babies, roads, lawsuits and rainbows

The baby screech owls and the baby great horned owl are all growing up quickly. The screech owlets are now hunting live prey and practicing those vitally important hunting skills. Gilda and Arlo have been stellar foster parents! We hope to release these two in early July, so stayed tuned for the release date and times. If you have not yet sent us your email addy please do so immediately so you won't miss the important invitations! In this picture you can see the two youngsters atop the nest box, while papa Arlo looks on. He may look like he is snoozing but, rest assured, he is actually watching me "like a hawk". Arlo has become extremely protective of these youngsters and will swoop at me and hit my head if I appear to be getting too close. This poses quite the adventure when I have to venture inside the flight pen to replenish the bathing water or clean a bit....yikes!

The young great horned owl is now flying and

practicing early hunting skills in our 100 foot flight pen, under the direct care and supervision of Sage, his foster mom. He is getting in his new long flight feathers, but still has quite a bit of downy feathers as well. Sage has been a great mom to this orphan. She adopted him right away and kept him warm during the chilly nights and now watches over him, making sure he is safe and well fed. If all goes to "plan" we hope to release this youngster in mid to late summer, so again, make sure we have your email address so we can send you a "release announcement".

Updates regarding our continuing road saga with the Leelanau County Road Commissioners; the road commissioners have just recently filed a lawsuit against us as well as all contiguous land owners along this privat

e easement. We are scheduled for a "settlement conference" on January 19, 2011 with a 3-day court date scheduled for February 8-10, 2011. The Leelanau County Road Commissioners are continuing to state that Greenway is a public right of way, and that this status is defined public-by-use. They have yet to produce a single shred of evidence or legal documentation supporting this opinion of theirs. We ask that you continue to submit letters to the editors to the Leelanau Enterprise, the Record Eagle and the Northern Express and also copy these letters to the Leelanau County Road Commissioners, the County Commissioners and the Empire and Kasson Township offices. In August the Leelanau County Road Commissioners will be asking for a millage renewal.....based upon their actions thus far, it appears to me that they already have way too much time and money to be asking for more. One of the road commissioners will have a challenger at these August elections as well. (The road commissione

rs may not want to have a whole lot of negative press leading up to this election and millage request, if you get my hint.)

I must extend a huge thanks, with all of my heart, to all of you who have written letters and emails, sent pledges towards our legal defense fund and given me warm hugs of encouragement and support. Just when I begin to experience a wave of worry or road-related stress, one of you sends the perfect card, makes the perfect phone call and/or sends me the perfect words of encouragement. You have helped me through some pretty dark and scary times.....I am forever and deeply appreciative.

(a rainbow over the Wings of Wonder hospital)

our new babies

Well, a bit of happy news is in order; we have several new babies to introduce. Our screech owls, Arlo and Gilda, are currently fostering a couple of babies, hatched around Earth Day. Arlo is doing most of the parenting, as usual, while Gilda watches from a perch close by( probably hooting orders to poor Arlo). Both babies are being brooded and kept warm by Arlo as they all nestle together in the nestbox. The babies just opened their eyes 2 days ago. It looks like both of them will be gray, like their foster mama.

A couple of days ago I drove up to Petoskey to rescue an orphaned baby Great Horned owl. This

baby was found in a back yard with the closest suitable or possible nest trees about 2 football fields away! The baby is way too young to fly on its own. All I can guess

is that a raven may have grabbed the baby out of the nest, thinking it an easy meal, and tried to fly off with it, eventually dropping it into the backyard. The baby was checked out at Jensen's Vet Clinic, given a clean bill of health, and I brought him back to the hospital here at Wings of Wonder. After another day of observation the baby was presented to Sage, our old and wise foster mama horned owl. She eagerly accepted the little guy and now watches over him as any good mother would do.

