Thursday, September 25, 2014

No sign of slowing down and we are bursting at the seams.......................

Now in possession of 9 Golden eagles with various issues along with 2 American Crows, 3 Ravens, 1 Coopers hawk, 3 Swainson's hawks, 1 Peregrine falcon, 1 Red-Tail hawk and 1 Sandhill Crane.  Now that is just as of today.  Tomorrow, who knows?!

Of these patients, several cannot be released back into the wild due to their injuries.  All of these patients require supportive care everyday and some, those with more serious issues, more medical care on top of everything.  We are working on a transfer of one of our non-releasable Golden eagles to a facility in North Carolina where he (our eagle) will be living with a female eagle in a static display situation, meaning there will be little handling of these birds.  They will not be used for educational programs on the fist.  I feel this will be the best situation for this particular bird.  As the rehabilitator, we are responsible for what is best for our patients and that varies, of course, from animal to animal.  We will also be placing another one of our Goldens with a facility in Indiana, along with our non-releasable Peregrine falcon.
We have recently released 2 Coopers hawks and a Red-Tail hawk, a Long-Eared owl, an American Kestrel and a Cottontail rabbit.  All of these releases were successful and went off without any problems.
The days are becoming cooler, as are the nights and Fall migration is on.  Hummingbirds have already moved on and the raptors are already in process of migration as well.  I've seen a few Turkey Vultures still in the area, but that should change any day.  Soon, the Merlins and Rough-Legged hawks will be arriving in Utah.  So much change going on and life goes on, sometimes needing our help along the way.  Enjoy the photo's.

Connie holding Sandhill Crane on intake exam

Adult Raven electrocuted and burned in Carbon County, Utah

Adult female Coopers hawk that will not be able to survive in the wild.  Looking for placement in an educational program for this girl.




Connie holding one of our newest Golden eagles from the Mounds area of Carbon County, Utah

Male Kestrel on banding day just before release.
Long-Eared owl on release day.

First year female Red-Tail hawk from San Juan County, Utah.  Gunshot victim.

Adult female Swainsons, hawk from Salt Lake County.  Gunshot victim.



Saturday, September 20, 2014

Time to take a stand if wildlife/raptors/bats matter to you

Please take the time to read the U.S. Fish and Wildlife proposal allowing more killing of Eagles in the United States to accomodate wind farms and their companies. Those of us involved in wildlife rehabilitation know that this has been going on for many years, the ugly little secret the wind industry doesn't want you to know about. There are other alternatives, but as always, cost outweighs the death of many many birds and bats every year. This is NOT a CLEAN industry as many have convinced their selves of. This petition can also be signed, adding your name to the Audubon's position on this matter. Lives are at stake.
https://secure.audubon.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1549&autologin=true


Feathered brothers and sisters, you came to us broken and as you bled…….we saw you desperate, dehydrated, desiccated, diseased, distressed, emaciated, famished, frayed, frightened, helpless, hungry, ragged, ravenous, shaken, shocked, shot, sickly, stressed, stunned, tattered, thirsty, traumatized, torn, weary and wounded. Defiantly, you stood us off with your last breath as we tried to tend to you. We saw you come in as cute, naked, fuzzy, cuddly youth, as mischievous, defiant adolescents, as fierce, regal rulers of the sky and as cunning, maimed elders whose time on earth was almost done. You endeared yourselves to us, bit us, charmed us, footed us, delighted us, hissed at us, talked to us, mantled at us, and graced us with your presence.

Some of you mended and were able to go on your way, never looking back. Some of you were injured in ways that prevented you from going, so you stayed with us to teach us…….And we came to love you. Others were too far gone, and you went home - where you fly free from pain with the Great One. All of you have touched us, and we are changed because of you.

used with permission by Arlene Powers


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