Due to last week’s cold snap and this week’s prediction of rain all week, several birds at LWR that really need releasing are instead stuck while we await weather more suitable for release. And we had two additional intakes, so the inn is about full.
Starting with the new intakes, an adult barred owl came in with mild head trauma and is eating well and alert now; he’s one of the “needs release” birds.
Starting with the new intakes, an adult barred owl came in with mild head trauma and is eating well and alert now; he’s one of the “needs release” birds.
The mature red tail who came in the same day had been pulled from a barbed wire fence. His leg was raw but looked like it should heal well with time and meds. He was alert and defensive, well-fleshed, eating well and casting pellets, all good signs, but within 72 hours he had died. Everything looked promising for a release within a month or so—there was no sign of infection, so the meds were obviously working—so I’m still not really sure why he died. Sometimes even when everything looks good, a bird dies for what we perceive as no good reason…
Red tail 1, pulled from the leg hold trap, has healed nicely and is another of the “needs release” birds. The way he eats, I wonder if he thinks he’s a great horned owl…
Tried a new camera; don't like the results...
Screech 2 is the third “needs release” bird; he’s not a happy camper, as you can tell from the photo below.
Screeches 3 (red) and 4 (gray), recall, are highly unlikely to be releasable once their wing fractures heal, but I already have several raptor educators interested in them, so they’ll be easily placeable.
The red shoulder is the last of the “needs release” birds. He’s already bolted for the door several times during feedings last week, so he may end up self-releasing, inclement weather notwithstanding.
And it appears the poor falcon can’t find placement as an ed bird for love nor money. Maybe I’m too honest about her temperament, but I’d rather any potential takers know she’s stressy to the point she’s trashed her tail feathers and still, after being at LWR for over 3 months now, ensures she’s at the opposite end of the flight pen from me at all times. Several potential takers have backed out on hearing that, so she’s most likely not going to be placeable.
If our rain chances diminish any, y’all can expect some release reports next Sunday; otherwise it’s likely to be the same ol’ same ol’. We shall see!
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