I would like to thank you all, again, for your help with the current and awful road issue. The win in court last week was so deliciously wonderful....yet the "game" is not over by any means. We are asking that you continue making "noise" by writing letters to the contacts listed in a previous blog, as well as writing letters to the editors, making phone calls to county officials, and helping to spread the word about the ridiculous actions of the Leelanau County Road Commission. My total thanks to you all!

WE WON THIS FIRST ROUND!

The hearing is over and Judge Power will be signing the restraining order against the Leelanau County Road Commission. We are now allowed to put our gates back up and the Road Commissioners have to replace the original signage (Dead End and No Outlet signs) PLUS put up PRIVATE DRIVEWAY signs! This is all great news....and so reassuring that now we can once again provide a quiet and safe sanctuary for the raptors. My continued thanks to you all; for your letters, your financial pledges, your calls, and your warm embraces. The "game" is not over, but at least the Road Commission has been stopped at this point in time.

Let's celebrate!

road saga

Hi all,

Just wanted to invite everyone to our first hearing thursday, may 5, 2010, at 4:30pm at the Leelanau County courthouse, located on M-204 just west of Suttons Bay. This hearing will be a request to Judge Power to sign a temporary restraining order against the Leelanau County Road Commission. Once this is signed by the judge, the road commission will have to replace the signs they took down (the Dead End, Road Ends and No Outlet signs ) and we will then be able to put our gates back up and thus protect our property and the raptors. Today we had increased numbers of cars driving thru here, the latest one was at 9pm tonight when a white 4-door car raced thru here quite fast. I continue to fear for the safety of my raptors especially now that we have a new baby orphaned great horned owl being fostered by our ambassador owl, Sage. The cars zipping past her flight pen cause great stress. For those of you living in Leelanau County, just know that some of your tax dollars were spent today,

by the road commission, blading and widening Beeman Road, a seasonal unmaintained 2-track that basically goes no where. The Road commissioners bladed this road way past what the legal description states for this seasonal road, ending quite close to our south land border.

Please consider joining us at the Leelanau County Courthouse, tomorrow, may 6th at 4:30pm and show your support for the raptors and for Wings of Wonder. Thanks to you all!!!!!

a threat to Wings of Wonder

Hi all,

A serious situation has developed here that could shut down Wings of Wonder forever and I feel the extreme need to reach out for support.

The Leelanau County Road Commission has suddenly decided that our private easement is a public seasonal road! We feel our home and the privacy and protection we have created for the raptors are in jeopardy. If the Road Commission is successful, Wings of Wonder could be forced to close down.

A little history about this easement:

1. The private easement has been used by several property owners, dating back to the early 1970's. This easement, which begins at the end of the paved portion of South Gilbert Road, provides ingress and egress rights to 3 different land parcels. A private road agreement document was drafted in early 1970's and has been signed by every land owner, at every land transaction, and is registered and libered at the Leelanau county courthouse.

2. In 1990 the first house was built on this property. The new land owner paid $11,000 to have electricity brought a mile back to service her house. She signed an easement agreement with Cherry Land Electric, who first did a title search which proved the easement was indeed private, before burying the electric cable underneath the middle of the easement. That same year the owner was contacted by the Kasson Township Planning Commissioners and told to name the easement so she could then have a mailing address. She decided to name the easement "GREENWAY" and it has been recognized by the US Postal service, FEDEX, UPS and 911 emergency services ever since. Prior to her house being built, there were a number of 2 tracks, logging trails and pathways thru the property and adjoining vacant lands. Some of these pathways meandered thru the woods and eventually connected up with the next county road, Beeman Road. Once the landowner began to live back here full time she put an end to the trespass problems. The easement thru all 3 land parcels was in a very poor state with deep ruts, wash outs, large rocks, and erosion problems. The land owner decided to not use the easement for driving in each day. She instead chose to park her car out at the end of South Gilbert road and walk in. The property is accessed from (county road) South Gilbert Road, which heads south 1/2 mile off of hwy 72 before dead ending. At the intersection of south gilbert road and hwy 72 there has been a DEAD END road sign since at least 1990. At the end of South Gilbert road there has been a ROAD ENDS sign since at least 1990. At the opposite end, Beeman road, there is a Seasonal Road sign and a NO OUTLET sign.

