~Wildlife education~ Many birds we have grown accustomed to seeing are actually species that visit us from the south for a brief appearance to breed. Seasonal migration presumably evolved as a means of increasing lifetime reproductive output. The extra daylight we enjoy in the spring and summer provide birds with more hours per day in which to gather food. Thrushes, like this little one, are long-distance migrants. It's nothing short of a miracle how birds fly long distances. They prepare for their long trek by accumulating fat to provide fuel for the prolonged flight. They can lose one-fourth to one-half of their body weight during overwater migration. Most long-distance migrants, especially smaller birds, fly at night. They may travel continuously or land daily around sunrise to rest and forage. When traveling over water or unsuitable habitats, birds that normally stop each day may fly without a break for longer periods. For example, Blackpoll Warblers migrate overland in spring, but autumn migrants travel non-stop over open ocean from south-eastern Canada and the north-eastern United States to their wintering grounds in northern South America. Migrants that move only relatively short distances within our region usually travel during the day, generally spending only a few hours of the morning in migration. Aerial foragers, such as swallows and swifts, do not stop but simply feed in flight as they are migrating. Preparing to migrate, hummingbirds eat lots of nectar and insects, and respond to hormonal changes that are triggered by the changing length of daylight. The Rufous Hummingbird generally winters in Mexico and possibly as far south as Panama. The process of migration has baffled humans for centuries and many theories have been developed. Is it the sun, stars or moon that helps to guide birds? Landmarks or the magnetic field of the earth have also been thought to be the answer. Migration is derived from the Latin word migrare, to go from one place to another. It is a regular movement and refers to the spring movements of birds from their wintering to their summering or nesting places, and the fall movements from their nesting grounds to their wintering places. They migrate because of the greater availability of food and longer days in which to gather food for nestlings. These factors enhance their chances of survival. It also means avoiding the physiological stress associated with cold weather. The migratory routes of birds are numerous, and while some of them are simple and easily traced, others are extremely complicated. Differences in distance traveled, in time of starting, in speed of flight, in geographical position, in the latitude of the breeding and wintering grounds, and in other factors all contribute to great diversity. No two species follow exactly the same path from beginning to end. The continued loss and degradation of stopover habitat is potentially a huge threat to the survival of bird species. As birds fly south, they may find fewer places to rest. As forests are being cleared and fragmented, it has a serious negative effect on migrating birds and other species. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~wildlife education~ Owls inhabit all continents except Antarctica. They have adapted to a wide range of habitats from deserts, jungles, grasslands and forests, to the tundra of the high Arctic. There are over 250 species of owl in the world; there are 15 owl species in B.C. including the endangered Spotted Owl. We have seven species of owls resident at NIWRA (Great Horned, Great Grey, Barn, Barred, Western Screech, Long-eared and Snowy Owls). Spook, one of our resident Great Horned Owls All owls are raptors and catch live animals for their food. They will catch and eat just about any animal smaller than themselves; but most have a particular fondness for mice and rats. They will also eat smaller owls, other birds, snakes, voles, frogs, and even fish. Owls have special features that make them great hunters. Their eyes, ears, beak, talons, and feathers are special adaptations to help them hunt. Owls have very large eyes in relation to the size of their bodies. Their eyes gather and concentrate many times more light than ours do. Owls have forward-looking eyes, giving them binocular vision and excellent depth perception, which is an advantage in hunting. In fact, they can focus on both near and distant things at the same time, a special adaptation allowing them to properly gauge distance and avoid branches, etc., when they are pursuing prey. Owls have an extra eyelid that moves back and forth over their eyes like a windshield wiper. This is called a nictitating membrane (a Greek word meaning to wink). Instead of spherical, owl eyes are set deeply into their head. They cannot rotate or roll their eyes like we can, and in order to see around, they must turn their heads. Owls can turn their heads about 270 degrees. We can only look as far as our shoulders, or 180 degrees. Owls have extra neck vertebrae (14) to give them this mobility. Elsa, our resident Snowy Owl. All owls have extremely acute hearing. Some use their hearing more than sight for hunting, enabling them to hunt at night. Owl ears are offset top to bottom and back to front. This allows them to detect minute differences in sound direction to determine exactly where on the forest floor their prey might be, even if they can’t see it. All owls have circles of feathers surrounding their eyes which act as facial disks. As