ARC Comes to Audubon

Some of our friends from the Avian Reconditioning Center stopped by the Orange Audubon meeting this month to discuss how they help injured raptors. It was a great presentation. They also brought some nice birds to show to the crowd during the talk.

One of these birds was a recovering Barn Owl. Beautiful birds.



Next up, Carol presents a dark morph Short-tail Hawk.



Finally, Paula displays a Swallow-tail Kite. Meanwhile, on the table, an American Kestrel listens on.



I have posted about the Avian Reconditioning Center several times before. We often band some of their birds before they are released back into the wild. If you are interested in reading those posts just click on the link to them at the bottom of this post.

Owl Banding at the ARC

It is that time of year again when birds that have made it to the Avian Reconditioning Center in Apopka are ready to be released. We have been informed that many birds of different species will be readied for release in the next couple of weeks. The first of these birds were 3 Barn Owls.

Here is the first lucky customer that will be fitted with a new band before release.



Carol McCorkle collects and holds each bird as Richard applies the band.



The main order of business was finished quickly so I checked out a new addition to the center before heading back to work. The McCorkles have added an outdoor section to one of the mews so the young birds can get acclimated to the outdoors more quickly. Right now it is occupied by a few Red-shouldered Hawk chicks.



In due time, these chicks will also get banded and released.



Can't wait!