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>' 16 Scugog Clan - Tuesday, December 19,1995 + Injured owl brings back boyhood memories nature's corner ken carmichael Last Friday the Animal Control Officer called me to say that she had an owl with a broken wing at the shelter. When I arrived to pick up this bird, I found it was a Long-Eared Owl. Having this bird in my barn to care for and feed brought pack memories of m first. owl experience. I was just eighteen years old but even then I was interested in birds. I lived in the Eglinton and Bayview area of Toronto. At that time there was a swamp and g large woodlot called Wilson's Bush on this corner. There was an old apple orchard on this property and in one of the trees there was a cavity where' a Red Faced Screech Owl had a nest. I spent many hours watching the birds feed their young. One day much to my dismay, a bulldozer knocked all the apple trees down in order to build houses. After a great deal of searching I finally found the old apple tree and its cavity where my owl was nesting. Sadly, I found all the young owlets dead but one which I took home. A pen had to be built in my yard and the quest for food for this bird was unbelievable. This young bird could eat at least one mouse a day and as it grew older' it had no problem devouring two. Fortunately, the neighbours were understanding as I had mouse traps set all over the place. Our next door neighbour had chickens which attracted mice - helping the cause. This bird became an instant pet and I called it Pogo. The children of the area flocked to see the bird because it was perhaps the first time they had ever seen an owl. As the fall drew near the owl grew and it became evident to me that I would have to find a home for Pogo. I was sure it could never be released into the wild. My good friend and mentor, Mr. W.V. Crich, suggested that I could give this owl to a man in Buffalo New York who was a nature photographer and also an expert on owls. The bird was transported to Buffalo and] thought that would be the end of it. A few years later I was glancing through a nature magazine and there was this beautiful picture of a Red Faced Screech Owl. I knew in an instant that it must be Pogo. He had become famous. I didn't see pictures or hear of Pogo again but I guessed that he lived out his years in captivity. This 'all brings me back to Pogo #2 residing in my barn. The traps are set for mice and I am picking from all of us to all of you . Qbaason"s Greetings and best is for a happy, healthy and d prasperous NC 3.5 No Overcharge WE PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE on most insurance windshield claims. Your Insurance Plus One Free TV! | No overcharge To Your Insurance | "owls up road kills to feed it. This time the outlook for this bird is not good. It has a compound fracture of one of its wings and it looks to me like it will be impossible to repair. 1 have phoned around trying to find a home for this bird. This week I will take it to Campbellville to the Mountsberg Wildlife Centre. They will keep it in captivity for people to see. Owls have been of special interest to mé because they are nocturnal. There is nothing more exciting than spending a night in the woods photographing this species. Owls capture their prey with their feet. If the victim is not too large, it is swallowed whole and the hair and bones disgorged afterwards in the form of pellets. It is the examination of these pellets which has proved beyond a doubt that owls should be classified among one of our most beneficial birds. They eat mainly rodents. "As the weather becomes colder and the snow covers the ground your becomes greater. . Each year Northern migrate into chance of seeing owls * CAMPER FLEET SALE Starting at $29,900. OVER 40 UNITS TO CHOOSE FROM. All the comforts of a motor home. All the ease ] 1] and efficiency of driving a van. Discover why Roadtrek is the best selling North American camper van. Roadtrek Drives Like a Van!™* 3 Hoes rans OWASCO RECREATIONAL VEHICLES 1425 Dundas St. E., WHITBY Ontario and can often be seen on the roadside, birds like Snowy Owl, Hawk Owl and even perhaps a Great Grey Owl. Be observant as you travel along the road and you may see one of these feathery mousetraps sitting on a post alongside the road. I would like to thank all the people who have called me during the year on different nature subjects. I appreciate the calls. May each of you have a Merry Christmas, health and happiness in 1996 and good birding! (Ken Carmichael is a renowned wildlife photographer, naturalist and avid bird watcher. He is a Scugog resident and his column appears from time to time in the Citizen.) Heart/Stroke Health The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (HSFO) has officially launched the first-of-its- kind Heart & Stroke Healthline. This new, toll-free, 1- 800 telephone service is designed to meet the diverse' and ever- changing information needs of people who have heart disease or stroke. It also has valuable resources for those who want to find out how to reduce their 'risk of developing heart disease or stroke - the #1 killer of Canadians. The Heart & Stroke Healthline is: 1- 800-360-1557. "The Héart & Stroke Healthline puts the Foundation in the forefront as a provider of the most recent and authoritative information on almost every subject concerning heart di Line topics relating to heart disease and stroke." As the population continues to age, more Ontarians will become concerned with the effects that heart disease or stroke will have on their families, and themselves. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (HSFO), two ut of every ten Canadians will be over the age of 656 by the year 2016. Recent statistics also show that one-quarter of Ontarians have some form of heart disease, disease of the blood vessels or stroke; although, one-third may not even be aware of their risk. "Knowing the risk factors and heading a heart healthy life will reduce one's chance of _ and stroke," says Al Mason, President, Oshawa Chapter. "The Healthline will be able to answer questions on everything from specific disease states to where to find community-based stroke resources." We are an information- based society relying on a number of important communication vehicles," continues Al Mason. "The Heart & Stroke Healthline helps people gain fast and easy answers to their questions. Plus, callers can receive written responses to their queries, and have the opportunity to request more information via fact sheets or videos'on other developing heart di or stroke," says Dr. Anthony Graham, cardiologist and Vice President, External Relations, HSFO. "The Heart & Stroke Healthline can inform these people quickly and efficiently about lifestyle modification 'factors, including tips on healthy eating." The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario is a community-based "volunteer organization whose mission is to reduce the risk of premature death and disability from heart e and stroke by ng funds for research and health ion. FROM CUSTOM SPRAYING TO BUILDING, HOME & FARM SUPPLIES! Keon Carson - Feed & Crop Sales Allan Howell - Lumber Manager |Home, Farm, Garden & Building Sapplics 1-800-465-4419 141 High 81. Sution 905-722-5151 Kent & Hwy. 7, Undisay. 705-324-7761 , ® FARM ® SEED @ FERTILIZER @ CHEMICALS