BEFORE YOU CRITICIZE …….WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES

[TX Rehabber]

As an avian rehabilitator, I have discovered each and every individual bird has its own needs, wants and personalities that can be loving, heartwarming, trying, demanding and sometimes just downright stubborn. Rehabbing isn’t easy. It takes a lot of time, energy, dedication; commitment and passion to return them were they truly belong, in the wild.

I am truly blessed to have been given the opportunity, to raise and release babies that are orphaned or displaced, to try to heal what has been injured or sick, to educate the public so that future generations can continue to appreciated the beauty of the birds in the world around us and help to correct some of the damaged that has been done whether it’s by uncaring acts of destruction, ignorance or fear.

Many of the local Landlords (PURPLE MARTIN LANDLORDS OF NORTH TEXAS) know that I have been involved in the Martin community for quite some time providing rehab for orphaned, sick & injured Martins, as well as many other species. I’ve spent countless hours, during and after my normal workdays and my days off caring for any Martins, at times up to 80. This also includes posting advice, answering questions on forums and other social media, picking-up birds for rehab, dropping off birds for release, and taking in birds dropped off on my front porch and spending many, many hours on the phone, at night, helping not only Martin Landlords from across the country, but giving advice to other Rehabilitators regarding Martins. One injured Martin was brought to me by a local landlord who drove to Louisiana to help a friend whose colony was damaged by a tornado several years ago. I’ve been involved in locating the Dallas Area Roost when it moved and no one was able to locate it. I continue to go by the Roost, while it is active each year, after work, on my way home, to check for any injured or downed Martins. Last year, I became involved in the fire hose spraying of the Purple Martin Pre-migratory Roost in Oklahoma City by contacting the proper US Fish & Wildlife authorities.

So…… I’m not just a Martin rehabber and have NEVER been compensated, in any way, for any of my activities outside of my work hours at the Center.

The drought that has had a grip on Texas since 2009 has taken its toll on this particular species, as well as many others, and will continue to do so. In 2009, 150+ Martins were cared for and in 2011 the numbers were even higher, around 170+. All of these Martins came from the North Texas area Martin Landlords.

Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center NOT Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Center rehabilitates over 120+ species of birds each year totaling upwards to 5000 birds each year. The annual budget for the Center is approximately $250,000.00 all coming from donations. The Center is a NON-PROFIT 501(c)3. Yes, it is required that avian rehabilitators have BOTH State and Federal permits (for which there are fees for these permits) but not one rehabilitator avian or mammal RECEIVE ANY LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL FUNDING. So if you come up short, it comes out of your own pocket.

All the Martins that have been received over the past 4 now 5 years have consisted of dehydrated and malnourished nestlings and fledglings. The birds are very expensive to rehab due to cost of food and are labor intensive and time consuming due to the fact that EACH INDIVIDUAL bird must have its weight and age monitored before release. Each and every Martin I receive is weighed and a band placed on its leg with the approximate age and its weight. They are re-weighed every few days and the weight bands changed. When dealing with dehydrated & malnourished birds each and every individual bird MUST BE given fluids injected under the skin (Sub-Q), supplemental vitamins injected into the breast muscle and a special diet with smaller more frequent feedings to prevent body shutdown. Dealing with one Martin that is 14 days old that is 5 grams underweight is totally different that dealing with a 14 day old that has lost more than half of its desired body weight of approximately 53 grams. It takes a lot longer to put weight on a bird than it does to take it off. You need time to rebuild body mass.

An adult hawk can lose half its body weight in 3 days from lack of food. All birds that go without food burn muscle tissue to keep their body temperature up, organs functioning and blood pumping. The lack of food also causes the birds body to lose moisture and the blood begins to thicken which makes the heart pump harder, breathing becomes more difficult due to the lack of oxygen being circulated thru the body because the lungs are starting to dry out, the kidneys are unable to detoxify the blood and the other organs begin to lose their functioning ability as well.

Rehabbing isn’t a matter of just feeding a bird food until it can fly.

It doesn’t matter if I’m responsible for 10 or 50+ Martins at one time…..each and every bird comes home with me until they are released. I’m not a Spring chicken and pushing 60, I challenge any of you to work 10 to 12 hr days in our Texas heat helping to take care of 1500 birds each day and then take on the extra task of giving these birds special attention AFTER you get home as well as any other nestling songbirds, egrets, herons, hawks, owls etc. that require that extra feeding or two so that they can have the same chance for survival.

There’s also the problem of releasing martins when the time comes. If you bring me a Martin or several and by the time it takes to get that malnourished bird to fledgling weight of 50 grams, all your birds may have already fledged. What then? Are you going to spend time on the phone tracking down a landlord that still has an active colony? Are you going to drive as far north as required to make sure these birds that you have spent hours, days or weeks getting healthy are properly released? What if the Roost has dispersed early as what happened last year? Are you just going to toss them in the air and say GOOD LUCK! That would be irresponsible, uncaring and you don’t have what it takes to rehabilitate any living creature.
All Landlords invite these birds to their backyards or remote colonies to breed and have their babies. You are responsible for their care and well being from start to finish.

By the way Jerleen on July 9, 2011 you delivered 13 baby Martins to Rogers Wildlife and left a $40.00 donation. If I remember, you were worried about them not surviving the drought, worked and couldn’t care for them and had the Purple Martin Landlords of North Texas annual “Marty Party” to attend. You also stated at the time that you would come back and volunteer to help feed the large number of Martins for which we were caring for at the time. Never heard or saw you. Who do you think cared for them and who paid for it? You were NOT at the Center on Sunday and I never saw or spoke with you when your Martins were dropped off. The bird you are referring to was a baby Green Heron and the people made a substantial donation for its care, unsolicited I might add. If you had called the Center regarding the need for care of your Martins, you would have been told of the donation requirement. I was also told that you still have 10 active nests and was asked what to do if more birds needed care. My response was to call me and that I would talk to Kathy and see what arrangements could be made. Get your facts straight before you make accusations.

