People ask me "How can I start rescuing raptors?" In this episode, I talk about:

• Don't despair if you can't find a wildlife rescue organization devoted to birds of prey - pretty much all wildlife rehabbers accept sick, injured and orphaned raptors


• Making the commitment to be available and reliable


• Pairing up with an experienced rescuer to learn techniques


• Complying with the organization's training program


• Checking with the organization to see if they provide your raptor rescue equipment


• Setting boundaries on your time


• Being safe while rescuing birds of prey

Nancy is a volunteer raptor rescuer who has been planning, coordinating and doing bird of prey rescues for over five years. She started out transporting sick and injured birds of prey and moved onto rescuing, renesting and releasing raptors in Maryland, primarily along the Chesapeake Bay and the surrounding rivers and creeks.

Nancy's volunteer rescues have been featured in stories locally on WTOP and WMAR, as well as nationally in the New York Times and American Forestry magazine.

Nancy also provides information on building raptor nest baskets, osprey platforms and owl boxes. She does speaking engagements that provide facts and information about ospreys that live on the Chesapeake Bay. Nancy also does public education programs featuring live birds of prey that are native to Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia.

Nancy is a retired U.S. Federal government employee and U.S. Army veteran. She now runs her own consultancy, which gives her the flexibility to quickly respond to requests for rescues. When not working or doing raptor rescues and care, she enjoys sailing, working out and spending time with her spouse, two cats and dog.

You can also follow Nancy on Instagram, where she posts her rescues, renestings and releases.