Topic: Owl Foundation has long history of helping raptors

Ralph Stefan introduced Marcie Jacklin, a volunteer with the Owl Foundation, a Rehabilitation Centre for wild owls and other raptors in Vineland at Jordan Harbour.

Marci, a former Brock librarian and active birder who earned a national award for enduring commitment to conservation, said the foundation has two groups of owls – those that need long-term care and those that are nursed back to health and prepared for release back to the wild.

The Owl Foundation, which was founded by Kay and Larry McKeever in the 1970’s, is a registered charity. It is not open to the public but regular donors are invited once a year to observe the work that is being done.

Marci pointed out that baby owls must even learn what species they belong to. Young or injured owls are rehabilitated back to good health and are then released as close as possible to their natural habitat.

She described some of the unique physical qualities of owls. Their large eyes don’t move but owls are able to turn their heads up to 270-degrees. They can both see and hear from great distances. Because most owls are active at night and have excellent camouflage plumage, they can be very difficult to spot and Marci said your best chance of finding one is to listen for its sound.

Marci played a variety of sounds made by different species but probably only an expert would recognize some of them as an owl’s call as they ranged from screeching to barking.

Marcie listed the various types of common owls that can be seen in this area: Eastern Screech Owl which is just robin-sized, Great Horned Owl, Long Eared Owl, North Saw-whet Owl, Short-eared Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl and Snowy Owl which is becoming more common in Niagara.  She said nesting owls can be very protective and urged everyone to respect an owl’s space and not disturb or make them feel threatened. If you find an injured animal, she recommended that you not touch it but notify an expert rehabilitator.

Jim Cameron, a long-time contributor to the foundation, thanked Marcie for her informative talk and presented her with a gift certificate in token of appreciation.