The Bird Rescue Center

iggFALL/WINTERht 2011 Fall-Winter Greetings: We have Volunteer much to be thankful for! Orientations and Trainings t this writing, the construction of the or arrange a fi eld trip to the Center to meet our We are currently off ering new mews in our Resident Raptor resident raptors and tour the education Room with trainings for anyone inter- Compound is nearly complete. its displays of eggs, nests and feathers. Our Public ested in volunteering at the A education Program continues to grow in scope This has been an amazing project, with support Admissions Desk (the Phone from many individuals and local businesses (see and design. Teamsters). page 8). BRC volunteers went the extra mile again Under the supervision of Rehab Coordinator and again to provide the help needed for instal- Rebecca Pearce, we saw continuing improvement lation of hardware cloth, painting, cleanup and in our hospital. Brad Marsh, the Raptor Release many other essential aspects of this project. These volunteer hours helped to greatly reduce our costs. We can truly be proud of what we have accomplished together. Major funding for this project came from two very generous sources: The Robert M. Russell Trust (Robert 2012 orientation dates and Silva, Trustee), and the estate of Dr. trainings in Rehab, Field Gertrude Van Steyn, who was a Rescue and other areas will longtime friend of BRC co-founder be announced in January. To register or to be put on a no- Martha Bentley. We are exceedingly tifi cation list, call the Center grateful for these bequests. at 707/523-2473 [BIRD], or This has been an eventful year, with our raptor Coordinator, orchestrated the successful release visit birdrescuecenter.org ambassadors and their handlers making appear- of over 50 raptors with the help of our animal care ances at Pepperwood Preserve, the Federal Junior and welfare partners in both Sonoma and Marin Stay in touch Duck Stamp judging in Sonoma, the US Fish & counties, for whom we are very grateful. Andreas booth at the State Fair in Sacramento, the Christensen is now our Property Manager, along Join the BRC email list and Tolay Festival with Sonoma County Regional with her duties as the Raptor Program Coordina- receive periodic news, Parks, the Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival, the St. tor. She provides an on-site presence to assist with event info, training dates and Helena Public Library (for the opening of the fi nal whatever problems arise, and to oversee and sup- more. Go to: Harry Potter movie), the Landpaths Owl Camp, and port the handlers in caring for our resident raptors. birdrescue.org/join-elist Bird Day at Michele-Schlumberger Wine estate, to list a few. We also appreciate the organizations, I also want to acknowledge the many compassion- Like BRC on teachers, parents and students who request a visit ate individuals from the public that take action when they fi nd a bird in distress and make the ef- facebook Please remember The Bird Rescue Center fort to see that it gets to us for the care and atten- Visit on.fb.me/birdrescue in your year-end giving plans. This is how we tion we can off er. Whether it is a small chickadee and keep up on all the latest! continue to keep our doors open 365 days a that has hit a window or a large owl that has been year, and provide the best possible service to struck by a car, we appreciate everyone who calls our native bird population. Together we really the Center for advice and, most particularly, those do make a diff erence. continues on page 2 Remembering Oti 2003 - 201 1 One of the Center’s two resident Western screech- owls, little Oti was the calm type who never let on to the drama of her early life. She fell from her nest at Chalk Hill Winery, was rescued and, after a short hospital stay, returned safely to her nest by one of our volunteers. But within days she bailed out again, this time sustaining an eye injury that re- sulted in permanent loss The Bird Rescue Center is located at of vision. With only one 3430 Chanate Road, near Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa. Mailing address: PO Box 475, eye, she would be unable Santa Rosa, CA 95402. to hunt and survive in the Phone 707/523-2473 [BIRD] wild, and thus entered our Website BirdRescueCenter.org