Wildcare is the local wildlife rescue group in the NSW region surrounding the ACT. 

Most people have heard of WIRES, but it is actually Wildcare that is licensed by the NSW government to service this region and Wildcare has been operating for more than 20 years.  The local area covers south to Bredbo, east to Doughboy (near Braidwood), west to Cootamundra and north to Cowra, that's over 22,000 square kilometres.

 If you care about native birds, becoming a Wildcare volunteer could be a very rewarding experience.  Full training and support is provided, and Wildcare may also be able to help with enclosures.  If you already have an empty aviary or chook pen, that is great, but a cocky cage in a warm, quiet location is ideal for rehabilitation for many of our injured birds.

There is a wide variety of birds that come into care in the region, ranging from the magnificent wedge tailed eagle to the tiny yellow thornbill and lots in between.  

Of course not everyone is cut out to rescue or care for an eagle, but Wildcare will match your skills, training and preferences to the species needing rescue or care.  

Some of the more common species are magpies, galahs, rosellas, ducks, cockatoos and kookaburras.

So, do you have time to help out - with rescues or with caring?

Many of Wildcare members work full time. For rescues, the 24/7 helpline volunteers will work around your availability. Often a rescue will involve picking up a bird on your way home from work that has already been caught by a member of the public, or delivered to a vet. Then you call the coordinator who will tell you what next - even if it is going to another member for care, you can help by holding it overnight.

In Spring, there are baby birds that need regular feeding during daylight hours, but adult birds usually only need feeding once or twice a day depending on the species. For example, topping up seed and water daily for a rosella or galah or providing strips of meat and supplement twice daily for a magpie.  This is often supplemented by naturally available foods, but Wilcare can teach you about all that.

If you think you might be interested in helping out, please call Maryanne, the Wildcare Bird Coordinator, on 0411 422 897 to have a chat.  More information is also available at www.wildcare.com.au