Sea Biscuit Sentinel

Volunteering is a thread woven into the fabric another beach stroller and we had that pelican
of Americana. It is what folks do to improve our surrounded, with no chance he would escape.
neighborhoods one block at a time. My wife Five minutes gave way to ten and as I looked
Dinah is a huge proponent of volunteering even across the dunes I could see a huge net over the
when I am not so keen on some of the varied shoulder of a petite figure coming towards us on
opportunities she discovers. For example, early the beach. I thought that this surely must be the
in 2005 my wife and I were wandering down individual who will take this docile beast off our
the beach with our two dogs. Dinah spotted hands, and we waved her over.
a volunteer planting sea oats along the dunes
and before you could say “Holy Moly,” we were
planting sea oats from April through to the
harvest in late September. We planted twice
a week as we worked our way to the west end
of the island. So be careful what your partner
volunteers you for.

Recently as we were again strolling on the beach,

we came upon a pelican that seemed dazed
and confused. He was just sitting there on the
beach minding his own business, which we
thought was odd because pelicans can probably
go an entire week without setting a web foot
on a beach. Uncertain of the next step, we did
what any concerned citizen would do: we called
the law, or in this instance the Town of Oak
Island since we actually were across the line
of demarcation from Caswell Beach where we
reside.
“Cut him off from the beach as I move in from
The individual we spoke with took our cell the rear,” she instructed, a most clever stratagem
phone number and said that “Someone will to bag this bird. As we moved closer and before
be in contact with you directly.” We gave the the net could capture the critter, he winged
operator our 10-20 (nifty police jargon for our off towards the west barely above the waves,
location) and sure enough like magic the phone seemingly headed to the Yaupon
rang within a few minutes. The person on the Pier (now the Oak Island Pier
other end was very precise and clear with her but us residents of the east end
instructions. “Don’t let the pelican get into the prefer the former designation). I felt
water. Surround and cut off his access. I will be sheepish and so did Dinah; the bird
there in ten minutes.” We enlisted the aid of could fly after all.
July 2009 Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter Sentinel 1

As I attempted my best apology I heard the net
lady say, “Too bad we missed that opportunity
to catch him. Did you see he is favoring his left
wing? He may have an injured wrist.” What?
How could she tell that? I looked at my own
wrist. Wow, pelicans have wrists too? “I’ll most
likely get him before it all said and done,”
our net lady said. She thanked us for being
concerned and gave us a brochure outlining the
attributes of the Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter.
And within a blink of an eye she was gone.
As we were walking back to our condo, Dinah,
who had been looking at the brochure, offered
this nugget, “You know, I think we should
volunteer at this facility, the Sea Biscuit Wildlife
Shelter.” Oh-oh, would this be like planting sea
oats?
It took about a month for us to get our minds
right to call the Shelter and Mary Ellen Rogers,
the curator, ringmaster, ornithologist, and
orchestrator of this menagerie of feathers and
talons. She was delighted that we would offer
our services. We had to sign several disclaimers
that we would not hold Sea Biscuit
liable for any injuries or damages
should we become incapacitated
in handling the birds. Dinah, I
2 Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter Sentinel
thought, what have you gotten us in to now?
The first time we volunteered we met four
pelicans, a couple of loons, a gannet, a laughing
gull, an owl and several other of nature’s
feathered friends. We were introduced to the
pelicans’ private pool, a converted hot tub
someone had donated, as well as pens which
were built with volunteer assistance. We were
amazed at the facility inside: an examination
and evaluation room, a dormitory for the more
severely injured and lots and lots of animal
carriers or crates that had been donated to the
shelter.
Dinah and I are not the only ones who volunteer
at Sea Biscuit. Mary Ellen has a dozen or so
folks who will readily appear at her door to
render assistance when needed. We clean cages,
muck the swimming pool and hot tub, make
repairs, assist in feeding and evaluation, care
for the injured, and do a lot of praying. Mary
Ellen has also enlisted the aid of a couple of
veterinarians in the area for x-rays and counsel,
and she has folks donating towels, cages, liquid
soap, newspapers, fish (pelicans can eat 6-8 each
daily), brooms, mops, tweezers, gauze, just about
anything a clinic would require.
July 2009
 The real joy is the release of a
healthy bird back into the wild.
Even though they are coaxed to fly
free there is still one released bird
who resides in the surrounding
trees. He swoops down and lands
on your head, hoping for a free
snack, and he will eat out of my
hand.

