Awesome Volunteer of the Week
Volunteers are the arms and legs of Blue Mountain Wildlife. Birds often travel more than 100 miles to get to Pendleton, involving two or three volunteers. Of the seven admissions this past week, six came from Washington (all at least 100 miles from Pendleton). Volunteer Mark McAllister of Wapato (near Yakima) helped transport four of them.
On Tuesday he transported a Red-tailed Hawk to Prosser to meet volunteer Laurel McKeehan who then met Bob in Umatilla. On Thursday, Mark again met Laurel in Prosser with another Red-tailed Hawk and later the same day transported a Sharp-shinned Hawk to the Pet Health Clinic in Sunnyside where it was examined, x-rayed and euthanized because its left wing was too badly damaged to repair. Volunteers like Mark, Laurel, veterinary technician Vanessa Romero and the doctors at the Pet Health Clinic provide an invaluable service to Blue Mountain Wildlife which we are deeply grateful for.
More Gunshot Birds
Of the three Red-tailed Hawks admitted this week, two where gunshot victims. The first hawk, an adult female, was one Mark transported from Zillah, WA. Her right elbow was shattered. She was euthanized.
Laurel transported the second hawk, an adult male, from Sunnyside. His left shoulder was shattered. He was euthanized.
Boat Trailer For Sale
Summer will be here before you know it! Do you have a boat that needs a ride to the river? This boat trailer was donated to Blue Mountain Wildlife and can be yours for a $250 donation. For more information contact Laurel at 509-366-5777.
Three Owl Releases
A week that started out with multiple birds damaged beyond repair, ended on a great note with the release of a Great Horned Owl and two Barn Owls. Jack Simons captured the release of a female Great Horned Owl and then spotted her perched in a tree the next day.
I was not successful in capturing the release of the two Barn Owls, but they both flew beautifully, which is what really counts.
Save the Date and Win this Awesome Door Prize
Volunteer Meeting
Richland Public Library
Saturday, March 19, 2-4 p.m.
955 Northgate Dr, Richland, WA