education Program as a We are open 365 days a year. Normal business permanent resident. hours are 9am – 5pm every day from Septem- ber through April, and 8 am– 8 pm from May Shortly before Christ- through August but can vary, so check our mas that same year, website or call for seasonal hours. Oti went missing from her mew. Visitor Days are the fi rst Saturday and third We searched and scoured the building, looking in Sunday of each month from 1–4 pm, and are every nook and cranny for days — and nights — (Left) Upon hearing the news about Oti, students at Strawberry free and open to the public. Point eDS drew sympathy cards to send to BRC. They arrived with without fi nding her. Two weeks later, at feeding The Bird Rescue Center is a nonprofi t a note from their teacher: 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax- time, a ravenous Oti reappeared in the hallway, “Here are some cards from a few of my kids at school. I gave the deductible to the extent allowed by law. standing on top of the food container! (If only kids the sad news today, and a few of them started making cards (Tax ID No. 94-2378213) on their own. The children were so sad, since Oti was the one owl birds could talk…) that they all wanted me to bring to school. They had seen photos of her and fell in love.” Board of Directors Over the years, Oti visited many classrooms and community events; children, in particular, were President Mary ellen Rayner Vice President Kathleen Stewart drawn to her and responded with empathy to this Secretary Kit Daine small one-eyed owl who so clearly personifi ed our Treasurer Helen Kochenderfer mission. Oti lives on in our memory, a treasured Directors Brad Benson member of our family of resident raptors. Greg Damron Ron Hunt Visit Gloria Heinzl our ED message continues from page 1 birds... who are willing to bring birds to us. Needless to The Bird Rescue Flight is published twice a year by The Bird say, our favorite moments are those times when a Center is open to Rescue Center of Sonoma County, CA. bird is released back to the wild. You’ll read about a the public on the Articles, photos, letters, etc. for possible inclu- few of those happy endings in this issue of Flight. sion should be sent (preferably in digital form) fi rst Saturday and to Gregor Nelson, at [email protected]. As we near the end of the year, I thank everyone third Sunday of Submissions are subject to editing. Please email who has donated to our eff orts, those who re- every month (excluding major holidays). Come by or call Gregor (707/433-3999) for submission and fi le formatting guidelines, deadlines, etc. newed their membership and those who became and meet our 19 resident raptors. Field trips to the Editor Gregor Nelson new members. While we did receive two generous Center are also encouraged. This is a unique op- Design Christina Nelson, Nine Design bequests this year, our expenses continue to grow, portunity to see these beautiful wild birds up close. Photography BRC staff and volunteers and we receive no public funding. Our major oper- Photography of the birds is permitted outside the Richard Migliore ating funds come from your generous donations residents’ compound. Website Christina Nelson and memberships. Thank you for your support! ...or our birds can come All my best, to your event! Many of our resident Ambassadors are available for In appreciation classroom visits, public educational events, service Masthead photo: female American kestrel group presentations, etc. ©2011 Richard Migliore. Used with permission. Mary Ellen Rayner executive Director and Board President Please contact Community education Coordinator

Mary ellen Rayner at [email protected] for details. 2 Dr. David J. Rupiper

