Casper, the Barn Owl – “It is with heavy hearts that Wye March staff announce the passing of our dear Barn Owl, Casper. After a very short age-related illness, he passed away peacefully.” This was posted on Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre’s facebook on October 25, 2025.
Casper was deeply special to all who knew him. Falconer Linda Belcourt, editor of the North Simcoe Springwater News, helped imprint this beautiful owl from a young age. Linda’s children adored him, and even the family dog would sleep beside Casper. Over the years, he became part of their lives and their hearts. Casper touched many people through his educational work. He wenet to Bus Tour Convensions, Science North, resorts, festvals and schools.
Casper was treated well and was quite a character. One day, Casper noticed a missing ceiling tile – and couldn’t resist investigating. For a couple of days he explored, before happily returning to the glove for a well-earned mouse.
Years later on a windy day, he decided to fly into the woods. All falconers and volunteers were called out to search for him. Linda Belcourt found her sitting in a tree staring down. She came down to the glove with little hestitation with a big help from a mouse. These are just a few of the great memories we had in those early days of his life.
A bird of prey learns that food comes more easily on the glove, and through time and trust, a remarkable bond forms.Hense the art of falconry, one of the oldest sports in the world. Unlike a dog, who seeks guidance from a pack leader, an imprinted raptor sees the falconer first as a parent, and later as a hunting partner. It is a relationship built on trust, respect, and working in unity. Casper lived for 19 years. The average age of a captive Barn Owl is 20 years and the oldest on band records is 34 years. The average is 2-3 years in the wild for Canada. He was treated very well to live this long.
Fly on forever Casper!
Birds of Prey History at Wye Marsh – By Laurie Schutt, Jan. 25, 2007
In September 2004, Birds of Prey from Bird Control International were brought to our annual Festival and had an extended stay at the Marsh. The response from visitors was phenomenal, such that we started thinking about offering the program full time. This was a brand new program and looked like it would drive additional revenue, something much needed.
Wye Marsh, as a non profit with no annual core funding, struggles to break even every year. Operating costs are covered by admissions, donations, fundraising, and membership. Any grants that are received are project driven and do not cover either salaries or operating costs. As such, Wye Marsh has an annual short fall of $50,000 to $100,000 each year that must be found somewhere. Staff have become very creative to find this sum, but every year it is getting harder as the competition for dollars increases. Wye Marsh cannot expand its program offerings, do research or attract qualified staff (biologist, herpetologist etc) without an increase in revenues. The Birds of Prey Program was an opportunity to raise additional revenue to allow Wye Marsh to fulfill the mandate of its lease.
Discussions were initiated with Bird Control International and CWS, and 2 staff started an apprenticeship after the concept of the program was approved by the administration of CWS at that time. Three birds were received in February of 2005 (please see the spread sheet) with the plan that we work towards 15 birds for shows plus additional birds for display with a weathering yard and 12 flight chambers. The program grew slowly as funding was limited.
Working with Bird Control International proved to be a challenge with the great distance between the two organizations and travel time. The Central Ontario School of Falconry was found and a relationship was developed starting in September of 2005. Three more staff apprenticed and the original 2 staff received their falconry licenses. Birds were added as funding was acquired mainly through a sponsorship program. A major push for sponsorship was initiated in the spring of 2006 that showed fruition in fall of 2006. In late fall and early winter of 2005/2006, 3 flight chambers were erected.
The demand for the Birds of Prey Program and related workshops has grown and the annual budget was developed with this program in place as the revenues are much needed.
Renewals for the annual licenses were submitted December 14th, 2006 with only the birds that we have been using for the education programs.