owls don’t have earlobes to direct sound waves to their ears, these facial disks work like satellite dishes, focusing sound towards their ears. Owls have a hooked beak, as do all raptors. This shape helps owls to kill their prey and tear the meat apart for swallowing. Owls’ mouths are large; in human terms, their mouths would extend all the way back to their ears. This allows them to swallow large pieces of food. Many are able to eat a fully-grown rat in one piece, generally headfirst. Owls, like other raptors, have sharp talons used to catch their prey, to hold onto their dinner while they eat, and to defend themselves from enemies. Owl feathers have colour patterns that act as protective camouflage, helping them to not be seen by their prey and their enemies. Owl feathers are like fine hairs, and some of them extend down over their feet. This allows them to fly silently. They are the ultimate stealth flyers. This means they have an advantage over many other birds whose more rigid feathers make a lot of noise when they are flying. Oliver, one of our resident Barred Owls. Injured owls are often found on or near roads, many of them hit by cars. The reason many owls hunt along roads and highways is the food waste we throw out of our cars; it attracts rodents who feed off the food wrappers, bread crusts, apple cores, etc. The rodents who feed on the roadside food waste attract owls and other raptors who prey on them and, unfortunately, they may be hit by passing vehicles, or fly into trees or fences when blinded by headlights. Please don't throw garbage out of your car; take it home and dispose of it responsibly, where it won’t harm our wildlife. Some of our resident owls have been partially blinded or sustained broken wings from these collisions, and though we can often successfully treat broken bones, the soft tissue may not heal, and these owls would be unable to fly properly and feed themselves. Because of this, we are unable to release them, so we look after them for the rest of their lives. The resident owls at NIWRA may live for more than 20 years -- longer than in the wild. They are well fed, have no enemies or stress, and have immediate veterinary care should they get sick or sustain an injury. Two of our Barred Owls – Quinn and Oliver – are glove-trained and spend some of their time with their handlers, meeting visitors around NIWRA’s grounds. They are an essential part of our educational program. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~Wildlife education~ Keeping bird feeders and bird baths clean is key to preventing and spreading diseases such as salmonella, trichomoniasis, aspergillosis, and avian pox among our feathered friends. This poor little guy is obviously sick. Once a month, take down your bird feeders and soak them in a 10% bleach solution. Rinse thoroughly and dry the feeders before refilling them. Discard old seed and remove seed from the ground. If you also treat our feathered friends to a birdbath, please keep it fresh by rinsing and scrubbing it with nine parts water, one part vinegar. And refill the water regularly to keep it from bugging up. Consider adding a solar-powered fountain for circulating water to discourage mosquitos from laying their eggs. Some diseases can be spread to humans, so protect yourself by wearing gloves while doing the cleaning. Heated birdbaths that are designed to keep the water from freezing are available so you can continue giving birds access to water in the colder months. If you see a bird with illness symptoms such as a lack of energy or movement, tremors, lack of coordination; swelling around the head, neck, and/or eyes, call NIWRA or your local wildlife rehabilitation centre for advice. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA and further our public education programs by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~Wildlife education~ Located adjacent to the Magical Field of Stones at NIWRA is Dan's Nook Wildlife Garden, a lovely oasis where you can see pollinators at work and enjoy lovingly tended plants. Dan's Nook Wildlife Garden The wildlife garden was the brainchild of long-time NIWRA volunteer, Dr. Lynne Brookes, who developed the concept and made it a reality in 2015, with the help of many volunteers. The garden showcases native plants as well as non-native plants that have been successfully introduced, with a special focus on providing a supportive habitat for pollinators (birds, bees, butterflies, etc.) and other micro wildlife. It also features a pond and bog area. The pond within the garden Come visit our garden and enjoy local wildlife in their natural habitat. In the summer in our mini-wetland, you may be able to spot tadpoles hatching; dragonfly nymphs emerging; pollinators busy at work; Marsh Marigolds blooming; or hummingbirds feeding. Volunteers water flowers and tend the garden, and in the Spring and Summer, they act as wildlife garden hosts, educating the public about the plants and the many benefits of the garden. A majority of the funding for the garden was provided by anonymous private donation for which we are very thankful. Each year, NIWRA grows and sells plants to raise funds to continue to maintain the wildlife garden. