Jennifer Gordon was home Sunday morning when she heard a pounding on her door.
Snow from the weekend storm had piled on three aviaries at Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, a nonprofit Gordon founded about 10 years ago.
By the time Gordon and another volunteer, Sandi Bush, got to the center in Indian Trail, the three aviaries had collapsed.
"I was like, 'Oh, my God,'" said Bush. "We couldn't believe it. It was almost overwhelming in terms of (figuring out) what do we do first."
About 40 birds - geese, roosters and crows - were in outdoor aviaries at the time. None died, though some had frostbite and other injuries. A rooster named Marmalade - who serves as a mascot for the center - was the most badly hurt with a fractured bone near his lower jaw.
The birds were moved into a barn, where volunteers checked them out. Meanwhile others worked to repair the aviaries.
Now the center is looking for a way to shore up its facility for the future.
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue takes in sick or injured birds and helps nurse them back to health. The volunteer-run organization cares for more than 1,000 birds representing 40 different species each year. This weekend, it was caring for about 150 birds.
The group moved into its Indian Trail facility in August 2009 after many years in which its volunteers took care of birds at their homes. The site features an old turkey barn, the aviaries and a football field-length fenced area in an open field.
In addition to the aviaries, the weekend storm also damaged a perimeter fence around the open field.
That means for now, all the birds are being kept inside the turkey barn. Volunteers have patched up some of the broken netting in the aviaries, but the walls are still bowed in from the weight of the snow. The fence also needs repair.
Replacing the aviaries could cost thousands, Bush said. So volunteers want to get advice from people who work in construction on the best way to repair the damage, and donations to help cover the work.
"We didn't get that much snow, and it seemed like it just brought the whole place down," Gordon said. "If we don't build a stronger support for the cage (and) the roof, then every time there's a storm we're going to have a problem."
Meanwhile, Gordon said she's hopeful some of the wild birds - which she said are getting cabin fever inside the barn - can return outside today in cages that have been repaired.
Mute swans float in pools at the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue Monday as volunteer Jerry Sheppard returns to work on the aviary netting and roofs of the individual pens with other volunteers
A Rhode Island Red Rooster has his comb treated for frostbite and a wound at the rescue center Monday afternoon by wildlife rehabber Yanina Razak. The rooster's injuries were caused by the collapse of the rescue's outdoor aviary due to the snowfall.
Charlotte Observer
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He had no words!!! A momma and her baby coming up for air! How totally awesome is that to see from a few feet away? Breathtaking!
