This month we shine the volunteer spotlight on Frances Mielach! She first found our organization when she brought in an injured bird. Frances bumped into our Director of Rehabilitation, Cathy Malok, who helped shed some light on what we do here. Feeling inspired, she went home and applied to become a volunteer right away. Her favorite part of getting to be here is seeing the releases! The beauty of watching our patients fly free again makes all this hard work worth it. Fran is a devoted volunteer: helping train newcomers, donating supplies, and always looking to help in whatever way she can. Whether it's meticulously organizing things in the infirmary or staying after her shift is done for all the finishing touches, she truly goes above and beyond in every way. She loves all birds, wild and domestic, but is partial to owls and makes sure to visit our resident owls whenever she is here. The most important bird in her life is her beloved Dutch-blue lovebird, Periwinkle! Growing up, she would feed the wild birds after school every day until they memorized her schedule, marking the start of her humble bird-loving origins. When not at The Trust, Frances also enjoys skiing, hiking, cooking, and entertaining friends as well as gardening, and creating a bird-friendly home and backyard. As a trained toxicologist, Frances helps educate others about the use of harmful pesticides and their effect on our birds. She plans to reach homeowners by presenting this program at venues like gardening centers and gardening clubs about non-toxic alternatives that can prevent harm and save lives. Through and through, Frances lives out the mission of The Raptor Trust, and we could not imagine our team without her. Thank you for all you do, we love you! 

This month's “Volunteer Spotlight” is our fantastic Gift Shop volunteer, Nicole Donohue. Nicole loves vultures and ravens especially!

Find out about resources available for Avian Influenza (H5N1), and how to handle potential cases responsibly (and help us maintain safe and effective bird care).

Meet Greg Needham!

We are thrilled to introduce our enhanced event sponsor program for 2025, designed to provide even greater opportunities for businesses to engage with our vibrant community while supporting The Raptor Trust’s mission.

We're thrilled to share a wonderful update about Barred Owl #24-4465. This resilient bird, which many of you might remember from our #GivingTuesday campaign and December 19th post, is making fantastic progress.

Ready to make 2025 the year of birding adventures? Shop with The Raptor Trust for all your birding essentials, from field guides to cozy knit hats. Let's make this year a "Bird Year" together!

Meet Michael Sterling!

Save the date! Our 10th Annual TRT Celebration: FeatherFest will be June 1, 2025. Games, gifts, auctions, raffles, food, and FUN!

As we celebrate the official designation of the Bald Eagle as the national bird of the United States on December 24, 2024, we are excited to spotlight our two resident bald eagles, Uno and Colonel.

As the year winds down, we’ve got some incredible milestones to share. From surpassing our annual admit average to approaching a historic 150,000 avian patients, our progress is a testament to our dedication to bird care and conservation. Curious about the numbers and what’s next for us?

On a cold December day, a Hunterdon County resident found an unlikely visitor in their yard: this Sharp-shinned Hawk (pictured)!

Find out how this avian patient is doing!

Thank you for helping us fly past our goal!

The Brant goose, with its compact size and striking black-and-white plumage, is a remarkable bird. Adapted to drink saltwater, these geese embark on long migratory journeys from their Arctic breeding grounds to coastal winter habitats. Look for them in estuaries, mudflats, and saltmarshes, where they thrive throughout the winter months.

This GivingTuesday, we have an incredible opportunity to make twice the impact on the lives of our beloved raptors. Thanks to the generosity of a board member, every dollar you donate will be matched up to $25,000! And the best part is, you don't have to wait until GivingTuesday on December 3rd to give—the matching challenge starts now!

Are you passionate about wildlife conservation? Do you want hands-on experience in avian rehabilitation? The Raptor Trust’s Summer Scholars Program is now accepting early applicants for 2025!