Another bird day with guest presentation by OWL Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society whose mission is the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of raptors (eagles, falcons, hawks, osprey, owls, and vultures). The youth got to meet Flinger, a Roadside Hawk native to South America likely brought up to Canada illegally, as well as Jesse, a Barred Owl and who suffered a head trauma after being hit by a car. Was great to see the birds up close and learn about these amazing raptors. Who knew that owls could turn their heads 270 degrees or that Peregrine Falcons are the fastest bird and can dive at 320km/hr. Later we dissected Owl pellets, which we discovered are actually regurgitated rather than being pooped out because they include indigestible material left in the gizzard such as teeth, skulls, claws, and feathers and are too dangerous to pass through the rest of the owl’s digestive tract. Without knowing what the owls were fed, after dissecting the bones, we were able to determine if the owl had eaten a mouse, shrew, mole, rat and how many. As it turns out Owls usually eat two rodents/day. Was a pretty cool and interesting activity for the youth.
Grandview Woodland Food Connection 
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