Birds Eye View Festival at Wasilla Library brings out friends, families, and Rhett, the red-tailed hawk

Birds of a feather flocked to the Wasilla Public Library last Saturday to learn about birds and books as the Friends of the Wasilla Public Library teamed up with the Alaska Wild Bird Rehab to host the Birds Eye View Festival.

Kids were able to take part in face painting, learn the Japanese paper folding of Origami and practice making cranes, and learn to identify all the various birds found here in Alaska.

For many, however, the highlight was meeting Rhett, the red-tailed Hawk, originally from Georgia (hence the name Rhett), but now calls the Bird Rehab center in Houston his home.

Nancy Wade of the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center brought the winged friend, giving families and children an opportunity to meet Rhett, learn about his habitat, how he and other hawks, hunt and migrate.

And the children had no shortage of questions about Rhett, including what he eats, how old he is, and where his fellow hawks might like to nest.

“He’s not an Alaskan hawk, but is similar,” Wade told the kids, before telling them that Alaskan hawks are slightly bigger, but that like his fellow hawks here in Alaska and in the lower 48, that they

Rhett did require social distance for his visit as a safety precaution for those who wanted to see Rhett a little closer.

“He was socially distant long before the pandemic. It’s always been a 6 foot distance for him, and that’s for his protection, because if people get too close, he can get disturbed and try to fly off his perch, and land on the first thing he sees,” Wade told the visitors.

Outside, there was a “Fill the Bill” station for children to experience how birds use their beaks to eat; a binocular station for children to practice some hands-on bird viewing; and a bird snack station.

There was also a new story on the Story Walk with a bird-themed book for everyone’s reading pleasure.

Of course, all of this was designed to bring interest to both the birds that call Alaska home, and to the summer reading program at the library.

“This was a great way for kids to come in, do some different activities, and just have fun” Jeanne Troshynski, president of the Friends of Wasilla Library.

“This was great, a great opportunity for the children and families,” said Wasilla parent Monica, who brought her kids out to the event. She says she regularly brings her family, praising the summer program the Library puts on every summer.

While the summer reading program is in full swing, it’s not too late for children, teens, and adults to participate in the program. For a list of weekly and special activities, please visit www.cityofwasilla.gov/library to learn more.

For the Alaska Wild Bird Rehab, next up is their annual summer fundraiser, which this year is called the Passerine Party, specifically for those 21 and older, and will include a Brewfest, trivia, minigolf and yard games social event. The event will be held on July 28 at the Big Lake Lions club. Tickets also cover 10 tasting tickets, each ticket gets you a 3oz pour from different local brews and ciders. All proceeds go towards supporting the mission of wild bird rehabilitation and education. For more information, visit www.akwildbird.org