The particular rehabilitation needs of local species that are prone to oiling are detailed. Necropsy demonstrations are usually conducted to enable participants to understand potential effects of oil and rehabilitation. A table top spill drill is added to advanced trainings and is tailored to local conditions, e.g. species most likely to be encountered, and areas most likely to be hit with an oil spill, will help to underscore local strengths and delineate areas that need additional work. These 5 annual workshops usually begin in late March and continue through October. One of our greatest challenges is bringing the unique concept of wildlife rehabilitation to the public without negatively affecting the birds in our care.
Wild birds are very frightened of humans and are often stressed just by being held in captivity.
Human interactions can also have a negative impact on these birds reducing their chances for successful rehabilitation. Therefore, all handling and viewing must be kept to a minimum. Birds are typically kept out of the view of the public. However, we feel it is important and valuable for the public to be able to actually see the animals during their rehabilitation with their own eyes and learn about the rehabilitation process. We have circumvented this problem in a variety of ways that will allow maximum viewing by visitors while minimizing human interaction with the birds.