Category Archive : bird release

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My name is Dusty, I am a Barn Owl. Today two volunteers came into my aviary and brought me inside, where I met another volunteer. This one had a big scary thing hanging from her neck. It was called a camera by others. I had many pictures taken of me (above) and I screamed at the volunteers to scare them. When I tried to fly away, they grabbed and placed me in a carrier.

From there I met the three volunteers who took me for a ride to my new home. They talked and I screeched over them, making it difficult to hear. I didn’t like listening to this “Katy Perry” person, and screamed at them to stop it.

When we arrived, I saw trees, bushes, and farmland. This would be my new home. As soon as we were about to release there was a terrible beeping sound, an alert appeared on all three volunteers’ phones at once: “Severe Dust Storm”. The volunteers refused to release in such bad weather. So we started our long drive back to the rescue where I would be safe in my aviary. I saw other birds struggling to fly in the strong wind. I am glad they didn’t put me out there.

On the way back I complained, I had a very long day and was tired; also, the volunteers stopped for ice cream, which I wanted to try. Although I did stop complaining and was silent for one song by a person known as “P!nk”. This radio thing is very interesting. Now I am sitting and waiting for my release in the aviary with some food.  I appreciate the shelter, I am protected from the ongoing storm.

-Dusty, the Barn Owl

P.S.  I had to wait two more days due to bad weather.  I heard the volunteers talking and they put me back in a carrier and back in the car.  I complained and jumped around.  I lurched at where the opening of the carrier was but it wouldn’t give.  I had to endure another car ride.   The volunteers took me back to the same place.  It was perfect and I was very happy and excited.  I quickly flew away, stretching my wings, knowing I was free.

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The beginning of the New Year means it’s almost baby bird season again.  They have been fortunate the past few months to have the time to “get their ducks in a row”.  If you have never been to Fallen Feathers before, the whole organization is operated out of a home.  It is generous and loving and we birds appreciate it greatly.

   
 
Volunteers have been helpful with removing old broken equipment, building new aviaries and resealing existing aviaries.

While one of the goals of Fallen Feathers is to have a free standing facility in the northwest valley, there is still room to grow until that happens.  Help is needed establishing watering throughout the aviaries and additional landscaping would be nice so that we birds have plenty of shade in any new aviaries.

A very generous donation of various bird items and statues was granted in late November.  Everyone has been decorating the grounds celebrating the very creatures they are trying to help.

Today, another much needed donation arrived.  A new trailer for hauling perches, displays and documents for the various public events that Fallen Feathers attends.
The holidays were good to Fallen Feathers, but they work hard and it is well deserved.  They help over a thousand birds a year solely on donations and volunteers and it still isn’t enough to cover the need.
For now the gifts and the break are being enjoyed.   Next month the babies will start coming in and everyone will be very busy for at least 6 months.  As for me, time to find a place to cozy down and keep warm.
Lovey and Thurston,
the neighborhood mourning doves

It’s seems like only days, but I have been at Fallen Feathers for over three months.  My feathers are all in and I’m starting to fly.  I’m not a baby any more so I don’t click for my food.  I’ve started making other barn owl sounds, mainly my scream.  We barn owls don’t hoot like other owls.

I don’t like being around the humans.  I watch them carefully when it’s feeding time.  Two days ago, one of the volunteers came into my habitat to take my picture.  She told me I was beautiful.  I tried to intimidate her with my wings and then I was ready to fly away too, if needed.

Today that same volunteer came and took me from my habitat and drove me away.  I screamed at her to tell her how displeased I was but she told me that I would be fine and that I was going back home to see my parents.  I was being released.

I don’t like car rides but it was worth it.  I saw the man who took me to Fallen Feathers.  He was very excited to have me back in the area.  He told us where my parents live and said that I have a sibling that just started flying too.    I hope they will welcome me back.

I was taken good care of.  I’m healthy and strong.  I’m ready to face the whole world.

Autumn, the Barn Owl

I don’t want to jinx anything, but it’s been a little quiet around Fallen Feathers these days.   The last of the baby doves and pigeons are grown.  Most of the intakes now are injured birds.  It’s time to get projects done.  Volunteers have been building new aviaries and taking down old structures that no longer fit our needs.  We are “cleaning house”.

For two of us, it’s also our very lucky day.  Today is the day that I get released.  I’m Charles, the Coot.  I’m also called a mud hen.  I’m a water fowl that has a chicken like beak but webbed feet.  I was rescued by the Brophy College Preparatory Rowing Team  at Tempe Town Lake and brought all the way up to Fallen Feathers.   Mac, the coach checks on me regularly, makes me feel very special.

Charles, the Coot and Mel, the Mallard

Charles, the Coot was very excited to be released and quickly joined up with fellow coots in the pond.  Meanwhile, Mel, the Mallard, casually surveyed the area before joining the flock.

For more information about Fallen Feathers, please visit our website at www.fallenfeathers.org