Take a walk for the wild birds

Re: Feds look to save the Red-Headed Woodpecker with $1 million fines for any habitat destroyed, Sept. 9.

It was gratifying to learn in your report that the federal government has declared the Red-Headed Woodpecker to be endangered in Canada. As you noted, only about 4,000 remain in Ontario and Manitoba. In fact, despite being previously classified as “threatened,” their numbers have been dwindling in recent years.

Hopefully, the decisions to move this beautiful bird to the “endangered” list under the Species at Risk Act and to levy fines of $1 million for destroying its habitat will ensure both the continued existence and expansion of this magnificent class of wildlife.

For several years now, Red-Headed Woodpeckers have been among the injured, orphaned or ill birds brought to Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre on Moodie Drive. One such recent “guest,” appropriately named “Red,” had a sternum fracture and spinal injury suffered when he collided with a residential window. The centre was literally his last hope for survival. After receiving medical care and shelter to recuperate, Red was successfully released in the area where he was first found.

This story is just one of thousands at the centre. So far this year, it has already admitted more than 3,000 wild birds rescued by people across the Ottawa Valley, and the upcoming fall migration is expected to bring another large influx. Many of these birds will not recover in time to resume their flights south and will need to spend the winter at the centre.

As Ottawa continues to grow, the centre's services will be in even greater demand. To meet this need, the centre has launched the first annual Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Walk (Sept. 4 to Oct. 12) to raise funds for ongoing operations and is working to secure financing for a larger, modernized and better equipped facility to be built on 17+ acres of land in Ottawa West.

To learn more about the centre's work or make a tax-deductible donation, I invite your readers to visit Juliette Marczuk, Chair,

Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre