MONTICELLO – Ellen Kalish, famed bird rehabilitator, well-known for rescuing Rocky, the owl trapped in the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Catskill Exotic Bird Club, Thursday, February 12th, at 7PM, at 20 Crystal Street in Monticello.  

Ellen is always an entertaining and enlightening speaker and will be bringing a number of owls, hawks, falcons and a surprise or two. She is the founder and director of the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center, in Saugerties, the region’s premier wildlife rehabilitation center and, along with her avian ambassadors, is a much sought-after speaker. Everyone with an interest in the area’s wildlife is invited to attend and admission is free.

The Catskill Exotic Bird Club, one of the oldest pet bird clubs in the country, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.  The club is dedicated to the humane treatment of parrots and other pet birds and supports conservation efforts around the world.  The club meets the second Thursday every month at 20 Crystal Street in Monticello and new members are welcome.  For more information call (845) 794-7966 or (845) 807-6725 or visit www.birdclub.com.