The Season of Giving (Thanks) Is Almost Here
Blue Mountain Wildlife has much to be thankful for. You, our incredibly generous supporters, along with dedicated staff and volunteers, made it possible for BMW to care for more than 1400 raptors and other birds this year, returning 800 back to the wild. We couldn’t have done it without you. As we approach the end of 2018, we are confident, with your help, we will meet the challenges of the new year.
#GivingTuesday is just over a week away, and like last year, you can triple your donation to Blue Mountain Wildlife. FaceBook is partnering with PayPal to match donations, and an anonymous donor has generously issued a matching gift challenge, up to $4,000, to inspire you and other BMW members to increase your support of our vital work, thereby tripling the impact of your gift!
What is the required minimum distribution for IRA?
If you’re over the age of 70-1/2, you will be required to take an annual withdrawal from your IRA. The provision is known as the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). This distribution may be made tax-free when directed to a qualified 501(c)(3) organization such as BMW. One of BMW’s long-time members has chosen to use their RMD as the #GivingTuesday matching gift challenge. 'Tis The Season ….. to use your IRA to give back!
Pied-billed Grebe 18-708
The second grebe admitted this fall was found in Echo, OR. It may have been confused in the fog, and landed on wet pavement instead of the nearby Umatilla River. We could find no injuries, so after passing its swimming test, we made a quick trip to Umatilla, releasing it at the Marina.
Purdue University Eagle Study
There were just six admissions this past week, the above mentioned Grebe and five raptors. It was the perfect time to host researchers Patrice Baumhardt and Benny Goller, who are studying the vision and hearing of eagles.
The goal of Purdue’s Eagle study is to measure vision and hearing so that they can develop Bald and Golden Eagle specific alerting signals to keep eagles, in the wild, away from turbines. While at BMW, the researchers were able to measure the extent of two Golden eagles’ visual fields as they project in space, the sensitivity of a Golden eagle’s photoreceptors in the eye, and the behavioral responses of Golden and Bald eagles to various lights and sounds that are tuned to their senses. The results of these measurements will hopefully help to keep eagles safe around wind farms.
Below, Benny and Patrice mount equipment in the large flight pen.
