New Surf Coast wildlife shelter

A $30,000 state government grant has enabled construction of a new large-scale aviary for rescued birds in the Surf Coast and Bellarine regions, helping fill a gap in the ability of wildlife carers to rehabilitate larger birds.

“It’s a community resource that’s needed,” Torquay wildlife carer Cindy Skehan said of the eight metres long and four metres high structure.

Ms Skehan successfully lobbied local MP Andy Meddick for help securing the funding, noting there was a lack of enclosures in the region that are big enough to house birds of prey and other large birds.

“Before the Animal Justice Party was in parliament, animals rarely got a look in,” said the Animal Justice Party member.

“Now every year, we consistently lock in vital funds to support animal protection and rescue across the state.

“It’s big enough for a wedge tail eagle.

“There is a shortage of carers in the Surf Coast region who can accommodate larger native birds which require strength training and flight confidence prior to release.”

The first resident of the aviary is a Kestrel found at Point Roadknight on new year’s day.

“It has built up its strength, we tried to release it last week, but can’t find its parent so we’re going to try for a soft release from here,” Ms Skehan said.

“There’s a special door at top of aviary allowing it to come and go until it finds its feet so to speak.”

Starting as a wildlife carer in 2017, Ms Skehan is part of small but dedicated group in the region committed to rescuing and rehabilitating animals with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.

“There’s a group of us across the Bellarine, Surf Coast, Winchelsea who help each other out.

“Not just knowledge, guidance, but also emotional support …sometimes it’s hard being a carer.”

“When I started rescuing about five years ago, there was hardly any bird carers around. There’s a few around Ocean Grove, otherwise there’s no large flight aviary anywhere.”

“Some people might look and see just a bird and an aviary, but it’s so much more than that,” Andy Meddick said after inspecting the new facility recently.

“It takes many people and hours of effort, dedication and gathered knowledge, to successfully rescue, care for, rehabilitate and release wildlife.”

Ms Skehan thanked local builder Patty Brown and concretor Tim Leith for their part in building the aviary.

“They’ve been really good sports, they didn’t charge extra for the original quote they did at the end of 2020, despite the rise of building costs,” she said.

The facility is still a work in progress, the soft release trapdoor is a new installment, security cameras have been added and the next step is to plant native vegetation around the enclosure.

Ms Skehan is hoping the maiden resident Kestrel, now able to fly, will gain confidence to fly the coup within weeks.