My Experience at the Oiled Avian Center in Theodore, AL

by Sandra Allinson, Alabama Wildlife Center's Director of Education

Located in central Alabama, it is not very often rehabilitators at the Alabama Wildlife Center
have occasion to help coastal birds such as Royal Terns, Northern Gannets or Brown Pelicans. Recently I spent 5 days in Theodore, Alabama at the oiled avian center working almost exclusively with Northern Gannets. Until then I knew very little about these birds. In fact, I had never even seen a Northern Gannet other than in photographs. They are beautiful birds with voracious appetites for fish. Adults are mostly white with contrasting black primaries and primary coverts. Their gray-blue eye rings and bills are finely outlined in black against buffy-yellow plumage on their heads and napes.

Intrigued by their beauty and raucous behavior, I spent my evenings in the hotel room reading about this species and thought you all would enjoy a little info on how the species hunts. On average, a Northern Gannet weighs in at over 6 pounds and has a wingspan of 72 inches--that's a large bird. Northern Gannets have long, thick, serrated bills (for which I now have a great respect) which make them very adept at catching fish. They are skilled hunters and practice a foraging strategy referred to as "plunge-diving." Gannets locate shoals of fish during flight at heights of up to 130 feet. Then, they tip into a vertical or slightly-angled dive, extending wings backward and close to the body just before penetrating the water's surface at speeds 62 miles or more an hour! AMAZING!

The Gulf Coast oil spill has brought together folks from all walks of life in a very unique way. Rehabilitators at the Alabama Wildlife Center (both staff and experienced volunteers) are honored to have participated in efforts to aide coastal birds. We have had a rare opportunity to work side-by-side with wildlife rehabilitators from across North America, veterinarians, veterinary students, U. S. Fish and Wildlife biologists and people whose daily lives depend on the health of the Gulf Coast. The long-term impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill to our precious wildlife and coastal communities may not be completely known for many years. The experience and knowledge we gained, and the professional relationships we developed, will continue to benefit Alabama's native birds for many, many years.

Thanks to all of you who are making a difference by supporting Alabama's wildlife.
  Donate today!

Meet an AWC Volunteer: Erin Johnson

Erin with Coosa, the Barred Owl

Erin Johnson is such a great volunteer that we knew we had to have her on staff. In the summer of 2009, Erin was hired as Songbird Intern and anyone that worked with her can attest to the fact that she did an amazing job.

Continuing on as a volunteer after her internship ended, Erin has become MUCH relied upon in the clinic. During her shift (and she does two a week, by the way!) Erin moves deftly from Bird Nursery to Raptor Handler to Help/Info Line to Aviaries to Raptor Wing to Tree Top Nature Trail -- WHEW! She basically does it all and does a great job. Erin has also helped out with many tours, helping us educate the public about our native birds. She is also a member of the Education Bird Team.

Her great attitude and sense of humor don’t hurt either and we always look forward to an “Erin shift.” Thank you, Erin, for all your hard work. You’ve made such a difference around AWC!

How will you help Alabama's wildlife? New volunteer orientations held the 1st Sunday of each month form 1-4pm. More info at http://www.awrc.org/.

by Lee McDonald, AWC Wildlife Rehabilitator

Meet an AWC Volunteer: David Gray

Volunteer David Gray with baby Chimney Swifts

David Gray began volunteering this year at AWC in the throes of baby bird season. David got a few shifts under his belt before attending orientation (in fact he is here for no less than three shifts a week!) and has learned the ropes the best way—by fully submersing himself into the many demands of this unbelievably busy time of year.

David arrives with an unfaltering willingness to pitch in wherever needed, often taking on labor-intensive jobs such as cleaning out and resetting aviaries, disinfecting shift cages, convalescent rooms and cleaning the rodent bins. Without prompting he’s off to Treetop Nature Trail at the start of the shift to feed and check in on our Tree Top residents and he’s always willing to make a run to the vet for us for whatever is needed to be dropped off or picked up.

The icing on the cake is David’s great attitude and cheery nature. Working hard and always with a smile, David’s the kind of volunteer we are so thankful to have at AWC. Thanks for ALL your hard work this summer, David!

How will you help Alabama's wildlife? New volunteer orientations held the 1st Sunday of each month form 1-4pm. More info at http://www.awrc.org/.

by Lee McDonald, AWC Wildlife Rehabilitator

Crafts for a Cause!

Most Saturday mornings Leah Dodd of Irondale is at the Red Cat Coffee House selling rings she’s made from beads and recycled wire. Unable to directly help the wildlife affected by the Gulf oil spill, she donates the proceeds of the jewelry sales to the Alabama Wildlife Center who is helping at the Oiled Avian Center in Theodore, AL.

Pictured above, Leah is meeting Alabama Wildlife Center ambassador Ireland the Red-tailed Hawk, held by AWC Education Director Sandra Allinson.

To see Leah's jewelry, visit:  http://www.blogger.com/www.leahdodd.etsy.com.

