Photos courtesy of Guy Runco
Melissa Guernsey and Judy Odhner of Moose Pass help release a great horned owl back into the wild. The owl was found by the women, captured by local resident Kevin Knotek, and released three months later after much rehabilitation by Bird TLC.
Compiled by Willow Hetrick
Turnagain Times
Moose Pass Correspondent
Great Horned Owl Released in Avalanche Acres
By Erin Knotek
Over 60 local residents were on hand to release a Great Horned Owl in Moose Pass. The Great Horned Owl was found mid-July by Melissa Guernsey as she took a daily walk with neighbors Judy Odhner and Erin Knotek. Realizing the bird was severely injured and in need of help, Erin Knotek called the Sealife Center in Seward.
They suggested catching the bird with a blanket. Kevin Knotek, blanket in hand, captured the bird and placed it into a dog kennel. Expecting the Sealife Center to pick it up, the owl was kept in a cool, quiet place for the day. When the Sealife Center could not pick the owl up, Kevin and his wife, Erin, transported the owl to Seward. The bird was treated at the Sealife Center and later transported to Bird Treatment and learning Center (Bird TLC).
Bird TLC is the premier facility in Southcentral Alaska qualified to treat wild birds and to maintain non-releasable wild bird for education programs. Bird TLC attended to the abrasions on the bird, including a significant wound to its hind end. It is suspected the bird was most likely hit by a vehicle. The owl was fed mice at the Bird TLC site on Fort Richardson where cages that help rehabilitate the birds’ rehabilitation/flying abilities.
The Bird TLC rehabilitation clinic sees between 600-800 injured, sick, or orphaned bird each year. The ultimate goal is to release bird back to the wild. After nearly three months the Owl that was originally found in Moose Pass was ready to be released. Guy Runco, volunteer coordinator at the Bird TLC, transported the owl south, held a discussion for onlookers and offered guidance in the release.
Prior to releasing the bird, Katy Toth-Stauble, education specialist for the U.S. Forest Service, visited the Moose Pass School and talked about owls and led the students in owl pellet dissection program. She will attend Cooper Landing School as well to conduct a follow up program. The Moose Pass and Cooper Landing Schools were on site for the release, as well as individuals from surrounding communities. The bird release was made possible through a donation from the Moose Pass Sportsmen’s Club.
Seward Ranger District Winter Trail Updates
By Irene Lindquist
Box Canyon Gate at mile 2 of the Exit Glacier Rd is closed for the season. Resurrection River Trailhead is at mile 8 of Exit Glacier Road. If you plan on accessing this trail, please add 6 additional miles to your trip.
Mon/Tues storm brought more inches of snow lower down the mountain. 20» of snow at Carter Lake at the moment. Folks traveling above 1,400 feet will want to be packing snowshoes/skis now, even on our hiking trails that lead you to the cabins. Winter is here! Reminder: Winter Motorized use begins Dec. 1 if there is sufficient snow at the trailheads to prevent resource damage. This being an odd numbered year (2011) means that the Resurrection Pass Trail system is open to motorized use this winter season beginning Dec. 1.
Moose Pass School Board (SBMC) Minutes October 11, 2011
Principal’s Report:
District-new evaluation tool for teachers-more detailed for better growth. Coordinating with other small school principal-Christine Ermold. Attendance at Moose Pass one day a week working with teachers in classrooms. Introduction of new math program in the grades 4-8 class.
Teacher’s Reports:
By Mr. Clay
Sixth and seventh graders attended/participated in cross-country race at Soldotna. Brooks Berry came in fifth. Participated in Mind and Mazes-designed paper airplanes. Upper class has couple more weeks on studying Alaska ecosystems, landforms and geography.
By Mrs. Abraham
K-3 finishing up mammal unit. Fairy/folk tales and nursery rhymes next unit. Puppet theater set up to act out tales. Designing houses for the three little pigs.
Old Business
Bussing – Mr. Bickling talked to Sandy Roach. Reversal of afternoon route makes sense-equal time for all students. All loading at one time-doable. Benefit-more prep time for teachers. Maybe trial run for a week. Date still needs to be set for start-up of new system.
New Business
Fundraising-money for field trips. Set goals and brainstorm for ideas. Branching outside the community-craft fairs? Mooster’s dissolved. New checking account needs to be set up for SBMC. Student Council-Heather Lindquist to come in to get that initiated. Community Halloween Carnival-no volunteers. Voted no-too short of a time frame. Gym stipend for winter months-Mr. Bickling checking into that hiring process. Christmas program-date set for Dec. 12 and 14 at 7 p.m.
Public Discussion
SBMC meeting time to remain at 3:15 p.m. Possibility to have some meetings later in the evening. Open for discussion and feedback.
