TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Holly was a bit bashful about eating in front of strangers. That's not surprising for a 16-year-old, even if she's a golden eagle. But she'll have to get over her stage fright by Saturday, when she and all the other birds will be on display for the open house at the Facility for Animal Care and Treatment at Cal State Bakersfield.

Although Holly was reticent last week to dig in to her chicken, provided by FACT supporter Farmer John Eggs, she's usually more of a performer.

"She knows when someone comes in (through the gate)," said Marlene Hensley Benton, coordinator for FACT and the Environmental Studies Area. "She starts vocalizing. During tours, she starts up when we talk about great-horned owls (housed in the next cage). She wants to be the star of the show."

The golden eagle, who came to FACT in spring 1995 as a baby, is one of nine species -- great horned owl, barn owl, red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, Cooper's hawk, Swainson's hawk, American kestrel and prairie falcon -- on display.

During the open house, Benton, her two assistants and student volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and lead tours, held throughout the open house as enough guests gather. The tour starts with a video and continues to the lecture area, which was built as an Eagle Scout project by a returning visitor, with a discussion of raptors, biology and the facility's rehabilitation program. Handlers conduct demonstrations with birds, including Holly, allowing guests to see but not touch the animals; that practice stopped in 1995, Benton said.

After the demonstrations, guests can view the enclosures, along with a ditch with an interesting story. The space dug out next to Holly's cage will become a new enclosure big enough to house two eagles. Construction was delayed as panels, which were unusable, had to be sent back to the factory, but work should be completed in October.

Once built, the cage will likely house Holly and a second golden eagle, Bernard, who recently came to FACT from the Mojave area. Although the exact cause of his injury is unknown, which is the case with most of the rescued birds, Benton suspects the young bird's wing was injured in a run-in with a wind turbine.

Bernard, along with other injured birds, resides in the rehabilitation area, designed by Benton and off-limits to the public. This is to keep animals calm as they heal and to limit human contact, making them easier to release into the wild -- which is FACT's goal. Also encouraging to rehabilitating animals is the safe interaction with wild birds.

"Our owls call to the wild ones. In the spring, we have hawks nesting in the spring," Benton said.

Those red-tailed hawks are actually a trio: a mated pair that has returned for the past five years and FACT alum Buddy. The hawk, who was returned to the wild but has not relocated because of wing damage, is a fixture around the facility, pointed out to visitors and a visitor himself during feeding time, when workers save him leftovers.

Along with spotting wild hawks, young visitors can take part in a scavenger hunt, looking for signs of wildlife during the tour. Afterward, students will help children make journals out of recycled materials. Those looking to take home more can choose from T-shirts, sweatshirts, zoo books, bookmarks and stationery items offered by CSUB's 60+ Club.

Benton said attendance varies for the open houses, with 50 to 75 visitors on average. Those numbers increase in the middle of spring when abandoned baby birds swell the facility's numbers. In March or April, FACT often adds a baby bird shower to the event's itinerary, asking in advance for items like shredded cardboard and hay bales, to help with nests.

October and November are also good times to visit, Benton said, when the weather is nice and some young birds still dwell on site. One November a parliament of young barn owls drew 300 people to an event, Benton said. Along with public events, FACT is open to tours, hosting up to 150 groups annually, from preschoolers to senior citizens. Those include school classes, Scout troops, mom-hosted playgroups and after school programs. (Tours can be arranged by calling the FACT office at 654-3167.)

The tours and public events do a good job of promoting awareness for the facility.

"It helps the public become aware of what we're doing. How important animals are to Kern County rodent control. Farmers learn about natural methods (like boxes to draw owls in fields)."

People also learn about the variety of dangers animals face in the man-made world -- lead poisoning from shot prey, cars, hunters -- and how they can help injured birds. (The bird rescue hotline is 654-2473.)

Those who have been to FACT often return, either as volunteers -- including one who has been visiting since he was 4 -- or with their families, which pleases Benton.

"I love when people come back, even if it's 10 years later. That they remember that we're here. They encourage us."