Dr. David J. Rupiper The Spring Avian vet extraordinaire! Lake owlet Dr. Dave Rupiper has been performing surgical miracles on many of our injured birds since 2004. His east Petaluma Animal Hospital is a thriving veterinary practice (caring for birds, cats, dogs and exotic pets), and he has been unbelievably gener- ous about making time to care for our injured rescue birds as well. With impressive credentials — he has completed 2011 Raptor release recap four externships in Avian Medicine, is Board-certi- he year dawned as a brave new world fi ed in Avian Medicine and is an active member of for this novice raptor rehabilitator. With the and American Veterinarian Medical T the retirement our previous executive Director Associations, the Association of Avian Veterinarians and longstanding raptor expert Alida Morzenti, I and the American Federation of Aviculture — he no longer had the wealth of her knowledge and Another successful rescue, is among the preeminent avian specialists in the experience to rely upon. Under the leadership of western . rehabilitation and release our new executive Director, Mary Ellen Rayner, we While we see a variety of injuries in rescue birds, began to network with other rehabilitation facili- One Sunday in May, a six-week-old the most common are wing fractures. These aff ect ties within the region. Through that process I had great horned owl was admitted to the humerus (upper wing), ulna/radius (mid-wing) the good fortune to establish working relation- the Center’s Raptor Hospital after it or the carpometacarpus (wrist / hand area) bones. ships with many dedicated wildlife rehabilitators. fell fi fty feet from its nest near the The most serious is a fracture of the humerus, swimming lagoon at Spring Lake My fi rst three years at the Center involved working which almost always requires surgery. Park. It is typical for great horned with the song and water birds, while my next two owls to spend several days on the With these injuries, Dr. Rupiper performs a very years have been spent primarily with raptors. Dur- ground as they near the time to delicate procedure, inserting a thin fi xator pin to ing that time the preferred release method for fi rst- fl edge. Normally we would have rejoin the fractured bone segments. Amazingly, year raptors was the traditional “hack box” method. preferred to leave it on the ground, the bones generally heal within three weeks and, Briefl y, this process involves placing 2–5 birds, where the parents would protect after a return visit to the Doc to remove the pin, depending upon species, size and age, into a large and continue to feed it. But with all the birds are ready for physical therapy and 7-10 box in a remote location of appropriate habitat. the human and animal foot traffi c in days of fl ight conditioning before being released The box has a large hinged opening in the front, the area, increased by a story about back into the wild. The success rate is an almost and a hole in the back for putting food through. him in the local newspaper, this miraculous 90%! The box remains closed for the fi rst couple of little guy was clearly in harm’s way. weeks, during which the birds learn to associate While fractures are the most common injury, Dr. We agreed with the park rangers the box as a safe food source. The front of the box Rupiper also consults on luxations (wing joint that it should come to the Center is then opened, allowing the young birds to leave strains and dislocations), prescribing wing wraps where we could evaluate its physi- and begin honing their hunting skills. During this or cage rest followed by physical therapy. A dedi- cal condition and determine the time food is surreptitiously put into the box daily. cated resource for The Bird Rescue Center, he is best course of action. After a few always ready and willing to take our calls, answer continues on page 6 nights in the Raptor Hospital, where questions from our Rehab supervisors and even it defi nitely showed us who was to drop by on a regular basis to check on birds — be feared, two of our volunteers, always on his off time. Andreas Christensen and Brad Marsh, coordinated with the rang- Without his dedication and help, our success rate ers to climb a nearby tree and place for reintroducing rescued raptors into the wild the owlet among some higher would be far lower than the 80% we have. Dr. branches near the nest. We then Rupiper is a true miracle worker, and we thank monitored the family for several him from the bottom of our hearts. days and were thrilled to see them Brad Marsh reunited, with both owlets thriving Raptor Rehabilitation and Release Coordinator under the care of their parents.