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA and further our public education programs by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~Wildlife education~ The American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), the largest frog in North America, is an invasive species due to its voracious appetite and the large number of eggs it produces. It has a negative effect on native amphibians and other fauna. Frogs eat any animal that can be captured and swallowed, including all kinds of vertebrates and invertebrates. Larvae eat suspended matter, organic debris, algae, plant tissue, and small aquatic invertebrates. Bullfrog adults eat insects, snakes, small mammals, birds, and smaller native frogs. An American bullfrog The bullfrog gets its name from the sound the male makes during the breeding season, which sounds similar to a bull bellowing. Amphibians like frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders live in the water but can survive on land. Many species of birds eat frogs, toads and salamanders. Long-legged wading birds like herons and egrets feast on these amphibians. The common merganser eats frogs and 5% of the belted kingfisher’s diet is frogs. Crows are also voracious eaters of frogs. The belted kingfisher consumes the large tadpoles of the bullfrog when it dives into the shallows of small ponds, but it does not eat enough tadpoles to make a difference in the invasive population. The bullfrog is a successful breeder and can live up to 15 years. They begin breeding at the age of 4, with females laying up to 20,000 eggs in a single spawn. These tadpoles grow to about 15 cm. over a two-year period before they turn into a frog. They breed in early May in permanent ponds and lakes in sub-urban, rural, disturbed and wooded habitats. Sometimes they move into stream habitats either as tadpoles or young frogs. The bullfrog is the largest frog in North America, growing 8-20 cm. long and weighing up to 600 grams. They are green to brownish green in colour, and the breeding males have yellow under their chins. They have a conspicuous skin fold around the ear membrane down to the shoulder. Native to North America from southern Quebec and Ontario to the Gulf of Mexico, bullfrogs have spread into western North American from southern British Columbia to California. To prevent their spread into new areas, please do not move frogs, tadpoles or frog eggs from one wetland to another. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA and further our public education programs by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~Wildlife education~ Rat poison works its way up the food chain. Rats and other rodents that ingest poisons become lethargic and are easy prey for larger predators. The predators become sick or die after eating the rodents. An owl with a rodent in its mouth. BC has banned the widespread sale and use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), which risk the secondary poisoning of animals who consume poisoned rodents. The anticoagulants in the rodenticides thin the blood and prevent it from clotting, causing rodents to die from internal bleeding. They have the same lethal effect on other animals. Exposing animals to poisoned bait and prey is how rat poison is injuring and killing owls and other BC wildlife. If you have a rodent problem, use alternatives to poison such as “Catch & Release”. Or if you hire a pest control company to help you deal with the problem, please ask them to follow the BCSPCA's AnimalKind standards. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA and further our public education programs by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~Wildlife education~ Each year, NIWRA admits raptors that have been hit by vehicles while hunting for food beside the road. Think twice before tossing that apple core out the window. Roadside litter, even biodegradable items such as apple cores and banana peels, can have a devastating impact on wild animals. Food thrown from vehicles attracts rodents, which in turn attract hunting raptors and other animals to the side of the road where they are often hit by automobiles. If animals learn that roadways are a good source of food, they will often return or stay to search for a meal. An injured owl on a car bumper. Food and beverage containers can also be deadly. Many small animals crawl into discarded bottles or jars and get stuck and starve to death. If you have food waste, properly dispose of it in a waste or compost bin. Check on where there are local drop-off bins along your travel route, or take a container with you to keep your scraps and dispose of them later. By making sure that all waste and compost is properly disposed of, you can help prevent injury to wild animals, and keep our roads safe! Please share this message with your friends and family. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~Wildlife education~ Each year many bears and other wildlife are killed because of human decisions and behaviour. The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre has been caring for orphaned bear cubs since 2005. All orphans who arrive at NIWRA have lost their mother due to various circumstances: vehicle collisions, industrial accidents or being a nuisance to humans. This bear can't resist the easy calories found in a bag of garbage. Sixty percent of nuisance bear calls are due to garbage as an attractant. Being opportunists, bears can receive more calories from garbage in ten minutes than from foraging in the forest all day. Help protect bears by following these basic rules: · Put your garbage out in the morning of pick-up, not the night before. · Consider taking down your bird feeders during the summer. · Feed your pets indoors. · If you