The calendar has photos of our education staff birds, as well as our clinic and flight activities.
Friday, December 30, 2011
TRC 2012 Calendar
The calendar has photos of our education staff birds, as well as our clinic and flight activities.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
TRC Clinic census Dec 28
We have received 710 patients so far this year. We currently have 47.
Bald Eagle - 11
Hawks - Buteos
Red-tail - 10
Rough-legged - 1
Hawks - Accipiters
Sharp-shinned - 1
Falcons
Peregrine - 3
Merlin - 1
Owls
Great horned - 10
Barred - 4
Snowy - 2
Short-eared - 1
Eastern screech - 1
Northern Saw-whet - 1
Long-eared - 1
Bald Eagle - 11
Hawks - Buteos
Red-tail - 10
Rough-legged - 1
Hawks - Accipiters
Sharp-shinned - 1
Falcons
Peregrine - 3
Merlin - 1
Owls
Great horned - 10
Barred - 4
Snowy - 2
Short-eared - 1
Eastern screech - 1
Northern Saw-whet - 1
Long-eared - 1
Friday, December 23, 2011
Thank you and Happy Holidays from TRC
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Please accept our wishes for a happy and safe holiday season, and we hope to see you soon in 2012.
Click here for an e-card from TRC!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Raptor Center Research Grant
The University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment (IonE) selected a Raptor Center project for funding in the second round of awards for its Mini Grant program. In the project, "Spent Lead Ammunition and Bald Eagles: A Model for Dealing With Conflicts in Ecosystem Health," principal investigator (and Raptor Center co-founder) Dr. Patrick Redig and colleagues will develop a proposal for a mock congressional hearing on a mock policy considering use of non-lead ammunition for deer hunting in Minnesota. The IonE Mini Grant program encourages collaboration on environmental themes among faculty, staff, and students across University of Minnesota disciplines, units, and campuses.
Monday, December 12, 2011
TRC clinic patient census December 12
We have received 682 patients so far this year. We currently have 48.
Eagles
Bald eagle - 11
Hawks - Buteos
Red-tailed hawks - 12
Rough-legged hawk - 1
Hawks - Accipiters
Cooper's hawk - 1
Falcons
Peregrines - 3
Merlin - 1
Owls
Great horned - 9
Snowy - 2
Northern Saw-whet - 2
Long eared - 2
Barred - 2
Short eared - 1
Eastern Screech-owl - 1
Eagles
Bald eagle - 11
Hawks - Buteos
Red-tailed hawks - 12
Rough-legged hawk - 1
Hawks - Accipiters
Cooper's hawk - 1
Falcons
Peregrines - 3
Merlin - 1
Owls
Great horned - 9
Snowy - 2
Northern Saw-whet - 2
Long eared - 2
Barred - 2
Short eared - 1
Eastern Screech-owl - 1
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Update on Harley the Bald Eagle
We have a few ideas on what may have happened to the transmitter: Harley’s transmitter is faulty and just stopped working, has fallen off and broke, or he has gotten into some other trouble.
While his transmitter was set and designed with a “mortality signal” which starts to transmit when the unit has not moved for 24 hours, the signal has never gone off. Many of you may remember that we had transmission problems around last Christmas 2010, while Harley was in Arkansas. After a brief period of time, the transmitter came back on-line with no outside assistance. We were hopeful that this was the case again this time, but it doesn’t appear to be so.
While we will miss continuing to follow Harley’s travels, it is amazing to reflect on how much we learned from watching one eagle’s movements. The scientists among us will be quick to acknowledge that one set of data points don’t tell us about a whole species, but Harley did have some very interesting travels, including his winter in Arkansas, several summer jaunts to the Northern Minnesota and the Canadian border and quite a bit of time in Wisconsin, near where he was originally recovered. We look forward to incorporating this data into some new lesson plans for school age children. We wish Harley the best, wherever he is.
(For background on Harley's story, click here)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Snowy Owls in the News
TRC's Dr. Julia Ponder was quoted in a recent WCCO (CBS) story about Snowy Owls.
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — It’s one of those rare treats of Mother Nature. A bird seldom seen south of the Canadian border is becoming a common sight among many this winter, as Minnesotans come face to face with the snowy owl.
“They typically stay up in the tundra,” said Mark Martell, the director of bird conservation for Audubon Minnesota.
According to Martell, the eruption of snowy owls all across the state is the result of bare cupboards in Canada.
“They feed on Lemmings, which are cyclical, die off and when that happens, the young birds have to come south to find food,” explained Martell. “That’s what they’re doing.”