Brad Marsh 3 AMRO Tales from Rehab A “wood-be” escape artist Over the course of a year, nearly three thousand Knowing that woodpeckers, true to their name, birds are admitted to the Center, and many peck on wood, I decided to take a closer look at his remain in our hearts and minds long after they are aviary. The bird had in fact been very busy making released. But one bird is par- small divots in the wood, which ticularly well remembered was a cause for concern and Four-letter birds by the Rehab staff. would need to be monitored. In our avian rehabilitation and An acorn woodpecker had While doing my rounds the next handling programs, there is a lot of hit a window, and arrived at morning, I was surprised to see documentation required, both for the Center disoriented and not just a beak but the entire internal use and to satisfy the terms a bit lethargic. But after a head of the woodpecker pop out of permits with State and Federal week or so of recovery we from one of the divots. I quickly agencies. As many bird names are were able to move the bird repaired the hole. He clearly was too long and cumbersome to write into an outside aviary to ready for his freedom and was out each time, a shorthand has condition and acclimate. determined to make it happen, developed, reducing the common considering the number of times name to a four-letter abbreviation. One morning I heard a loud the aviary had to be patched up. The general rule is to use the first and persistent knocking. After a week of foiling this little four letters of a one-word name, I looked out to see if the bird’s master escape plan, we had and the first two letters from each construction crew was working in the Raptor Com- him conditioned and he was released back into word of a two-word name. Thus pound, but no one was there. I thought maybe I the wild. a merlin would be MERL, and a was just hearing things. So I continued with my peregrine falcon would reduce work, but the noise kept coming back. Zulema Zermeno to PEFA. When it comes to three- Rehabilitation Supervisor Again I went outside to investigate, but the only word names, things get tricky; for thing to be heard was the sound of the breeze. instance, a red-tailed hawk is RTHA, but a Western screech-owl is a WESO, and a great horned owl is A “tail” from baby bird season not a GRHO but a GHOW. Through the rush of Baby Bird Season, it is hard to larger ones (though we did have a mismatched Here are some of Rehab’s favorites, pinpoint one moment or story that I cherish more duo that seemed to enjoy each other’s company). submitted by Supervisor Zulema than the rest. There was working with my first But there is one moment that sums up the season Zermeno: eyass turkey vulture (who knew they start out so and how I think the birds may think of us. Closing darn cute!), the grosbeaks whistling back and forth Brown pelican BRPE (“Burpee”) up one evening, the ICU was my last stop, and the in the Baby Bird Room, and getting to know all of House finch HOFI (“Hoefee”) last basket to check was that of a single baby quail. our wonderful new volunteers. Acorn woodpecker ACWO It could be Of course the Raptor Hospital is always the most difficult to spot American goldfinch AMGO alluring, with those not-so-gentle giants of the sometimes, as it American robin AMRO local bird world, but I think my favorite moment enjoyed hiding California quail CAQU occurred with an individual baby quail. in the greenery. As I was peering Cedar waxwing CEWA If you ever hear me talk about “popcorn” at BRC, in, I suddenly Common raven CORA I’m not talking about snack food, but about Cali- spotted a little fornia quail nestlings. When they come out of the Dark-eyed junco DEJU yellow quail egg they’re fuzzy and yellow—and immediately Lesser goldfinch LEGO bottom “moon- running all around. If they come to the Center, ing” me in Mourning dove MODO however, they’ve usually lost their crowded family between the two Mallard babies—almost as cute as quail! Northern pygmy-owl NOPO and are often chilled. The cure for cold quail, you fuzzy balls we place in the basket as “companion ask? You stick them in the incubator, wait about Turkey vulture TUVU quail.” Maybe it thought it was hiding, but then five minutes, and POP! They’re up and running Western meadowlark WEME again, maybe that’s the thanks we get! around again, good as new. Western tanager WETA Ashton Kluttz With all the quail we get in, we try to sort them by Rehabilitation Supervisor size, as the little ones just can’t keep up with the 4 Tales from Rehab Thanks to our members and donors Received from January through September 2011

