BALD EAGLE RELEASE

We are inviting the public to a Bald Eagle Release tomorrow, Saturday, November 20th at 3pm. This release will happen at the Bower's Harbor Park on Old Mission Peninsula. Take M37 north on Old Mission Peninsula out of Traverse City, about 7 miles, to 7 Hills Road. Veer left on 7 Hills and then take a left on Bower's Harbor Road, in about 1/2 mile you will come to the park on your left (south side of road).

We ask that you leave the dog at home, bring your camera and arrive about 45 minutes early. Our eagle releases attract rather large crowds, so please allow enough time to arrive and park.

Bring a thermos of hot cider, a bag of fresh donuts and have your camera batteries charged up. This will be our last eagle release of the year.

If you have any questions please give a holler at 231-326-4663

Wings of Wonder open house/reception fundraiser

Back by popular demand, Wings of Wonder will once again be hosting a unique open house/reception fund raiser on Saturday, October 16, 2010 from 2pm till 4:30pm.

This special event will include hot/cold hors'doevers, red and white wines, a behind-the-scenes tour of the facilities, a meet and greet with the Wings of Wonder raptors, a unique photo shoot opportunity with Doolin, our turkey vulture rock star, a chance to witness the release of a Red Tailed Hawk and some additional surprises. Space is limited to the first 25 people (adults only). We are asking for a minimum $50.00 donation, which will go towards our legal defense fund as we continue the battle with the Leelanau County Road Commission. Call or email, right away, to reserve your spot to this unique opportunity. 231-326-4663 or wow@wingsofwonder.org

Happy 1-Year Anniversary Bella

Happy Anniversary to Bella

Bella was admitted to Wings of Wonder exactly one year ago, after flying into a window near Manistee Michigan, and suffering a fractured humerus in her left wing. Surgery was performed by the talented Dr. Eric Peck, Northern Michigan Veterinary Hospital. Her recovery was amazing, but unfortunately she will never fly well enough for release back into the wilds.

Bella has been a wonderful addition to our educational "family"..... I often refer to her as "a gift from the universe".

This year she began to molt in some blue-gray feathers along her back and tail. Over the course of the next hand full of years, Bella will change from her current brown mottling to the beautiful, adult, blue grey feather color pattern over the back of her head, shoulders, backside and tail feathers.

You can meet Bella at one of our many educational presentations. Check out our calendar to see a complete listing of our programs.

a young red tailed hawk: our newest patient

An immature Red Tailed Hawk was admitted to Wings of Wonder recently. She was hatched earlier this year and was now newly out on her own, having to hunt and scavenge for her food. Because of her hunting inexperience and lack of perfected skills, this poor youngster was not finding enough food to sustain herself. She was found along a Lake Michigan beach and the finders at first thought she had a broken bone in her wing.

A total exam at Wings of Wonder revealed that this bird was just too thin and weak to fly. She had lost almost half of her normal body weight. After some time recovering in the "WOW" hospital, and having access to fresh food daily, the youngster began to put on much needed weight. She was soon moved to an outdoor flight pen, large enough for her to open her wings and move around a bit, but not big enough to do unlimited flying. We wanted her to gain her strength slowly and not use precious energy flying. She continued to recover and gain weight and was then moved to our large 100 foot aviary. She is getting stronger daily and eating everything in sight, even those curious chipmunks who happen to make a fatal decision to burrow into her flight pen. We are hoping to release her yet this fall so stay tuned for an e-blast inviting you all to this fun event. (here she is enjoying breakfast)

(an update on our legal battles with the Leelanau County Road Commissioners....the law suit continues so please continue your letters to the editors, your phone calls to the road commissioners and county commissioners and your much appreciated financial pledges....thank you so very much!)

G'day to all.

Our legal "journey" continues with the Leelanau County Road Commissioners. The past 2 days have been filled with depositions.....long and costly days indeed. Wings of Wonder is reaching near and far for continued support in the form of letters-to-the-editors of the local newspapers, calls of concern to the Leelanau County road and county commissioners and of course financial pledges. As a reminder, Wings of Wonder is a federally recognized 501 (C)(3) charitable organization and so all donations are tax exempt to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Recently I received a letter in the mail from Jonah, a youngster from Traverse City. He creatively thought up a way to raise money for Wings of Wonder; he took his dog for a walk around the block and charged folks one dollar, in cash, to pet his dog. He then sent the "winnings" to Wings of Wonder, all twelve one-dollar bills. A win for WOW and a lot of loving pats for his dog as well. Needless to say his generosity and support brought tears to my eyes.