What’s so unusual is that the snowy owls are coming down in such large numbers. Hundreds have been sighted all across the northern tier states, even as far south as Kansas. On Tuesday, a snowy owl was photographed near the entrance to New York City harbor.
Here in Minnesota, they are being spotted largely in open areas and farm country, even Fort Snelling National Cemetery and MSP International Airport. The owls prefer open terrain because it is similar to the openness of the tundra, said Martell.
“We’ve had four come in so far this year,” said Dr. Julie Ponder of the University of Minnesota’a Raptor Center.
Ponder says it’s a bit unusual that the clinic is seeing more adults than juveniles, as has been the experience in past years. Ponder explains that the smaller owls are typically more prone to starvation than the adult birds.
“Usually, we’ll have seen the ‘snowys’ come in by now. The first ones are down and if they don’t figure out another food source, they starve,” said Ponder.
Getting enough food to eat is just one of the challenges. Because their normal habitat is complete wilderness, the owls are unfamiliar with vehicle traffic and power lines. Most of the owls that get admitted to the Raptor Center suffer a combination of starvation or broken bones.
Ponder added they will be bracing for more owls in the coming weeks, as word spreads and wildlife enthusiasts keep careful watch for these rare birds from the north.
“It’s pretty dramatic to see a huge white owl,” said Ponder.
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — It’s one of those rare treats of Mother Nature. A bird seldom seen south of the Canadian border is becoming a common sight among many this winter, as Minnesotans come face to face with the snowy owl.
“They typically stay up in the tundra,” said Mark Martell, the director of bird conservation for Audubon Minnesota.
According to Martell, the eruption of snowy owls all across the state is the result of bare cupboards in Canada.
“They feed on Lemmings, which are cyclical, die off and when that happens, the young birds have to come south to find food,” explained Martell. “That’s what they’re doing.”
What’s so unusual is that the snowy owls are coming down in such large numbers. Hundreds have been sighted all across the northern tier states, even as far south as Kansas. On Tuesday, a snowy owl was photographed near the entrance to New York City harbor.
Here in Minnesota, they are being spotted largely in open areas and farm country, even Fort Snelling National Cemetery and MSP International Airport. The owls prefer open terrain because it is similar to the openness of the tundra, said Martell.
“We’ve had four come in so far this year,” said Dr. Julie Ponder of the University of Minnesota’a Raptor Center.
Ponder says it’s a bit unusual that the clinic is seeing more adults than juveniles, as has been the experience in past years. Ponder explains that the smaller owls are typically more prone to starvation than the adult birds.
“Usually, we’ll have seen the ‘snowys’ come in by now. The first ones are down and if they don’t figure out another food source, they starve,” said Ponder.
Getting enough food to eat is just one of the challenges. Because their normal habitat is complete wilderness, the owls are unfamiliar with vehicle traffic and power lines. Most of the owls that get admitted to the Raptor Center suffer a combination of starvation or broken bones.
Ponder added they will be bracing for more owls in the coming weeks, as word spreads and wildlife enthusiasts keep careful watch for these rare birds from the north.
“It’s pretty dramatic to see a huge white owl,” said Ponder.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
American Kestrel Next Boxes at TRC
Members of our Youth Raptor Corp (YRC) have constructed American Kestrel nestboxes for sale at The Raptor Center.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
TRC Clinic Census November 29
Eagles
Bald Eagle 15
Hawks - Buteos
Red-tailed Hawk 12
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Rough-legged Hawk 1
Hawks - Accipiters
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0
Northern Goshawk 0
Cooper's Hawk 1
Falcons
American Kestrel 0
Peregrine Falcon 4
Merlin 1
Gyrfalcon 0
Owls
Great Horned Owl 10
Short-eared Owl 2
Northern Saw-whet Owl 2
Barred Owl 2
Eastern screech-owl 1
Snowy Owl 1
Long-eared Owl 1
Bald Eagle 15
Hawks - Buteos
Red-tailed Hawk 12
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Rough-legged Hawk 1
Hawks - Accipiters
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0
Northern Goshawk 0
Cooper's Hawk 1
Falcons
American Kestrel 0
Peregrine Falcon 4
Merlin 1
Gyrfalcon 0
Owls
Great Horned Owl 10
Short-eared Owl 2
Northern Saw-whet Owl 2
Barred Owl 2
Eastern screech-owl 1
Snowy Owl 1
Long-eared Owl 1
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Barred Owl Patient at TRC
Monday, November 21, 2011
Great article on TRC Volunteers!