New & Returning Memberships Donations of $50 or more* Junior Sharon Klay Helen Kochenderfer Lisa & Ethan Michaels $50 to $100 Greg Korelich Alize Devries Ayton Emily Kruger Amy Koman Shawna Miller Kenneth Anderson Lincoln Elementary School Rebecca Carrasco James Leroy Anna Koskinaris Lucy Moholt-Siebert George Bono Anahid Nazarian Ryan Carrasco Denworth Morley Linelle Lane The Murphy Family Kathleen Brennan Gene Ogden Andrew Chen Karen Nagle Brigitta Lewis Roy & Linda Musick Cindy Brillhart-True PG&E Corporation Sophie Chen Bob Norris Bonnie McCollum Eric & Yvonne Norrbom Maurine Caplinger Pepperwood Preserve Cole Devries-Ayton Hideko Oga Meredith Morrell Janet & Phillip Olsen Tina Castelli Jonnie Perrot Sara Dorsey Norm Ortman Laura Nichols Jeffrey Pearce Iris Chere Peterson Winery Amy Freeman Dorothy Palmieri Elaine Nickison Fanchon Plank Anne Convery Pinecrest Elementary School Paige Kneif Jim Papa Christiane O’Banion Deborah & Ray Pool Cynthia Cruz Sharon Radovich Katie Sachen Diana Pauley Rebecca Pearce Richard & Sharon Radovich Cynthia Durocher Carrie Reed Carolyn Preston Nancy Pechenino Janet & Patrick Whitfield Ross Stephanie Faust Patrick Reeves Student Dianne Rowe Laura Rammer Nicole & Adam Russell Girl Scout Troop #10435 Riebli Elementary School Rachel Bean Robert Ryan Gayle Saltsgaver Jesse Scherer David Henderson Rincon Valley Elementary Janelle Bowers Dolores Salomon Carla Scolieri Fredika Smith, MD Barry Henshaw School Jameson Danning Tosca Schauer Barbara Shenosky Cindy Strickland Denise Kayser Bruce & Janine Rodda Grant Gaspar Jean Setzer Gary Stone Joseph Turgeon Madrone Audubon Society Dr. Mark Ross James Gibbons Karen Skiles Linda Tessier Nancy Waloman Mark West Schools PTA Sonoma County Schools Taylor Haney Jan Smits Wayne Thompson Elaine Weihman Tanya Moeller Sprout Time Adventures Joshua Harris-Asel Eloise Van Tassel David Trask Chelsea Weller Monte Vista School St. Helena Public Library Sierra Hawkins Lynn Westoby Barbara Jean Veronda Brad Myers Summerfield Waldorf School Jordan Johnston Contributing Jerry C. Cornacchio Jolie Wiggins North Bay Children’s Center Town of Windsor Emma Jones Susan Gorner Nancy Swartz Judy Williams Roy Pisetsky United Way Savanna Maddox Pam & Bryan Gostlin Pamela Williams Takoda Withington Presbyterian Preschool US Fish & Wildlife Service Alex Margolies John Principe Kathryn Rasmussen Joel Wolfe Debra Ratto Penny Walker Kanika Newman Daphne Smith Colin Young Robert Russell Gretchen Whisenand Shayla Nordby Individual Virginia Vetter Dennis Whitlock Santa Rosa High School Whole Foods Market Ursula Pagani Nancy Doyle Robert Silva Wild Birds Unlimited Alex Pagels Darlene Flint Family Sustaining St. Francis Winery Windsor Farmers Market Ashley Phelps Laura Ames Acker Family Susan & George Bono Gerald Strickland Joel Wolfe Donald & Lois Brewer Kyle Pierce Margaret Andrews Patty Adams Village Charter School Clark Family Sarah Rafla-Yuan Eric Ballinger Keri & Willie Balitbit Warren Watkins $500 to $10,000 Pat & Lee Davis Daniel Stone Martha Bell Julie & Lisa Zimmerman Beach Donna Welsh Michel-Schlumberger Edward & Della Dobranski Traci Takasugi Janet Bosshard Betty Burridge In memory of Jamie Westoby Wine Estate Karen Fendrick George Vacek Allison Brown Caitlin Williams & Sean Nurmi Tom Whiteman Sonoma County Fair Roxanna Fiamma Hayley Westcott Lisa Bryant Will Camara Willow Spring School Tallulah Winquist Brenda Cappel Roberta Chamberlain Don & Joyce Greenburg $10,000 Andreas Christensen Theodore Chenoweth Emma S. Jones $100 to $500 The Teddy Foundation Senior Gail Cochran Iris Chere Ron & Ellie Jones William & Rita Bevans $100,000 or more Faith Adam Thomas Corrigan Daniel Rubins & Elizabeth Kevin Kinsella Shirley Carlston The Estate of Gertrude Sally Arkin S.B. Crowell Hawkins Leroy B. Marsh Andrew & Theresa Daughton Van Steyn Darlene Barr Johanna Cummings Karen Dann & Alan Hughes Mary Ellen Rayner Empire College Foundation Robert M. Russell Trust, Kathleen Boehm Matthew DeSalvo Bruce & Doris Nelson Kit Daine Healdsburg Farmers Market Robert