3. The Lessards purchased the property in 1999, and had to sign the private road document at the time of sale. Lessards contacted the Kasson Township zoning administrator with their garage plans. Permits were purchased, the zoning administrator inspected the sight, and permission was granted to the Lessards to build their garage. Note, this garage sits less than 8 feet from the easement! At no time did the inspectors, building permit office or any others mention anything about the easement possibly being a public right of way!

4. In 2000 the Lessards applied for additional building permits to build their house. The site sits across from the garage, on the other side of the easement. Again, no comments were made about the road easement from the building inspectors, permit office, etc. Permits were granted and the house was built.

5. In 2002 Rebecca Lessard appeared before the Kasson Township Board to ask for permission to create a non profit raptor rehab center and sanctuary. She discussed plans, goals, layout, etc. with this board. She was granted unanimous support and received a letter from the board which she used to apply for her federal non profit status. Again, no mention was made about the road easement by this township board. The flight enclosures were built, 2 of which are positioned less than 5 feet from the road easement.

6. In the past 20 plus years there has not been any maintenance done on this easement by the road commission. All easement maintenance has been done by the Lessards. In the past 20 years there has been no public use of this road easement. For some reason the Leelanau County road commissioners have decided that this easement is now PUBLIC, even tho they have no legal documentation to support this claim.

The road commission recently enlisted the assistance of the Leelanau County Prosecuting attorney. The Lessards and Wings of Wonder have hired attorney Jim Olson and Jeff Jocks for our legal representation.

The $6780.00 we have already put into this defense of our private easement and the safety and security for Wings of Wonder could have been better spent towards:

25 raptor educational presentations to schools, camps, and libraries, or the rehabilitation of 6 bald eagles, or building 179 screech owl and american kestrel nest boxes, or purchasing 2260 frozen quail (treats) for the eagles, falcons and turkey vultures at Wings of Wonder.

Wings of Wonder is one of but a few licensed raptor rehabilitation and education centers in this entire state. Additionally, we are one of only 3 centers, in Michigan, to have a large 100 foot flight enclosure... ...which is big enough to aerobically condition our largest raptors (the bald eagles and turkey vultures) prior to their release back into the wilds.

I am reaching out to you, our supporters and WOW family.....would you be willing to write letters in support of Wings of Wonder? Would you be willing to tell as many people about this situation as possible, helping us to spread the word? Would you be willing to donate towards the now necessary legal defense fund? Would you be willing to make phone calls to township and county officials, as well as to the Leelanau County Road Commission?

Listed below are the important contacts. I ask that if you decide to send a letter to the Leelanau County Road Commissioners, that you also cc that letter to the Leelanau County Commissioners, the Kasson Township Board, and Empire Township Board, and please, please send me a copy as well, so we can provide our attorney with a copy.

Leelanau County Government Center

Attn: Leelanau County Commissioners

8527 East Government Center Drive

Suttons Bay, Michigan 49682

866-256-9711

Leelanau County Road Commission
10550 East Eckerle Road
Suttons Bay, Michigan 49682
231-271-3993

Kasson Township Board
10988 South Newman Road

PO Box 62

Maple City, Michigan 49664

Empire Township Board
PO Box 234
Empire, Michigan 49630

If you wish to make a donation towards the legal defense fund, please
make checks out to Wings of Wonder and mail to 13035 South Greenway,
Empire, Michigan 49630

If you want to make a donation on line, with PayPal, please use the
following link to the Wings of Wonder web site: http://www.wingsofwonder.org/supportWOW.html

Huge "raptorian" thanks to you all....your support makes me smile,
makes me cry with appreciation, and right now makes me feel strong.

spring is a'coming

Happy Spring.

