June 30, 2010

Hey…what is all that ruckus going on outside my window? Those darn Purple Martins are at it again…all lined up on the power line just above the martin house. Come on guys…get a life!  I guess they are hanging out because Purple Martins develop a strong loyalty for the nest site at which they successfully breed.  If the colony is well maintained and the martins do not suffer reproductive failure, they will return year after year to the same site. That’s fine with me…just do it after 8:00 a.m. in the morning!   Phee Phew!

June 30, 2010

A group of trained volunteers has been deployed to the Gulf to help with seabirds caught in the environmental disaster created by BP ‘s well blowout. International Bird Rescue and Research Center, the lead organization for oiled wildlife has set up centers throughout the Gulf where the growing oil slick is severely impacting birds. Please visit their website to find out how you can help: www.ibrrc.org. You’ll be glad you did. Phee Phew!

June 28, 2010

Hey...what is this I hear about Lila riding a lift 20 feet up in the air to rescue some pigeons?  Surely she has better sense than to do something crazy as that!  What...you really did that?  What if you had fallen?  Who would bring me my superworms each morning?  Who would mist me off each day?  What were you thinking?  ARE YOU CRAZY!!!  Wait a minute...a man was going to close up a large sign with the nestlings inside?  Well then I am glad you made it back safely to Wild Bird Rescue.  By the way...do you have plenty of life insurance?  Phee Phew!

June 27, 2010

We have a new bird visiting at Wild Bird Rescue, an American Kestrel. The American Kestrel is one of the most colorful falcons in the world and the most common in North America. Its wings are blue-gray with black spots with a rufous tail. Underneath the tail is white with a few black bars. The back and rump are orange to rufous, with a variable amount of black barring. The kestrel’s underparts are pale buff to orange, with some black spotting. The American Kestrel is crowned blue-gray with orange and buffy spots with dark centers on either side of nape, making "eyespots" visible from behind. Well isn’t that special! I'm just gray and more gray. The kestrel may be more colorful than me but I have red eyes…well in my case, one red eye. Top that Mr. Fancy Pants! Phee Phew!

June 25, 2010

Wild Bird Rescue got a call yesterday from an elderly lady who was worried about a large bird which was swooping and flying above her head.  Lila passed the phone off to me since I am an expert on Mississippi Kites.  Phee Phew!  I explained to the lady that my kind are great parents and only want to protect their young.  I advised her to carry an open umbrella or wear a hat with two large paper eyes pinned to the back of it whenever she leaves the house.  I'm asking a lot of her, but Mississippi Kites are protected by state and federal laws.  The adult cannot be harmed and the nest cannot be removed.  If the situation worsens, only the local game warden can step in to help remove the nest.  Remember, kites only nest in our area from June through August.  Hey...will someone please come and get this phone from me!  Who do you think I am...Lily Tomlin?  Phee Phew!

June 24, 2010

Home Sweet Home

The Brittani Gossett Memorial Aviary

Built in memory of a girl who loved all animals.

June 22, 2010

My mew is not complete but it is starting to look like home.  A few complications came up on Saturday but the Seabees handled it with ease.  The foundation was not quite square and a little larger than we had originally told them.  The Seabees are back this afternoon to complete the job.  Phee Phew for the Navy Seabees.

June 18, 2010

I thought everyone would enjoy the "before" photo of my mew.  Tomorrow the Navy Seabees will be at Wild Bird Rescue to build my mew.  Yeeeehaw!  I mean...Phee Phew!

June 17, 2010

Just when I thought baby season had slowed down, the starlings, grackles, doves, and sparrows are on a second round.  I just hope things slow down before we start getting Mississippi Kites at Wild Bird Rescue.  I want to spend some time with my peeps and I don't want those silly songbirds in the way.  Phee Phew

June 15, 2010

Phee Phew to the kids at River Bend Nature Center. Thank you for inviting me to come. I love to visit with children that share a common interest in nature. I am in awe of the wonderful questions you all asked. I hope my visit will give you a greater understanding of Mississippi Kites. Remember, when my kind gets aggressive with humans, it’s only because Mississippi Kites are just protective parents. Be on the lookout for Kites in the late afternoon soaring high among the clouds. The warm afternoon heat gives us extra lift in the sky. I hope you will keep up with all my exciting, informative blogs. Phee Phew

June 14, 2010

Predators take a toll on kites and include crows, jays, ravens, owls and raccoons. Kites are aggressive parents, though, and vigorously dive bomb and attack intruders - human and otherwise. This trait sometimes gives them a bad reputation on golf courses where they commonly nest in the tall trees there. If you encounter a problem with dive bombing, wear a hat, carry an umbrella, or best of all, avoid areas where there are nestling or fledgling kites. Within a few weeks, they'll be on their way, and remember that they're just being attentive, protective parents.

June 13, 2010

One clutch of eggs is laid each year and almost always consists of two bluish-white eggs. Kite nests are large, made of twigs and sticks, and fresh leaves are added regularly to line the interior. Chicks hatch asynchronously (not all at the same time) in about thirty days but it's another five weeks until they can fly.

June 12, 2010

It won't be too long before nestling Mississippi Kites start to arrive at Wild Bird Rescue.  Over the next few days,  I'm going to share a bit of information about their arrival.  Mississippi kite nestlings are downy and white, about the size of a golf ball, and weigh approximately one ounce. Like other birds of prey, they grow very quickly. Awwww...to think I once looked like that.    Phee Phew!

June 11, 2010

I am resting peacefully in my mew this morning.  The trip to Lubbock was very long but it was nice to see my friends.   Gail and Carol thought I looked fabulous and said Lila is doing a great job with me.  I got to see my friend Windy, South Plains' Mississippi Kite.  The vets did my beak and talons.  It was painless and over in 30 seconds.  I was back in my aviary by 8:30 pm last night.  Thanks to Gail and South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for including me in their beak and talon event.

June 8, 2010

The First Annual Wild Bird Rescue Baby Bird Shower was a huge success. Thanks to the kind folks at United Market Street on Kell for letting us set up a table and collect donations for our baby birds.  Also special thanks to Elizabeth Hawley-WBR Board President, Trey Saralla of Eddie Hills Fun Cycle, Keith Vaughn of Cumulus Radio, and all the Wild Bird Rescue volunteers who showed up to help.  The cupboards and closets at WBR are now filled with supplies.  The folks of Wichita Falls are GREAT!

June 6, 2010

Okay...I take back the last blog about my new mew.  I don't think I am ready to spend my days outside in this Texas weather.  What is going on?  With the heat index it is 105 degrees F.  I think I'll just stay right where I am with the air conditioning blowing gently through my feathers.  Aaaaahhhhh!!! 

June 4, 2010

The Navy Seabees are coming to Wild Bird Rescue this afternoon to finalize the plans for my new mew. If you have not been keeping up with my blog, the Navy Seabees are going to build my mew free of charge. All we have to do is purchase the supplies. Thanks to all the generous donations, Wild Bird Rescue has the money. It won’t be long now! They will go over the supply list and the total cost. Then all that is left to do is purchase the supplies and let them begin. I can't wait! Phee Phew