Silva, Trustee Lawrence Boutte Lyn Dillin Edgar Family Patricia & William Pedersen Steve Jacobs Bernice Prince Briggs Christopher Doyle Erickson Family Mark & Val Riffle R. Dewitt Kirwan Judy Bullwinkle Alison Fraser Jake Espinoza Robert Silva John Kozlowski Nancy Burns Susan Gadbois Colleen Farrell Sharon Sittloh Jan Butcher James Taylor Kaela Gibbons Jim Finan E very effort has been made to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the Roberta Chan Jo Gustely Jerry Force Carol & Jack Trimmingham Member and Donor lists. We regret any errors or omissions, and request that Dale Cullins Cassandra Guynap Norma Halbersma Sharon Urquhart you contact The Bird Rescue Center with any corrections. Dani Dator Allyssa Hall Dawn Harris Paula Zerzan *For a complete list of all our donors, please visit: Raleigh Elliott Leslie Hall Johann & Gloria Heinzl www.BirdRescuecenter.org/donors/ Sponsor Kathleen Emery Michael Hall Sue Hoey Elaine Woodriff Ken Fass Linda Hamik A.C. & M.A. Hunt Lizanne Whitlow Richard Fraites Cathy Hansen Fred & Diane Jorgensen Christine Gilroy Nancy Havell Phil & Harry Little Julian Linn C. Hakala Celina Hernandez William & Beth Krumbein Beverly Hamm Glenda Hilbert Brad & Katherine Larsen Colleen Harrison Julia Jordan Karen Littell David Henderson Ruth Karlsrud Daniel & Gayle Lujan Susan Hicks Marilyn Kay George & Marie McKinney Richard Kizu-Blair Ginger Kelly Christine Kline

5 Rehab Volunteer 2011 Raptor recap continues from page 3 Requirements eventually the birds hunt on their own and no he Rehabilitation department at BRC relies longer return to the box. This process can go on T on numerous volunteers to assist with the care anywhere from a couple of weeks to (in the case of both baby and adult birds, beginning in March of great horned owls) a few months, and requires Bird Brains and continuing until the end of August. dedicated property owners and a lot of food. with Michelle Lanting Volunteer opportunities are available for those 13 With the help and mentorship of amazing indi- years and up. All volunteers are required to attend viduals from North Bay rehab facilities, we have This is the time of year to get out a scheduled orientation. (Anyone 13-17 years old changed our release strategy, focusing on nest and watch the marvel of migration must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for unfolding all around us. Who knows replacement and family reunifi cation wherever the orientation, though not for the subsequent what amazing birds may be seen possible. Thanks to the people at the following passing overhead, or arriving for training classes.) agencies we have enjoyed some great success: a winter stay? Many birds migrate All volunteers must be current BRC members. from summer breeding grounds to WildCare (Marin County) wildcarebayarea.org Membership information is available on our web- winter habitat, a journey of hundreds The Hungry Owl Project hungryowl.org site (and page 7) or you can call the Center. or even thousands of miles. How do Sonoma Wildlife Rescue scwildliferescue.org they know where to go? All volunteers must have current medical insur- Golden Gate Raptor Observatory ggro.org Bird navigation is still a fascinating ance as well as a current tetanus shot. study in progress. Some theories We had a lively spring and summer of releases. include the use of landmarks, the sun First-time volunteers will need to attend three or We released 30 young raptors (nestlings, branch- and stars, earth’s magnetic fi elds, and more three-hour training classes. Once training is ers and fl edglings) from late May through July. even various scents and sounds. completed, the time commitment to volunteer is a The few birds that could not be returned to their minimum of one four-hour shift per week. nesting sites were released from the fl ight aviaries What do you know? The BRC staff invests a lot of time and eff ort in at WildCare’s Olema or Wildlife Rescue’s Kenwood facilities. We released an additional 25 passage and True or False?