Our volunteering at the Shelter has

its moments, like the time Mary
Ellen asked us to take some “ice” to
the Wildlife Center on Yacht Drive
on our way home. We thought
nothing strange about the request
Creatures large and small - our feathered friends until Dinah peaked in the bag and discovered
from all over eastern North and South Carolina “mice” for the owl that had been transferred to
- are brought to the facility each week for care the Center!
and rehabilitation. Mary Ellen has cared for
pelicans, wood ducks, pigeons, blue-jays, wrens,
grackles, mocking birds, woodpeckers, owls, Volunteering with the “Bird Lady” has its
gannets, laughing gulls, loons, hawks, and an rewards. We knew we had the confidence of
occasional unidentifiable creature, all of whom the ringmaster when we arrived recently to
need aid. volunteer and Mary Ellen, who was late for her
part time job, exclaimed to us, “You know what
Just so you know, in 2008 Mary Ellen, whom to do, see you later.” That endorsement pales in
we affectionately call the “Bird Lady,” took in comparison to the satisfaction Dinah and I get
upwards of 300 birds and was able to rehabilitate when a bird is released and takes its place back
and release more than 50%. Unfortunately birds in the wild, somewhere over the rainbow!
in the wild do not adapt well to captivity even
though the alternative would be certain death. Rick and Dinah Rucker
It is traumatic to witness so many birds expiring
although the best of care has been administered.
Many very young hatchlings barely weighing
in at 10 grams are brought to the Shelter in the
spring and we do our best to care for them and
encourage them to eat and thrive. Sadly for us
and for the hopeful bird-loving folks who bring
baby birds, many are unable to survive.
July 2009 Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter Sentinel 3
SHELTER STATISTICS AS OF JULY 1, 2009 storms at sea. We had 11 loons and 5 young
gannets. Most of these died within a few days
There were 107 incoming birds after Jan 1. of arrival either from starvation or a disease that
Fifteen were in such bad shape they died the affects waterfowl known as aspergillosis.
same day.
Orphaned spring hatchlings make up the other
Of the 92 that survived the first 24 hours: category of birds found at the clinic every spring.
33 were released There were 10 tiny doves, 7 mockingbirds and 5
6 were transferred little wrens, plus chickadees, starlings, sparrows,
7 are still in care and bluejays
10 had to be euthanized
36 died in care There were 36 different species.The rest of the
new patients included 14 gulls, 4
Died in Care pelicans, 5 frostbitten herons, several
Euthanized
wood ducks, hawks, owls and little
songbirds.
Still in Care
Over 30% came from Oak
Transferred Island. Southport contributed 11,
Released
Wilmington had 10, and Caswell
and Carolina Beach each had 6.
Died Same Day The rest came from places as diverse
as the species: Ocean Isle, Holden
& Sunset Beaches, Boiling Spring
Lakes, Leland, Lumberton, Whiteville, Kure
Winter arrivals, if not injured, are mostly in two Beach, Supply, Varnumtown and Sunset Harbor.
categories:
Emaciated migrating shorebirds such as loons
and gannets are severely impacted by winter
As a camera buff I gravitated to Flickr as a place to learn more about
photography from folks of a similar bent. I took out a paid account to allow
me to store backups of a number of pictures off my computer. I take pictures
of a variety of subjects and among them the Shelter’s transient residents. To
share the pictures with Mary Ellen easily I created a group for Sea Biscuit on
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/seabiscuitshelter/. If you are reading this
newsletter you are more than welcome to join the group and add your photos
of Sea Biscuit. I add a link to the Sea Biscuit Blog(http://seabiscuitshelter.
blogspot.com/) to pictures in the group. Recently Flickr has
donated paid accounts to Sea Biscuit through the Tech Soup
organization (http://www.techsoup.org), a clearing house for
tech resources for non profits. Gus Grosch
4 Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter Sentinel July 2009
 PELICAN BRIEFS
It seems strange to walk or drive by the Sea Biscuit and NOT see pelicans in the backyard.
Three have been transferred to a Florida sanctuary because they couldn’t be released into the
wild. Another was released against his will!
FROSTY arrived at Sea Biscuit Shelter from ERNIE was previously treated at the Sea Biscuit
Sunset Beach on Feb 10. Shelter for a fish hook injury and arrived again
Diagnosed with frostbitten feet, her incoming at the shelter on April 5, 2009 from Oak Island
weight was 4.5 lbs. She had hot tub therapy, weighing 8.2 lbs. The original leg damage from
medications and care in both inside and outside fishing line gave him a pronounced limp. His
enclosures until release on April 2 at a weight flight is adequate but he is imprinted after so
of 6 lbs. On April 7, she returned to the shelter many months in care. Though he was released,
with a broken beak from a location 20 miles he displayed aggressive behavior to fishermen
from the release site . Dr. Alyssa Travis stabilized and beach visitors, He expects humans to feed
her beak with splints. Meds included metacam him. He was in care for 7 out of his first 12
and clindamycin. Her beak appears to be healing months.
and has good blood flow, but will never be able
to withstand the impact of an aerial dive from
on high.

