Golden Eagle 18-634 Release
It was raptor week at BMW. Nine raptors were admitted and three were released. The most exciting release was Golden Eagle 18-634 who had likely been hit by a car (he was found in a road, unable to stand). Fortunately he had no major injuries and recovered quickly.
Red-tailed Hawk 18-673
Volunteers Ray and Karin of Moses Lake, picked up Red-tailed Hawk 18-673. We are not sure what oil-based product he landed in, but his legs, body and the undersides of his wings were coated. It smelled more like a vegetable based oil than petroleum based, but seemed to have some type of solvent component. The hawk’s skin was abraded anywhere there was friction between skin and feathers. The first order of business was to give him a bath. We have discovered that adding baking soda to Dawn Dish Soap improves the effectiveness of the dish soap. He’s looking much better now.
Side Note: most veterinary clinics have a wet table. We convert our small bath tub (left over from the pet grooming business Bob and I had for 13 years) into a wet table by fastening a floor grate from a dog kennel to the tub with Gorilla tape. Works just fine as long as the tape doesn’t get too wet!
Western Screech Owl 18-675
Volunteer Bill picked up 18-675 one evening after he was found in the middle of a road on the Walla Walla University campus in College Place. He dropped him off at Animal Clinic East in Walla Walla the next morning so they could check the owl out before Bill brought him to Pendleton after work. They found no major new injuries, but healed fractures in the left ulna and right scapula. It is amazing what some birds can overcome. The owl had completely recovered from his injuries, was at a good weight, indicating he was hunting well. Hopefully we can get him out the door quickly, with instructions to avoid cars!
Barn Owl 18-615 Release
Speaking of amazing recoveries, 18-615 was released five weeks after being admitted with a badly broken right wing.
Sharp-shinned Hawk 18-106 Release
Sharpie 18-106 was found in East Wenatchee, WA on April 15. Most gunshot victims are injured too severely for us to save, making her release on Saturday extra special.
The Sharp-shinned Hawk was released just across the highway from BMW at McKay Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is closed for the winter, but was opened for a cleanup day. Interns Megan, Nicole and I joined Pendleton Bird Club members and Pendleton High School Honor Society students to pick up trash. Below is the best of my ”worst finds,” an oriole nest made entirely of carelessly discarded fishing line. Hopefully this nest wasn’t a death trap for its occupants. A grim reminder to pick up broken fishing line!
