Merlin with a broken wing from Fountain.
Diana Miller suspects a car hit for this golden eagle from Flagler. Update 04/03–Diana and Duane released the golden eagle at Flager SWA with an excited group of folks that had been following her story!
We’ve been pretty quiet around here lately, but over the weekend another golden eagle came to rehab as well as a merlin. Golden eagle was picked up by DOW Duane Stegner off the baseball diamond in Flagler. The bird looks pretty good; standing up, alert, good body condition. She enjoyed a long drink of water upon intake and a big, fresh meal. The bird has been transferred to the Pueblo Raptor Center to spend time with another golden eagle in rehab there, and we are hopeful she will be released back home to Flager in the next couple of weeks or so. Merlin hit a window and was grounded for three days. The concerned homeowners contacted Frank Dodge’s Wild Bird Center, where EWRC volunteer Lynn happened to be at work. Lynn promptly drove to Fountain and captured the injured falcon, and took her to the vet, where Dr. Heather Becker provided wound care and diagnostics that revealed a fractured wing. We’ll have to see how that wing heals.
This golden eagle had been observed struggling in Lincoln County for a week or so, unable to fly well, before one day Kyle went out to the pasture to find the cows in a huddle. Upon closer inspection, Kyle found the unmoving eagle on his back, surrounded by cows. Thinking the bird was dead, Kyle picked the eagle up, whereupon it opened its eyes. Kyle brought the bird inside, placed him in a pen, offered a freshly dead cottontail, and called DOW officer Aaron. Aaron picked up the bird and called to ask where to bring it, and I told him to the vet, please. Dr. Peacock at Animal Emergency Care Center North took time out of her busy hectic day to examine the eagle, x-ray him, and provide subcu fluids. The eagle was then brought to EWRC, arriving emaciated, skinny, feathers in bad condition, on his belly and unable to stand, feet clenched into balls, and unresponsive. More fluids were provided and by Monday the eagle had perked up a little bit. Today he is en route to the Pueblo Raptor Center, where a lead level will be drawn and chelation therapy initiated if indicated. Please keep your fingers crossed for this bird’s successful healing and hopeful release.
A squirrel and a robin in a bare, snow-dusted tree might not seem unusual to you but it is because we have never had squirrels here before and have no idea where this one came from, and also the robins don’t come here until April. So, does this mean an early spring for us?
Nick McGrane’s Second Grade Class at the Friends’ School in Boulder is helping wildlife in rehab at EWRC in a REALLY BIG way! The students, who are learning about philanthropy, are excited about learning about Colorado wildlife and are holding a coin drive to benefit the critters, just in time for busy baby season. A big THANK YOU to volunteer intern Lynn, who drove up to Boulder to visit with the Second Grade Class and the entire school to answer questions and share our work at EWRC, and how wildlife is beneficial and how we can help wildlife. THANK YOU FRIENDS’ SCHOOL SECOND GRADE CLASS!