WAAAY OFF COURSE!!! - Posted on: 1/5/2012
This Juvenile Brown Booby was rescued by Chuck Fuller after Beth Reilly called from the Rod and Reel on Anna Maria to let us know that a bird had been on the dock for a couple of days. Thank you both!
There are only a handful of booby species, all occurring in warmer climates and preferring to nest on remote islands. Generally, these birds spend their lives in the water, only coming ashore to roost or to breed in colonies. This one is off course and waaay too far North. He is very weak and tired but we hope to successfully rehabilitate him then release him back into the wild a little further south.
Admission Effective 1/2/2012 - Posted on: 12/30/2011
In order to continue to provide optimal care to wildlife and our resident birds Save Our Seabirds will have to start charging admission effective Monday, January 2, 2012. The $5 per adult and $3 per child fee will only cover a fraction of our operating expenses but is a necessary change. We thank you in advance for your understanding and continued support.
November 2011 Newsletter - Posted on: 12/8/2011
The November 2011 Newsletter is now available!
November 2011 Newsletter.pdf
Bird Stories Update - Posted on: 12/8/2011
Channel 7 Live Broadcast at SOS - Posted on: 11/11/2011
Organization Says Be Cautious of What You Leave at the Beach
The link below is for the news story that was done live on November 11, 2011 on Channel 7 highlighting Save Our Seabirds and educating the community on being aware of the possible outcomes of not being careful and leaving trash behind on the beach. Martha, SOS Hospital Staff member, stayed late and put off a dinner engagement in order to properly represent the birds and the stories of their injuries. Thank you Martha!
http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/story/Organization-says-be-cautious-of-what-you-leave/5JwBgWu500mD70UjdDKsUQ.cspx (Click for story)
Methane Gas Burners - Danger to Birds - Posted on: 10/25/2011
The threat of methane gas burners to birds is not a new phenomenon, but rehabilitators recently have become more cognizant of the issue as casualties come into centers and have started making an effort to educate people and minimize impact. Raptors are burned when they land on or over burners installed to flare off the methane that accumulates inside sanitary landfills. Currently, no national statistics are available to estimate the number of birds killed, but anecdotal observation indicates that juvenile red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and. owls (Strigidae, Tytonidae) are species commonly attracted (Moller 2009). Injury takes place at landfills because the sites serve as excellent hunting grounds for birds of prey. Solid waste at landfills includes food items and attracts rodents. Furthermore, birds of prey may use the rising hot air from trash decomposition to help them soar (Mandel and Bildstein 2007). In the Wilson Journal of Ornithology, an article was published in 2007 about turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) using thermals above flared methane vents to provide soaring opportunities thus extending their daily activity (Mandel and Bildstein 2007). However, there apparently were fatal consequences of this thermal use, as workers at this particular landfill site in Pennsylvania reported finding turkey vulture carcasses at and near the bases of the vents.
Rehabilitators certainly can note trends, as they are in the forefront and see what is injuring and killing wild birds. They can even take a pro-active approach by checking local landfills. Ask if birds have been burned at the site. Make landfill operators and the Department of Natural Resources, or similar entity responsible for wildlife, aware of this issue. There are practical solutions. Rehabilitators can help landfill operators develop and install spikes or other excluders on the top of burner stacks (Siftar 2O0B; Moller 2009). Additionally, alternative perches (e.g., utility poles) can be placed at these sites. However, alternative perches are probably only a partial solution as the birds still may land on the burners if not prevented and the possibility of the poles puncturing the landfill liner must be taken into consideration (Moller 2009).
Animal and bird prosthetics in the news - Posted on: 10/10/2011
The movie "Dolphin Tale" and Wired Magazines article "Animal Prosthetics Help Human Amputees Move Again" show the progress bring made with prosthetics. Lee Fox and Chrissy are featured in the Wired Magazine article. Go to the following link to read the article"
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/09/ff_animalprosthetics/4/
Sarasota Bay Parrot Head Club Donation - Posted on: 8/27/2011
Nancy and Randy Styrk, General Board Members of the Sarasota Bay Parrot Head Club present Lee Fox with a check for $5,240.00. The Parrot Head club has generously supported Save Our Seabirds in the past with money and labor. Thank You!!
Crested Caracara rescued - Posted on: 8/27/2011
A Crested Caracara has been rescued after suffering a gunshot wound. The bird has a hole in it's wing about the size of a .22-caliber bullet. Karen Bennet from SOS rescued the bird from a farm near Myakka State Park. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering a reward for information leading to a conviction.
There are currently only 400 to 500 Caracaras in Florida. The caracara has been released from the hospital and can be seen in a cage at Save Our Seabirds across from the owls.
Black Swans - Posted on: 7/20/2011
A black swan and his mate are in residence at Save Our Seabirds. The male has bumble-foot (an infection on the bottom of his foot) and is being treated by Lee Fox. When he recovers he will be returned to his home in Sun City.
SOS to the rescue - Posted on: 7/19/2011
Lynn Zablo, a rescuer for Save Our Seabirds, rescued a Muscovy duck with a blow dart stuck through its head. The duck has had the dart stuck in its head for three weeks. Various local agencies tried to capture the duck without success. Lynn traveled over 150 miles down to Naples Florida to rescue the duck. She uses a net gun for difficult captures. The arrow has been removed and the duck is doing well under the care of Lee Fox at Save Our Seabirds in Sarasota, Florida.
A Welcome New Visitor to SOS - Posted on: 7/7/2011
SOS was pleasantly surprised when Ted, one of our compound habitat caretakers, informed Lee that there was a baby Pelican in the Pelican pen on the boardwalk.
It was assumed that a 5-6 month old Pelican had flown in because he was hungry, and hoped to catch a free meal. We DO NOT feed visiting birds!!
What a surprise to find that a baby Pelican had hatched from an egg laid by one of the resident Pelicans!!
Below, you will see a picture of the baby at about 1 hour and then at about 24 hours!!
Baby Pelican at 1 hour old Baby Pelican at 24 hours old
Non Profit of the Year - Posted on: 6/24/2011
On Wednesday evening, June 22, 2011, Save our Seabirds was awarded Best Non Profit of the year by the Longboat Key, Lido Key and Siesta Key Chambers of Commerce in a combined event at the Players Theater Company in Sarasota. Lee Fox, the Executive Director accepted the award which was an engraved plaque on behalf of the organization.
Save our Seabirds was recognized for it volunteers and employees tireless work seven days a week on behalf of the numerous injured Coastal birds which are brought to the sanctuary or rescued at the sight of their injury on a daily basis.
Save our Seabirds, located at 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway, is wholly dependent on donations. Its mission is to Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Release birds back into their natural habitat. The sanctuary is open to the public 7 days a week.
Nancy Curtis, Lee Fox, Ann Anderson
June 2011 Newsletter - Posted on: 6/9/2011
The June 2011 Newsletter is now available. Read about Leadership Sarasota, our new office manager Cynthia, and our first wedding at SOS.
June2011 Newsletter.pdf