Kalysha Clark

I've been interning for two weeks now and it's a lot of fun! I've spent some time tracking turtles with radio telemetry, which is the main objective of the conservation internship. I've also been working with raptors - feeding and handling. We have weekly raptor training where we learn to transfer and handle them on the glove so we can use them at outreach events. We begin practicing transfers with Miracle, the dove, and then move to Otus, the Eastern Screech Owl. However, Otus is growing blood feathers.

Blood feathers are new feathers growing from a follicle in the bird's skin. The blood feathers contain an artery and a vein with a circulating supply of blood. Once the feather is done growing, the blood leaves the quill or shaft of the feather and goes back to the body. Blood feathers are tender and sore so it's recommended to avoid handling them. So instead of handling Otus, we went directly to handling Athena, the Barred Owl.

It was kinda scary. I was anxious but I wanted to get her on the glove. So I was able to transfer her from my supervisor Sara, walk with her on the glove, and transfer her back. It was awesome.

I've also done some other, smaller tasks: weeding the garden, assembling WildNet handbooks to send to vets. WildNet is a phone line for people who have found wildlife. We figure out the situation and we refer them to a local wildlife rehabber if needed. We did some training for that and I'll be on call Sunday from 1-8 PM. I'm not too worried because I've had experience dealing with wildlife-related calls when I volunteered at the Valerie Schindler Wildlife Rehab Center at the NC Zoo.

All in all, it's been a blast (with the exception of the one tick I found and getting stung by a wasp!). I can't wait to see what else is in store.

Me and Miracle.

Just hanging out.

Otus the Eastern Screech Owl.

Lilly (L) and Athena (R) the Barred Owl.

Me with Athena.

AOW with his radio transmitter.

BIP sticking his head out a teeny bit.