have a backyard compost, maintain it properly. Do not add fish, meat, fat, oils, unrinsed eggshells, cereals/grains or any cooked food. · Clean barbeques by burning off the grill and cleaning out the grease trap. Store the barbecue indoors. · Keep feed for farm animal indoors. · Pick fruit as it ripens since ripe fruit has a high caloric value which is highly sought after by bears. · Be aware of other sources of smells that attract bears: beehives, berry patches and smokehouses. A bear is attracted to food remains on a BBQ. Photo (c) Sylvia Dolson The next time you visit NIWRA, come see Rae, our non-releasable permanent resident ambassador black bear. Orphaned black bear cubs at NIWRA are reared with minimal human contact to avoid habituation to better their chances of surviving in the wild when released. They may go for weeks or months without seeing anyone (except perhaps the occasional visit from the veterinarian for a check-up). NIWRA visitors can view them on closed circuit TV at the base of the eagle flight enclosure building. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~Come check out our pond residents~ Now that the warmer weather is here, our ponds will no doubt be home to some special guests again this year. The ponds at NIWRA were created primarily for the rehabilitation of waterfowl but also for water conservation. Turtles enjoy basking in the sun. Recovering ducks, geese and swans have been placed in the ponds where they are fed regularly until they are able to leave and fend for themselves. Some ducks and geese are permanent residents of the ponds because of injuries. A momma duck with her ducklings. Wild ducks and geese often fly in and raise their families at the NIWRA ponds. We have been successful in integrating orphaned goslings and ducklings into these wild families. You’re likely to see turtles in our ponds as well - Western Painted and Red-eared Sliders - especially when the sun is out. There's room for everyone on this log. The Western Painted Turtle is the only native freshwater pond turtle left in B.C., and it is considered an endangered species. It can be confused with the non-native Red-Eared Slider. To tell the two species apart, look for the telltale red “ear” mark on the Slider. The Western Painted turtles do not have any red markings on the neck or head. Their back is usually all green, while the underside is scarlet, reddish-yellow, or yellow with irregular dark patches. A young red-eared slider turtle. Most of the turtles in NIWRA's pond are red-eared sliders that used to be pets. As pets, turtles require large tanks, frequent cleaning, special filters, UVB lamps, dry basking areas, calcium supplements and chlorine neutralizing conditioner. That can be a lot of work! They also grow to be as big as a dinner plate and can live for 40 years - a long-term commitment. The next time you visit NIWRA, be sure to go for a walk or sit on a bench relaxing for a bit by the ponds. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~Update on our resident Steller's Jay~ It's with heavy hearts that we announce the passing this week of Nugget, our resident Steller's Jay. Nugget was found as a young bird begging for food and was obviously used to being around humans, so we deduce that he was raised as a pet. Because he didn’t know how to forage for food, he came to live at NIWRA. Named the provincial bird of B.C. in 1987, Steller’s jays are excellent mimics with a large repertoire; they can imitate birds, squirrels, cats, dogs, chickens and some mechanical objects. They are part of the Corvid family of birds along with ravens and crows. The oldest recorded Steller’s jay lived to age 16. Named after German botanist/explorer Georg Steller, Steller’s jays are generalist foragers; they eat insects, seeds, berries, nuts and small animals. They are notorious nest robbers, stealing eggs and nestlings. They will also eat garbage, unguarded picnic items and bird feeder fare such as peanuts, sunflower seeds and suet. Everyone at NIWRA is going to miss Nugget. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~Wildlife education~ Unwanted and carelessly discarded fishing line, hooks and netting cause entrapment, pain, injury and death to many fish, birds, turtles and other animals who live on or near the water. Waterfowl, fish and turtles can become entangled when swimming. Birds sometimes use fishing line to build nests which can entangle both parents and chicks, causing feather damage, lacerations and/or death. Ingested fishhooks are painful, dangerous and potentially fatal for the creatures that eat them as well as predators such as large birds or animals. This unfortunate bird has fishing line in its beak! Be thoughtful when you fish. Pick up and properly discard your fishing gear when you are done. Cut fishing line into small pieces before throwing it away or recycling it. If you see an animal or bird that is entangled, has swallowed a hook, or is injured by fishing line, contact a wildlife rehabilitation centre for advice. