Carol Fisher-Linn
One of a kind right in our own backyard. Not the kind of Wild Wing your thinking of…
She’ll “quack” you up! Rosemary Miner, Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary owner, along with her husband, Milton, established this unique Delevan-West Valley haven for exotic and endangered water birds after they discovered two male Call Ducks that landed on their property in Holland. “They were all alone and lonely, so we bought them two females, and that year they had a hundred babies. So that’s how we all got started in this,” said Miner, with the usual twinkle in her eyes and ever-present laughter in her voice. Her uncle had 48 acres of property with ponds. He offered it to them for their growing brood and the rest is history. “We dug ponds, fenced off the aviaries and top-netted them. There are six acres of netting, and the birds fly all over the sanctuary. 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.
As a non-profit, they need your support. Attend their annual “Wild Wing Festival” fundraiser this Sunday, August 21, at the sanctuary from noon to 4pm. Get there in time to take one of their free guided tours to enjoy the diversity and delightful chaos of 78 species of 750 ducks, geese, and swans. Milt will tell you delightful stories at the upper pond as he hands you scraps of lettuce to feed them, and handfuls of food to feed the 1,000 Koi fish gathering at the pond edge. It’s a sight to behold! Be prepared for a math challenge since Milt can’t resist falling back into math teacher mode when surrounded by people. A guide will also take the more able-bodied to the lower pond where visitors can enjoy the ridiculously cute sight of about 100 baby ducklings running everywhere.
Admission is $10-adults and $5-kids under 12. Take an unforgettable photo with the 10-foot Giant Rubber Duck and enjoy the upbeat music of the “Rustic Ramblers” with Gene Hilts on steel guitar. Food from Lil’s Deli will be available – $2 Pizza slice, $2 specialty cookies, and $5 for 3 wings or 2 chicken fingers and fries. Soda/bottled water-$1. Dining tents are available in case of rain (come prepared). Bring a lawn chair.
Their 78 species come from all over the globe: Alaska, Siberia, Norway, Australia, and the indomitable bar-heads from India. These geese are the highest-flying birds in the world. During their spring migration, they have been seen flying over the peak of Mount Everest at heights of over 35,000 feet at 100 mph! They have been known to cover 1,000 miles in a day. Thankfully, Rosemary and Milt’s birds are so spoiled that these Bar-heads are content to fly about under the netting of the sanctuary.
When you meet the Miners, keep in mind that these two feisty, elderly people, (Rosemary being no bigger than a minute), built and maintain this sanctuary which surrounds their home. Emergency help is called in from time-to-time (like in winter when the nets fail). They are the twice-daily cleanup crew (waterfowl poop every 16 seconds) as well as the wingless mom and pop who nurture, feed, and love up their birds round the clock. Rosemary raises the babies and has won her most coveted award, the Southwick Award, which is a World Award given only once every 12 years to the best breeder in the world. She raised Pacific Eider ducks who are the largest waterfowl ducks in the world (up to 2 feet long, 41-inch wingspan weighing 4-5 pounds). She accomplished what had never been done before, not in a well-funded lab but in the nursery in her home, where, in her spare time, she also cares for 7 parrots, 4 cockatoos, and 2 African grays. Ask to see their awards!
When you meet the Miners, ask about Rosemary’s adventures in her 4 trips to Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay where her plane dropped her off in the waterfowl breeding areas armed with a bear gun (bigger than her, says she) to collect eggs for ten-hour stretches, alone. And, oh yes, there is the story about the grizzly bear in her cabin while she slept. This visit to the sanctuary is far more than just observing beautiful waterfowl (whom you can adopt, BTW). Hope to see you there!