Judy Fentress: Dedicated to helping our native birds in their time of need |

Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue on Instagram: "This is a short-eared owl. He weighs 310 grams-so not very big. A female might weigh up to 500 grams. His name refers to two small feather tufts on the top of the head. This cute guy was caught in a barbed-wire fence and tore a large portion of his right wing open. Dr. Ginny Johnson was able to surgically suture soft tissue back together. We did it right here at our facilities new surgical suite. Your donation dollars at work! We put a new anesthesia machine, wet table, and surgical light to use. These owls are disappearing all around the country and are endangered in some states. Here, they are a species of great concern. Habitat loss and predation are the main causes. His recovery depends on how well his wounds heal. We are providing expert care and hope he gets to be released!"

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Vancouver Island Photographer📍| Sheena Davies Photography🌙 on Instagram: "A few weeks ago I had the absolute honour of joining my dear friend Taemar in something truly magical. ✨ In the middle of the night, deep in Metchosin, while most of us are curled up in our beds, an incredible group of dedicated volunteers are wide awake, carefully banding Northern Saw-whet Owls for research and conservation. My dear friend Taemar has been volunteering at Rocky Point Bird Observatory for the past 10 years, and now she’s training to become a permitted bander. When she invited me out to witness and capture what she does best, I could hardly contain my excitement - I’ve always felt a special connection with owls, and this was a dream come true. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the care and respect with which these tiny, ridiculously cute owls are handled. They seem to simply “hang out” as they’re gently examined—weights, eye colour, body condition, beak and feet, even whether they’re in moult (tested by the most tender little puff of air against their belly 🥹). Their wings and tails are measured, and then a tiny band is fitted around their ankle. My absolute favourite part of the process? Watching how researchers determine their age. Under the soft glow of a black light, the owls’ feathers reveal a hidden secret: a pigment that shines bright pink. The younger the owl, the more vibrant the glow. As they age, the pink slowly fades. It’s a breathtaking thing to witness - like holding a piece of living stardust. When the examination is complete, the owls are gently placed into a small box and released to fly away on their own, wild and free once again. I left with my heart full- so proud of Taemar and the work she’s doing, and in awe of these tiny, magical beings of the night. 💫🦉 And here’s the best part: Rocky Point Bird Observatory is always looking for passionate volunteers to join in their important work. If this calls to your heart the way it does mine, reach out to @rockypointbird you never know what kind of magic you might discover. ✨ #northernsawwhetowl #birdbanding #cowichanvalleyphotographer #vancouverislandphotographer"