The creator and operator of an Epping rehabilitation facility dedicated to the rescue and care of injured raptors – birds of prey such as hawks, owls, falcons, and the like – will describe her work, accompanied by several of her avian friends, in a presentation entitled “For the Birds” to be offered at 7 PM on Thursday, August 25, at the Andover Elementary/Middle School. The presentation is free and open to the public.
Speaker Jane Kelly, who divides her time between residences in Andover and Epping, has since 2014 operated her Epping raptor rehab center, called On the Wing. With the support of partners Tim and Selvi Lampman of Veterinary Emergency and Surgery Hospital, plus training in a variety of workshops and over three years of volunteer work at a Maine wildlife center, she is now state and federally licensed to practice falconry, educate with and rehabilitate raptors.
Describing how she became interested in her work, Kelly says: “Six years ago, in a two month period, I found 10 dead barred owls, all hit by cars, on the shoulder of Route 101. From a long interest in the outdoors, I felt a need to advocate for animals, specializing in raptors. The volunteer work and training came soon after. To gain more knowledge of raptors, I took up the sport of falconry, which has been an incredible journey physically, spiritually, and mentally.
“I am honored to be in the presence of these amazing creatures and to educate all age groups in making a difference for wildlife,” Kelly continues. Her work has been featured in a variety of newspaper and magazine articles, television appearances, radio interviews, and print media, most recently in the June 2016 issue of New Hampshire Magazine.
In Andover, Kelly will be accompanied by a variety of diurnal and nocturnal raptors. Together, they will offer attendees a glimpse into the complex relationships between raptors and humans and the reasons why protection and rehabilitation are important in our lives.
Kelly’s presentation is sponsored by the Andover Institute, a branch of the Andover Community Association committed to “bringing people together to learn new things and gain new skills.” Stay connected to local events by “liking” their Facebook page at Facebook.com/AndoverInstitute03216. For more information, e-mail AndoverCommunity03216@nullgmail.com.