Meeting Summary: Millions of birds are dying from window strikes each year, so the more awareness we can raise, the better. Our speaker will explain why birds hit windows, treatment/survivability of birds that hit windows, and ways to mitigate problems.

About Our Speakers: Tess Kelly is a Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) at Port Aransas. Tess received her B.S. in Marine Science with a minor in biological science from North Carolina State University in 2021 . She received her M.S. from UTMSI at Port Aransas. Tess’s master’s research examined biofouling communities—organisms like barnacles, worms, and sponges that support estuarine food webs. Working with the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, her work highlighted the importance of considering all levels of estuarine community composition in coastal conservation and monitoring efforts.

Andrew Orgill is the Outreach Program Coordinator in Marine Science at UTMSI. He is also a Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager at the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK), an organization that is part of the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (Mission-Aransas NERR).  In turn, the Mission-Aransas NERR is part of the larger UTMSI in Port Aransas, Texas.  The primary mission of the ARK is to rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured birds, sea turtles, terrestrial turtles, and tortoises found along the South Texas coast and to return them to their native habitat.  To ensure the successful release of as many animals as possible, the ARK staff work with veterinarians and other wildlife management organizations to use the most up-to-date rehabilitation techniques. The ARK also strives to educate the public about the potential impacts of population growth and urban development on coastal wildlife.  In addition to his skills with capture, transport, treatment, and release of wild birds and other wildlife, Andrew is also an excellent birder and a proficient bird photographer.