* To prepare the training of our volunteers. We ask that you adult raptors between May and September. Statis- for migration, birds: seriously consider the time commitment and your ability to volunteer for the entire season prior to tically, we have enjoyed an 80% raptor release rate A fi nish raising their young. signing up for the training. so far this year, thanks to the eff orts of so many. B start eating lots more food, a phe- We now embark on the fall and winter seasons, nomenon known as hyperphagia. There are many ways to support the Center. If you are not able to volunteer in Rehab, please when we will be admitting all those “teenage driv- C enhance their diet with a wider consider joining our Field Rescue team or other ers” (fi rst-year passage birds) that unfortunately variety of food (not just seeds, but area. And of course simply becoming a member manage to fl y into cars, windows, fences and other bugs, too!). of BRC helps cover the expenses incurred in assorted barriers. But we are up to the task, and D process all this extra food into caring for our native birds. will do our very best to rehabilitate and release stored muscle, up to double their each and every one of them back into the wild. regular weight. Gail Cochran Volunteer Coordinator Brad Marsh Raptor Rehabilitation and Release Coordinator The Traveling Sparrow Show

Gold-crowned and white-crowned web+print sparrows are seen and heard in identity+packaging abundance in Sonoma County dur- 707 433 3999 ing winter. What are their migratory ndesign.com routes? 707 539-5069 www.rcx-inc.com Answers 1. D is the only false answer. Birds store their LICENSE #715476 extra food for migration as fat, not muscle. ideas 2. White-crowned sparrows are found year-round along the coast in Sonoma County. During winter, they move brought to life. inland, so they are seen in more of our backyards. They are joined in mixed fl ocks by Gold-crowned sparrows, which migrate south from northern Canada and Alaska. *Source: Smithsonian Q&A: Birds by Christina Wilsdon

Excavation ■ Grading ■ Paving Septic Systems ■ Underground Construction We can dig it. 6 Show your love of birds, your support for the Center, and help off set our printing and mailing costs by placing an ad in Flight. Contact Gregor Nelson at [email protected] for rates, ad guidelines and more in early 2012. Got gardening goodies? Multitudes We’ve all heard of a gaggle of geese Since the construction of new mews for our either new or from donors’ gardens. Now or covey of quail. A marvelous odd- resident raptors is now completed, the next is a great time to divide plants, which we ity of the english language is the phase will be to landscape the compound will happily replant in our borders. To donate sheer number of evocative names and create a more welcoming area for visitors materials, please call the Center and leave for diff erent groups. Why settle for and volunteers. a message. a fl o c k of birds, when congregation, To that end, we will gratefully accept donations The BRC gives thanks to the California Native fl eet, fl ight and volary are available? of garden materials— plants (trees, shrubs and Plant Society, Milo Baker Chapter, for their Here are some descriptive and perennials), compost, rocks and fl agstones, generous donation of plants to our project. entertaining collective nouns for various bird species. • a chain of bobolinks Membership • a bellowing of bullfi nches Join us! • a murder of crows (storytelling, Application hover, muster, parcel) • a pitying of doves (dole, With your Bird Rescue Center membership, you will receive our biannual newsletter and a window decal, along piteousness, prettying) with the knowledge that your tax-deductible contribution provides food and medicine necessary for the recovery, • a fl ush of ducks (brace, dopping, rehabilitation and release of wild native birds. paddling, plump, raft)

Yes! Sign me up today at the level I’ve selected below please print legibly • a convocation of eagles (aerie) • a cast of falcons This is a New Membership Renewal Please contact me regarding a bequest or memorial gift. • a trembling of fi nches(charm, Name Junior (under 18) $20 trimming)

