Raptor Center of Southeast Michigan

By Dody Wyman

When I announced my retirement from raptor rehabilitation the first time, I donated half of my large raptor reconditioning enclosure to an organization in Dayton, Ohio and the other half to an organization in Coldwater, Michigan. For numerous reasons, the larger half that went to Coldwater was taken apart a couple of years ago and the panels stacked up in piles. Now that Alysha has incorporated a brand-new nonprofit and is applying for her own permits, we needed to put those panels back to work.

We received a very welcomed grant to reconstruct this enclosure and buy the missing lumber needed to finish it, make perches, and be sure our top is solid.

But where to set this up? Alysha’s backyard isn’t big enough, and we are not home enough to look after any birds on our property. Our “sister” organization, Michigan Avian Experience headed by Francie Krawcke, came to our rescue. They have enough property to accommodate this 56’ by 16’ enclosure. When it’s not being used to recondition the larger rehabilitated raptors for release, Francie will use it to train more of her birds to free fly for audiences. Win-win.

Raptor Report from ALYSHA Albrecht

Gosh, where has the time gone. It’s already November and snow has fallen. This fall we released a GHOW that was brought to us, from the finder, in Milan. We’ve seen a lot of turkey vulture as well, but sadly they were all to injured to survive, and even got a call about a hatchling osprey.

We also took in a juvenile red tail hawk and eastern screech owl, that we suspect were both hit by cars. The Hawk is doing great, but will mostly like not be released. This means we will be feeding him many mice as we decide what is best for him. The owl is currently undergoing physical therapy and we are hoping for a release, but time will tell.

Please consider donating to help us feed these two birds and the other birds to come. Mice are expensive! Any donation amount helps!

We spread our wings for long-time volunteer, Bill Thompson

Sadly we lost a long-time wonderful volunteer this fall. Bill Thompson from Brooklyn was well known in many circles. His amazing skills at capturing and transporting injured (mostly) red-tailed hawks to us will be greatly missed. But more than those skills, his positive personality, presents of home-grown honey, and devotion to wildlife and nature will be missed by everyone who knew him. Rest in peace, Bill. And prayers and hugs to his wife, Linda.