Caring For Native Birds — Thanks To You!

brcsonoma
5 days ago
4 min read

November brings crisp air, migratory visitors, and a season of gratitude. Here at The Bird Rescue Center, we are reflecting on the incredible community that makes our lifesaving work possible—a community that includes you!

Every bird we stabilize, every release we celebrate, and every child we inspire within the community begins with your support. Thank you for believing in the importance of wildlife, the need for human compassion and stewardship, and the beauty of second chances.

Please read on. Our November update includes:

Fulmar Fiasco Brings BRC to the Rescue
Spring Cleaning Comes Early for Owl Boxes
Volunteer Opportunity Working with Raptors
Tips for Supporting our Native Wild Birds this Winter

Storm-Tossed Travelers: Northern Fulmars Arrive At BRC

Earlier this month, we received a call from Roberta Chan, retired ranger assistant along The Sea Ranch coastline and long-time BRC volunteer, advising us of a mass stranding event of Northern Fulmars on the coastal beaches. Her call for help galvanized staff and volunteers to create a "survival train".

Coastal volunteers coordinated the beach rescue and provided overnight accommodations. The next morning, they met members of our BRC transport team in Jenner, who brought the stranded Fulmars the rest of the way to BRC for triage care: heat, fluids, nutrition and rest. For the next leg of the journey, volunteers were waiting at BRC to transport those birds stable enough to our sister organization, International Bird Rescue, in Fairfield. A few remained at BRC a little longer for more triage care. They were joined by even more fulmars rescued in the days following. Once they were all physically stable they, too, made the trek to Fairfield. At last report, all were recovering well.

Once these ocean voyagers are ready for release, we stand ready to reactivate the rescue train in reverse! We look forward to seeing these beautiful birds back in the skies over the ocean where they spend most of their lives.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who jumped into action or were at the ready to lend a hand (or vehicle) when the calls came in for these magnificent birds! Interested in taking part in a survival or release train? Email us here

Meet the Northern Fulmar

Northern Fulmars are remarkable seabirds who spend nearly their entire lives over the open ocean waters, only touching land to nest on rugged coastal cliffs. Cousins of the albatross, they are brilliantly adapted to life at sea, having a unique, salt-filtering gland that allows them to drink ocean water.

These birds can travel incredible distances in search of food and are powerful divers, plunging beneath the surface in pursuit of fish and squid. Fulmars can live more than 30 years, and they don’t begin breeding until they’re around ten, making every adult precious to the species’ future.

They are also famous for their defense strategy. When threatened, they produce a pungent stomach oil which they can project yards away to deter predators. It's effective… and unforgettable.

Every few years we experience a mass stranding of these beautiful ocean birds along our coastline. The exact cause of these strandings has been somewhat a mystery, but thanks to supporters like you, they receive specialized hydration, nutrition, and rest, and soon return to the wild where they belong.

You help ocean-born travelers reclaim the wind, the waves, and the sky.

Owl Boxes: Now Is The Time To Clean!

Prolific rodent hunters, owls are guardians of our local ecosystems. But even they need a little help from us humans from time to time.

Now is the perfect time to clean owl boxes— this year's babies have fledged, the adults are no longer sitting on the nest, and the boxes are finally empty. And when nest boxes aren't cleaned out regularly, debris builds up, creating a hazard for everyone.

A clean, refreshed box means:

• No leftover debris, pellets, or parasites

• No mold or bacteria from old nesting material

• A healthy, welcoming space when owls return in late winter

• A better chance for a successful brood in the spring

Cleaning now ensures that, come nesting season, owl families have a safe, healthy place to raise their young.

Need help with cleaning and maintaining your owl boxes? Please visit our friends over at BOMP (Barn Owl Maintenance Program)!

Thank you for caring for the wild creatures who sustain our environment.

Together, we can protect our owls—one clean box, at a time.

Join Our Clinic Raptor Program!

From massive Golden Eagles to the tiniest Northern Pygmy Owls, BRC rehabilitates over 200 birds of prey every year. This important work relies on a dedicated team of Clinic Raptor Volunteers.

These volunteers are trained to support Raptor Team staff with every aspect of care from intake to release: hands-on medical exams and treatment, cleaning, diet prep and feeding, and more.

We are now taking applications for this robust, year-round volunteer position. Applications will be accepted through the end of November or until all available spaces have been filled.

To apply, please fill out this application form. Requirements for this role are included. You can help birds stay safe and soaring freely this Halloween by being thoughtful about decorating your yards and providing food, water and shelter for those migrating south.

Help Birds Weather The Winter Season