Wings of Wonder is one of only three unrestricted and dedicated raptor centers in the state of Michigan. If you believe in our mission of raptor conservation, education and rehabilitation, please find it in your hearts and spirits to pledge your continued support.

*Know that our programs and our ambassador raptors reach over 9000 people each year as we strive to make a positive impact in this world.

*Know that we admit and rehabilitate 35-70 sick, injured and/or orphaned raptors each year.

*Know that we consult, guide and act on every wildlife call that comes in.

*Know that your support will truly make a difference!

Financial pledges can be sent directly to:

Wings of Wonder

13035 South Greenway

Empire, Michigan 49630

Letters can be written to;

the Record Eagle (letters@record-eagle.com),

the Leelanau Enterprise

(editor@leelanaunews.com)

and the Northern Express

(info@northernexpress.com)

Great Horned Owl release

Even tho I sent out the release alert at the last minute, not giving folks a whole lot of time to add it to their busy schedule, about 50 folks showed up for the great horned owl release last night. It was a beautiful evening: clear skies and a slight breeze. We all met at the intersection of Port Oneida Road and M-22 at 9pm.

A sage and sweetgrass smudge and

blessing were performed by good

friend Jen Moon Bear

Pictures were taken and and then the young owl was introduced to the crowd of well-wishers.

The owl was then released into the air.

He flew off with such grace and purpose, heading

towards a grove of huge, mature maple trees.

He is free once again

(photos by Shann Vander leek)

Releases, growing pains, surgery and the long and winding road!

All 4 of the young American Kestrels

were released, in front of a crowd of

well-wishers, Saturday July 17, at 10:30am.

They flew off with rapid wingbeats and were skyward in seconds. Everyone watched as they circled together and then flew off towards a tree line to the east. It was truly a spectacular sight to behold.

(Matt Kuhn and Laurel Durkin getting ready to release "their" kestrels)

The young great horned owl, admitted as an orphaned baby several months ago, is now learning, and hopefully perfecting, his hunting techniques in our 100 foot flight enclosure (left). Once this youngster is successfully hunting live prey, and has had enough time to learn all that he can, he will be released into the wilds.

He was recently separated from his foster mom, Sage (right), who is now enjoying total peace and quiet in her own space. We continue to be deeply appreciative of Sage's stellar mothering skills and her extreme patience!

A red shouldered hawk was admitting several weeks ago after hitting a window near Glen Arbor. This hawk suffered a fractured tibia in his left leg, which was surgically repaired byDr. Eric Peck.

The hawk currently has a splint on his leg and is recovering from this accident. Once the splint is removed the hawk will undergo some physical therapy on that leg, to improve muscle tone and flexibility.

Our goal is to release him where he was found...an area that is familiar to him and where he knows to find the best hunting and perching places.

I am leading more tours of the WOW facility this summer, probably due to the increased press about our plight with the Leelanau County Road Commission. If you are interested in a tour of Wings of Wonder, please call to set up a time. Wings of Wonder is not open to the public. The tours are by appointment only and we ask for a donation from each tour participant.

Unfortunately, the road saga continues. The question being asked by the most people is "why-why is the road commission doing this?" We do not have an answer since, to date, the road commissioners have yet to address this question. The legal process continues with depositions being taken during the end of august and the first of september. Witness lists are being drafted and we await the receipt of our discovery request from the road commissioners. Over a hundred folks have either written letters, called WOW, offered support, sent in financial pledges towards our legal defense fund, and/or made calls to the road commissioners and county commissioners. We have yet to hear or learn of any support for the road commissioners or for their actions.

Please keep up this wonderful and effective momentum!

I continue to extend my total heart-filled thanks to you all; for your strong support, your belief in Wings of Wonder and the raptors, and for your encouragement and hugs.

(an immature Saw Whet Owl, released on July 12th, 2010)