FEATURE
Page 6
THE CLACKAMAS PRINT
ELC provides habitat for predatory birds
by Cathryn Bangs
Contributing Writer
On a recent gloomy midwin
ter day numerous large birds sat
perched quietly in tall cages. Their
feather coats were fluffed to cap
ture the warmth of their bodies.
Occasionally one turned its head
to peer at a visitor.
They watched like hawks...
On display at the John Inskeep
Environmental Learning Center
(ELC) are 11 birds of prey. In
cluded in the collection are a
screech owl, a kestrel (or sparrow
hawk), a great homed owl, and
many red-tailed hawks.
All of the birds have had inju
ries directly or indirectly because
of the impact of humans and are
unable to live on their own in the
wild.
Lesley Winnop is the Birds of
Prey coordinator for the ELC, a
position she has held for three
years. Her lifelong involvement
with animals led her to volunteer
at the Washington Park Zoo eight
years ago. She has supplemented
her experience with Bird Reha
bilitation classes offered by the
Audubon Society.
As coordinator for the ELC
program Winnop’s job involves
all aspects of caring for the birds,
training them, exercising them and
handling them at educational
presentations.
Predatory birds have been
getting a lot of attention in recent
years. Winnop explains why:
“None of the birds housed
here are on the endangered spe
cies list but are important as
‘environmental indicators.’”
Because they prey on mam
mals and insects (the owl eats
insects), fluctuations in their
populations caused by environ
mental factors will have a measur
able effect on the predators’ health
and reproduction.
“They indicate the health of
our environment,” Winnop said,
citing the familiar story of DDT
causing thin egg shells and a great
drop in particular bird popula
tions.
“They’re at the top of the food
chain. What affects these birds
affects us as well,” elaborated
Winnop.
Winnop uses some of the birds
for educational presentations,
There are many red-tailed hawks on display at the ELC. The
predatory birds at the ELC travel to schools to do educational
presentations, and part of the point of doing the presentations
The great horned owl is another predatory birds in the Birds of
Is to dispel the "many myths* surrounding Birds of Prey.
Prey exhibit at the ELC.
Photo by Lane Scheideman
Photo by Lane Scheideman
taking them to schools or giving
talks at the Center.
“The birds really get their (the
children’s) attention,” Winnop
said.
As Winnop goes through a
presentation she works to dispel
the “many myths” surrounding
birds of prey.
One myth is the idea of the
“chicken hawk” hunting barnyard
chickens. According to Winnop,
predatory birds are actually help
ful in controlling the rodent popu
lations. Insect populations too,
are kept in natural control by owls.
Many hawks are still shot,
Winnop explained, injuring them
and eventually causing the injured
wing to be amputated. If they are
found they end up at rehabilita
tion centers around the state.
During Winnop’s presenta
tions for children she explained
how she “loves to watch their faces
... to see the light bulb go on”
when they see the birds.
About the hawks Winnop said,
“They each have a different per
sonality.”
Tinkerbell is a large female
though Winnop admits the name
doesn’t suit her. This hawk had a
history of neglect and abuse and is
becoming more aggressive as she
ages.
Black, another female, has a
bruised wing, but is being used in
more presentations.
Winnop keeps a close watch
on the birds’ diet of mice and chicks.
They will eat from 25 to 125 grams
depending on the size of the bird.
Winnop must keep the birds
that are able to fly at a “flying
weight.” This is a crucial weight
where the bird is light enough to
fly but not so hungry that it will fly
away to hunt.
The bird is first flown on a
“creance line,” a long tether .
tached to the thongs around its
lower legs. Tinkerbell flies with a
line, Black has been “free flown,”
without any line.
Little Bit, a sparrow hawk, is
the smallest of the birds. This one
winged male is housed indoors,
where his beautiful plumage can
be admired at close range. He
recently became a resident when
an old snag containing his nest
was chopped down, killing his mate
and their young.
The ELC may be the recipi
ent of an eagle later this year.
Details have yet to be worked out
with the donor, according to
Winnop.
Only certain facilities are able
to keep birds of prey. Permits are
required from state or federal
agencies.
’ Public awareness is important
to save these birds.
“Education is where it’s going
to come from,” Winnop said.
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