Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research

MONTHLY FLYER
A Volunteer Newsletter

November 2018

Celebrating 42 years of excellence in

wildlife rehabilitation and research

Photo: snyders/moonbeampublishing Compiled by Tri-State staff and volunteers

GIANT YARD SALE WAS A GIANT SUCCESS!

Guests (one wearing a really cool shirt) searched for treasures among the thousands of
items offered at our Giant Yard Sale. Staff photo

Over fifty fabulous volunteers contributed to making 2018’s Giant Yard Sale a boon for the birds. This is
our second-largest annual fundraiser, and it requires hundreds of hours of participation. Volunteers stepped up
to the plate and assisted with every aspect of the event. Ellie, Tom, Pat, Maryanne, and Elizabeth spent three
days a week during the hot summer months accepting, sorting, cleaning, pricing, and boxing the thousands of
items generous donors delivered to Tri-State. Set-up at the site was a massive effort. On the Thursday before
the sale, thirty-eight volunteers started filling tables with books and albums, CDs and DVDs. On Friday, the
arrival of the treasure-filled truck saw dozens of volunteers off-load, unpack, and expertly fill the tables with
merchandise. The big event on Saturday brought out hundreds of community members who sorted through
and selected items for purchase. Staff and volunteers assisted attendees in purchasing their selections and
even helped carry them to their cars. The $10,088.37 raised will go a long way to proving care to our patients!
The remaining items not purchased were repacked, and a local chapter of the Lions Club picked up, delivered,
and donated them to citizens in need in one of the five poorest counties in the country located in Kentucky.
Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research 2

Left: Volunteers unloaded the donated items for setup. Center: Volunteers formed an
assembly line to get the goods to the tables. Above right: Dennis and Patrick marched to
the beat of their own drum. Staff photos

The Giant Yard Sale was a win/win

for everyone, including our
patients. A huge thank you to
everyone who participated. This
monumental event would not be
possible if it wasn’t for Tri-State’s
amazing volunteers!

Warren and Charles unpacked and set up the artwork. Staff

photo

Left: Mary kept the

housewares table
well-stocked.

Right: Harmon
helped customers in
the electronics
section. Staff photos

Marie assisted attendees with the ins Elizabeth and Fran checked out guests Tyler talked toys to interested
and outs of the sale. Staff Photo with a smile! Staff Photo customers. Staff Photo
Monthly Flyer, November 2018 3

IN CELEBRATION OF A SHINING STAR

On October 24th, we were proud to attend the 2018 Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards.
Marian, one of our long-term volunteers, was honored for her dedicated service to Tri-State. Since 1996,
Marian has spent thousands of hours filling nearly every role a volunteer can including hands-on bird care,
transporting patients, teaching about wild bird injury prevention, patient habitat enrichment, attending
outreach events, to being a CORE member of our Oiled Wildlife Team. This just scratches the surface of what
Marian does for Tri-State and our native wildlife. We are deeply
grateful for all the time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears she has
given to us and the birds. Thank you, Marian, and
congratulations!

Delaware Governor John Carney (right) and State Representative Dave Wilson (left) present Marian with the well-deserved Outstanding
Volunteer Service Award. Tri-State volunteers, staff, and board members attended the ceremony in support of magnificent Marian!

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE TERRIFIC TRANSPORT TEAM

There was a lot going on downstate
on September 29th. Twice a year,
the patient transport team gathers
for a ‘working’ luncheon—one
before the start of the baby bird
season in April and one when the
hectic baby bird season is over in
September. The purpose of the
luncheon is to provide an
opportunity for the volunteers to get
to know their fellow transporters
and to build a cohesive team.
Maryanne, who hosts the luncheon,
is an active board member and
volunteer transporter. Before the
luncheon, she reflected on how,
when she started volunteering with
Tri-State, there were only two
transporters for the southern half of From left to right are: Ray, Rick, Chris, Jodi, Mick, Maryanne, Orval, Alan, Melody
the state and its borders. (volunteer manager), Linda (front desk), Robyn, Lorna, Laura, Erin, Teresa, Ron,
and Holly.
Over the last five years, she has diligently recruited more people to serve as volunteer transporters south of
the canal. Now there is a network of 32 volunteers who proudly refer to themselves as a transporter for Tri-
State Bird Rescue & Research! In Maryanne’s words, “Because we have built up a downstate team, it has
made the summers less crazy and long. We all are helping one another, which in turn helps the birds to get
up to Tri-State at a faster pace to receive the help and medical care that they need.” Thank you, team!
Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research 4

GOING, GOING, GONE….AND IT’S A GREAT THING!

Nancy released Turkey Vulture patient 18-2945 that came to us from another rehabilitation center. The
juvenile had feather damage and was unable to fly. Its tail feathers were broken and multiple primaries were
damaged along the tips. It was determined that imping feathers was not necessary as the vulture was
observed on camera flying from the ground to low perches to high perchs and between high perches. It was
eating well, gaining strength and weight and, after a period of expert care by volunteers and staff and some
straightening of feathers, the raptor was ready for release.

