‘Birdman’ and feathered staff on duty sunrise to sunset

Jason and Nikki meet children attending the Quinte Conservation Wild about Wildlife day in Picton. Sue Capon photo

Birdman Jason Botting with Cash. Sue Capon photo

Children at Quinte Conservation’s Wild for Wildlife Day at Macaulay Mountain met ‘Birdman’ Jason Botting and his feathered staff.

Botting works with a gyr-saker hybrid falcon named ‘Cash’ (yes, named after Johnny) and Nikki, a Harris’ hawk. Operating from Falcon Environmental Services, Botting and his three human and eight feathered colleagues keep birds away from the military aircraft 8 Wing/CFB Trenton and at Mountainview in Prince Edward County. They are on duty from sunrise to sunset.

He explained the predator-prey relationship in the wild is the same principle for his working birds.

When they’re not working the runway, they are in nearby buildings and hangers to chase away wayward birds.

“Cash will fly away from me — sometimes right out of the car window — gain altitude and if he wants to pursue, he swoops down,” Botting said.

While in Picton, Nikki and Botting observed wild falcons in the air at the mountain.

Quinte Conservation staff led visitors through interactive activities exploring nature. Participants learned about water bugs and water quality, viewed the visiting snakes and reptiles, discovered what lives in Lake Ontario and played nature games.

Quinte Conservation staff led visitors through interactive activities exploring nature. Participants learned about water bugs and water quality.  Sue Capon photo

Quinte Conservation is a community-based environmental protection agency. It serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County.