Things haven’t really slowed down much here at EWRC! Sick and injured critters are still arriving to rehab, and yesterday brought a very late, very lost migratory burrowing owl! These owls should have migrated out of Colorado a couple of months ago, and winter over in the southern states and Mexico. Alison and her husband were driving from the Florissant Fossil Beds when Alison spotted what she thought was just another chunk of snow on the road. As they were driving over the lump, to her surpise she saw the bright yellow eyes of the little bird. Alison convinced her husband to turn the car around to check the status of the owl. The bird seemed dazed but was still alive, so Alison dumped out a box of kitchen wares and placed the owl in the box, then proceeded to look for help for the bird. She connected with DOW officer Aaron, who took the owl to the vet, where exam showed no significant findings. The vet called to say a burrowing owl needed a pickup and I was sure they had misidentified the bird, but when volunteer Steve brought the bird for rehab, sure enough it was a plump, alert, and seemingly healthy burrowing owl!
This garter snake, rescued by rehabber Kris, suffered a frost-bitten tongue.
Another strange occurence, presumably due to the frigid nights, warm days, and possible youngsters not sufficiently hibernated, was brought to rehabber Kris’ attention. In her area for a span of almost a week, a significant number of garden snakes were coming up to the roads for warmth, only to be driven over by cars. Kris went out scouting for salvageable snakes twice daily for several days and found a couple of live ones.
Kris and Bob arrived on the scene to rescue an injured crane…
…and found a bird in pain with injuries that couldn’t be repaired. This is an open leg fracture.
Kris and Bob ventured out into the snow-packed, icy roads to rescue an injured crane. When they arrived, it appeared the bird had crashed, perhaps mistaking an icy paved area for water and crash-landing. Two crane companions waited next to him. Sadly, the bird suffered a significant and painful fracture that was irreparable.
Rehabber Alison managed to live-trap an adult squirrel that is suffering a major jaw abscess, and with help from Dr. Germeroth and rehabber Heilke, the abscess was cleaned and debrided, and the squirrel is getting proper care with anticipated release in the near future. Alison braved the snow and ice today to pick up an unfortunate flicker that ended up submerged in an oil pan at a mechanic shop. With gentle and not-too-excessive washings, warmth, fluids, proper food, and a stress-free environment for healing, we’re hoping the bird will survive his oily ordeal.