Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research

FY 2022 Bird Preservation & Protection Programs: BIRD CARE The clinic admitted 4256 birds between these dates. Over 120 different neotropical species which included over 1,800 individuals. The clinic admitted 162 different species during this time period. Some of the specialty birds that the clinic admitted were: 93 bald eagles, 30 ruby-throated hummingbirds, 55 chimney swifts, 55 Eastern screech owls, 85 wood ducks, 24 purple martins and 11 Northern gannets. The number one species represented in the clinic was the American robin making up 32.6% of our caseload (424 individuals). The clinic released over 940 individuals during the above time period with a survival rate after the first 24 hours of 67.44%. Out of those released over 284 orphans were reunited with their parents or placed in a foster family (non-biological). This includes raptors, song birds, waterfowl and wading birds. Some of the causes of injury that the clinic sees are: attack by cat (280 individuals), hit by vehicle (477 individuals), and displaced from nest (717 individuals). The summer is the busiest time of year and only 29% of the caseload is adult birds. During the summer the clinic admitted 3,602 birds and at its height admitted 45 birds in one day. The three most prevalent states that bring us admissions are Delaware 52.3% (2226 individuals), Pennsylvania at 21.2% (903 individuals) and Maryland at 19.7% (838 individuals).

FY 2022 VOLUNTEER SERVICES AND EDUCATION SERVICES This program includes training and materials for volunteers, in addition to educational workshops for the public. The Tri-State team invests a lot of training into their volunteers to prepare them for their service in the field of wildlife rehabilitation. It is also part of Tri-State's mission to promote stewardship of wild birds and wildlife through education. This is accomplished through educational workshops and outreach programs for local and neighboring communities. Education is an important component of Tri-State's mission. It is achieved by providing information for the public as well as through colleague outreach, and intern and volunteer programs. Tri-State supported improved excellence in wildlife care by training other wildlife professionals, oil spill contingency personnel, and over 432 students and volunteers. Tri-State staff and volunteers presented topics at local, regional and international conferences. Through the wildlife medicine class at the University of Pennsylvania, Tri-State's staff taught 106 first year veterinary students in the Spring of 2021, and 110 in the Fall of 2021. Tri-State held a virtual workshop for veterinary students as part of the On-Line Special Species Symposium held at UPENN in Spring 2021, reaching over 100 students from several schools. Also in the Spring of 2021, Tri-State veterinarians provided opportunities for 32 first year veterinary students to shadow them in the clinical setting for hands-on learning in wildlife rehabilitation. Tri-State provided community service opportunities for several youth organizations, and presented lectures, provided hands-on learning opportunities, and/or conducted humane collaborative research with 6 organizations, agencies and/or universities. Throughout the year, Tri-State helped to educate the public by answering thousands of telephone inquiries and conducting outreach programs. In addition, an annual open house is held each Spring attracting hundreds of visitors to the campus in Newark, DE.

FY 2022 Bird Preservation & Protection Programs: OIL SPILL RESPONSE & CONTINGENCY PLAN Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research Oil Spill Programs staff is dedicated to effective oil spill planning, preparedness and response. The Oil Spill Response Team maintains availability 24/7 and has been able to respond to incidents continually during FY 21. The Tri-State team was called out for ten responses as well as for assessments to survey spill sites for potentially oiled wildlife in eight different states. Oiled wildlife responses involved capture, stabilization, wash, and release of affected native wild birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The Oil Team has presented at and attended meetings and conferences such as the Sector Delaware Bay Area Committee Meetings, NY/NJ Recovery & Response Subcommittee Meetings, Maryland National Capital Region Area Committee Meetings, RRT I, RRT II, RRT III, NOAA Office of Response and Restoration Speaker Series, National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Symposium, and the Global Oiled Wildlife Responders group. The team also secured contracts to write Wildlife Contingency Plans, pre-identify resources and teach workshops to oil industry as well as oiled wildlife responders. Attendees to workshops, trainings, and meetings represent agencies such as local wildlife trustees, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Coast Guard and state hazardous materials response teams.