Merlin 18-682
It was a relatively quiet week, just five new raptors: Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Western Screech Owl, Barn Owl and Great Horned Owl, and two songbirds: Lincoln Sparrow and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
The Merlin was found in Gleed, WA (near Yakima). She has a fractured radius and was quite thin on admission. Her fracture has been stabilized and she is eating well. We are hopeful she will recover and be releasable.
Great Horned Owl 18-683
A Great Horned Owl from Toppenish, WA was not as fortunate. The large female had an advanced case of frounce, a condition caused by the parasite Trichomonas.
We can treat the condition in its early stages, but the owls mouth was so full of the cheesy lesions caused by the organisms, that she could not close her beak. Samantha took the photo below focusing her camera through the microscope lens.
Sharp-Shinned Hawk 18-686
It is not unusual to receive a call about a hawk trapped in a warehouse. The hawk, usually a Cooper’s Hawk, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, or an American Kestrel, chases a smaller bird into the warehouse. These structures often have very large doors and an even higher ceiling. The hawk or falcon will not fly down low enough to go back out the door.
We received such a call this past Friday from Smith Frozen Foods in Weston, OR. A Sharp-shinned Hawk had been in a warehouse since Monday. They had been unable to get her to leave. I collected two starlings from my chicken coop (they come in for a free meal) and put them in a small wire bird cage. Bob and I headed for Weston. It took a minute to locate the hawk. The ceiling was very high with poor lighting near the ceiling. After locating the hawk, it took a few more minutes to decide which doorway to set the caged starlings in - it was an L-shaped building with three large doors. Once the cage with the starlings was in the right location, it took about 10 seconds for the sharpie to respond. My initial plan was to shoo her out the door, but she was so focused on the starlings she completely ignored me…so, I picked her up. She was a little thin after nearly a week in the building. We’ll feed her for a few days and release her far away from any warehouses!
Three Western Screech Owl Releases
It was a great week for screech owls. Samantha released the screech owl from College Place who had been hit by a car after recovering from wing and scapula fractures. We released another screech owl when we attended Screech at the REACH in Richland. The third little owl was released along the Umatilla River east of Pendleton near where it had been hit by a car. You have to look close at the picture below. The owl is just above the red arrow.
Western Grebe 18-664 Update
The Grebe admitted two-and-a-half weeks ago is making good progress towards release. It has gained half a pound (30% of its body weight) and is swimming daily in the clinic tub. As soon as its feathers have regained their water proofing, it will be released.
Above, Nicole and Megan administer medication to prevent aspergillosis, before the Grebe's morning swim. The “privacy curtain” is up to block the Grebe’s view of the clinic while swimming.
Great Horned Owl 18-575 Update
Faith, the Great Horned Owl, was given her name by the children of the truck driver who rescued her along the freeway near Pendleton. She was hit by a vehicle two months ago, receiving multiple injuries, including two fractures in her right wing. She has made a miraculous recovery. For the past month she has been in a mew that opens into our large flight pen. She quickly learned the routine - the door would be opened, she would be exercised in the large flight pen, then herded back into the mew. We took her to the Scavenger Pen where it was easier to video her flight for evaluation.
Thank You Nicole and Megan
BMW is a small wildlife rehabilitation center that serves a huge geographic area. We have a small staff in Pendleton, and a dedicated cadre of volunteers who transport birds and operate the Tri-Cities center. Interns are critical for the operation of the Pendleton center, helping to care for hundreds of birds each year (nearly 700 so far in 2018).
Most interns are college students or recent graduates. They work seven days a week helping with all aspects of wildlife rehab. We have had the privilege and pleasure of having Megan and Nicole here for 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. They have worked hard, learned a lot and helped care for nearly 200 birds during their stay. We will miss them both, but wish them many more great adventures and know they will be great ambassadors for wildlife and the importance of caring for the world we all share. Thank you again Megan and Nicole!
