It was another week of intakes and releases, and a couple of DOAs…Typical for any time of year but especially baby season.
Leading with releases, both mourning doves, the brown thrasher, four house finches and four bluebirds were released. While a couple of the finches, the thrasher and all the bluebirds still come down for supplemental feedings, they get spooked at the sight of my camera, or even my phone camera, so no post-release shots of them. Yet. I’ll keep trying.
In the soon-to-be-released category, we have the painted bunting—here again, no new photos, as that little rascal will shoot out and lead me on a merry chase through the rehab area in a heartbeat. Aiming at release tomorrow.
The female red tail is slated for release either tomorrow or Tuesday. She’s getting antsy. The male…that soft tissue damage shows no signs of healing and, sad to say, the day the female is released, I’ll more than likely call it on the male. As heartless as it sounds, I need the raptor flight for a brancher red shoulder who came in last week and is ready to be outside.
Leading with releases, both mourning doves, the brown thrasher, four house finches and four bluebirds were released. While a couple of the finches, the thrasher and all the bluebirds still come down for supplemental feedings, they get spooked at the sight of my camera, or even my phone camera, so no post-release shots of them. Yet. I’ll keep trying.
In the soon-to-be-released category, we have the painted bunting—here again, no new photos, as that little rascal will shoot out and lead me on a merry chase through the rehab area in a heartbeat. Aiming at release tomorrow.
The female red tail is slated for release either tomorrow or Tuesday. She’s getting antsy. The male…that soft tissue damage shows no signs of healing and, sad to say, the day the female is released, I’ll more than likely call it on the male. As heartless as it sounds, I need the raptor flight for a brancher red shoulder who came in last week and is ready to be outside.
Also, the robins are nearly ready for release. They’re in the mini-pen now and are loving it. They just need about a week more to be fully prepared for release.
Two additional house finches came in; one was DOA and the other is ready for the mini-pen. But I wouldn’t put a bird that small in with three rambunctious robins, so he’ll have to wait till they’re released.
Same for the cardinal fledgling who came in last week—he’s also ready for the mini-pen but the size difference between him and the robins could spell trouble. He and the finch get along famously, though.
Last week’s late-arriving Carolina wren didn’t make it through the night, nor did a sweet little female downy woodpecker who came in near dark later in the week. Her only obvious injury was a swollen wrist, but based on the poop in her box the next morning, she had internal bleeding.
The wood ducks remain as paranoid as ever. I mean, I swim them every. single. day. They should be used to being moved from their “safe space” to the tub for a leisurely swim, right? WRONG. Every day, they shriek as if they’re being killed as I scoop them up and place them in their OPEN box and take them to the tub. Every day, they shriek in panic as I gently tip the box so they can jump into the water. Every single day, they shriek and swim frantically around the tub as I scoop them back out to take back to their safe space. Wood ducks may be pretty, but they ain’t the brightest light bulbs in the pack.
The wood ducks remain as paranoid as ever. I mean, I swim them every. single. day. They should be used to being moved from their “safe space” to the tub for a leisurely swim, right? WRONG. Every day, they shriek as if they’re being killed as I scoop them up and place them in their OPEN box and take them to the tub. Every day, they shriek in panic as I gently tip the box so they can jump into the water. Every single day, they shriek and swim frantically around the tub as I scoop them back out to take back to their safe space. Wood ducks may be pretty, but they ain’t the brightest light bulbs in the pack.
Three mockers came in from various locations, all three at different stages of development. The two oldest are currently housed together; the youngest still needs supplemental heat.
This adult barn swallow has a broken wing. It’s not right in the joint, so we’re giving her (gender arbitrarily assigned; both sexes look the same) time to see if it heals for flight. She eats well, so that at least is good. Sometimes adult barn swallows refuse to eat mealworms from a dish, as they normally snag their insects on the fly.
This afternoon, an adult male barred owl came in after being caught in fishing line. Nothing feels broken but he was so covered in dried mud that I couldn’t tell what was mud and what might be blood, much less if there were wounds needing treatment. So adding to the poor bird’s already considerable discomfiture, I had to hose him down. He was NOT a happy camper. The good news is that in addition to no fractures, he also has only minor “hot spots” under his wings. I still didn’t get all the mud out of his feathers, though, poor fellow…
Before...
After...
And saving the absolute cutest for last, the screeches are growing like little weeds. They have most of their wing feathers in already, and at certain angles you can already see their “horn” tufts developing on those still-downy heads. They’re also already developing into independent eaters, taking only one or two bits of mouse from the forceps before glaring at me till I place the rest down for them to eat later. Brats…
Finally, a reminder that we’re still in the midst of the “soft” fundraiser. As of today, we’re at $800, so just $200 to go to reach our goal! Thanks to those who’ve donated; to those who haven’t, PayPal links are on each page of the website, or the mailing address is on the website for those who prefer sending checks.
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