THE old adage “free as a bird” has special meaning for WIRES volunteer Peg McDonald.
Ms McDonald has spent more than 20 years committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of native Southern Highlands wildlife.
Her attentions have been firmly focussed on native birds for the past 15 years.
But she is frustrated by the challenge of best preparing her feathered patients for re-release into their natural environment.
Ms McDonald especially needs a “much larger flight aviary” for the raptors (birds of prey) in her care.
The co-founder of Southern Highlands branch of WIRES -Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service - has gone to great lengths to create the best environment for the care of a variety of birds, including rare and endangered species.
The rare and vulnerable Gang Gang (cockatoos), and a variety of raptors such as wedge tail eagles, peregrines and the critically endangered masked owl have become regular guests of Ms McDonald, who is quick to point out that the birds in her care are those which contribute to the natural character and environment of the Southern Highlands.
The reasons behind their need for care are varied but include injuries caused by being shot, hit by cars and caught in traps or barbed wire fences.
Ms McDonald has an unwavering determination to save them all and return them to their natural environment.
And she has pulled out all the stops to achieve her goal.
She relocated from her suburban Bowral home to a much larger bushland property near Fitzroy Falls more than two years ago and she has dedicated her time to care for as many as 30 birds at any given time.
Nearby Red Hill, one of the highest points in the Highlands, has proved an asset for the bird lover when it comes to releasing some of her larger winged patients.
The set-up has meant that Ms McDonald achieves the successful rehabilitation and re-release of about 60 per cent of the birds in her care.
But as far as she is concerned, “this is not good enough”.
“I can’t release the birds until I know they are capable of surviving on their own in the wild,” she said.
“I need to rebuild their strength to a point where they can maintain flight and gain the speed they need to catch their food.
“This is especially important for the strike hunters that need to pick up significant speed in flight to be able to circle and swoop down on their prey.
“Owls are nocturnal and need to be absolutely silent in flight as they dive on their prey - even a single damaged feather can be a problem.”
Ms McDonald said the best way to prepare large birds of prey for release was to care for them in a large flight aviary where they had room to spread their wings and develop their speed in a safe environment.
“I have a flight aviary which meets the minimum National Parks and Wildlife Service standards, but it is nowhere near big enough for the large birds of prey.
Ms McDonald has turned to the community for support in the creation of a better facility.
She said donations of money, materials and even labour would be invaluable and greatly appreciated in her effort to establish a larger enclosure.
“The current flight aviary is five metres wide, seven metres long and four metres high,” she said.
“It has been located on my property at a point where there is room for expansion, but it would need to be at least three times its current size to be truly effective.”
Ms McDonald said she also needed technical support to create promotional movies about the birds in her care for use in ongoing fundraising campaigns.
All donations to support Ms McDonald’s ongoing efforts with WIRES are tax deductible.
Pledges of support can be made by phoning Wires on 4862 1788 or PO Box 1149, Bowral, NSW, 2576.
Please identify any donations as a contribution to the flight aviary.
Email a friend