MADISON CUB SCOUTS HELP A PLACE CALLED HOPE PRESERVE                                          WILDLIFE FOR THE FUTURE

"Madison's Den 5 Cub Scouts worked on completing several achievements towards earning their Bear Rank over the past several months", says Kathy Derken, Den Leader.  In order for each boy to earn Sharing Your Life with Wildlife, the boys began by visiting A Place Called Hope, a raptor rehabilitation and education center located in Killingworth.  It was there that there that the boys encountered live Birds of Prey who shared their personal stories of survival.

A Place Called Hope strives to reunite injured, orphaned or ill Birds of Prey back into the natural world.  The 3rd grade boys were able to learn more about the rehabilitation/care of resident and rehabilitating birds at the center.  They followed up this visit by contributing to A Place Called Hope's mission of preserving wildlife for the future by tackling the hands on project of building 18 American Kestrel Nesting Boxes.  Upon completion, the nesting boxes were donated to the raptor facility where they will be used to help increase the American Kestrel and the Eastern Screech Owl population across the state.  "We will be placing these boxes all over Connecticut" says Christine Cummings-Secki, President of A Place Called Hope.  "The goal being more of these native species will thrive as their natural habitat continues to decline and nesting opportunities diminish."

The Den then finished this achievement with an overnight trip to the Roger Williams Zoo to learn more about zoo careers and all the people that are necessary to make the zoo run on a daily basis.

At the same time, Madison Girl Scouts troop # 62262 also visited the center and decided to give to the birds by raising money through a local craft fair.  Personalized Stationery, Owl Pine Cone Ornaments, artistically designed Aprons were amongst the craft items.  The girls raised $118 dollars and presented the money to A Place Called Hope to help with the ongoing care of the birds.

"We are honored that these boys and girls showed such an interest in our local wildlife and were so enthusiastic about helping us to make a difference."  said Christine Cummings-Secki.  "These kids are our future and wildlife will depend on them.  Lucky for wildlife, this generation gets it."
In CT, it is common for Great Horned  Owls to nest in Eastern White Pine Trees. Nests can range in height from 50 - 100 feet up. Great Horned Owls don't build their own nests but take over abandoned or inactive nests that once belonged to Crows or Hawks. They nest earlier in the season than other Birds of Prey giving them choice pick.

Platform nests are constructed with a plywood base and heavy branches for the surrounding walls. Smaller pine branches are added and the entire nest can weigh 20lbs
Re-nesting Birds of Prey is a common scenario in the Springtime.  APCH believes that all fallen baby birds should be put back into original nests or as close as possible. Birds are best raised by birds.  We have developed a specialized "team" and some routine methods for carrying out these goals.  In the following photos one can see that this mission requires sufficient man and machine power.  Devoted Volunteers join together to reunite nest fall victims with their families and assure the best possible outcome for the wildlife involved.  This Increases the birds chances of survival by getting babies back where they belong! Safely returned to the primary care of their own parents and out of the reach of predators, these birds will resume the natural process of branching and fledging the nest successfully.. 
Not all nests are accessible by Boom Trucks.  Often climbing is necessary to re-unite families.  We at APCH are fortunate to have Bruce Fagan of American Home and Tree as our Boom Truck operator.
(203) 417-8031. Success requires teamwork!
Eastern Screech Owls  Three babies fell from their cavity nests in two separate locations.  They were re-nested in nesting boxes built by  cub scout troop Den 5 Madison, CT.  Success!
Barred Owl Release
Volunteer Tess Simhoni picked up this adult Barred Owl after it was struck by a car.  It was rehabbed and released after a brief stay at APCH.
Photo copywright Colin Andrews
Barred Owl Re-Nesting 2010
Barred Owls  are cavity dwellers. A nesting box was constructed from plywood and  fastened 30' up in an oak tree. 
This nestling was picked up on the side of the road.  Unharmed, we determined that it was a candidate for re-nesting provided the parents were active in the area.  As we determined the proper nesting site, both parents returned and took part in the re-nesting process.  As we cleaned up the site, Mom flew in and landed on a branch fifteen feet from the box.  We knew we had a reunion!
The very next morning, after revisiting the site to monitor the baby, Mom was spotted flying out from the nesting box.  Since birds are best raised by birds, we at APCH feel that these nestlings have a much better chance at survival.  This also means that these babies may grow to be capable of adding to future generations.
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