By Paul Dye, Northwest Wildfowl

The vast majority of bird breeders, whether of parrots, doves, upland game birds or waterfowl, raise birds because they simply love birds. They are the type of person who seek "hands on" experiences. For the most part they are people who are unafraid of hard work and not easily discouraged by disappointment.

The above description reveals that most aviculturists are, or at least should be, valued members of their local community. Unfortunately, they frequently are also very private or shy, more comfortable with their birds than people.

I propose that we try to change this; that we strive to use our deep love of birds and our knowledge of the natural world to enlighten those around us. Many people are yearning for experiences and meaning that their TV, church and social contacts cannot fully satisfy. There is something very basic and natural, and at the same time very mystical, even magical about the birth, growth, courtship and reproduction of our fellow creatures. While these wonderous things go on around us every day of the year, the vast majority of us have had our senses dulled by the pressures of our everyday life. We've lost track of the rhythm, the throb, of this very vibrant world around us.

My community involvement began when our local WSU Extension naturalist asked me to provide an introduction to our local wild races of swan to bird watchers on their way afield to see them in the wild. Its hard to say who was more surprised, me at their thirst for information about these beautiful birds, or them, at how my life had become so intertwined with those of my birds. They were spellbound at the stories of courtship, bonding, courageous family defense and tender parenting that I am priveledged to witness every single day.

As word of Northwest Wildfowl spread more and more requests came for tours of our aviaries and adjacent sanctuary and wildlife gardens. We were asked to host seminars dealing with wildlife, forestry and wetlands issues. Looking back, I'm sure we've learned far more than we taught, but the important thing is that we provided the opportunity for the learning.

Usually our wildlife tours and seminars are held in late winter or early spring, during the months of February and March. There are several reasons for selecting this time of year. The most important is that during this period the birds are aggressively courting and finding mates. As a result they are in their best plumage and very visible to even the most inexperienced visitor, as they are so distracted by their competition for a mate. Secondly, the overall workload is usually less at this time of year as shipping is largely finished, and nesting hasn't started for most species. Thirdly, many of the people in the area are probably tired of the limitations imposed by winter weather, and can't wait for the opportunity to just get outdoors and witness nature, thereby giving us the opportunity to share our efforts and accomplishments with enough people to make it worth the effort involved.

Our tours are tailored to the audience. For bird breeding groups we focus mostly on diets, social structure, and techniques used to combat predators and achieve successful reproduction. For bird watchers and general outdoor enthusiasts we use the aviaries to teach about species differences and identification, and our wild habitats and wildlife gardens to demonstrate ways of increasing local wild populations of all species, including mammals, birds, fish and amphibians. Our copious use of nest boxes benefitting cavity dependant species is explained.

Norwegian Foresters Tour in 1999

Occasionally our facilities are used for university field trips and for seminars by educational or government entities. Our wetlands and forests, which are managed to benefit a diversity of wild species are ideal for this purpose and have hosted both local and international groups. Our aviaries, which actively contribute to conservation and research by state and federal agencies, are also visited by veterinary students to observe and discuss our husbandry methods.

While not in constant demand, we find it rewarding to contribute to a 4H or scouting project by designing a conservation effort to fit their needs. Nest box construction and installation are ideal tasks for many of these groups; teaching about the special needs of many species; including birds, bats, squirrels and bees. For some of the older youths such as eagle scout candidates we have provided an opportunity to install culverts under trails, walking bridges across small watercourses, and even more extensive elevated walkways through seasonally flooded wetlands, allowing good numbers of visitors to experience their magic without compromising their integrity. A self guided nature walk was designed and constructed by a combination of adult naturalists and a scout group. (Hint: it is currently in need of refurbishment.)

Our occasional logging of a small patch on the sanctuary, followed by rapid replanting with wildlife-benefitting native vegetation is frequently accomplished by volunteers from local birding and mountaineering organizations. The result has been a healthy native wildlife population and a cadre of folks who feel a sense of accomplishment when they visit. It's been great fun to boot! The sanctuary is mentioned in a booklet about birding in Snohomish County and gets its share of visitors.

Volunteer opportunities are not limited to just the sanctuary and wildlife gardens. We host an occasional work party in and around the aviaries as well, and these often lead to up-close and sometimes even hands-on opportunities with our birds. These usually involve cleaning incubation and brooding facilities, but can also involve one of our occasional round-ups to worm or vaccinate some of our flocks. Many of the volunteers provide service year after year.

Washington State mandates that environmental education be taught in the public schools. Many teachers seek local opportunities to fulfill their environmental education requirement. This is a fairly new effort here at Northwest Wildfowl, fueled by an associate who does something similar on the east coast, and the fact that we currently have an educator on our volunteer staff. It has been well received by a number of locals who regularly work with K through 6 students. I personally have very little experience with this age group, so I stay in the background and just make my self available for questions from the parents and teachers.

Kelly Indrebo gets a big thank you for her contribution to the environmental education program.

Basically we provide the students with an educational and "fun outing". It consists of three parts, an introduction to the many types (species) of waterfowl, fun lawn games where they learn the basic behavior of ducks and their predators, and finally a tour through the aviaries.

From Kemler and Julia Appell, aviculturists on the east coast I was introduced to the idea of giving each child a card containing a photograph of species of duck or goose that they can find in the collection. My plan is to add a few pertinent facts about that species. If during their tour through the aviaries they find the species depicted, and can read aloud the information on the card, they get to take that card home and brag a little to mom and dad.

Kelly came up with a series of fun games that have educational components. First you chalk out, or otherwise mark a 40' or 50' diameter "pond" on a lawn, this sets activity limits and keeps the games reasonably controllable.

The first game introduces students to the use of calls to find other birds of the same species. Like ducks in a wintering area, they vocally locate each other and assemble for migration north to the breeding grounds with others of their kind.

The second game demonstrates how a mother duck alerts her babies of dangers, such as predators, while traveling between their nest or security zone and their feeding area.

The third game is about survival, much like "Life and Death in the Forest". The students need to find life's necessities and compete to survive.

There are probably many more educational games "out there' waiting to be discovered, but we've started the ball rolling. What a great way for youngsters, many from city or urban areas, to be introduced to a world of fascinating creatures. Our hope is that it 'opens up' their curiosity, and a future life that benefits both them and their wild neighbors.