No April Fools
The Bald Eagles were busy this week. They now have three eggs in their nest!
Another Golden Eagle Killed by Lead
Joe and Cordi Atkinson responded to a call from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and captured a Golden Eagle north of Vale, OR. They met BMW volunteer Tara of Baker City who transported the eagle to La Grande to meet an ODFW biologist who brought the eagle on to Pendleton. The eagle was extremely anemic, emaciated and exhibiting classic signs of lead poisoning, clenched feet and unable to walk. Despite our best efforts, he died 12 hours after admission.
Eagles, and other wildlife, are poisoned when they scavenge on animals killed with lead ammunition. This tragedy can be easily prevented by hunting lead free. Please encourage everyone you know to switch to non lead ammunition.
Western Screech Owl 18-069
Volunteer Pam was very busy this week. She rescued a very thin Screech Owl who fledged a little early. A blood sample was very lipemic, indicating excess fat in the blood. When we compared the sample to blood from a similar aged owl, the contrast was notable. We are not sure what is causing the lipemia. Both owls are eating the same “store bought” mice. 18-069 seems to be responding well to supportive care. We will recheck the blood in a week.
Great Horned Owl 18-070
Pam also transported a Great Horned Owl that was found near Royal City, WA. The owl doesn’t appear to have any broken bones, but he does have a droopy left wing and a droopy left ear tuft caused by a collision with something. He has an excellent appetite. We will have to see if his injuries remove themselves with supportive care.
Sharp-shinned Hawk 18-075
Pam captured this tiny hawk in a Kennewick yard. He may have collided with a window. His left ulna is fractured. There appears to be some damage in the wrist and elbow as well. It will be a month or so before we know if he will fly well enough to be releasable.
Barn Owl 18-035
Volunteer Mark released the Barn Owl he rescued from a chimney. Dawn Dish Soap did a pretty good job removing the soot from the owl’s feathers!
