Autumn Happenings

Salutations Upstate companions!

October is a fantastic month to be mountain folk! The air is crisp in the morning and warm in the afternoon, the trees are turning, and the smell of campfire smoke is bountiful in the air. Please bear with us this post, because it may it get a bit long winded. We have a lot going on, and a lot to report. So let's get started!

Upstate was asked to teach an advanced raptor rehabilitation class at the Great Smokey Mountain Institute in Tremont on Sept. 21, 2013. With the assistance of Theresa we put together a Powerpoint presentation. We must say that it went very well. We hope they enjoying learning as much as we enjoying teaching. It was a great experience to say the least.

Coopers Hawk Release

Saturday morning, before the evening class at Tremont, we met with the students and did a Coopers Hawk release. The Coopers Hawk came in with head trauma. Its head was literally upside down for nearly a week, and we were very happy to have her to (again guessing the sex due to heavier weight and larger size) recover, and be able to released her. We are sorry that we did not get a photo of her when she arrived, but there is one of her before release.

Tim and Roscoe

We here at Upstate have been working on Federal and State Permits for Education birds. Currently, Roscoe's (our Great Horned Owl) eye is healed, but needs to be monitored. He has a permanently dislocated first digit (hallux or his thumb), and a chronic degenerative joint disease in his right elbow joint. He has been declared non-releasable, and we have submitted all of the state and federal paperwork on him for him to be an educational bird. We will let everyone know when he is ready to take to programs! 

This past Saturday, September 28, we were at Tractor Supply in Maryville from 8:00am until 3:00pm.We had two tables set up with informational boards, as well as things to purchase to help support Upstate. The event was actually "Farm Day". It was a gorgeous day, and we walked away with $110.00 in donations! Our biggest sale items were the beautiful sets of owl pot holders, and the dish towels.Theresa has helped us make a display board for photos, and organize the second table of things we are selling for donations.

We'd really like to thank those crafty seamstresses who make things for Upstate to sell for donations. They not only donate their time and talents, but they also donate the materials to make the items they give to us. Natalie's mom, Helen Hockett, makes hand towels, cross stitches owls, makes cloth books, bags, and many other items which are all one of a kind creations that are truly amazing. Theresa Scherer, an Upstate Birds of Prey volunteer, helps with all of the crafty things we need help with, and also makes the awesome owl pot holders. Each set of pot holders is one of a kind, and come with an owl cookie recipe card. The hand sewn, functional items we sell for donations are limited in quantity, and again one of a kind creations!

Day 1 - Head Trauma

We also have a new patient, an Eastern Screech Owl/Red Phase, which came in with head trauma. We held a class for the first graders at Tate School in Knoxville, and while doing so we let the first grade class have the opportunity to name the red phase EASO (Eastern Screech Owl). They choose the fabulous name - Ruby!

Ruby on the left - Head held high!

We have purchased, and now have pea gravel in the mews, and waiting to be spread in the flight pens. We also have astroturf for the perches, and have stained everything - with the help of Scott and Theresa. Here's a look at the new flooring in the pins! Things are really coming together! Thanks to all the volunteers, and supporters!

As you know we work closely with "The Market" in Maryville, TN. We'd like to thank the patrons of "The Market" . Over the last two months we accumulated donations of $16.00. It may sound like a small amount, but every cent counts! 

Well I hope that gets everyone a bit caught up at least! We here at Upstate are doing fantastic, and hope our friends are as well! Thank you for all your support and love! 

Thankful,

Upstate