Help ‘Raise the Roof’

We all appreciate a safe home, good food and medical care when we need it. It’s the same for wild birds. When a bird is injured, orphaned or taken ill, with luck and with the help of a caring rescuer, it may find his way to the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center in Houston.

The Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center, which has operated out of a garage and backyard at a private home, has outgrown its current facility. The city of Houston has generously granted us a low cost, long-term lease on land near the high school. Now comes the hard part — building a new facility.

Our current need is a starter building, which requires land clearing, a well and septic, fencing and outside housing for the birds. Inside are exam and food prep areas, housing for sick and smaller birds, and office space. Future plans include an education facility, where the public can observe unreleasable birds and attend informational programs.

The center operates on the generosity of donors and volunteers. Our major public fundraising activity is the annual Wine Migration. Our theme this year, “Raise the Roof,” reflects the need for funding and assistance for the new center. Join us for this fun-filled event at 6 p.m., Sept. 15 at the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn in Wasilla.

Throughout the evening you can visit with our educational hawks, owls and magpie and learn about these birds that share our backyards. Participate in tasting of Barefoot Wines provided by Odom Corp. Feast on hearty appetizers catered by Marian Romano of Palmer. Peruse the silent auction tables and bid on fabulous desserts at the outcry auction. Auctioneer and master of ceremonies for the evening is Mr. Whitekeys.

Everyone is welcome to join us for a fun-filled evening to help our feathered friends. Tickets are $55, and are available at Alaskan Crafters in Wasilla, Madd Matters in Palmer, Steve’s Toyo Stoves in Wasilla and through the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center at 892-1670 or akwildbirdrehab.org.

Over the past seven years, the center has cared for more than 1,500 birds. Any bird from the tiniest baby warbler to an adult bald eagle is welcome. Center volunteers will rescue a bird if needed or take in birds brought in by the public. Skilled volunteers, under the direction of Dr. Williams of Palmer Veterinary Clinic, help nurse injured birds back to health.

Daily volunteers provide medical care, clean cages, prepare food and feed birds, sometimes by hand. Orphaned baby birds will be carefully tended and fed, as often as every 15 minutes for the youngest birds. As the bird grows up or heals, he will be placed in a cage that allows him to fly and prepare to leave. Extra care is taken to be sure birds that will be released remain wild in order to help them survive. The most exciting part of the entire process is the release, where the caregivers get the satisfaction of knowing it was a job well done.

Occasionally a bird is injured in such a way that it cannot be released, but is otherwise healthy and not in pain. In those cases, the center applies for permits to train the bird as an education ambassador to be used in live programs in schools, clubs and public events. Volunteers undergo weeks of training before being allowed to handle these birds, but the reward is the thrill of having a live hawk or owl sit comfortably on your hand and impress an audience.

Join us for the evening to see and hear about all that we do to help our avian neighbors. Hope to see you there.

Nancy Wade is member of the Mat-Su Birders and Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center. Send birding questions for her column on birding to alaskaflamingo@yahoo.com.