Popular birds of prey program visits Chehalis

The education birds of Raindancer Wild Bird Rescue draw crowds wherever they go.

Meet a peregrine falcon and learn how this magnificent raptor became a crowd-pleasing education bird.

The popular Birds of Prey program comes to the Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2-3 p.m.
Stephanie Estrella, founder and director of the all-volunteer organization Raindancer Wild Bird Rescue, will discuss the natural history of birds and conservation issues facing birds and their habitats.

She is also the non-profit's only wildlife rehabilitator. She has credentials from both Washington state and the federal government. In addition to caring for needy birds of prey, Estrella makes room for injured or orphaned bats.

"Most animals are admitted to wildlife rehabilitation centers," Estrella said, "because of human activities -- habitat loss, vehicles, windows, power lines, barbed wire, poisons, domestic animals, etc."

The work is important, she said, because it "helps alleviate suffering and gives animals a second chance at life in the wild."

All Timberland Programs are free and open to the public.

The Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library is located at 400 N. Market Blvd. For more information, contact the library at
360-748-3301 or visit www.TRL.org.