Our newest news here at Wings of Wonder concerns our young Great Horned Owl Eoin. Eoin who was hatched in March of 2009, had been orphaned and brought to Wings of Wonder. We immediately "handed" him over to Sage and Eddie, our adult Great Horned Owl foster parents. All went smoothly until about 7 days later when 2 additional horned owl orphans were transferred here from other raptor centers in this state. Both of these newest babies were quite a bit older, bigger, and consequently stronger, than the first youngster. All 3 babies still needed round-the-clock care by the foster parents. Early March is still very cold here in northern Michigan and all 3 of these babies needed to be brooded and kept warm by the foster parents. Within about 5 days of this happy family all being together, the smallest baby ended up with a broken bone in his leg, probably from being crushed or stepped on by the bigger owlets. To make a long story short, medical intervention was necessary, there were a variety of complications that arose, the leg was saved but the owlet was left with a permanent disability. We named the owlet Eoin and once he was old enough his training began and he was included into the Wings of Wonder ambassador bird family. Now, a quick time travel to the

present and to our newest news.....Eoin laid an egg on March 6! And all this time I thought Eoin was a rather large male Great Horned Owl! Of course this egg won't hatch because it is not fertile, but Eoin does not know that. We are allowing "her" to incubate this egg for awhile, just to keep her happy and healthy. Normally a fertile great horned owl egg hatches after 28-30 days of incubation. We will try to remove Eoin's egg after a week or so. If it is removed too early she will probably just lay another egg or two, which we would truly like to avoid.

Now, the dilemma, should we change Eoin's name to reflect a female or should we just keep this name? We would love to hear from you all....submit a name if you want.

I would like to give huge "raptorian thanks" to the following folks....who found it important enough during this past year of 2009, to support Wings of Wonder. Because of their generosity and belief in the raptors we were able to continue our mission of conservation, habitat restoration, education and raptor rehabilitation. My total heart-filled thanks to each and every one of you!