The University of Minnesota's University Relations department visited TRC recently. They met with Dr. Robert Kriel and Sue McCarthy, two Tuesday Education Crew members. There is a great article here, and it is on the slideshow for the main U of M page for the next few days! Thank you to Bob and Sue, and all our wonderful volunteers!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Thank you from TRC
To our friends, volunteers and loyal donors - please accept a warm thank you for your support on Give to the Max Day. In additional to your wonderful contributions we were thrilled to receive the super-sized Golden Ticket. This $10,000 bonus was added to the gift of one of our loyal Wednesday afternoon crew volunteers. In total more than $73,000 was raised.
You give us such inspiration and we are thankful for each and every gift. Thank you from all of us at The Raptor Center.
You give us such inspiration and we are thankful for each and every gift. Thank you from all of us at The Raptor Center.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Give MN is Nov 16!
Your gifts help provide resources needed to rehabilitate sick and injured birds, help educate conservation-minded veterinarians and veterinary students, and allow us to reach out to the community with our unique educational programs.
If the opportunity to double your impact isn’t enough, there are more ways to help. Each hour, one donor will be selected at random to receive an elusive golden ticket. This golden ticket will add $1,000 to the donor’s charity of choice! For you night owls, please consider making your gift anytime after 12:01a.m. on Wednesday, November 16. This will increase The Raptor Center’s chances of getting a least one golden ticket. Multiple gifts given by individuals also increase the likelihood of winning a golden ticket!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
MN Conservation Volunteer Story on TRC Patient Wins Award
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Monday, November 7, 2011
Give to the Max Day November 16
Launched in November 2009, "Give to the Max Day" is an annual day for Minnesotans
to come together to raise as much money as possible for nonprofits in 24 hours. Last year, nearly $10,000 for raised for TRC. Rachel & Denny Hollstadt and the Sarah J. Andersen Fund of the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation have agreed TO MATCH all gifts up to $27,000! The Raptor Center's page is here; please take the opportunity to view our video, too!
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Thursday, November 3, 2011
Care and Management conference at TRC
Monday, October 31, 2011
Northern Saw-whet owl visits TRC clinic twice in 10 months
Thanks to the aluminum band encircling her lower leg, NWSO 10-669 (Northern Saw-whet Owl) helped tell us a bit about her story. After spending only 2 days with us last December to recover from mild head trauma, the owl was fitted with a USFWS band and returned to its recovery location in Shorewood, MN.
Now, after colliding with a window and breaking her right wing in Coon Rapids, the small owl once again was brought to TRC. Where did she spend her spring and summer? Did she migrate to northern latitudes or hang out in the metro area?
We only see about 5 banded birds each year and often they leave us with many intriguing questions. However, they also provide us with invaluable information on the perils they face, the effectiveness of rehabilitation techniques, and how their traditional movements and behaviors change in a dynamic world.
The two photos in this post are not of the individual mentioned, but rather pictures of the species for illustration. The first photo is very dark, but does show a band on the leg. The next photo is also of a Northern Saw-whet Owl.
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Now, after colliding with a window and breaking her right wing in Coon Rapids, the small owl once again was brought to TRC. Where did she spend her spring and summer? Did she migrate to northern latitudes or hang out in the metro area?
We only see about 5 banded birds each year and often they leave us with many intriguing questions. However, they also provide us with invaluable information on the perils they face, the effectiveness of rehabilitation techniques, and how their traditional movements and behaviors change in a dynamic world.
The two photos in this post are not of the individual mentioned, but rather pictures of the species for illustration. The first photo is very dark, but does show a band on the leg. The next photo is also of a Northern Saw-whet Owl.
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Monday, October 24, 2011
Duke Lecture a Success!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Duke Lecture tonight!
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Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Halloween Enrichment at TRC
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Recent Clinic Case for TRC
Fall is a time of change - temperatures cool, leaves transition from green to beautiful hues of yellow, orange, and red; and many species of birds take to the sky as they begin their annual migration south. During this time, TRC sees several raptor species not seen during other seasons of the year. One suc
h species is the short-eared owl. This widely distributed medium-sized owl is a bird of open grasslands, marshes and the tundra. It has an extensive range from Alaska, throughout North and South America, and even can be found on some islands in Galapagos (600 miles west of Equador). Birds in the extreme northern part of this range migrate south, the distance not well known. However what is known is that increased movements predisposes them to injuries and that is why TRC’s clinic treats a few each fall.
TRC case number 11-535 is an adult female short-eared owl injured in Floodwood, MN on 10/2/11. She suffered an open fracture of the right humerus from an unknown cause and underwent surgery to align and stabilize the fracture under the skilled hands of Dr. Irene Bueno, TRC’s veterinary resident from Spain. The bird is in the early stages of recovery and is doing well. It will take a good month for the fracture to heal, after which the owl will move into the reconditioning component of her recovery program.
