Q: How many dedicated volunteer transporters does it take to move 1 bird to rehab?
A: LOTS!!
The other day Jim was outside when he spotted something ‘way out on his property. He trudged through the snow and that “something” turned out to be a mature red-tailed hawk, sitting in the snow by his camper. It appeared as if the bird had hit the window-hard! Jim began calling around and ultimately located DOW transport volunteer Tom, who picked up the bird and took to Dr. Hancock at Animal Emergency Care Center South. Dr. Hancock stabilized the bird overnight, then took to Belcrest Animal Clinic the next morning. After a very careful and thorough exam by Dr. E., it was determined the bird hadn’t sustained any fractures and needed time and rest to heal. DOW transport volunteer Louise was called, and she picked up the bird from the veterinarian. From there, Phil picked up the bird to bring to EWRC. So, count the volunteers, all caring people that showed up and drove all over the place, just to help this one bird. Wow! We anticipate a very speedy recovery and prompt release, weather allowing.
Matthew informed me today that he had his Eagle Court of Honor ceremony yesterday and I’d like to say congratulations! It has been a pleasure working with Matt. His Eagle project here consisted of building migratory bird nest boxes, and he even built a special box for Educational Ambassador, Nadine, with her name on it and everything, sized to fit her. Thank you, Matt, for everything and we are very proud of you!
Finally, finally last night I was able to make it to the DOW for Steve Vaughan’s Raptor Identification program, presented by Aiken Audobon Society. I sometimes struggle with bird ID, given the morphs, ages, and other variables. I’ve been hearing over the years about Steve’s program and I think it’s a very good one. Steve addresses the variables and talked about body size and proportions, and talked about flight profiles, wing shapes, habitat, and lots of other good stuff. I think I’ll handle the “is it a Cooper’s male or a sharp-shinned female?” question better next time the opportunity presents itself. Steve is a very entertaining guy and the good Power Point presentation made it easy to see what he was talking about. So glad to finally have made it for the program.
Also while I was there, I picked up a good book, “Colorado Wildscapes; Bringing Conservation Home” Audubon Society. This book tells us how to landscape with wildlife in mind and with our particular region-by-region landscape challenges. I picked it up at the meeting. I think the book can be purchased via Audubon Society; contact Wild Bird Center with questions.
I am SO looking forward to Brian Linkhart’s flammulated owl program next month!
Wendy called the other day because she had found a mature meadowlark outside while visiting in Lamar. The bird had suffered a wing fracture and Wendy knew the bird needed help. Wendy was headed back to Denver, it was the weekend, and the weather was very bad. Eventually we found a way to connect her with DOW Wildlife Transport Volunteer Diana, who met up with Wendy in Castle Rock and was given the bird from Wendy. If there were Olympics for transport, we’d have a couple of winners here, as the temperatures were frigid and the wind was blowing the falling snow all over, making visibility poor and transport treacherous. The meadowlark is here now and unfortunately the wing fracture is severe.
Kathy’s mother enjoys watching the birds at her bird feeder. The other day, while the songbirds were filling up at the feeder, along came a flock of pigeons that scattered the smaller birds away. One unfortunate fellow flew away from the feeder and right into the picture window, even though Kathy’s mom had carefully placed deterrents on the outsides of her windows to prevent this from happening. Kathy’s mom called Kathy, who in turn picked the bird up and placed into a shoe box (excellent plan!) with some bird seed and a tiny dish of water, then took the bird to the vet, who called EWRC to pick the bird up. Volunteer Dan F. picked the bird up and now the bird is here. This little house finch seems to have suffered a fractured wing but is otherwise perky and alert. Let’s wish him a speedy and successful recovery!
Ken called me last week from Manitou at the beginning of the blizzard. He had found a junco running around in his yard, unable to fly. Ken picked the bird up, brushed the snow off, and brought the bird inside. Ken is no stranger to birds, having had his own parrots for many years. Ken has also sent injured birds to Ellicott Wildlife Rehab in the past; birds he had found injured near his home. Ken explained the bird was holding its wing out a bit and didn’t seem able to bring the wing close to its body. Otherwise the bird seemed alert and healthy. Although it is not legal to keep wildlife without a State and Federal permit, Ken didn’t have a choice, since the blizzard had hit and there was no getting out. He kept the bird comfortable and quiet, placed in front of the window in his quiet, stress-free home, and waited until he could get out to take the bird to the vet, where it was determined the bird had broken its wing, probably several days prior to Ken’s finding it. This is a rather severe fracture of a tiny wing, already calloused and hardened. The bird is at EWRC now where he will rest the wing for several days, then begin exercising it at his own pace, until hopefully ready for release, back to Ken’s yard, where the juncos live all year. Let’s wish the bird lots of luck and success. Thank you, Ken, for caring so much about the birds!
April’s niece found this bird sitting in a schoolyard in Colorado Springs today. The bird isn’t flying. Can you please help us identify him? Respond to ellicottwildlife@ellicottwildlife.com
The verdict is in-this is a Common Snipe.
Scott sent some more good pictures of the flickers hanging out at his suet feeder. These woodpeckers really seem to appreciate the feeders in the winter time when bugs are scarce! Thank you, Scott!
