The Wild Bird Fund is on the Upper West Side. It is the only bird rescue in all of Manhattan- also accepting turtles and baby squirrels. Any injured, wounded or fallen bird (pigeons too, there is no prejudice) can be brought there and will be tended to with great care by the staff and volunteers.
Artist Barbara Zucker came up with a project that might benefit the Fund. Five artists (myself included) spent two intense days drawing and painting the birds. All work produced that has merit will be donated to The Fund to use in whatever way they choose.
We watched George, a swan, head home to Massapequa (he’d had lead poisoning), a Canada goose- dubbed Christopher- hung out within two feet of our chairs. He had been hit twice by a car , two very funny ducks swam and preened while our sketchbooks were virtually “book to bill,” and a baby cardinal sat on one artist’s head (this is against the Fund’s principles as they don’t want the birds to like humans too much. The birds are to be released back where they were originally found.) Beyond the observation and drawing that took place, the richness of this experience included being present as injured birds were brought in– “some so tiny they fit easily in the palm of the hand. We watched as a” policeman with gun, nightstick and two way radio in place stand fascinated as the injured starling he’d helped get there was examined; several small children appeared with their parents and bird in a box, participating in what may have been their first good deed. Truly this is a place of wonder, making miracles one feather at a time.” ( barbara zucker has painted well with her words here)
Please consider making a small donation, or volunteering yourself, and if you do, please mention Barbara Zucker’s name. The Wild Bird Fund is a non-profit, all funding is private. Here’s the contact information.
Wild Bird Fund Inc 565 Columbus Avenue NY NY 10024 646 306 2862 www.wildbirdfund.org
further info on SEVEN DAYS BLOG http://7d.blogs.com/liveculture/2013/10/vermont-artists-and-new-york-birds-flock-together.html?utm_source=Seven+Days+Email+Newsletters&utm_campaign=5241540d30-Re_View_102513&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_24eb556688-5241540d30-308366773
