Another Week of Long Days and Short Nights
Admissions this week included 8 owls, 6 hawks, an Osprey an American Kestrel and 8 non-raptors. Many were extremely emaciated fledglings, a trend that seems to be increasing this year. A notable exception was the fledgling Barn Owl who tried to go for a swim in the Tucannon River. Fortunately, she was rescued by a fisherman who saw her float by. The owl weighed a plump 525 grams. The average weight of a female Barn Owl is 490 grams. We will attempt to reunite her with her family.
Hacking: A method of Raising Baby Raptors
Since 2006, BMW has raised more than 2,000 Barn Owls using a method that mimics the behavior of the parents. After the flood of more than 400 baby owls last year, we decided a mobil nest box was needed. It could be quickly installed next to a haystack that was about to be moved, the owlets living in the haystack could be placed in the nest box allowing the parents to continue raising them. We would monitor the box for a few days to make sure the parents were feeding the young.
Volunteer Kennie constructed the first portable box. It included a ramp that would allow the young owls to climb back into the box after they fledged (it takes the owls a few days to learn to fly). A trail camera, strategically placed, documented two owls retuning to the nest. Success!
There are four large hack boxes at BMW’s Pendleton Center that are used to hack Red-tailed Hawks and Swainson’s Hawks. Winnie put together a short video that explains hacking.
Gunshot Great Horned Owl Released
Intern Katie did the honors…
Young Skunks Learning to Explore
