Sea-slime Seabirds Inspire Next Generation of Philanthropists!

We are continually amazed at how the plight of seabirds inspires people to take action, particularly when that action comes from the next generation!

At the end of a very tough few weeks for International Bird Rescue Research Center's staff and volunteers, working around the clock to save seabirds from the Oregon algae foam, we heard from Alex Diamant, a Sacramento Resident who turned 10 years old on November 14^th.

Alex’s Mom, Dea, a producer on Sacramento News Channel KCRA, had visited our wildlife center during the algae foam incident to do a news story on the rescue efforts. Inspired by this story, Alex decided to give her monthly allowance to International Bird Rescue Research Center, to help with the cost of the rescue operation of nearly 500 sea-slimed seabirds.

Not stopping there, Dea and Alex talked about the idea of visiting our seabird center with a group of friends on her 10^th birthday. Alex decided that she would ask her friends to contribute to the center instead of giving her a birthday gift. After a tour with one of our staff where they got to see and learn about how we care for sick and injured seabirds, Alex presented International Bird Rescue with a check for $350!

In Dea’s words, “We sent out an email invitation to the families, inviting the girls to the party and explaining the details. There was a great response from the families. The girls had a great time and learned a lot about International Bird Rescue Research Center. They got to see a pelican get fed and given medicine. They loved seeing the birds!”

To Alex and all of her friends, thank you so much for making a difference to these seabirds! Not only does your gift help save lives but by taking action you are also an inspiration to others. That’s a gift that keeps on giving!

Release of clean, healthy birds after SF Bay spill

Ten birds were released by OWCN personnel aand volunteers back into the wild this afternoon after successful treatment following oiling in Dubai Star oil spill in San Francisco Bay.

The birds included five American Coots, two Western/Clark’s Grebes, a Eared Grebe, a Horned Grebe and a Greater Scaup). The healthy birds were set free in Berkeley.

A total of 49 live oiled birds have been captured following the tanker spill on October 30, 2009 about 2 1/2 miles south of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. At least 20 birds have been found dead after spill that leaked up to 800 gallons of bunker fuel into the bay.

The birds are being treated in Fairfield at the San Francisco Oiled Wildlife Care & Education Center (SFBOCEC) that is co-managed by the Oiled Wildlife Care Network and International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC).

You can see more updates on the OWCN Blog

Photo courtsey: OWCN

The sights and sounds of a wildlife hospital

It's been a busy few weeks here at IBRRC and we forgot to post this really great video produced by Jean Shirley, one of our super volunteers in Northern California. She captures the sights and sounds of a busy wildlife hospital during our crunch time when we had 480 birds in treatment from the toxic algae event.

The bird center has calmed down a bit since this was videotaped, but volunteers are still working with the algae birds. So far 245 have been released back to the wild.

Read more about our Pacific Northwest Sea Foam response

Digging deep: Kid's donation to help treat birds

We got the nicest note from a kid this past week that always helps keep us moving forward in our bird rescue efforts:

I hope these 50 dollars can help save some birds lives. I just wanted you to know that $34 of those dollars are from my allowance. I'm really glad they can help a really good cause!

– Sequoia, age 11, Fairfax, CA

It reminded us of the remarkable school kids led by 9-year-old Haley Gee in Berkeley two years ago during the Cosco Busan oil spill. Motivated by seeing oiled birds dying, she and her group got a bucket and started asking everyone she met for donations.

She decided to help International Bird Rescue Research Center’s year round efforts treating injured and orphaned aquatic birds and waterfowl. Within a week she and her fellow bird club members at the Berkeley Montessori School raised about $400. Because of Haley's efforts, others stepped up to help as well. Haley Gee Fund info

When it rains, it pours

Dear friends,

As you know, International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) is in the midst of a large-scale rescue effort to save seabirds threatened by a massive algal bloom off the coast of Oregon and Washington State. After more than a week of 17-hour days, our dedicated staff and volunteers have washed over 400 birds. 150 have already been returned to the wild.

In the midst of our efforts we were deeply saddened to hear that a U.S. Coast Guard crew, colleagues to those that so generously gave their time and resources to airlift these birds to safety, were involved in a fatal air crash near San Diego while flying the same C-130 plane. On the same day, International Bird Rescue was activated by the Oiled Wildlife Care Network to respond to an oil spill in San Francisco Bay and we still have rescue teams in the field as I write. It has been quite a week.

This unusual algae event has had all the wildlife casualties but none of the financial resources available to save seabirds from oil spills so it is your incredible generosity that is giving these beautiful birds a second chance.

To date, we have raised two-thirds of the money we need to complete our mission and save these birds. I want to personally thank you for helping us get so far.

If you have not yet donated to save these birds and are inspired to do so we still need your help to find the remaining $15,000 to buy food for the birds, essential medical supplies and equipment. If you have already given but know someone who may wish to make a lifesaving contribution, please help us spread the word by forwarding on this message. Please donate now

We are all deeply touched by your kindness and generosity. Thank you for answering the call of these majestic marine birds.

Sincerely,

Jay Holcomb, Executive Director
International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC)

Above photo: A Red-throated Loon caught in deadly sea-slime gets washed and rinsed. (Photo: Paul Kelway/IBRRC)