Caring for the birds...			...in Telkwa

Over the years, Brenda and Al have learned a lot about the eating habits of various birds. Did you know, for instance, that some birds have a sweet tooth, but that most don't care for spiced breads? The sanctuary goes through an amazing amount of food each year. Local bakeries help out with stale breads and breads and grocery stores give fruit and other items that they might normally be throwing out. But the couple still has to purchase an incredible amount of seed.

A Mongolian pheasant

Keeping a bird sanctuary is a large commitment that doesn't allow for many holidays. Feeding and watering has to be done 2 or 3 times a day and then there's always the little things, such as removing the protective windbreak from the grosbeak cage or simply just visiting Charlie to say hello. However, it's not just the caged birds that Brenda and Al care for.

One of the many bird feeders on the property

The couple also has numerous bird feeders throughout their property each winter for wild birds. Al uses his snowblower to clear the many trails between feeders. Sometimes they can't help. A few years ago, several owls were found starving because they couldn't find enough mice to eat in the deep snow. The birds were too weak and died . Al and Brenda note that there's another owl that seems to be a regular visitor now so they're planning to keep an eye out to help in future harsh winters. Each year they participate in the annual bird count for Smithers. Approximately 18% of the bird count is from their property. That's a lot of bird seed to hand out! (March 25, 1999)

copyright© 1999, Northwest Design, Smithers, B.C. all rights reserved