Having been exposed to the outdoor world at an early age, Ms. McCord has been one of the most interesting, dedicated and informative individuals I have ever met. She has sacrificed and spent many long hours caring for injured birds and teaching others what she has learned without missing a beat. She is an educator about many kinds of song birds, plants and animals as well. If you have an emergency about a wild bird, it is a relief to have someone like Monteen to be there for you, and more importantly, for the life of the bird which would perhaps die otherwise.
I stumbled upon Monteen and Hawktalk about 2 years ago. I have found to be knowledgeable, respectful and full of compassion. She put her heart and soul into rehabbing birds of prey. So many people wouldn't even considering such a noble cause. Monteen lives it day in and day out. She has such a great respect for such wonderous creatures. She not only cares about birds of preys, but she helps other helpless animals survive. Then to top it off she is friendly and has wonderful people skills. I highly recommend Monteen and Hawktalk.
While Monteen and I were at opposite ends of Wild Bird rehabbing, I found her to be the kindest and most knowledgeable rehabber of raptors in Georgia. She is the only raptor rehabber whom I would highly recommend to others, without reservation. Monteen will easily sacrifice her needs for the needs of those birds in her care. She is not interested in promoting her image, but only in sharing her knowledge of these beautiful Birds, and creating a better world for them to live in.
Monteen is a dedicated caregiver. She's especially generous in sharing her vast knowledge of birds. This world needs more people like her.
Monteen McCord stories about the birds she saves are just heart warming. I have seen her demonstrations with her birds a few times. She is very knowledgeable and answered all questions.
HawkTalk continues to touch me with the stories of those raptors that have been rescued and returned to the wild - something I am unable and unwilling to do in a hands-on manner, but that I think must be done by someone willing to sacrifice on their behalf.
I have seen Hawk Talk numerous times and each time have left with new and relevant information regarding raptors. The ability to view and observe, up close, the amazing birds that Hawk Talk brings to each engagement is an awesome and life-effecting experience.
Monteen McCord is a dedicated, talented professional whose work is truly making a difference. I have attended one of her Hawk Talk raptor lectures and I regularly follow her blog.
The very first time I met Monteen McCord, I had been invited to her home by a mutual friend for dinner. Just after we arrived, someone showed up at the door with an injured Redtail hawk in a paper grocery sack. I have no recollection what we eventually had for dinner, but I remember vividly everything coming to a screeching halt and helping her restrain the bird on the living room floor while she examined its gunshot wing. The bird was bandaged up and put in a large crate for transport to the vet, and I remember thinking "I am REALLY going to like this chick. Her head's screwed on right" That was twenty some odd years ago.
Not able to make it to a HawkTalk date, we made a special arrangement with Monteen for a tour of her facilities. We got to visit with the birds in the environment that they feel the most comfortable in, their "home". We got a personal tour, talk and showing of the birds in her care. We not only saw the birds themselves, but we saw how much effort goes into caring for them...all the materials and how intensive it is to create an environment for them, how much food each one requires, how much effort goes into individually preparing the food for each individual bird's needs. Monteen was wonderful in explaining where each animal is native to, what life is like in the wild, which ones were being rehabilitated for which reasons and how long before it can be expected to be released... things like that. I very much enjoyed that personal tour, i enjoyed being able to see the level of work that goes into her work. And I look forward to being present at a HawkTalk soon. Michael
We have had the pleasure of having Monteen's Hawk Talk at our elementary school for many years and everyone - staff, students, parents - love it! It is eagerly anticipated each year. The information about the birds and our shared environment is a wonderful addition to the curriculum. The children get so much out of the program. They learn to be good stewards of their environment, they learn to care for animals, they learn that some animals are not meant as pets, and they also learn that there really are wonderful people who dedicate their lives to preserving and caring for something they love. That is something that is hard to learn from a textbook.
I have known Monteen for much of my life. She came and spoke to my mother's cub scout pack back when I was a teenager. It was an incredible experience. I have never seen that many young boys sit quietly before! She educated us on conservation and the lives of her beautiful birds that we would never have learned sitting in a classroom in school. Since then, she became a very close family friend and my mother and I attended and lent a helping hand at quite a few of her shows. Still, to this day, I catch myself watching the skies and naming birds I see and cleaning litter off the sides of the roads. It's all because of Monteen McCord.
I met Monteen and her owls at my local bird store. I have never been able to see those types of owls before, much less so close! She answered any questions we had and allowed us to take as many pictures as we wanted. Her talk was great for all the ages present, and though I'm a birder, I learned a lot. I'm really glad she is around to help the wild animals and educate the public about their part in our world.
We met Monteen and experienced Her "Hawk-Talk" at a Polo match of all places! It was so absoulutly cool to see the Birds so close while being able to ask anything and everything about them in such a intimate setting! We think/speak of Her now everytime we see any "Hawk" flying above us...It's great to know that SOMEONE is working toward their protection and preservation, and that can only happen with peoples education of thier value to Our environment. Thank YOU Monteen!