden Eagle arrived.
As a reference to his native western mountainous habitat, our Golden was given the name Mesa. Although Mesa has no visual appearance of a disability, he is not flighted. From X-rays taken by a veterinarian in his Open Door Executive Director Rob Hults home state of Utah, we can see signs of arthritis in his left shoulder. It with Mesa. might be the result of an injury, or it might be naturally occurring. In otherwise good health, at 7 years old, Mesa should have a good long life ahead at ODBS.
Forest Twig Long-Eared Owl Eastern Screech Owl, Gray Phase Forest, a Long-Eared Owl, is Twig was brought in to an Illinois rehab facility by a real cutie! And he is a great DNR. Because has a high comfort level around people, addition to our growing he is thought to be imprinted or habituated. Like family, because sightings of Forest, is age is unknown but he has been in human Long-Eared Owls are few and care since 2017. far between. Screech Owls are small (slightly larger than a Long-eared owls are small starling) with a large head and almost no neck. They and lanky. They have a are either mostly grey or mostly reddish brown. “surprised” expression caused Because of their distinct by long ear tufts that point trilling or whinnying straight up like exclamation song, they are more marks. Their low, breathy likely to be heard than hoots and strange barking seen. calls in the night, which can sometimes be heard more than a half-mile away. Eastern Screech Owls are found throughout Excellent hearing allows Long-Eared Owls to hunt their eastern North America, prey in total darkness. They swallow their prey whole, from Canada to Mexico. then regurgitate the indigestible parts in pellets that are They are year-round 2 to 3 inches long. residents of Door An injury to Forest’s right elbow prevents Forest from County, often returning flying. In human care since 2017, Forest’s age and gender to their nest cavities for are unknown, although he is thought to be male based on shelter during the his size. coldest parts of winter.
Stay up to date with Open Door Located at: events and volunteer opportunities 4114 County Road I Jacksonport, WI facebook.com/opendoorbirdsanctuary Phone: 920-493-BIRD E-mail: Website: www.opendoorbirdsanctuary.org [email protected]
Special Requests / Wish List Our Mission: Avian awareness . . . Open Door Bird Sanctuary is in need of the following: inspiring people to co-exist • Tractor Supply or Menard’s Gift Cards with the natural world that • Good Quality First-Aid Kit surrounds them. • Dawn Dish Soap • One-Quart Freezer Ziplock Bags • Craftsman V60 Battery-Powered Push Mower These items can be brought to any open day or
dropped off at Open Door.
Requested Service of Change
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 WI Bay, Sturgeon
I Road County 4114
Sanctuary Bird Door Open