Trim & Remove Trees In The Fall & Winter, Not Spring!
We welcomed back former intern Samantha Castoldi this past week. She will work full-time at the Pendleton Center through May. Below, she has recovered a male Northern Saw-whet Owl from anesthesia. The little owl has two fractures in his right ulna and damage to his right wrist and elbow. The injury occurred when the tree he was roosting in was cut down. Please postpone any major pruning and tree removal until the fall, after birds are done nesting.
7th Gunshot Victim of 2016
Volunteer Tara transported a female Barn Owl from Baker City. An x-ray revealed that the owl’s broken legs were caused by shotgun pellets. She also had a brood patch, indicating she was nesting. Hopefully her eggs had not yet hatched.
2nd Barn Owl with A Brood Patch
Volunteers Dan and Claudia transported another Barn Owl with a brood patch from Eltopia, WA to Umatilla where they met Bob. An x-ray showed that her badly damaged left wing and shoulder could not be repaired.
Western Screech Owl With A Brood Patch And A Bad Eye
Volunteer Toni transported an injured Western Screech Owl from Kennewick to Umatilla to meet Bob. The owl had multiple puncture wounds caused by a cat. One of the puncture wounds penetated the right eye. The eye is nonfunctional. After a two week course of antibiotics to reduce the infection, the eye will be removed. Sadly, this owl too has a brood patch.
Pick Up Broken Fishing Line
There were positives this past week. Having Samantha on staff along with long-time employee Winnie was wonderful. Help from dedicated volunteers in picking up birds from a huge geographic area is priceless. And I didn’t even mention Laurel who was involved in several rescues this week.
The week ended on a very low note, however, when a concerned citizen transported an injured Canada Goose all the way from Joseph, OR to Pendleton. She thought the goose had a “broken foot.” Once the goose was anesthetized so it could be more easily examined, it was apparent that its leg had been severed by fishing line.
If you are out and about and find trash that wildlife can become entangled in, such as 6-pack rings, netting or fishing line, please take a moment to stop and pick it up and properly dispose of it. It will only take a few minutes of your time and could prevent the agonizing death of multiple animals.
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