TRC case number 11-535 is an adult female short-eared owl injured in Floodwood, MN on 10/2/11. She suffered an open fracture of the right humerus from an unknown cause and underwent surgery to align and stabilize the fracture under the skilled hands of Dr. Irene Bueno, TRC’s veterinary resident from Spain. The bird is in the early stages of recovery and is doing well. It will take a good month for the fracture to heal, after which the owl will move into the reconditioning component of her recovery program.
Monday, October 10, 2011
TRC Patient Census Oct 10
We currently have 53 patients, and have admitted 560 so far this year.
Eagles
Bald eagles 15
Hawks
Red-tailed hawk 13
Broad-winged hawk 3
Cooper's hawk 4
Sharp-shinned hawk 1
Northern Goshawk 1
Falcons
Peregrine falcon 3
Merlin 3
Owls
Great-horned owl 7
Short-eared owl 1
Northern Saw-whet owl 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Eagles
Bald eagles 15
Hawks
Red-tailed hawk 13
Broad-winged hawk 3
Cooper's hawk 4
Sharp-shinned hawk 1
Northern Goshawk 1
Falcons
Peregrine falcon 3
Merlin 3
Owls
Great-horned owl 7
Short-eared owl 1
Northern Saw-whet owl 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Digital Bridge Workshop November 19
The Raptor Center is offering a free workshop to teachers on November 19, at Carpenter Nature Center in Hastings, MN. It is part of the Digital Photography Bridge to Nature. This is a Minnesota DNR initiative, funded through the LCCMR (Legislative Citizens’ Commission for Minnesota Resources). The Raptor Center is partnering with the Minnesota DNR to help facilitate a portion of the workshops.
Each four-hour workshop is designed to train approximately 12-24 teachers in any subject area on how to use the digital camera kits. Completion of the workshop will allow you to check out a camera kit and you will earn 4 Continuing Education units. The workshop will focus on helping you enhance your current curriculum, not add to it! The workshop will cover how to use the digital cameras; basics of photography; hands-on activities with group discussion; brainstorming of curriculum ideas; downloading and editing techniques; and student project ideas.
• FREE access to digital cameras kits with 12 cameras
• LEARN new ways to tie digital photography experiences to fulfill state
education standards
• LEARN how to use student digital photos with WEB 2.0 applications
• Targeted for Grades 3-9
To register call Carpenter Nature Center at 651-437-4359
or email Mayme@CarpenterNatureCenter.org.
Each four-hour workshop is designed to train approximately 12-24 teachers in any subject area on how to use the digital camera kits. Completion of the workshop will allow you to check out a camera kit and you will earn 4 Continuing Education units. The workshop will focus on helping you enhance your current curriculum, not add to it! The workshop will cover how to use the digital cameras; basics of photography; hands-on activities with group discussion; brainstorming of curriculum ideas; downloading and editing techniques; and student project ideas.
• FREE access to digital cameras kits with 12 cameras
• LEARN new ways to tie digital photography experiences to fulfill state
education standards
• LEARN how to use student digital photos with WEB 2.0 applications
• Targeted for Grades 3-9
To register call Carpenter Nature Center at 651-437-4359
or email Mayme@CarpenterNatureCenter.org.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thank you from The Raptor Center
Thank you to all who made the auction a success! If you are a winning bidder, you can contact Ellen Orndorf at eorndorf@umn.edu for details Friday, September 30, or we will begin contacting everyone next week to arrange details of pick up of your items.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Final Hours of TRC's Fundraising Online Auction!
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Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Minneapolis Experiences, and Randall McDaniel Memorabilia in Our Online Auction
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We also put together a true "Minneapolis Classic" with a $30 Punch Pizza giftcard, two vouchers for Mill City Museum, a $25 giftcard to Joe's Garage,
a $30 giftcard to Punch Pizza, and finally four sets of two-ticket passes to any Patrick's Cabaret event. Click here for these and many other items and experiences!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Onlt Two Days Left for Online Auction!
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Thursday, September 22, 2011
Fall Release and TRC Happenings
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On Tuesday, September 27, please join us for the first in our Raptor Tails series: "Feathers and Flight - Fabulous Feathers and Migration. The Raptor Tails series are activity-oriented learning experiences for ages 3-5 about raptors and their environment. Children will hear stories, take part in activities, and get to meet a live raptor each session. The goal of this program is for pre-schoolers to develop a positive relationship with raptors and the environment.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Bald Eagle Band Return
The Raptor Center applies a federal band to most of the rehabilitated raptors released back to the wild. Although only an average of 5 band returns a year are received, the information these provide is invaluable in critiquing our rehabilitation techniques and in learning more about raptor movements and behavior.
