Raptor Rendezvous canceled, center accepting donations

Indiana Raptor Center’s fundraiser event Raptor Rendezvous has been canceled again for this year due to COVID-19.

Canceling their annual fundraiser for the second year in a row leaves the nonprofit organization seeking donations from the community to help them assist juvenile birds through the winter.

To make a donation to the Indiana Raptor Center visit their website at www.indianaraptorcenter.com and click on any of the heart-shaped buttons on the pages to be directed to the center’s Paypal account. Checks can also be sent to the Indiana Raptor Center at P.O. Box 1163 Nashville, Indiana 47448.

Though linen and blanket donations are appreciated, the Indiana Raptor Center asks that they be taken to Community Closet, St. Vincent de Paul or take blankets to the Brown County Humane Society.

Youth mountain bike event planned this month

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department presents a free biking event in partnership with the Brown County Sheriff’s Department this month.

Strider bikes size 16, 20 and 24 as well as small, medium and large 26ers will be available for use, but participants are welcome to bring their own mountain bikes.

A mobile, wooden track will be set up at the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, 55 State Road 46 East, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23.

The event is being made possible by the IMPD Youth Mountain Bike Project.

Participants are asked to preregister on the Brown County Bikes website www.browncountybikes.com/service/events/.

DNR asks hunters to use non-toxic shot

With dove and waterfowl hunting season underway, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters to use non-toxic shot.

Due to the ongoing ammo shortage, non-toxic shot is harder to find, but it is imperative for the health of doves, which may accidentally ingest shot in hunting fields.

Use of non-toxic shot is a state and federal law. As hunters prepare for the upcoming waterfowl seasons opening or plan to hunt doves in November, buying ammo well in advance is recommended.

Keep migrating birds safe from windows

As migratory birds begin to fly south, flying into windows is a common occurrence. Up to 1 billion birds die annually after striking glass, making it the second largest human-caused killer of birds in the U.S. Birds fly into windows for a number of reasons, including seeing reflections of the open sky, or being chased by a predator.

The DNR recommends taking the following steps to avoid window collisions:

• Apply 1/8 inch thick patterns to the glass, spaced two inches apart. These patterns should be bright or light colored and visible from ten feet away.
• Install external insect screens.
• Place birdfeeders, baths, or other objects that may attract birds at least 30 feet from windows, or right on the window with suction cups. Plant shrubs nearby so songbirds have a place to hide from predators.