Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation returns birds to wild southwest of Lethbridge

The Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation returned several hawks, a falcon and an owl to the wild on Wednesday, after rehab.

After spending months in recovery, seven birds were given a new lease on life Wednesday morning southwest of Lethbridge.

The Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation released five Swainson’s hawks, a Merlin falcon and a short-eared owl at Cottonwood Park.

“The most important species to get on their way today was the Swainson’s hawks,” said Colin Weir, managing director of the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation.

“They leave their nests sometime in July and August, and by mid-to-late September, they’re already on their way to Argentina.”

Weir says it’ll take about two months for the birds to fly from Lethbridge to Argentina for the winter.

The birds were all rescued from Lethbridge and taken to the foundation in Coaldale for rehabilitation.

“They nest in our farms and ranches, and even right here in the city of Lethbridge, there’s a lot of them nesting in people’s backyards, especially around 43 Street and the north side,” Weir said.

“We’ve found them nesting in the London Road area and even Galt Gardens.”

Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen and Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn helped release the birds back into the wild.

“They have some pretty big talons, and it’s a little concerning, but it wasn’t too bad,” Hyggen said.

“I’ve never had this opportunity before, so when Mayor Van Rijn reached out and asked if I’d be interested, I absolutely jumped at it.”

The foundation began rescuing wildlife and birds in 1983.

“Being a part of the release is quite humbling,” Van Rijn said.

“The centre does a phenomenal job of rehabilitating. … Colin Weir takes phone calls 24-7 from anywhere in southern Alberta or even farther. He’ll go pick up an injured bird, bring it back to the centre and look after it until it can be released.”

While the birds will migrate to a warmer destination for the winter, Weir says most will likely return back to the Lethbridge region in the spring.

“We’d be up to our ears in mice and ground squirrels or gophers if it was not for the Swainson’s hawks and red-tailed hawks that we have here in southern Alberta, so a tremendous environmental benefit and a very big benefit for the farmers and ranchers,” Weir said.

The foundation will be open to the public on Sept. 13, 14, 20, and 21 before closing for the season.