Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society  

An Evening at the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society’s 2005 Harvest Banquet

It was our first time at a Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society Harvest Banquet and it soon became clear that we had been missing out on the best event of its kind anywhere.

Trish and I entered the very elegant Crown Isle Resort and were greeted by Keith Birch, General Manager of MARS; we knew right away that it would be an enjoyable, fascinating and memorable evening. “Take notes!” Keith suggested. “I’d like you to write up your impressions for MARS.” We had learned from delivering ‘phone books in Campbell River to help raise money for MARS that Keith was a wonderful organizer. We found our way to our table where we were seated with an amiable group which included a publisher and expert on Bald Eagles, a veterinarian, an auctioneer, a geologist, and a helicopter pilot. As the large and friendly crowd settled into their places we could hear MARS Founder and Wildlife Rehabilitator Mary Jane (Maj) Birch at the podium speaking about “rescue, rehabilitation and release”.

That’s what the evening was all about. MARS handles 500 cases a year ranging from eagles to fawns to seals. We had no idea they served so many “clients.” Cheryl Langer, Promotions Director at 97.3 FM The Eagle, was a warm and gracious Master of Ceremonies and kept the evening’s activities moving right along.

The Gold and Platinum Rooms were cozy and full of laughter. Noted biologist and publisher David Hancock helped set the mood for the evening with a fascinating slide talk on Bald Eagles. Among his many accomplishments David founded Hancock House Publishers and is the author of The Bald Eagle of Alaska, BC and Washington published in 2003. David’s talk—The West Coast Bald Eagle—reflected his many years of experience in the field and was most informative for experienced naturalists and novices alike. Did you know that eagles can survive in an area for 100 years and that their nests can weigh over a ton? That when an eagle chick breaks out of the nest—using a special “egg tooth”—it will be bigger and fatter than it will ever be? And that there is a delicate inner cup inside an eagles’s nest made from moss? David’s descriptions of the comeback of the Bald Eagle in the Fraser Valley and their adaptation to the urban environment were both educational and inspirational.

“Enjoy the feast . . . and bid high!” encouraged auctioneer David Stevens and one table responded enthusiastically with a bid of $200, winning the right to head first for the delicious feast donated by about 50 local producers and suppliers. Fabulous tables of fish and fowl, seafood, fresh vegetables, desserts, and other items—really beyond words—had been beautifully laid out by Crown Isle Resort staff. We felt very spoiled indeed as I am sure did everyone there. I could only marvel at the time and effort that must have gone into making this all possible.

Dinner was truly a celebration of the bountiful harvest of the Comox Valley. Back at our table, volunteer pilot Norm shared stories of rescuing birds and seals by helicopter, something he has been doing with MARS as a volunteer for many years. If the evening could be summarized in one word it would be “generosity”. Many businesses and people like Norm and other volunteers and interns seem to be what makes MARS a success.

Meanwhile, David Stevens was up in front again to auction off some really amazing items. With his rapid fire auctioneers’ “chant” David exhorted the crowd to bid. Some spirited and good-natured bidding resulted in the purchase of prints, carvings, sculpture, gardening, landscaping and travel packages . . . to name but a few of the items generously donated by the local business community . . . there were also door prizes, silent auction items and draw prizes . . . the list goes on and on. Altogether about $10,000 was raised in support of MARS and its work to “rescue ill, injured, orphaned or oiled wildlife” We had a fantastic evening and left better informed about wildlife rehabilitation and the role of volunteers in making it all happen. Congratulations MARS! See you next year!