Our pal Dr. Erick Greene reports that he saw an Osprey on Monday, Oct 30th. That is the latest sighting I can recall, migrating south a month ago. Bet it was a youngster from up north coming through, adults leave sooner. Remarkably, they stay on the non-breeding ground the first spring and don't migrate back. I can only think of one other raptor that does that, a hawk-eagle or something I recall. My Osprey record is October 21st in the back yard:
In Hamilton for the Elementary School, 2003. She did an assembly then posed for an art class, AND starred in a TEDx Talk 2015, "Communication In the Dark." What a star and semi-retired now, sharing programs with Simon and Portia.
Saturday's program at Lewis & Clark Headquarters, Travelers' Rest State Park in Lolo was way too much fun and a milestone. I had an art display and Powerpoint, then four birds on their best behavior. Nigel the 28-year-old Golden Eagle here with me and finally feeling great after a 4-month-plus illness. I was informed that this was their largest audience ever, topped only by the annual fundraising event. 150 young and old alike, lots of familiar faces and let's do that again.
I started by taking the shade cloth down in the eagle building, filled all the water baths with the hoses then wound them up, extension cord to the Aplomado Falcon building for the heated perch and red lamp. Today's project will be installing clear shower curtains on the buildings, most birds are just fine outdoors all winter if they are out of the wind. Other birds are spoiled rotten.
Yesterday's program at Lewis & Clark headquarters, Travelers' Rest State Park was way too much fun! Art Show and Powerpoint, then four birds on their best behavior. Here is our contact Jason "Tano" Mejia with Nigel the Golden Eagle, the bird apparently the older of the two, Tano admitted. A dozen art pieces grace the walls and a packed visitors center. "The most people to ever attend a program" only topped by their Annual Fundraising event. 150 young and old alike, lots of familiar faces and pals. Wow, let's do that again.
Our favorite high school, Willard from Missoula stopped over for a visit. Top is last year with baby Mischa, then yesterday, falcon all grown up.
Always love the Aspens! Nigel the Golden Eagle will be joining us at Travelers' Rest this Saturday, and debut program for Little Billie the Saw-whet Owl, plus Portia the Barred Owl, and Sibley the Peregrine. FUN! And a little bit of medical news - after a surgery last week we have found that I do not have cancer! Whew. Time to get back to normal after 5 months plus of illness after that knee surgery. Anesthesia is the culprit, they tell me.
This will sure be fun, at the visitor's center and free for everyone! This Saturday at Travelers' Rest in Lolo, Lewis & Clark Headquarters.
Here is a psychic phenomenon - we just had a fun visit by two volunteers from Montana Wild Wings, Jennifer Campbell and Leslie Mathern. They told me it was a fine tribute to name our new Northern Saw-whet owl after the woman that recovered him from the roadside in January, Billie. What? I just made that up and news to me. I installed him in the enclosure and said out loud, "Little Billie, supper's ready" in a British accent. Wow, where did that come from...? Klairvoyant Kate I have been called and wish we could harness this power and use it for good.
A photo from an hour ago, and last night's Happy Freezer full of food! I can't tell you how tenuous the food supply can be sometimes. Keeps me awake at night. But set for a while with game meat, chickens, Coturnix Quail, and the all-important mice. Just bought 300 mice = $280. Yep. That's what we love our Raptor Backers as we are a non-profit publicly-supported organization.
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