I have not had a migraine as bad as the one I had yesterday.  As I filled my gas tank down the street, I thought about just going home.  But I pressed on and took off for my 50 minute drive to Wildlife Rescue.

This is something that I have to do.  I thought I had found my niche in being a veterinarian’s technician.  Holding a Great Horned Owl as it is being force fed mice….to hear him hoot in your face…my passion, my need is to help local wildlife that is injured to return back.  You may think you appreciate hearing an owl at dusk ~ hold one in your hands and you will have a whole new perspective.

 So what,  you see squirrels everyday….feed one who’s eyes are still closed and be there the first day it opens them.  A raccoon is a raccoon is a raccoon right?  i have met 4 raccoons in my life so far, and every single one had the same curious attitudes, the same Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, but very different personalities.  Two wonderful and two very clever and mischievous ones.  Nothing in the world is better than being that close to nature.

Gerda was telling me about a vulture named Lloyd.  She said that Lloyd taught the volunteers that they are beautiful birds and are full of life for death seekers.  Lloyd was known to follow you until you tossed him a piece of food.  He would steal your cans of soda and drink them himself.  He left after he healed his aches, but returned for free meals every so often; occasionally freaking out the new volunteers who hadn’t meet him yet.  I imagine having a bird with a 6-8 foot wingspan land and follow you relentlessly could be quite scary.  Especially given the bad rap they have been given. 

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DNR Clarifies Permits Required For Release Of Captive-Raised Mallards

ANNAPOLIS, MD - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently adopted regulations to clarify that captive-raised mallard ducks may not be released to the wild except under the authority of a permit from DNR.

“Considering concerns over health standards and proper husbandry, it is imperative that the DNR know the origin, as well as when and where captive-raised mallards are being released in Maryland,” said Paul A. Peditto, Director of DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service.

Captive-raised mallard ducks may be released only under the authority of a Regulated Shooting Area Permit, Retriever Training Permit, or a special Field Trial Permit.

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Weather: a cool 33 degrees. Ice/snow/sleet in forecast.

I am not a cold weather person. If it is below 70 out, I need a sweater. But my drive and determination to earn the respect of Gerda and other volunteers at Wildlife Rescue out weighs frostbitten fingers and a runny nose. Having been there once before I knew what needed to be done and was more than ready to get moving.

The duck, goose, rabbit, pigeon and chicken area outside seems to be where I will start my days here. Frozen water hose and a trash bag in hand I pass the porcupine and wave as I enter the mini aviary/ rabbit house.

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ANNAPOLIS, MD - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service will be conducting a sport fishing survey in three selected watersheds beginning in mid-February and continuing through late March. The gathered information from recreational anglers specifically will specifically target yellow perch during their late winter/early spring spawning runs.“Yellow perch provide Marylanders one of the first opportunities of the year to go fishing,” said Acting Director of the Fisheries Service Harley Speir. “The angler satisfaction information will help us define stakeholder supported management objectives for this fishery, and to develop management strategies to sustain this fishery for future generations.”

Interviewed anglers will be asked a series of questions describing the effort, catch and residence of their yellow perch fishing activity for the day. Anglers will also have to opportunity to voice their opinions and level of satisfaction with the current perch fishery. Interviews will be conducted in the Bush River, the Chester River, Mattawoman Creek and Wicomico River.

In addition to the interview survey, a yellow perch creel site has been established online. This survey, modeled after DNR’s striped bass and summer flounder online surveys is designed to provide yellow perch angler input throughout the entire Bay. Participating anglers will be asked basic questions regarding the day’s locations fished, effort and catch.

The information collected from both surveys will be utilized by the Department regarding future yellow perch management and regulatory decisions as well as the upcoming Yellow Perch Fisheries Management Plan. For more yellow perch information, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/articles/ypmgmnt.html.

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Today, Governor Martin O’Malley announced preservation of 117 acres of forest and farmland in Baltimore County through Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program.

“Continued progress in preserving our woodlands and working farms in Baltimore County remains critical to protecting and restoring our local streams and nationally treasured Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, the Board of Public Works approved the purchase of two conservation easements located in the Piney Run Watershed Rural Legacy Focus Area with $785,500 of Rural Legacy funds. The easements adjoin with a large block of 12,000+ acres of previously protected land. Protection of the properties from future development helps protect water quality of the Black Rock Run and Piney Run by permanently preserving stream riparian butters. The easements, totaling 117+ acres, will be held cooperatively by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Land Preservation Trust.

Since 1997, Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program has provided funding to preserve 57,915 acres vulnerable to sprawl development.