I had actually delayed doing an update, as all I had to report since the Feb. 2 update was the gray squirrels’ progress toward release…and then, within the space of four days, I got four calls and four intakes. One thing wildlife rehabbers NEVER do is complain about things being slow, because as sure as we do, we’ll get slammed!
Let’s start with the aforementioned squirrels, who are in release phase now. The pen door is open and they’re starting to wander farther from it during the day but are still returning its safety at night. Below are the best shots I’ve managed of them lately, as they’re hiding whenever I go near them now. This is actually a good thing, though, as it means I’ve done my job right and they’re wilding up very nicely.
Let’s start with the aforementioned squirrels, who are in release phase now. The pen door is open and they’re starting to wander farther from it during the day but are still returning its safety at night. Below are the best shots I’ve managed of them lately, as they’re hiding whenever I go near them now. This is actually a good thing, though, as it means I’ve done my job right and they’re wilding up very nicely.
This poor DOA barred owl was seen being attacked by another barred owl in a couple’s driveway shortly after dark. They called me, but he actually died while I was en route to pick him up. There wasn’t a mark on the bird and he was very well-fleshed, and the couple said they watched him sit up after the attack and then fall over, dead. Who knows what happened? His frayed tail feathers and the numerous loose feathers that floated from his body when I picked him up would seem to indicate that maybe he strayed too close to an existing nest and the male of that nest quite literally beat the life out of him.
The next day, this red-phase screech owl was hit by a car. Luckily for him, the driver had just turned onto a dirt road and wasn’t going fast at all. Sir Screech escaped with only a mild headache and we were able to release him the next afternoon. A quick release was important, because this is the time of year that owls have eggs/babies in the nest, and this fellow needed to be back in his home territory in case he had a family to care for. They could manage one night without him; more than that, and his mate might have had to leave the babies unattended and vulnerable to attack while she hunted to feed them.
I tried for photos of his release when we took him back to his home territory, but he bolted out of the box and beelined into the brush. This little screech knew exactly where he was going!
I tried for photos of his release when we took him back to his home territory, but he bolted out of the box and beelined into the brush. This little screech knew exactly where he was going!
The following day, the phone rang and the callers had found a small hawk by the side of the road. He didn’t move when they drove by, and he seemed stunned when they turned around to rescue him. Based on their description, I was pretty sure they had either Cooper’s hawk or a sharp-shinned hawk. Either way, I was getting a spastic little accipiter to deal with. Such fun…
Upon meeting the rescuers, I found that we did indeed have a Coop, a first-year bird, male. His eyes were clear, pupils equal and responsive; wings and legs seemed in working order, based on a preliminary parking lot exam as I transferred him from their pet carrier to my transport box. But he was rail-thin. Accipiters are designed for speed and maneuverability; they tend to be on the thin side. But this guy, despite being alert, active and aggressive, was too thin for my liking. I told the rescuers I’d put a little meat on his bones before releasing him.
Upon meeting the rescuers, I found that we did indeed have a Coop, a first-year bird, male. His eyes were clear, pupils equal and responsive; wings and legs seemed in working order, based on a preliminary parking lot exam as I transferred him from their pet carrier to my transport box. But he was rail-thin. Accipiters are designed for speed and maneuverability; they tend to be on the thin side. But this guy, despite being alert, active and aggressive, was too thin for my liking. I told the rescuers I’d put a little meat on his bones before releasing him.
Then, when I got him home and was able to perform a more detailed exam, I noticed that both feet had fresh wounds, as well as some older ones, and he refused to use the perch I had in his box. Raptors are especially vulnerable to bumblefoot, a nasty and often lingering foot infection, and he had multiple wounds on both feet. I sent photos to raptor rehabber Steve Hicks of Bubba & Friends for confirmation of what I already suspected: this Coop would be with me for a while as I treated his feet daily to try and prevent bumblefoot. Hopefully we caught these wounds in time to prevent the development of bumblefoot; we’ll have to wait and see. He is eating quite well, though—inhaling several small mice per feeding!
Later the same day I picked up the Coop, a caller said he had a baby rabbit rescued from a dog. I cringe when I hear that rabbits have been anywhere near a dog or cat’s mouth, as the saliva of both species is highly toxic to the poor little bunnies. (Okay, actually, there’s not a lot that’s NOT toxic to rabbits!) His flank had a largish wound, but he seemed fairly alert, and his eyes are just before opening. I started him on a gentle, rabbit-safe antibiotic immediately.
Rabbits do not fare well in rehab settings; a 10% release rate is considered acceptable. Even in the wild, only 10% of the rabbits born in a given year survive to their first birthday. So far this “wounded wabbit” is holding his own, but I never get my hopes up with this stress-prone, delicate species. We’ll take it a day at a time and see how things turn out.
I hope some of you have been participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, which started Friday, Feb. 15, and ends today. I’ve only managed 15 minute daily counts this year, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I had Cedar waxwings visiting my yard yesterday, hiding in the dead leaves still clinging to an oak branch. Sometimes the camera lens can locate what the naked eye can’t see!
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