Approximately 80 community members of all ages attended an educational program "All About Owls" at the Media Community Center on Sunday, February 25. The program was a joint effort by the Media, Nether Providence, Springfield, and Swarthmore Bird Town chapters, and featured educator Marcy Engleman from the John James Audubon Center (https://johnjames.audubon.org/), who presented numerous facts about owl biology. Program attendees learned that owls can fly silently thanks to specially adapted wing feathers; that they cannot move their eyes in their sockets, but can swivel their heads nearly 270 degrees in order to see around them; and that the Great Horned Owl, one of North America's largest owls and one that is frequently heard locally, has a grip strength of around 200 pounds per square inch - nearly five times stronger than most humans!
Marcy was accompanied by Abby, a female Eastern Screech Owl who stole the show with her calm demeanor that allowed the audience a rare chance to view an owl up close. Abby is one of the Center's bird ambassadors: non-releasable wild birds that have been trained to help educate people about their natural history and issues facing birds today. In addition to Marcy and Abby, volunteers from Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research (https://tristatebird.org/) were present to provide information on how to help injured wild birds. Audience members also learned how to support birds at home with habitat improvement tips from Bird Town volunteers, and were invited to take home bird-safe mosquito "dunk" kits as a way to manage mosquito populations without resorting to pesticides.
Bird Town is a statewide program which recognizes municipalities for their commitment to stewardship. Media is one of 50 statewide chapters. The Borough's Bird Town program is part of the Environmental Advisory Council's (EAC) ongoing work to increase "green" living, promote a culture of conservation, and provide positive social, economic and ecological outcomes consistent with Media's designation as "Everybody's Home Ecosystem". Bird Town Media is collaborating with Bird Town Pennsylvania, neighboring Bird Town chapters, and the Valley Forge Chapter of the Audubon Society to help Borough residents get to know and love the birds of their backyard through community events and workshops. More information on Bird Town or creating a backyard habitat can be found at www.birdtownpa.org.
