"BIRDS IN FLIGHT"
PRESENTATION
GYRFALCON
THIS FALCON RETIRED FROM THE ALASKAN AIRPORT!
HEATHER MERRITT
ONE
LARGE
SURPRISE!
ONE
SMALL
EGG
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
THE TURKEY VULTURE!
Niles Cub Scout Pack 135 had a special presentation take place during their November Pack Meeting which was held at the Niles Senior Center on November 15. Parents Club of Troop 31, Inc. planned the "Birds in Flight" presentation for the Scouting families, which was also open to the public. Heather Merritt whom is State and Federally Licensed Rehabilitator, spoke about safety precautions which the public should use while outdoors. Her bird sanctuary is located in Howland. Items such as fishing line, rope, and common mouse poisoning, were placed inside seperate plastic jars, and passed around to those attending the event. Heather explained about numerous animal injuries caused by these objects, and proper procedures to discard these items the correct way, to benefit our environment, which we share with many animals. Some of the stories shared had a good ending, however many of the animals perished due to the injuries. "Remember, whatever you take outside, on your family hiking trips or camping trips, need to come back home," stated Heather Merritt, as she held up a jar containing fishing line that killed Swans.
Aimee Pico a licensed educator explained various facts about the birds, as Heather walked around the crowd. A retired Gyrfalcon screeched out to the Scouts, as they were told that his previous job was at an Alaskan airport to clear birds, ducks or Canadian Geese away from the runway, for safety of the airplanes. The Gyrfalcon's dive is 353 mph. "His duty was called, Bird Abatement," stated Heather as the Gyrfalcon remained perched on her arm. Aimee explained the reasoning on why an owl's head does turn, and to notice the size of their eyes, as it was shown to the Scouts. Heather instructed the crowd that eggs found in the wild, should never be brought home to be incubated. The story was told of a gentleman finding eggs in the wild, thinking that they were wild turkey eggs, he took them home to incubate. With time and to his surprise, the bird grew, he actually had a turkey vulture! The Turkey Vulture is now a resident at the Howland "Birds in Flight" sanctuary. It is illegal to take eggs, feathers, even parts of the nest from the wild. The event was very informative and numerous questions were asked by children and adults alike. If interested in having the Birds in Flight attend you event, Parent Club of Troop 31, Inc. suggest you contact Heather Merritt and reserve your date for your sponsored event by reaching her via website: Birdsinflight.com.