Fundraiser still lagging

As of today, the LWR fundraiser has netted $670, meaning we have $1330 to go. We’ll keep it active till the end of the year, in hopes that we’ll meet the goal. If you’ve donated already, many thanks; if you’re waiting, time is running out! The link for donations is below:

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/4LRUMMCTB7RK2

The juvie barnie finally made it outside and is thriving in the main flight. With school out for the holidays, the chance that we’ll be able to place him with the Toombs County High School nest as they fledge has effectively disappeared, as there’s no one on site for the next two weeks to monitor that nest. He’s not passed a live prey test yet, though, so we have that as our next milestone for the little toe-duster.

Unfortunately, the remainder of the update is less rosy.

The Toombs barred owl ended up having a blown pupil; the pain could be managed in rehab with meds, but as soon as the meds were stopped, he stopped eating altogether due to the pain. He required euthanasia as a result.

A driver in Laurens County witnessed a great horned owl get hit by a car and stopped to pick it up. Upon intake at LWR, the bird was found to have both wings broken, one an open fracture. He was humanely euthanized.

And a barred owl flew into a driver’s grille in Laurens, as well, and when he was removed and brought to LWR, both his legs were broken, and most likely his pelvis, as well. He was also humanely euthanized.

After such a litany of woe, it seems almost inappropriate to end on an upbeat note, but I do want to take this opportunity to wish all of y’all a very Merry Christmas.