Address Student (18+) $20 • a squabbling of gulls • a mews of hawks (aerie, cast, kettle, City State Zip Senior (60+) $20 moulting, screw, ) Phone Individual $35 • a sedge of herons (fl ight, hedge, rookery, siege) email Family $50 • a charm of hummingbirds You may thank me by name in the BRC newsletter and/or on Contributing $75 (chattering, drum, troubling) the BRC website. Sustaining $100 • a scold of jays (party, band) I prefer to remain anonymous. Sponsor $500 • an exaltation of larks (ascension, Please add me to BRC’s email list to receive occasional email updates. bevy, fl ight) Benefactor $1,000 • a watch of nightingales (match, pray) I would like to make an additional donation of $ • a parliament of owls (stare) • an ostentation of peacocks (muster, Enclosed is my check for $ MAIL TO: The Bird Rescue Center pride) payable to Bird Rescue Center PO Box 475 • a scoop of pelicans (pod) Thank you for your interest and generosity! Santa Rosa, CA 95402 • a cadge of peregrines • a bouquet of pheasants (nye, head, nide, warren) SPECTRUM PAINTING Robert Stewart • a bevy of quail (covey, drift) License #866490 BUILDER / GENERAL CONTRACTOR • an unkindness of ravens (conspiracy) • a fl ing of sandpipers Residential & Commercial Construction since 1977 • a murmuration of starlings (cloud, License #356163 dragon, congregation, clutter) 4020 Pine Flat Road, Healdsburg • a mustering of storks (fl ight, phalanx) • a lamentation of swans (bank, bevy, drift, squadron, whiteness) 4 3 3 5 7 0 7 3 8 6 • a mutation of thrushes • a descent of woodpeckers Santa Rosa 707 478.9698 …and my favorite: • a wake of vultures (committee, email: [email protected] colony) INTERIOR • EXTERIOR Gregor Nelson RESIDENTIAL • NEW CONSTRUCTION editor & Vulture enthusiast

7 Show your love of birds, your support for the Center, and help off set our printing and mailing costs by placing an ad in Flight. Contact Gregor Nelson at [email protected] for rates, ad guidelines and more in early 2012. NONPROFIT US POSTAGe The Bird Rescue Center PAID PO Box 475 PeRMIT #1 Santa Rosa, CA 95402 SeBASTOPOL, CA

Please remember The Bird Rescue Center in your year-end giving plans. The BRC mission The Bird Rescue Center has two primary missions: A world of thanks! • To rescue, rehabilitate and As any visitor to the Center’s newly renovated And heartfelt thanks to Tim Stewart of Wild release orphaned, injured or ill native wild birds. Ambassador Compound will see, this project was a Birds Unlimited for his continued generosity. Tim huge undertaking. Many companies and individu- off ers BRC members a 10% discount on all non- • To educate the public als brought considerable eff ort and expertise to sale merchandise, or one can choose to have the regarding the natural history the process, often donating time, equipment and discount donated to the Center. and ecological importance materials to provide a safe and comfortable new of these birds. This wonderful store is at 71 Brookwood Avenue home for our birds. We’d like to thank them here. in Santa Rosa. Call 707/576-0861 for more info.

Randy Cochran, RCX, Inc., General engineering Contractor Robert Stewart, Builder Rehab hospital Chuck Fell wish list Matthew Henderson, Contractor • Dawn dish soap Eric Ziedrich and Dan Weaver, Healdsburg Lumber Company • Industrial grade shop vac California Seamless Gutters • Kleenex (lotion-free) Pacifi c Sanitation BRC • Toilet paper Bill Manzoni, Manzoni Trucking and excavating goodies! • Zip-lock freezer bags Steve Thibodeau, Rental Solutions (gallon size) We have a selection of BRC Bruce Wilmes, Syar Industries • VIVA paper towels merchandise available at the Rich Castle, Castle Concrete Pumping • Regular paper towels Center on Visitor Days (see Phil Howard, Apex Roofi ng • Bleach (not Clorox Ultra, which contains lye) the sidebar on page 2 for Malcolm Yuill-Thornton, Yuill-Thornton • Non-latex exam gloves (small, medium days and times). and Brady, Architects and large) Scott Paulson, Paulson Construction T-shirts (two designs), • Non-latex dishwashing gloves, medium Jared Dupret, Seaview Tree Service and large embroidered caps, sturdy Frank Gable, Spectrum Painting • Newspaper (non-glossy) zippered totebags and fun Eric Ballinger • Coolers – new or gently used with lid, fi nger puppets are among Justin Walters approximately 30in x 18in or larger our current off erings. Chris Fell See photos at: birdrescue- Jorge Ruiz The Bird Rescue Center is located at 3430 Chanate Rd, center.org/merch near Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa. Jay Johnson Phone 707/523-2473 [BIRD] Russ Valena Website birdrescuecenter.org