Gooseneck Waterfowl Sanctuary
Delevan, NY’s Unexpected Gem Caused by 2 Call Ducks

By Carol Fisher-Linn

 Delevan’s Gooseneck Hill Wildfowl Sanctuary is one of a kind 700 mouths to fed and counting….                     

   So many things start with a story that ends up taking people where they never expected to go. Perhaps you have your own event that took you 180 degrees from where you thought you were heading. Surely, you’ve heard the quote, “people make plans, while God laughs.”

   Here’s one of those stories. Milton and Rosemary Miner, the owners of the Gooseneck Hill Wildlife Sanctuary were schoolteachers, (Rosemary – African and Asian history, Milton – Math) minding their own business, leading their school-teacher lives when, one day, Bam! out of the blue, Rosemary was struck in her car by a drunk driver. Her car was totaled, and frankly, so was she. Her back was so seriously injured, she could not teach school anymore. Thinking nature is the best healer, they bought some acreage in Holland, NY where Rosemary could recuperate under Mother Nature’s kindly gaze. They had a small pond. Time went by, Rosemary grew stronger. The weather began to change, and the magical time of winter was fast approaching. But … their peaceful reverie was interrupted when two Call Ducks landed on their cozy little pond and saw no reason to leave with the cold WNY weather approaching.    Concerned for the poor little lost ducks’ wellbeing, Mitch built them a shelter. Before long they became family. The humans began to feel sorry for these two lonely bachelor guy ducks, so they decided to find them a few lady ducks to spice-up their boring lives. (Can you see where this is heading?) So, a duo of sassy females was introduced to the boys. Well, in no time, things went from melancholy and peaceful to 100 new baby Call Ducks and two proud sets of parents now living on the no longer cozy small pond. Things were getting pretty crowded and hardly peaceful. Fortunately, Rosemary’s uncle had some land in Delevan. Fifty-six acres to be exact … with lots of water. It seemed a natural fit.

     Next thing they knew, they were digging ponds and fencing off top-netted aviaries for their birds. With all the extra room, and Rosemary back up on her feet, the Miners launched into finding more waterbirds to fill the space. They decided to raise rare and endangered waterfowl. While Milt tended the birds and the home fires, Rosemary opted for four adventurous trips to Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay where her plane would drop her off with a bear-gun larger than herself (she’s tiny) for protection, to collect eggs for ten-hour stretches, alone. And then, there is the story of the night the grizzly bear got into her cabin while she slept. You can ask about it when she takes you on a tour.

There are now six acres of netting, and 78 species of birds. “We have two of the largest covered aviaries in the United States,” Rosemary said, adding she and her husband, Milton, founded the rare bird sanctuary, which is a 501©3 non-profit.  

     Their birds come from all over the globe: Alaska, Siberia, Norway, Australia, and India. Rosemary informs us that she has more new babies than she can count, many which she has hand raised. Oh, and you mustn’t miss the newest addition – on orphaned Trumpeter Swan, found injured on the side of the road. Its life was saved and then it was offered to the Miners. They gave it a home and named it Gabby. Oh, yes, she has a very, very bent neck, perhaps as a result of the accident or perhaps she was rejected by her mom because she was born that way. Either way, that probably explains why she swims in circles. She has a wonderful support system in the form of Big Foot, one of the two Whistler Swans on the property. They can often be found kibitzing, swimming, flying, or eating together. As Rosemary says, “she’s something to see.”

    As a non-profit, they need your support. Plan to attend their annual “Wild Wing Festival” fundraiser Sunday, August 27, at the sanctuary from noon- 4pm. Get there in time to take one of their free guided tours and get your own photo of you and Big-Yellow-Duck. On tour, you will be allowed to go inside the aviary with the birds. You will be given lettuce to feed the geese and floating fish food to feed the 1,000 or more Koi Fish. A guide will take you around and explain all the 78 different species of birds. There will be music by The Rustic Ramblers and food from Lil’s Deli in Machias (always wonderful and affordable). Entrance cost is $10/adult – $5/children under 12. Dining tents will be available in case of rain. Please bring your lawn chair and rain gear. They will be there, rain or shine.

    A visit to the sanctuary is far more than just observing beautiful waterfowl (whom you can adopt, BTW – I wonder how many will want to adopt Gabby?). Hope to see you there! 

    For information about the Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary, see: gooseneckhillwaterfowlfarm.com