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA and further our public education programs by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~wildlife education~ Each year in Canada, around 25 million migratory birds die as a direct result of collisions with building windows. If you have ever had a bird hit one of your windows, you know the loud thump. Some survive the impact; sadly, some don't. If a bird hits one of your windows and is stunned, give it time to rest and heal. Gently pick up the bird and place it in a ventilated box and keep it in a quiet area for up to one hour. If you don't have a box, a sturdy paper bag on its side may work. Open the box outside and watch to see if the bird flies out. If it does not fly out, call a wildlife rehabilitation centre for advice. If you see a wing drooping, you may want to bring the bird into NIWRA. Bird window hits happen quite often. The window reflection is a continuation of their environment, so they are unaware of the imminent danger they face. There are various things you can do to try to prevent window strikes: apply images of hawks to the window, hang streamers, or cover the whole window. One method that definitely does not work is closing your curtains. The birdproofing needs to be applied on the outside of the window. Window decals with UV reflecting properties which can be seen by birds but not by people can be effective. Some birds have love affairs with windows in the springtime. They look at that handsome reflection of themselves and think they have found the perfect mate. You may hear fluttering about for several days but they will tire after a while and move on. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA and our education programs by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

At the beginning of June, a white raven was brought to NIWRA in need of help. During his three months with us, his health has dramatically improved and we have named him "Blizzard". Our animal care team has been keeping a close eye on this bird and reports a remarkable improvement in his overall health. Blizzard's follow-up exams address his unique health issues: Overall body condition Color of his mouth Condition of his feet and integrity of his talons Mobility of his wings and legs Touch response of his feet Condition of his feathers His improved condition and specialized care has resulted in a decrease in stress. His environment is carefully staged for enrichment and meets all his rehabilitative needs. Although Blizzard is still in intensive care and has a long road of recovery ahead, we are very optimistic for his future and really appreciate the concern and support he has received from our NIWRA friends. Thank you. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~from an article in Parksville Qualicum Beach News~ Each year, North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRA) admits hundreds of ill, injured or orphaned birds. Derek Downes, animal care supervisor at NIWRA, has some important words of advice about young songbirds: “…sometimes people intervene in a situation where they don’t necessarily need to …. Any time you have a situation, giving a [wildlife] rehab [or recovery] centre a call to guide you is the best thing, because sometimes the best course of action is getting the bird back up into the nest.” “Songbirds on Vancouver Island fledge on the ground, so they’ll spend three to four days on the ground. Sometimes you’ll see a fully feathered bird that’s hopping around on the ground and it can’t fly but it’s not in any sort of distress, it’s just the natural progression of things.” Do you know the difference between a nestling and a fledgling? Nestlings have few or no feathers, and if found on the ground, they need your help. These baby birds are too young to leave the nest and are unable to fly. Please contact NIWRA for guidance. This delicate nestling needs help. Fledglings are juvenile birds who have a mix of fuzzy down and adult feathers and are learning to fly. You may come across them hopping along on the ground, perching on low-hanging branches, or hiding under bushes, but as long as they’re healthy, just let them be. These two fledglings are singing for their supper. What’s the most important way the public can help young songbirds? Keep your pets indoors, especially your cats. We need your help to build a new improved treatment centre that will enable us to care for our little birds from nestling to fledgling to release. You can help by making a financial contribution on our secure website. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~Update on our resident Golden Eagle~ It's not easy to tell the sex of raptors like the golden eagle, so when a golden eagle was brought to NIWRA from Duncan, suffering from a gunshot wound to the wing, we gave it the royal name of King Alfred. Damage to the wing causes the flight feathers to be continuously thrown off, so the raptor cannot fly and is a non-releasable bird who will remain at NIWRA. After being at the centre for some time, “he” laid an egg! So now, we call her Queen Alfreda. Queen Alfreda is glad we finally figured out her gender. The golden eagle became a breeding raptor along the southeast coast of Vancouver Island in the 1940's. This corresponds with the introduction of the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit to the area, and the large logging clear-cuts that have encouraged their favourite prey species. The bottom of the golden eagle's foot is smooth, adequate for grasping and holding small mammal and bird prey. In contrast, the bottom of the bald eagle's foot is rough and adapted for grasping and holding its favoured prey – fish. She does look like royalty, doesn't she?! The golden eagle has a larger wingspan than the bald eagle, but overall is a bit smaller in size and weight. Come say hello to Queen Alfreda the next time you visit NIWRA. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!