Altitude Adjustment

Our brother-in-law called Saturday evening to see if we wanted to go to the Wichita Mountains on Sunday. My wife's sister always calls it "an altitude adjustment". As always we really enjoyed the trip. It is fun and relaxing no matter who you get to see, or not see.

On the way there we saw Red-tailed Hawks, a Great Blue Heron, Cooper's Hawk, Meadowlarks, Red-winged Blackbirds and a Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk). While driving through the mountains we saw Canada Geese, Grebes, Mallards, Meadowlarks, sparrow (too far for positive I.D.), and another Northern Harrier.

We also spotted the occasional buffalo, saw plenty of long horn cattle and wondered about the deer and elk. At 5:30pm, as we were leaving, we spotted a herd of 9 buffalo. We pulled over to the shoulder of the road and as we were watching the buffalo we saw 5 White-tailed deer. One was a very large buck and was obviously interested in a doe. He did a sudden turn around and we saw a smaller buck approaching the same doe. That is, until he spotted the larger buck. He lowered his head and made a very wide detour around the big guy. While watching him, we spotted some brown spots higher up the hill. Binoculars brought a herd of 16 Elk into view. They were all does and yearlings.

A great day in the Wichita's made even better by the wildlife!

P.E.T.S. PANTRY

Wild Bird Rescue will be at P.E.T.S. Pantry 1st Annual Community Pet Food Drive tomorrow. This event is being sponsored by Purina Rally to Rescue. P.E.T.S. (Prevent Euthanasia Through Sterilization" is answering the need for those individuals that are having a difficult time buying food for their families and their pets. Due to the economy, job loses, etc. some people have found they can no longer afford to support their beloved pets. There are senior citizens NOT buying the medications they need so they can afford to feed their furry children. PETS Pantry will assist these people in their time of need.

The event is tomorrow from 10am - 2pm at PETS LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC, BERENDS LANDING, 500 WICHITA STREET. Wild Bird Rescue has been invited to be a part of this and we will have a booth with our gift shop items available for sale. You can bring dog and/or cat food to support the pantry and swing by WBR's booth for some Christmas shopping and support WBR. Missi, our Avian Ambassador will be at our booth to great you.

Other organizations scheduled to be there are; Miss Fannie, Healing Hearts, WF Humane Society, American Brittany Rescue, Chihuahua Rescue & Transport, 3B Rescue, Animal Control, Curly Canines and the Wichita Falls Obedience Club. There will be baked goods and refreshments available.

COME SEE US - ADMISSION IS FREE!

Sandhill Cranes

I have watched four small flocks of Sandhill Cranes flying over the Rescue Center today. We had word they were at Hackberry Flats. There was a spotting at Hackberry of a flock of Sandhill Cranes that had a Whooping Crane with them. That would be so neat to see a Whooper. They are the most endangered bird in North America. Maybe one of these days.....

Burrowing Owl Saga

The saga of our Burrowing Owl has come to an end. One of our supporters has a ranch with a prairie dog village. The village has numerous Burrowing Owls living there. We were allowed to take our owl there and release him. This is the first Burrowing Owl in the five years I have been with Wild Bird Rescue and only the second in our history. He is now free and residing with prairie dog and other Burrowing Owl friends.

2010 Big Sit

The Rolling Plains Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists hosted this year's "Big Sit". This is about the easiest way to watch birds. Every one stays within a 17 foot radius and I.D. birds as they come to you. Needed equipment is your chair, binnoculars, and bird book. If a bird is heard or spotted, you can leave the circle for a better I.D. But, it only counts if you first spot the bird from the circle.

This is the fourth year Phyllis & I attended and the first year we did not freeze sitting on the shore line of Lake Wichita. The bad part was the lower number of birds we saw in the warmer weather. Species seen were; Mallards, Killdeer, Great-tailed Grackle, Common Grackle, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Red-winged Blackbird, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Rock Pigeon, Blue Jay, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Northern Mockingbird, White-winged Dove, Chimney Swift, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Eurasian Collard Dove, Double-crested Cormorant, American Robin, Red-tailed Hawk and Turkey Vulter. The photo shows us in a quandry, do we ID the Mallard, or is the Mallard trying to ID us? She waddled up the path as we were leaving and walked right into the middle of the group.

Burrowing Owl Came in Today

A Burrowing Owl apparently flew into some windows chasing insects. He has head trauma and is a "wait and see" patient. He's eating well, though, so hopefully we should release him soon.

Ideas for Christmas Gifts

Plush birds.
$6.00.









Bird houses crafted by our co-founder, Marty Maxwell.
$10.00

















Note cards designed by students from the Wichita Falls Independent School District
$10.00










NEW! 2011 calendar featuring birds raised, saved, and released from Wild Bird Rescue.
Photography by the Red River Photography Club and rehabbers such as Lila Arnold, pictured at right with Missi, Avian Ambassador.
$10.00
















The 2011 calendar shows Texas State Representative David Farabee releasing a Red-tailed Hawk from Wild Bird Rescue.









WE GIVE A HOOT t-shirt designed by Lila Arnold, Wild Bird Rescue's rehabber and educational director.
$10.00.











Please email me, Bob, at bob.wildbirdrescue@yahoo.com, or phone me at (940)691-0828.

Your purchase helps us continue to save wild birds. Your further contribution is tax deductible.