Eagle Flight

Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Eagle Flight Enclosure

Donations To Date

$30,825 Goal: $76,200

Original Construction: In 2000, after years of planning, designing and raising funds, we completed the construction of an Eagle Flight Enclosure. The enclosure was 140 feet long, 24 feet high and 20 feet wide. This provided enough space to allow large birds such as Bald Eagles to fly and condition their muscles before being released into the wild. A number of eagles, large hawks, and even an occasional Great Blue Heron made good use of the enclosure over the next few years. It proved to be a very valuable addition to our facilities and also of regional value, as one of only 4 large flight Enclosures in western Washington.

(The design and construction of this enclosure was made possible by grants from Summerlee Foundation and San Juan Community Foundation and donations from Roger and Claudia Salquist, Margaret Walkky, Jean Scott, Tom Metke, Dovetail Builders, Christensen Networks and Orcas Power and Light Co-op).

Collapse: In November 2006, a foot of wet, icy snow collected on top of the enclosure overnight causing the roof to collapse, severely damaging the supporting beams and posts. Though snowfall was taken into account during the design process, and the eagle flight enclosure had survived other snow storms, this storm was unusual because the snow was so icy it did not fall through the netting, resulting in a tremendous weight bearing down on the structure. (In fact, this storm led to the collapse of a number of structures in western Washington. )

Rebuilding: Stage1 - Redesign: During 2007, we worked with local engineer Tom Metke and architect David Waldron to redesign the eagle flight enclosure to prevent snow/ice damage in the future. The enclosure will be the same size and shape as the original structure, but will have some design improvements. In the new enclosure there will be 36 separate roof panels, comprised of netting and framing. Each panel will be attached to the center beam with a set of magnets, which will be set so that they detach from the center beam when a pre-determined weight is bearing down on the panel. This will prevent snow from building up to such a weight on the roof that it could damage the structure's framework and support poles.

Rebuilding: Stage 2 - Deconstruction: In March 2008, disassembly of the enclosure was completed. We plan to salvage as much of the lumber as possible for reuse in this or other projects. We can reuse the netting and most of the telephone poles.; Redesign and disassembly of our Eagle Flight Enclosure would not have been possible without the generosity of Horizons Foundation, Polar Tankers, Kaiser Family Foundation, Tom Metke and David Waldron and other supporters who donated funds or their time and expertise. Thank You!

Rebuilding: Stage 3 - Reconstruction: Our Eagle Flight Enclosure is being rebuilt! Check out our progress so far.

October 4th, 2008

Volunteer Work Party to sort the old materials and clear the site ready for the construction crew to begin. We salvaged as much material as possible, but sadly, some could not be reused.