Bird Safe Philly

This spring, 3rd grade students from Springside Chestnut Hill Academy continued their Feather Friendly Bird Collision Deterrent Markers project on the Lower School! This is the 3rd year in a row that we have worked together to make the school safe for birds. Bird Safe Schools is a Bird Safe Philly program, administered primarily by Liberty Bird Alliance (LBA) as one of the founding coalition partners of Bird Safe Philly. Stephanie and Troy of LBA led the project with the students who finished up some remaining cafeteria windows and also the gym windows. This project would not be possible without the guidance and support of 3rd grade science teacher, Carie Szalay, who continues to honor SCH as the first Bird Safe School under this program! Great work everyone!

June 4th at the Glenside Library!

Join us as we learn from Bird Safe Philly how to help migrating birds in our community thrive and meet their destinations by reducing their collisions with windows. This program will be presented by Leigh Altadonna, a leader at Bird Safe Philly. We will also learn about how the Glenside Library is becoming more bird-friendly!

Thursday, June 4 @ 7PM at the Glenside Library
Saturday, June 27 @ 2PM at the Elkins Park Library

Register for events at https://cheltenhamlibraries.libcal.com/

Can you donate to the care of these peregrines? One of them was reported as a window collision at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

This weekend, the Wildlife Clinic at the Schuylkill Center admitted two fledgling Peregrine Falcons that were found at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Both were reported to the clinic a few hours apart. One bird was lethargic and the other collided with a window at the museum.

A kind person brought one falcon to us while our Clinic Director picked up the second later in the day. Both were fairly thin despite the presence of a parent at the nest site. Further testing revealed that both young birds were suffering from high lead poisoning, which explains their symptoms.

Heavy metal toxicity can cause lethargy, abnormal mentation, neurological issues, and gastrointestinal problems. Their parents likely unknowingly fed them prey that were already contaminated with lead in their bodies, as it is an extremely common problem for wildlife in the city.

Our rehabilitation team will treat both birds with chelation. This specialized medication extracts lead particles from the blood stream and releases it from the body through waste. Each round of chelation could cost over $100 per bird- and it could take several rounds of treatment for them to fully recover. This cost, plus the costs of their food, housing, and other care adds up quickly. That’s where we need your help.

Please help us support these two young Peregrine Falcons in their fight against lead poisoning. Consider making a donation or making a purchase from our wish list. Any amount will help us care for these once endangered beauties of Philadelphia skyline. We are entirely donor supported and it is only with the help of people who care about wildlife that we can provide this care. Please consider sharing this post to let others know how they can help us save these birds.

Donate online: https://schuylkillcenter.org/wildlife-clinic/support-the-wildlife-clinic/
Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3SG8PMDVK1P7I