Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society  

My Mountainaire Experience

I can hardly believe that my time here at Mountainaire is over. It seems like just yesterday that I was stepping off the plane so excited but not knowing what to expect. I was so scared that this internship I really couldn’t afford would be a big mistake. Boy was I wrong. The last two months have been an incredible learning experience in so many ways. There have been so many highs and lows that some days I was sure I was going to go absolutely crazy. I definitely couldn’t have done it without the volunteers. Being able to work with such an amazing group of people who are so dedicated and concerned about wildlife was great. They all made me feel so much at home…there was always someone willing to lend an ear while I complained about a bad day or to constantly remind me to put on sunscreen and a hat! My mother shouldn’t have been so worried…I had a whole team of surrogates here! I will sincerely miss all of them.

I also had the chance to work with the great veterinarians and vet techs that volunteer their time for us. This was particularly valuable to me as I am working towards being accepted into veterinary school next year. I was able to get hands-on experience working in the clinic with our animals as well as in a regular atmosphere on a couple of occasions. I even had the chance to scrub in and observe my first surgery (a dog neuter). Working with the vets is one area that I would have liked to do more of, but the time I did have was a lot of fun. The vets and the techs were so helpful and patient and really great teachers. They made it possible for me to be right in on the action, both with our animals and their regular patients.

Of course nothing compares to the experiences I had working with the animals. People already ask me which was my favorite and I still don’t have an answer for them. The two kestrels arrived about the same time that I did. Watching the little female progress from being handfed cut-up mice to eating on her own and flying around (accidentally landing on top of my head on a couple of occasions) to finally being transferred to another facility for eventual release was really rewarding. The marbled murreletes were also really fun. We were lucky enough to have three of them while I was here. Even though their releases were a little sketchy, I won’t soon forget their great sounds and the way they looked at me and just turned around to leave, waddling to the backs of their cages like little old men. The pileated woodpeckers were a blast. Every time I went in there I felt like I had just walked into a cartoon. Seeing Woody 1 released was a great feeling. The losses also had their lessons. The first week I was here we got my first bald eagle. We had her for couple of days and when we finally took her to the vet, the decision was made to euthanise her. I had to hold back the tears as I held her for the vet, but I learned from her and other cases that sometimes the best thing we can do for them is to end their suffering. On two occasions I euthanised a bird. It was hard but I’m glad to know that I can do it if I have to. The seal pups were also a privilege. They were a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. Being mom to a baby pigeon was great. As long as we had them, it was pretty hard to feel lonely…all I had to do was walk into Global and immediately their would be one or two or three pigeons sitting on my feet and prodding between my toes looking for food. Every case we had affected me in some way. Whether it was showing me just how horrible people can be, or the amount of birds that cats catch and don’t quite kill, or how each bird – even a little robin – is different, I learned a lot. The pace of learning the procedures of the center was good, but I think it would be helpful to have a checklist for the interns to check off duties as they are learned. They would only check off the item when they feel confident enough doing it. This would prevent any confusion over what someone has and has not been trained how to do correctly, as well as assumptions that the person is doing the job incorrectly out of negligence. This system would also work well with new volunteers, as it is hard to remember what they have been trained to do when you only see them once a week.

A huge part of this internship was dealing with the public. Since being here my people skills have definitely improved. I realized pretty fast that each time we talk to someone, it’s a chance to educate. I actually started to look forward to answering the phone or the pager or talking to someone when they dropped off a bird or I picked one up. Maybe it had a little to do with cabin fever…but it was always interesting anyway. I also had the chance to be in the Salmon Fest parade, which was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. We even won a trophy! In my second month here, we had two groups of kids from the SPCA camp come out. When Maj informed me that I was to think of something to do with these kids and actually do it all on my own, I must admit, I was a little nervous. The first group was a little tough, but the next week turned out to be a lot of fun. I still have no desire to be an elementary school teacher, but it was a great opportunity to pass on some of my newfound knowledge.

On my days off I had the chance to see some of the Comox Valley. I sure did a lot of walking! I got to go to the beach, take myself out for dinner, walk around Courtenay and Campbell River, and hike around Mt. Washington. I also got to experience the music festival, the Filberg Festival, Miracle Beach, and the Griffon Pub on other days. I would have liked some more free time to see more of the valley. I think it would be nice to have two days and a night off halfway through the internship. This would give the intern a chance to travel a little further or to just get away from the center for a little while, which you really need after a couple of weeks. A day off with the other intern would have also been nice. It would be hard to do, but I think it would have been nice to be able to spend some more time with each other away from the center.

While I was here I had the chance to stay in both the bunkhouse and the trailer. Both were quite comfortable. I preferred the trailer, but only because it has all the food and a bigger bed. We also had the use of a TV and VCR, as well as the Internet. There was also a bike and helmet for us to use on our days off or in the evenings. Once I got adjusted, I was very comfortable with the living arrangements. It would have been nice to have more meals provided. Being here and not working for two months has put me on a very tight budget and it’s also difficult a lot of nights to find time to make a proper meal. We did have the use of the garden and I think that was a really good idea and one that could be expanded on.

Overall, this has been a great experience for me. I have learned so much in the span of two months, it’s almost overwhelming. I can catch an eagle, tube a seal or a bird, decorate for a parade, develop an x-ray, and much more. At times it has been completely draining, emotionally and physically, and I wouldn’t recommend it to someone looking for a two-month vacation. It’s a lot of hard, dirty work, sometimes with few rewards for days at a time. Independence and good communication skills are really important qualities for any prospective intern. It’s also been incredibly fun and interesting as well as inspiring. I have a renewed drive towards my goals and have set a few new ones while I’ve been here. I’ve met some great people who share the same interests and concerns as myself, and I’ve been able to do all of it in a beautiful area.

Thank you to everyone at Mountainaire for making me feel so welcome and teaching me so much, especially Maj and Keith, for allowing me to have this amazing experience that I will never forget.