 |
| Snow Geese landing |
Diane Winn and Marc Payne, the founders and managers of Avian Haven, have combined rehabilitation experience with more than twenty thousand birds over more than twenty years. Our annual caseload is typically about 1000 birds from 100 or more species.
Avian Haven has indoor infirmary space that includes a full kitchen, food supplies to meet the dietary needs of all avian species of all ages, incubators, hospital and recovery cages, two flight cages, veterinary equipment, a reference library, and a full complement of allopathic, naturopathic and homeopathic medical supplies. There are twelve outdoor flight cages of different sizes and shapes designed and built by Terry Heitz for a variety of species, from Hummingbirds to Bald Eagles. We treat birds that are orphaned and/or injured, with on-site capabilities for minor veterinary procedures including x-rays; birds that require surgery are taken to a consulting veterinarian.
We have permits issued by the State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to rehabilitate wild birds (including endangered species). Our facilities are open during the daylight hours, 365 days a year. We accept birds of all species from the general public, and via referrals from veterinarians, Maine Wildlife Biologists, Maine Game Wardens, Animal Control Officers, and other Maine rehabilitators. We are not a nature center or a zoo; all of our birds are being prepared for release to the wild and thus are required by our permit conditions to have minimal contact with humans.
Avian Haven is not funded by any governmental agencies; our operating expenses are covered by private donations. We provide treatment free of charge to birds' rescuers, but are always grateful for small cash gifts to help cover food and medical costs. Larger gifts to help fund equipment and flight-conditioning cages are most welcome. Avian Haven is a non-profit corporation, so all donations are tax-deductible. We welcome volunteers from the community to work on site and/or transport birds to us from surrounding communities.
With a mission that includes research and education as well as rehabilitation per se, Marc and Diane have given numerous workshops and presentations at state, regional and national conferences, and we sponsor internships for college students during the summer season. We also publish on a regular basis; some of our recent peer-reviewed publications include the following (reprints available upon request):
Winn, D. & Finke, M. (2008) Formula for Nestling Songbirds (FoNS): Update for 2008. Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin, 26(1), (in press).
Winn, D. (2006) When Food can be Fatal: Recovery from Emaciation. Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin, 24(1), 26-29.
Finke, M. & Winn, D. (2004) Insects and Related Arthropods: A Nutritional Primer for Rehabilitators. Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation, 27(3-4), 14-27.
Winn, D. & Finke. M. (2004) Formula for Nestling Songbirds (FoNS©): Updates for 2006. Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation, 27(3-4), 28.
Heitz, T., Payne, M. & Winn, D. (2004) Round and Around and Around She Goes: Flight Conditioning in a Continuous Flyway. Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin, 22(1), 7-10.
Winn, D., Dunham, S. & Mikulski, S. (2003) Food for Insects and Insects as Food: Viable Strategies for Achieving Adequate Calcium. Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation 26(1): 4-13.
Winn, D. (2003) Formula for Nestling Songbirds: Investing in Fitness and Survival. In A. Moore & S. Joosten (Eds.), NWRA Principles of Wildlife Rehabilitation (2nd Edition) (pp. 9.55-9.63).
Winn, D. (2002) Formula for Nestling Songbirds: Down Payment on Fitness and Survival. Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation, 25(3), 13-18.
Winn, D. (2002) Dealing with Death: Psychological Aspects of Euthanasia in Wildlife Rehabilitation. Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation, 25(2), 22-25. |