WURTSBORO—A demonstration of birds of prey was just one of the attractions that drew crowds during Wurtsboro’s Winterfest on Feb. 6. Ravensbeard Wildlife Center Director Ellen Kalish brought five birds to show a packed room at the Community Church of Wurtsboro. In addition to giving interesting facts about the birds, she took the time to remind people to call an expert if they find an injured animal in the wild, to leave old, hollow trees for cavity nesting and insect-eating birds, and to put up bird boxes for Kestrels, which are declining in numbers.
An eastern screech owl held by Ellen Kalish, director of Ravensbeard Wildlife Center during Winterfest in Wurtsboro on Feb. 6, 2016. Owls nest in cavities, which is why it is important to keep dead trees, "not only for the habitat, but because of the wood peckers and the insect-eating birds—it's a grocery store in there for everybody," Kalish said. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