How will you use your skills and talents to help wildlife?

by Janet Byars, AWC Administrative Assistant

Photo credit:  Mary Stockard, artist & AWC volunteer

Day 2: AWC at the Theodore, AL Oiled Avian Treatment Center

AWC's Oiled Wildlife Paraprofessionals team member Lynn Brown reports on Day 2 of our ongoing rotation at the oiled avian treatment center in Theodore, AL.

Lynn spent Monday tubing birds, conducting exams and running bloodwork. She also began to learn the facility's intake and evaluation process. Several Gulls and Forster's Terns arrived today. There are about 10 rehabbers on site and a small construction crew that does nothing but build or reconfigure holding pens, pools, etc. to suit whatever the specific needs are for the species currently in-house for treatment.

Another long, hard 12-hour day, but Lynn is learning much and enjoying being hands on with the response effort. She said she is taking lots of notes on ideas to bring back home to the rehab clinic at AWC. Thanks for your efforts and for being there to represent AWC, Lynn!

Update from the Oiled Bird Facility in Theodore, AL

The Alabama Wildlife Center is pleased to announce that our AWC Oiled Wildlife Paraprofessionals team began an ongoing rotation today at the oiled wildlife rehab facility in Theodore, AL. The facility is managed  by the two agencies contracted by BP to manage the oiled wildlife response – Tri-State & IBRRC. AWC will have a representative at the facility for as long as we can and for as long as we are needed.

We just heard from Lynn Brown, an AWC volunteer and member of the AWC oiled wildlife paraprofessional team. She arrived in Theodore, AL Saturday night. The staff starts their day at 7:00AM and they work until they are done. Today was a twelve-hour day.

Lynn reports that the facility currently has about 30 birds in their care - mostly Northern Gannets, and a few Terns, Gulls and a Loon. She says that most of the birds are arriving without oiled feathers, but instead have internal damage due to the ingestion of toxic substances like dispersants or fish and other food sources that have ingested or been coated in oil.

Most of Lynn’s day was spent caring for numerous Northern Gannets – feeding them, cleaning their enclosures and pools, moving them for treatment. She also spent a little time doing dishes. As with caring for children, most of the care of birds in rehab is spent in cleaning, food preparation, feeding, and cleaning up again.

An Osprey (one of the largest raptors in North America) arrived for treatment in a travel crate. The staff on hand, who are used to dealing primarily with water birds, were apprehensive about opening the crate and handling the bird of prey. Lynn, who has had quite a bit of experience handling raptors at AWC, quickly stepped forward and handled the bird. Go, Lynn!

Lynn shared that there was quite a bit of discussion about a very large oil slick growing closer to shore. While only time and the tides will tell, folks down there seemed quite concerned that the number of oil-affected birds arriving for treatment might soon be jumping much higher.

Our deep gratitude goes out to Lynn for her hard work and for being there to represent AWC and all the supporters that wish they could be there to help. We'll look forward to more info tomorrow!

If you’d like to support AWC’s efforts to help with the oiled wildlife response and to better prepare and increase our capacity to respond to all future wildlife emergencies in Alabama, you can
make a donation to our Wildlife Emergency Fund.

First Oil Spill-Related Bird Arrives

A baby Black-bellied Whistling-Duck was discovered trapped in a boom storage area on Tuesday, June 29 at 9:40AM in Pascagoula, Mississippi near the Gulf Coast. Separated from its parents and far from being developed enough to survive on its own, it was rescued by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services and transported to the oiled wildlife rehabilitation facility in Theodore, Alabama. Because that facility is under contract with BP to focus solely on cleaning and rehabilitating oiled wildlife, they asked the Alabama Wildlife Center to take charge of the orphaned duckling.

AWC’s Raptor Coordinator, Jessie Griswold, just happened to be spending Monday and Tuesday – her days off – volunteering at the facility in Theodore, she transported the duckling to AWC’s Pelham facility in Oak Mountain State Park on Tuesday night.

Upon its arrival at AWC a complete examination was performed. The duckling weighed in at 22 grams and is estimated to be three to five days old. No injuries were detected. The orphan was clearly scared, dehydrated and hungry. It was hand fed, hydrated and given some swim time in a blue plastic dish pan “pool,” which considerably perked up the little baby. After being returned to its incubator it immediately hid under the “Mommy,” a feather duster provided for ducklings to give them a sense of comfort and security.

Its condition today is described as stable but guarded. AWC will care for and raise the baby duck until it is able to survive on its own in the wild.

AWC Executive Director Beth Bloomfield says, “This is the first time AWC has cared for a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck. It’s a species that’s only found in southwestern states and the southernmost parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The duckling will be with us for about two months, after which we will find a suitable release site far from areas impacted by the oil spill.”

Community members are needed to help with the care and feeding of this orphaned duckling.  Financial donations can be made online at awrc.org, and baby duck food donations of millet sprays, wild bird seed, poultry feed, small mealworms and crickets, as well as green leaf lettuce (please, no iceberg or romaine) can be delivered to AWC at 100 Terrace Drive in Pelham, located in Oak Mountain State Park seven days a week from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. A full wish list of items needed for baby bird care can also be downloaded on the organization’s website.