SID VISCIOUS was transferred in to the Sea

BERT arrived at Sea Biscuit Shelter from Oak
Island on January 19, with a weight of 7.8 lbs
Dr. Travis found a possible dislocated elbow but
no broken bones on radiographs. Bert was given
clindamycin and metacam for 10 days.
His wing continues to droop and he is unable to
fly.
July 2009 Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter Sentinel
Biscuit from another shelter.
He had also spent most of his first year in care.
On arrival, he did not fly or dive for his fish.
He chased or bit his caregivers bearing food. We
observed his flight and his ability to compete
for live fish. He had no physical problems.
After conferring with other pelican rehabbers
who suggested that he be released,
Jim and Karen Freeze gave
him a boat ride on the Cape
Fear River. He is on pelican island
with a lot of other juveniles – and no
humans!
5
 The Sea Biscuit Support System
2009
They Give Their Time and Energy:
Volunteers who stepped up and helped when They Made Large Donations:
needed include Gus Grosch who spends his New supply cupboards, a functioning outdoor
free time photographing and giving technical sink, partitions in the newest enclosure, a
support so that we have this newsletter. Diane microscope, a conference in Raleigh and
Butzin, Linda Carver, Perry Grosch, Jane reference books were funded by Hope From
Kulesza, Janet Kurz, Jenny and Micah Kurzer, Helen Foundation, Jim Fowler, John Ennis,
John Mayer, Rick and Dinah Rucker and Kayla Tom and Libby Steffens and the Snarr Family.
Stine have all done hands on clinic work. Anne I’m so proud of my
Corrao, Carol Hasty, Barb McLain, Allen family and I must
Harrison, Jen Metzler, Mary Lynne Meissner, acknowledge the
Jo O’Keefe, Dawn Olmstead, Mike Romano, big contributions
Tammi Smith, Randy and Lisa Weller and of money, supplies
Carmel Zetts rescued and transported the and labor from:
birds needing help. Dr. Alyssa Travis and Rick and Melody
Rogers; Garry and
Terri Bruce; Andrew,
Joshua and Kristina
Bruce; and Kelly and
Tessa Rogers.