TWO FLY BACK TO THE SKY!

Fran released one of
two Red-Tailed Hawks
back to the wild on
October 9th. Arriving
thin, neurologic, and a
suspect of West Nile
Virus, the adult patient
was in our care for a
little over a month.

Professional care was

the key to the hawk’s
success in regaining
its health and vitality.
Thank you volunteers
for your contribution
to the raptor’s return
to where it belongs.
Monthly Flyer, November 2018 5

RELEASE ROUND TWO!

The heart of Tri-State’s mission is the goal of returning healthy birds to their natural environment. We would
not be able to achieve this objective without the team of devoted volunteers stepping up to the plate for each
and every patient that comes through our doors. The second successful release of the day on October 9th also
involved another set of volunteer hands. Marie skillfully released patient 18-1962 that had been in our care for
three months recuperating from a humerus fracture and various injuries after being hit by a vehicle. This adult
Red-tailed Hawk displayed its return to solid health when it took flight back to the wild.

OTHER RELEASES OF NOTE IN OCTOBER

Two Bald Eagles, two Blackpoll Warblers, a Black-throated Blue Warbler, a Canada Goose, ten Carolina Wrens,
a Common Yellowthroat, a Cooper’s Hawk, three Eastern Screech Owls, a Golden-crowned Kinglet, a Gray
Catbird, five House Finches, a Mallard, six Mourning Doves, a Northern Cardinal, a Palm Warbler, an additional
Red-tailed Hawk, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and a Swainson’s Thrush were all released in October. Many, many
hands spent innumerable hours providing each of these patients with expert and dedicated care. Without the
commitment of so many volunteers, these release stories would not have been possible. Thank you for your
many hours of hard work and your dedication to giving these patients a second chance.

GROWING OUR VOLUNTEER NETWORK

This past month, we held two Volunteer Information

sessions for interested members of the community who
wanted to find out more about available volunteer
opportunities at Tri-State and join our growing flock of
dedicated and hardworking volunteers. Thirty people
attended the sessions to learn about our mission and how
they might contribute as a future volunteer. Both sessions
were led with the help of current volunteers who were
able to share their first hand experiences, knowledge, and
why they enjoy volunteering with Tri-State.

Future volunteers attend one of two information sessions in

October led by staff and current volunteers. Staff photo
Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research 6

The opportunities we are specifically recruiting for this time of year include adult
bird care, clinic support, front desk reception, and transporting. During the
information session, it was discovered that most attendees were already familiar
with our organization and the work we perform. Some had brought birds to us,
follow our Facebook page, or know current staff and volunteers.

BARCLAYS BANK EMPLOYEES DONATE

DAY FOR DUTIES!
Continuing their tradition of volunteering at
Tri-State, Barclays Bank US of Wilmington
employees joined us for a day of service this
past week with a record 31 volunteers! Robert
Burnham, VP Quality Engineering, has served
as the service day coordinator with Barclays for
the last 9 years. He was excited to continue
this tradition and reached out to us to schedule
a service day for his team. Volunteers assisted
with outdoor cage sand removal,
painting/staining of cages and our deck and
stairs, and some general landscaping and
grounds clean-up including weeding and
mulching. The afternoon culminated in a group photo and a resounding thanks from the Tri-State staff. We
look forward to hosting their volunteer group again!

VOLUNTEER ANNIVERSARIES—THANK YOU FOR BEING A MEMBER OF TRI-STATE’S FLOCK

WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!

17 years: Erika Schirm 15 years: Terri Shankie 9 years: Joanne Stickle

2 years: Jerry Spilecki, Dawn De Muth, Sue Mackenzie, and Teresa Swinscoe.

Jerry Spilecki holding Osprey patient 18-3041

Handling raptors is an advanced skill that Jerry has mastered. As any Bird
Care Assistant will tell you, weighing a bird is so much more than just a
number—the progression and status of the bird is also being evaluated.
Thank you Jerry!
Monthly Flyer, November 2018 7

Fly Me to the Loon! Celebrating the 2018 Benefit for the

Birds, THIS Friday, November 9, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Our biggest fundraiser of the year is returning to the Chase Center
on the Riverfront in Wilmington. This year’s theme is “A Night in
Vintage Vegas,” and the house will be flush with entertainment,
complete with the sounds of Sinatra
and casino games like Blackjack and
Roulette. All proceeds help our
patients and programs and allow us to
continue our mission, as we have for
the past 42 years.
Tickets are still available!

Don’t miss out on this fabulous fiesta to benefit the birds. It’s sure to turn up Aces.

Bidding is now open for our online ‘Hawk’tion!

Don’t gamble on our wildlife! Bid and support Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research to save birds’ lives.

Featuring over fifty fabulous items!

Bidding ends on Friday, November 9th, 2018 at 10:00 p.m. EST.

There will be a paper auction with different items at the Benefit.

This is yet another event that is made possible

by a league of volunteers. Please contact Chris
Chapdelaine with any questions about volunteer
opportunities at cchapdelaine@tristatebird.org or
at (302) 737-9543, ext. 109.