Life does go on, and things have been as hectic as ever at the Wildlife Rescue of the Florida Keys. We've just started seeing an influx of Raptors coming into the keys on their annual migration, and I was fortunate enough to visit the folks conducting the `Hawk Watch' program for the Audubon Society up in Grassy Key. In the first two days, they had already spotted more Kites than they did in two months last year. The entire staff at Wildlife Rescue observed a flock of hawks kettleing over McCoy Indigenous Park just this morning. So for all you birders out there, this is looking like a very exciting year.
And back on the chicken front, we have just completed yet another chicken lift, this time to a location I could not of hand picked better. But I cannot take credit for finding this location; it was Gaston Benton, a lateral inspector for the city of Key West who found this oasis for our feathered friends.
On holiday with his family, he just happened into a campground on state road 41, and noticed the abundance of animals these kind folks kept on their property. He told them about our chicken relocation, then he told us, then we called them, and well, you get the picture. So on Sept. 30 Dave Fallon of the city of Key West and myself released 68 Key West Gypsy Chickens into massive acreage of free-range heaven. Located just 30 minutes from Naples, five miles east of S.R. 29 on U.S. 41, Trail Lakes Campgrounds is a beautiful sight, and the warm, friendly staff offered an open invitation for Conchs passing through to stop and visit our relocated friends.
An interesting note to the trip, we had left Key West with 80 birds, but noticing a truck following close by, we pulled over in Homestead and met a lovely man by the name of David Sanz and his family. He had mistaken us for the Rooster Rescue Team, and we informed him that we were the relocation effort.
He was so excited to adopt some `Gypsy Chickens', that after making copies of his IDs, we let them have twelve of the birds. I was very pleased when they jumped at the chance for some special birds, some that had healed broken limbs, and some raised from babies who were just so friendly the children could not resist.
Mr. Sanz is now speaking with his neighbors in the area, and just outside of Delray Beach will be the location of our next chicken lift.
To date, we have placed nearly 400 Key West chickens in new homes, and that's not counting the birds Katha Sheehan has placed through the Chicken Store.
So once again, thank you Key West, and the exceptional people who live here. With all of us working together, we will make a difference. And as always, thank you for caring.
Janet Matheny, Wildlife Rescue of the Florida Keys.