The Week in Review
There were just three admissions to the Pendleton Center this past week and all occurred on Wednesday. Red-tailed Hawk 23-025 and Sharp-shinned Hawk 23-026 both had non-repairable wing fractures and were humanely euthanized.
Bald Eagle 23-024 is being treated for lead toxicity. The eagle was found near Baker City and transported to BMW by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. In addition to having a blood lead level of 52 micrograms/deciliter (20 mcg/dl is considered toxic), the eagle has fractures in his left wingtip and left halux (backward pointing toe). He seems to be responding well to chelation to remove the lead from his blood. We will have to see how the fractures affect his ability to maneuver in flight and grasp prey with his left foot.
BMW Volunteers To The Rescue!!!
BMW volunteers Kenny and Janie responded to a call from a woman in the Tri-Cities who could hear scrambling noises in the wall behind her microwave oven. They took the microwave down and reached in the vent to remove two starlings. The starlings were released at the Yakima delta and they encouraged the woman to install a cover on the microwave vent. Now is a good time to make sure all the vents in your house have appropriate covers. Cavity nesting birds and squirrels are looking for a warm and cozy place to nest!
Update on the Honduran Milksnake
The week before last, Jared Mitchell, USDA Wildlife Services, brought BMW a Honduran Milksnake that had been found in a box taken to Goodwill. Since it is a non-native species, releasing the snake was not an option. She has been transferred to former intern Adrian’s expert care. Adrian sent the photos below and reports that the snake is adapting well to her new temporary enclosure and is preparing to shed. If you look closely at her eyes in the bottom photo, you can see they are blue. That means her ocular scale is separating from her eye while she develops a new one. We are so fortunate to have caring folks like Jared and Adrian to help us out! Thank you both!
