As of yesterday, the LWR fundraiser was at $595, 20% of our goal of $3000. Heartfelt thanks to those who’ve donated and if you haven’t donated yet, time’s a-wastin’!
The big news is kite releases! All four MIKIs and the swallow tail were released this afternoon! The swallow tail’s x-ray showed a beautifully healed wing and after a week in the raptor flight he made it clear he was as antsy as the MIKIs for freedom. Rain delayed their release till today, though—and I also waited till my niece was available to help me chase down and net any birds that might have run into difficulty at release. Fortunately, we had five smooth releases, three of which we caught on video.
Three of last week’s late intakes, the cardinal, the blue jay and the mocker, didn’t make it; the house finch is headed for the songbird flight this week, where he’ll be joined by another mocker that came in late this week. I tried for photos of the finch and this week’s mocker but the mocker kept jumping out of the pen, leading me on a not-so-merry chase given that I’m still limping around.
In new intakes, a gorgeous first-year red tail came in with a broken wing and is slated for x-rays early this week, along with this barred owl, who in addition to a damaged eye also has a broken wing. I’m cautiously optimistic for the red tail; the owl’s fracture feels like it’s right at the joint of his wrist. Not so good…
In new intakes, a gorgeous first-year red tail came in with a broken wing and is slated for x-rays early this week, along with this barred owl, who in addition to a damaged eye also has a broken wing. I’m cautiously optimistic for the red tail; the owl’s fracture feels like it’s right at the joint of his wrist. Not so good…
Another young MIKI came in and will be placed in the raptor flight this week so he can be on his way to make migration ASAP.
This hummingbird is a window-strike victim; his wing is broken right at the shoulder. This doesn’t bode well, as hummers have to be able to move their wings in a figure 8 in order to fly, but we’ll give him some time to hopefully prove me wrong.
When a Carolina wren built a nest in her mailbox, the owner tried to get her mail carrier to hold her mail until the babies fledged; the carrier refused and even dumped mail on top of the babies and closed the box to prevent the parents from feeding them. A friend saw this and took the babies out of the mailbox before they got crushed or starved to death. No one will give me the carrier’s name or that person would be reported for being a colossal jackass in addition to disturbing an active nest, which is a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Thus far these babies are doing well.
Two newly-hatched Carolina wrens and two unhatched eggs came in this evening after the mother was found dead in front of the nest. Honestly, babies this young have very slim chances of survival, and while it’s possible the eggs may hatch, it’s not likely, as we don’t know how long they were without heat.
Both great horned owls are awaiting their turn in the raptor flight—after the latest MIKI shows his flight skills—and then the screech owl will finally get his turn at flight.
And just a reminder—the fundraiser runs till the end of the month, unless the goal is met earlier. That would be “loverly” for everybody!
RSS Feed
