Baby barn owls are in trouble as a growing number of the critters are turning up displaced or orphaned because their parents are nesting in haystacks.
Barn owls are cavity nesters and used to being around people, and that causes a problem,
Blue Mountain Wildlife in Pendleton, "The majority of baby barn owls we care for come from haystacks that farmers need to move because the hay is sold. And that leaves many of the baby owls homeless."
And saving those chicks is not cheap. Last year, it cost the rehabilitation center $24,000 to feed 80,000 mice to 400 homeless barn owl chicks. To help pay for the feedings, the agency will hold its annual Barn Owl Boot Camp fundraiser from 1 to 3 p.m. April 21 at the Richland Community Center, next to Howard Amon Park.
Anyone interested in helping Blue Mountain Wildlife save the young barn owls can visit its boot camp, mingle with some caged raptors and learn more about their plight, Tompkins said.
For a $55 donation, visitors receive a certificate of adoption, even though their adopted baby barn owl will remain in the wild under the care of either its parents or Blue Mountain Wildlife.
And those who donate any amount may receive a gift of either an origami owl or owl luggage tag. Attendees also will be entered into a drawing for a two-night stay at Sunriver Resort in Bend, Ore.
There is no admission fee.