Brian Maynard, Scott & Jeannette Laudeman, Jerry & Sue Maynard, Soren and Inge Jensen, Stony Point Foundation (Francie and John Downing), Michele and Scott Howard, Betsy & Mohammad Noorz, John & LindaO’Neill, Robert & Judith Jones, Tracy Drier & Amy Anderson, Sara and Stephen Loevy, Crystal Mountain Resort, Don Lessard, Trish Snowden and Will Heelan, Molly Phinny, Paula Jo Kemler, Mark & Joan Cordeniz, Michael Tate & family, Tom & Kathryn Care , Greg & Carol Halik, Belvedere Country Club, John & Linda Kuipers, Robert & Catherine Griffin, Linda Fletcher, Judy and Don Maclean, Jack & Joanne Schultz, Betsy Abeel, Deborah & Gary Rapelje, April & Charles Bertram, Kurt & Eleanor Luedtk, Rena Hicks, Kathryn Jaquish, Fast Physical Therapy, Paul and Katie Anderson, Cindy Stemple, Terry Marcinlak, Joe Andres, Nancy Turner, Kent & Dianne Laudeman, Crystalaire Camp, Inc, Gale and David Phillips, Marian Hardy, Duncan Cottages, Kris Kruid, Oryana Food Cooperative, Mary Benedict, Cliff How, Mya Anderson, TUKTAWA Foundation, Andy and Michele Lepere, Kim Booth, Alan Yefsky, Matthew Sitter, Joanne and Paul Wheaton, Charlevoix Lions Club, Sleeping Bear Noontiders, William Scharf, Thomas & Phyllis Davis, Mark Lyons, Susan Cahn, Mario Batali, Benno Batali, Leo Batali, Helen White, William & Pamela Gnodtke, David & Judy Williams, Sharron Fenn, Paul Lindberg, Joseph Heringlake, Paul Wheaton, Ron Strong, Adele Dilschneider trustee, George Crook, Jan Tennant & Richard Cooper, James & Paula Kemler, Glenn Wolff, Betsi Burns, Nancy Crandall, The Weatherheads, Merrie & Christopher Corbett, Claudia Goudschaal, Bobbie Poor, Richard Miller, Gladys Maguire, Wendy Gerber, Jacques Torres, Jeff Fisher, Dr. Eric Peck & staff, Mr. & Mrs. John W Fisher, Dr. Pamela Graves, Jim & Elizabeth Fisher, Joan & Randy Woods, Mike & Dawn Fisher, Jay & Lisa Fisher, Judy & Tom Oetinger, Louise Scholtus, Alison & Conrad Heins, Mary & Bill Swift, Charlie and Marian Swift, Erik Lilly, Great Lakes Medical Transcription Inc, Charlevoix Screen Masters, Sharon Craig, Cranbrook School, Wolverine Camps, Michael Carroll, DeCruydt & VanAelst, St. Mary School, Charlevoix, John Nitschke & Jean McLaren, Betty Rhoades, Jan Sikorski, Benzie Audubon Club, Tammera Roeske, James Bloem, Jeanne Sitter, Emilia Rennie, Monte and Nina Mayes, Bill and Nancey Grosskopf, Bachmann, Dr. Tom Mertaugh, Feather Foundation, Nancy Bresell, Catherine Riedel, Matthew Kuhn, Judith Overbeek, Joy Donnellon, Tamarack Gallery, Gail & Lyle Schwandt, Keith and Barbara VanDuzen, Nancy and Enrico Schaefer, Meredith Corporation Foundation Employee Contribution Program, Susan and Gary Hood, Laura Kalchik, Judith Lindenau, J Toma and M Kelly, Robert and Alexandra Jackman, Sam Abeel, Julianna Turner, Dori Turner, Steve Baaz, Erik & Angela Saxon, Ed Beurle (Northern Lumber), Jim Manley, Sara & Robert Galan, Cy Linder, Greg Abbott, Long Lake Vet Clinic, Munson Hospital, Joan Burnett, Carol Hobbs, Michael & Laura Turmel, Laurel Durkin, St. Marys Cement, Charlevoix, John & Mary Dumsch, George & Pat Daisy, Janet Dickerson, Naigo, Edward & Margaret Mannion, Dan Lautner and crew, Lautner Irrigation, Jeff & Nancy Fisher, Village Press, Waste Management, Tom Horton, Pla-mon-don Shoes, Chuck Higgins, Pamela Martinie, Samantha, Walker & Dylan, Ross, Cassie, Cooper, Addie, Gabi, Karen and Jamie Martin, Charlie Beals, Dr. Scholls Foundation, Carol Miller, Judith Gass, Dirk Cox, Bonnie & Jim Schreiber, John F Coleman, Ellen Kohler & Matt Cauchy, Kent & Jane Slaughter, Norm & Mimi Wheeler, Karen & Jamie Martin, Steve & Mary Schneider, William Oliver Smith, Charles Stairs, Jennifer Kaeser, Jo Martinie & Rich Illman, Seneca & Sonja Stairs, Polly Jo & Jamie Kemler, Sara Lee Corporation, Penny Nickle, Adam Danes, Car Taphouse, Glen’s Land Fill, Len Cowgill, Charlene Miller, Margaret Gass, Bob & Barbara Montgomery, Emmy Lou Cholak, Carol Hobbs, Allys & Bruce Dreves, Karen Dick

In memory:

Carroll Lypsinger, Ray Tobin, Tony Ruffin, Sr., Mr.Raymond J. Bresell, Peter J. Brigette, Sr., Albert A. Schumann, Justin Bell, Sr. and Rita Kenny Currie by the Michael Tate Family

Mary White by Jan Tennant & Richard Cooper

Ella Arnold by Sara & Robert Galan

Ester Morse by Helen White

Albert Danes by Adam Danes

Galen Thomas Opstad by Rebecca Lessard