Leaders: Alice Rose & Sylvia Smallman, long time OWL volunteers
and Nature Vancouver members.

Since the previous weekend had been an Atmospheric River, the 12 confirmed participants were asked to check their email at 8:00 am the morning of the event for confirmation. Fortunately, the weather was fine, so the message was positive.

Everyone arrived on time for a prompt start at 10:00 am. It was everyone’s first visit to OWL! (Except Cynthia!) While we were gathering, we were delighted by two large flocks of snow geese flying overhead on their migratory route!

Alice began with an introduction to OWL, the only wildlife center in B.C. which specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of raptors back into the wild. It is a non profit society with 2 full time staff, 4 part time staff and many volunteers with various skills, including vet students, high school work experience students, & international volunteers. Some volunteers feed and handle the birds and clean the enclosures, some maintain the buildings and grounds, others are gardeners, carpenters, educators, rescuers, and more.

The plan for the morning was to view and talk about the Permanent Resident birds. They are unreleasable due to injuries or conditions that could not be corrected, rendering the bird unsafe in the wild. They are Ambassadors for their species, educating the public, and acting as foster parents for younger birds, as well as companions for birds in care. Because they are cared for, their life span can be 3 times what it would be in the wild.

The raptors in care & active rehabilitation are located in the various buildings and flight enclosures on the 5 acre working hospital where they are cared for until they are well and tested and ready to be released. This area is not available for public viewing.

In the ‘Front Ed’ section – (so called because it is at the front of the property) – participants viewed and learned about eagles, (bald & golden), various hawks, falcons, owls, & turkey vultures. We took a break from standing and went into the Hootsville Schoolhouse, where we could look around at the various taxidermied raptors and sit while Sylvia talked about OWL’s education programs, both offsite – to schools, libraries, senior centers, work places, parks, etc. in the lower mainland, – and onsite in the school house on the OWL property. We also discussed some of the hazards to the wellbeing of the birds, and the reasons why they come to us for help.

Alice brought Harley in on the glove to see up close and personal. Always stunning! Harley is a glove trained female Harlan’s red-tailed hawk – a subspecies of the red-tailed hawk. Finally, we viewed the Side Ed permanent resident birds (so called because it is at the side of the main office building). This area is not part of the regular weekend tours & generally not viewable by the public. Special for Nature Vancouver! The birds in this area are also unreleasable but they are trained to the glove, to be comfortable around people, & to be transported in cars to various locations for education programs.

Finally, the participants had the opportunity to visit the museum and view the interesting dioramas there, and look around our gift shop.

Everyone enjoyed the morning and felt that they learned a lot about these magnificent birds, their importance in the ecosystem & the wonderful work that OWL does to help them.

Weekend tours are available to book online at: www.owlrehab.org

Photos by field trip participant Murray Hendren.