They Contributed Food, Money or Services:

her professional team at River Road Animal
Hospital have donated their services to give
much needed expertise, medications and
radiographs. Dr. Flint King and his
staff at the Oak Island Animal
Hospital assist in emergency cases Marilyn Emery.
in a humane and caring manner.
Shana Grisset, Beverly Guerre, The Kurzer
Family, Richard and Edith Edwards, Gail Capel,
Deborah Fosbury, Ardith Luke, Dave Mullaney,
Bob and Alice Seidel, Royce Potter, Blackburn
Seafood, Thomas Baldwin, Andrea Burchette,
Betsie Lytton, Mary Goldfeder, Ann and Jim
White, Jo OKeefe, Robert and Frances Jones,
Randy and Lisa Weller, John and Mary Ellen
Shadid, Southport Sail and Power Squadron,
Sally Buchanan, Pam Rainey, Maxine Ray,
Penny Chestnut, Mark Albert, Lee Baird,
Christine Alexander, Catherine Cheek, Thomas
Kuzenko, Mary Snead, Jill Jones, Patricia
Roseman, Michael and Jennifer Albrycht,
Anita Vigorito, JoAnne Harrelson, George and

6 Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter Sentinel July 2009

 HAPPY ENDINGS
the feisty guy. On arrival at SBWS, though
his head was skinned, bruised and bloody, he
hissed and growled at his keepers. After 3 weeks
of healing and gobbling down crickets, he was
released near the Southport Ferry Landing at the
woods bordering the freshly plowed farm fields
at the end of the road.

5 TINY WOOD DUCKS were orphaned near

the Lumber River State Park on April 1st. Ranger
Privette drove them down to Shallotte where
they had a second transport to Oak Island. They
are notoriously hard to keep alive and weighed
from 19 to 23 grams (less than 1 ounce). After
conferring with Jennifer Gordon at Carolina
Waterfowl, they were put in a heated aquarium
and given lots of mealworms. Two did not make
it but the 3 survivors gained weight rapidly. In YELLOW SHAFTER FLICKERS get orphaned
June, the little female was transferred to the NC too. This one was brought to the River Road
Aquarium at Fort Fisher and the two boys are Animal Hospital on
paddling around on Greenfield Lake in May 27th. He was not
Wilmington. fully feathered and had
a funny way of sticking
out his tongue when
eating. When he started
to hammer on the walls
of his cage a week later,
we realized that it was
a woodpecker. After
gobbling up crickets
and mealworms for the next three weeks, he
was returned to River Rd., given another day of
food in captivity on the back porch
An apartment complex in the city is not and finally released. But he
where you’d normally find a CHUCK WILLS chose to stay close by gradually
WIDOW. But this bird kept flying into the getting his own food but being
atrium windows on the second story of The supplemented by staff feedings.
Colonial Apartments. Frank Wright captured
July 2009 Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter Sentinel 7
 To:
Oak Island, NC 28465
1638 E Beach Dr
Sea Biscuit Shelter

WISH LIST Mission Statement

Cash donations will be used for
food and veterinary supplies The Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter cares for injured or
Things needed every Foodstuffs: orphaned wild birds. We provide minimum medical
day: Mealworms, crickets, care, safety from predators, food and shelter from the
Mops and brooms, fish under 12” long elements. When an animal is able to care for itself, it
scrub brushes, live or fresh or frozen. is released to the wild. We do not keep nonreleasable
detergents and vinyl Bird seed, sunflower animals nor use heroic methods to sustain the quality
gloves, paper towels, seeds, rice baby cereal, of their life. However, the Shelter does make every
Food storage zip lock chicken baby food, effort to rehabilitate an endangered species and every
bags. frozen chicks, frozen animal brought here is treated with respect and
Office supplies, copy mice, live mice. caring.
paper, envelopes,
Other stuff:
Medical needs: A sand filter for the
Scalpels, black light hot tub Board of Directors
flashlight, molding Blender
plastic for casts and Shelving Mary Ellen Rogers, President
splints. Diane W. Butzin, Secretary
Jane A. Kulesza, Treasurer
Call Mary Ellen Rogers at 910 278-7871