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SPAS Contribution helps Avian Center become a Real Home
According to Gabe Vargo, Birds of Prey Program Director and SPAS Board Member, Avian Center volunteers installed a new desk, shelves, cabinets and other improvements.

Gabe wrote, "We will now have a chance to keep everything we use at hand, in a clean roach free environment.  We still plan to add bookshelves over the desk, white boards and cork boards on the wall, and bring in the large chest freezer that is currently still in the tram shed.  It will go in the space to the left of the upright freezer and frig."

The large shelves in the alcove are for holding the large travel crates that we use to isolate any of our birds that need to be treated on a regular basis.  We plan to add an hanging "door" to isolate the area to provide a quiet environment for our patients.  All in all it took awhile but we finally have a real home!"


AVIAN CENTER DEDICATION — BOYD HILL NATURE PRESERVE
Photo by Mark Dietrich

December 10, Gabe Vargo, Birds of Prey Program Director, Mauri Dietrich, Judi Hopkins, several other board members, Boyd Hill staff, the Friends of Boyd Hill volunteers, as well as special guest, Karl Nurse, St. Petersburg City Councilman, attended the long-awaited dedication
and opening of the Avian Center during Wildlife Weekend. In 2011, Mauri Dietrich, past SPAS President, worked with the SPAS board to provide partial financial support for this worthwhile project. She was asked to say a few words during the ceremony and conveyed that this achievement exemplifies Audubon’s mission.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve's last missing bird, Shadow, is rescued

BIRDS OF PREY ALL SAFE AT BOYD HILL

Shadow is back in her cage. The partially blind, red-shouldered hawk was the last of eight birds released last month by a vandal at Boyd Hill to be safely returned to the nature park's aviary.  A suspect has been charged with animal cruelty and burglary.

These birds of prey are kept in captivity because they are injured and can probably not survive in the wild on their own. My thanks to Boyd Hill bird-lovers, volunteers, staff and neighbors in the Lake Maggiore area for helping us retrieve and return all the birds to their safe-keeping.  

This incident reminds us of what a treasure we have in the center of our city at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Now that beautiful Fall weather is upon us, why not visit Boyd Hill. For just $3 (children $1.50), bring your family and explore 245 acres of natural, pristine Florida. Don't miss Autumn Harvest on October 15 and Art Arbor in November. For more information, visit www.stpete.org/boyd .

While at Boyd Hill, drop by the aviary and say hello to Shadow.