A Wonderful Gift to TRC

Ellie, Erica, TRC Volunteer Beth E., and Artemis the peregrine falcon.
Artemis thanked Ellie for her gifts.

Ellie and Erica, and some of the gifts they brought in.

Ellie and her mom Erica stopped by today to bring in some very special gifts.  Ellie just celebrated her 5^th birthday.  In lieu of gifts for herself, Ellie asked that gifts be made as donations of cash to The Raptor Center, or items from TRC’s wish list for the staff and volunteers to take care of the birds. 

We thank Ellie so much for her generous spirit.  These gifts from her will truly make a difference.

TRC's Annual Report 2014

We want you to know how much we appreciate your support, so we published an Annual Report to the Community.  It lists our donors, as well as the accomplishments YOU helped to make possible. 

Update from Maxime the Bald Eagle on TRC's Construction

Mike Billington and Maxime.

With the warmer temperatures in the Twin Cities recently, winged ambassador Maxime the bald eagle was offered her (rat) meal outside.  It gave her a chance to “see” the new construction.  She asked to give a report.

“The new housing for me and my winged ambassador co-workers is coming along nicely!  The concrete footings and sidewalk are poured, and it is easier to envision the different housing areas for each of us.  The drainage system is being prepared to help with keeping our areas clean and free of ice and water in all seasons.  It has pea gravel on top that will keep my talons nice and filed.  I am the biggest eagle at TRC, so when I jump down from my perch onto the pea gravel, it cushions my jump and is nice for my feet when I walk around in my area.  I am not sure why the non-feathered staff would want to walk on the cement of that sidewalk.

I have also seen the new food preparation area, and am happy to say it is almost complete!  I hear it will be so nice for the staff and volunteers to prepare our holiday meals of yummy rat and fish there.”

 

Pea gravel is poured into the education bird areas.

The concrete walkways are being prepped for pouring.

This is the new food preparation area.

Oldest Known Wild Bird Spotted!

The world’s oldest known wild bird – a Laysan Albatross named "Wisdom" who is at least 63 years old – has been seen with her mate for the first time this mating season within feet of their usual nesting site. The USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System posted this photo of her on December 1 of this year.  ("Wisdom" is on the left.) 

Right now, Midway Atoll is crowded with hundreds of thousands of albatross pairs staking out their nest sites.This year, "Wisdom's" highly visible band number Z333 was seen and photographed by deputy refuge ranger Bret Wolfe. 

She has nested on the Midway Atoll since 2008.  In March of 2011, her nest was in the path of the tsunami that devastated the area.   The USFWS's Facebook page will have news, and you can follow along on the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument Facebook page, too.