Save-A-Bird Team: Report on Helping Injured Birds
by Bea Harrison
Bea Harrison with a Rescued Owlet
One never knows what tomorrow will bring when you set out to be a conservationist with Spokane Audubon…..When it came to our attention that young hawks, eagles and other birds were abandoning their nests during last year’s record heat wave, and there were no local wildlife rehabilitators to help them, Spokane Audubon devised a plan to transport injured birds to Washington State University (WSU) Wildlife Ward in Pullman.
We needed to start a bird Uber! Of course, most Uber drivers don’t have to contend with passengers who have sharp beaks and talons! For the November 16th general meeting, Spokane Audubon Society (SAS) “Save A Bird Team” leader Bea Harrison will provide an update of volunteer efforts to assist injured birds.
In coordination with the Spokane office of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the team started fielding calls for help with sick or orphaned birds last March. Since then, the team has grown and matured into a well-oiled machine, not only transporting birds, but also giving advice to individuals who find themselves with a wild bird in crisis.
Bea’s presentation will include many photos of rescued birds and lots of interesting and sometimes humorous stories about team efforts to save birds.
Bea is a self-taught naturalist and avid conservationist. She was formerly with The Nature Conservancy and has worked for the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks, and Smithsonian Institute. She and her husband, Jim, volunteer for local non-profits and conservation groups. They are both on the Spokane Audubon board and leaders on the Save-A-Bird initiative.
This month’s meeting will be held at The Hive, a Spokane Public Library facility at 2904 E. Sprague Ave., where there is plenty of parking. Please plan to arrive around 6:15pm to have time to “meet and greet” before the presentation starts at 6:30pm sharp. And as an added bonus to participating in-person, we will have calendars for sale.