Last week, we received band return information on a bald eagle we admitted on 11/13/2005. At that time, this female eagle, weighing in at 4430g, was 3-4 years old. She had been shot in Wanamingo, MN and suffered a fractured left ulna (one of the bones in the middle of the wing) along with bruising and swelling of tissues where the projectile entered. Dr. Hugo Lopez, a veterinarian from Portugal, performed the surgery to repair the wing and the bird recovered well. She was reconditioned over the winter months and released at Carpenter Nature Center in Hastings on 3/18/2006. She survived 6 and ½ years after that traumatic event and was recovered northeast of the Hwy 56 bridge along the Cannon River last week. We do not know how or why she died, but are grateful that our skill and compassion gave her several more years to soar in blue skies, and that the silver band she wore from that time forward was able to provide us with feedback on our efforts.
Last week, we received band return information on a bald eagle we admitted on 11/13/2005. At that time, this female eagle, weighing in at 4430g, was 3-4 years old. She had been shot in Wanamingo, MN and suffered a fractured left ulna (one of the bones in the middle of the wing) along with bruising and swelling of tissues where the projectile entered. Dr. Hugo Lopez, a veterinarian from Portugal, performed the surgery to repair the wing and the bird recovered well. She was reconditioned over the winter months and released at Carpenter Nature Center in Hastings on 3/18/2006. She survived 6 and ½ years after that traumatic event and was recovered northeast of the Hwy 56 bridge along the Cannon River last week. We do not know how or why she died, but are grateful that our skill and compassion gave her several more years to soar in blue skies, and that the silver band she wore from that time forward was able to provide us with feedback on our efforts.
Friday, September 16, 2011
TRC Clinic Patients 9.12.11
The Raptor Center has received 489 patients so far this year. We currently have 65 patients. Some are in individual patient cages while their injuries heal. Others are in large flight rooms or outside in the rehabilitation courtyard for exercise before their release. The following table shows the patient census by species:
Eagles
Bald Eagle 16
Hawks - Buteos
Red-tailed Hawk 14
Broad-winged Hawk 4
Hawks - Accipiters
Cooper's Hawk 4
Falcons
Peregrine Falcon 3
Merlin 3
Owls
Great Horned Owl 6
Eastern Screech-owl 1
Others (Osprey and Turkey Vulture) 3
Eagles
Bald Eagle 16
Hawks - Buteos
Red-tailed Hawk 14
Broad-winged Hawk 4
Hawks - Accipiters
Cooper's Hawk 4
Falcons
Peregrine Falcon 3
Merlin 3
Owls
Great Horned Owl 6
Eastern Screech-owl 1
Others (Osprey and Turkey Vulture) 3
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The Raptor Center Online Auction Goes Live!
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Our Raptor Center fund raiser, the online auction, is now live! Click here to see the many items and experiences to bid on! All proceeds benefit The Raptor Center.
Monday, September 12, 2011
TRC Online Auction Goes Live Tomorrow!
Now is your chance to spend a day “behind the scenes” at The Raptor Center with Dr. Julia Ponder and other TRC staff members. From experiencing wildlife rehabilitation to training educ
ation birds, get a peek at the fascinating work done every day at The Raptor Center. This
incredible opportunity is only one of many
unique experiences that you can bid on when you access TRC’s online auction. (Please note: the photos shown are of students, staff and volunteers, who have been trained in working with raptors.)
The auction will go live September 13 at 8:00 a.m. and close at 6:30 p.m. September 29. Once you access the auction, you will have the opportunity to bid on many fabulous experiences and items, including gift cards for some of the Twin Cities’ most popular venues: hotels, restaurants, theaters, sporting events, and weekend getaways. Go to http://www.winningcause.org/ Sept. 13 to begin your bidding. All proceeds benefit TRC.
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incredible opportunity is only one of many
unique experiences that you can bid on when you access TRC’s online auction. (Please note: the photos shown are of students, staff and volunteers, who have been trained in working with raptors.)
The auction will go live September 13 at 8:00 a.m. and close at 6:30 p.m. September 29. Once you access the auction, you will have the opportunity to bid on many fabulous experiences and items, including gift cards for some of the Twin Cities’ most popular venues: hotels, restaurants, theaters, sporting events, and weekend getaways. Go to http://www.winningcause.org/ Sept. 13 to begin your bidding. All proceeds benefit TRC.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Bid on a Delta Vacation for TRC Online Auction
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