A week ago Monday, a Landlord delivered some of his Martins to us for rehab, he made the required donation and also a little extra. What does that say?

My Monday night is the start of my two days off. But you see I don’t have 2 days off…..I’m caring for your Martins and others at my expense and my time. I have to pick and choose between feedings to go to the store or run errands. Forget about going to a movie, out to dinner, visiting with friends, just shopping or what I like to do-photography. Maybe I would like to take a little nap, rest and recover, forget it. I’ll be back at the Center on Thursday and will have your birds with me. Pick them up and I will personally write you a check, if you don’t think that receiving expert, personal care for your Martins that you love so dearly are worth it.

As far as the donation required for rehabbing Martins, Kathy Rogers set that policy this year and I’m only following her policy.

“Rogers Wildlife will no longer rehab ANY BIRD for free, regardless of what species it is”

If people out there think it’s about the bottom line. Think about ALL the birds that wouldn’t have any chance of survival if it wasn’t for donors who really care and the rehabilitators that give it their all…….Heart, Body & Soul.

[DebA]

Chin up, Penny! You are my HERO. This whole thing to me seems like people just don't understand the adversities. You have explained it well in this post. Unfortunately you have to do so in a defensive state. Because if you wrote all of that on a boring day people would think or criticize you for patting yourself on the back, blowing your own horn, and seeking praise.

Too bad there aren't more of you so you wouldn't have to be so stretched thin. Right now I work with my folks little business and enjoy it so much. I have to work hard and travel a few days a week. But I could be a rehabber at heart if only I was independently wealthy. I suspect you are NOT that and are able to make it your "job". Maybe I can become a success and hire people to do what I do so when I am pushing not a spring chicken in about ten years I can follow my heart and give to the birds too.

I have learned SO MUCH from you on this forum. We all do what we can do and sometimes us humans get into each others' way. Chin up!!!!!

Deb

[KathyF]

Well said, Penny - sorry you have to go on defense here.

As someone who does not have the benefit of a rehabber close by, and has tried to feed some of my jumpers and care for them, I can tell you that Penny has understated just how much work, frustration and time caring for a martin really is. Apparently, "flying insect eaters" are indeed a special breed that are more difficult to rehab, as I have discovered. I had a difficult time keeping up with 3 downed fledglings, so I can't imagine the amount of work in dealing with the numbers that Penny & her teams deal with.

Penny has spent hours on the phone and exchanging emails with me, advising me through the rough spots and answering my questions. To me, her *TIME* alone was invaluable, and my contributions to Rogers is a drop in the bucket compared to what they *NEED* to care for our birds. Between our bird rehabbers that I found in St. Louis last year and Rogers Wildlife, I can confidently say that NONE of them are in it for the money.

They do it out of love and compassion for the birds, at times, not even being compensated for all the time and their own personal funds that they invest, often financially hurting themselves, for the good of the animals.

I look at a donation to rehab facilities as a way of saving the rehabbers at least that part of the worry & stress, so they can focus on the important tasks - feeding my kids!

[Kent Justus]

Penny,

Thank you for all you do for caring for martins. I think many people confuse the purpose of a rehabber as someone who can take an unlimited number of birds, even those that are not injured, and raise them. It is a huge undertaking. I usually try to feed my martin "jumpers" until they are strong enough to fend for themselves, but it requires a lot of time, patience, and dedication. You are obviously a very dedicated individual, and those in your area are very lucky that you are there. Many areas do not have anyone either trained, or willing to take on jumper martins to feed.

Thank you for all that you are doing, and keep up the great work. You are appreciated more than you know. - Kent Justus / Mt. Vernon, Arkansas

[Connie]

Dear Penny,

I don't know you personally, I just know of you from reading this forum. But, I do know this; I am glad I am not on the receiving end of your post. That was so well put, I felt guilty just reading it and I've never even used a rehabber!
That being said, I would be willing to bet there are many more people out there that appreciate you and your services than not. In the unfortunate way of the world, people are much more likely to voice their complaints than to share their praises.
You have my respect and thanks for all you do, for what little that's worth. The main One knows what you do/give and that's what's important. I know He appreciates it.

Thank you.

[ToyinPA]

Penny...you go girl .

If not for your knowledge & posting of how to feed/care for a sick, injured or starving chicks I would have lost many more than I do. I have no local rehabber.

You took time to talk to me on the phone one night. I can't thank you enough.

Rescue places don't have an endless supply of funds. They rely on donations to stay in operation. Those who give of their time, to help these sick or injured creatures, get very little in return. It's hard long days & nights.

Many of us who frequent this board have used Penny's advise to help our Martins. She needs a major pat on the back, from all of us, for giving freely of herself.

THANK YOU Penny

Toy in PA

[TX Rehabber]

Deb, Kathy, Kent, Connie & Toy

I really don’t know how to thank you all for your kind words of support. It’s great to know that there are people who support rehabilitators and the job they try to accomplish.

Most of the time, this is truly a thankless job with your greatest rewards coming when you open your hands and release the smallest of birds, like the Hummingbird that you’ve raised, to see it feed on its first flowers in the wild or feel the powerful beat of a Hawks’ wings as it takes flight. It’s moments like that, that makes all the bad go away.

Thank You!