Well the last few days have been busier. In this post I've included the pictures of Shu's move to Moab with my sub-permittee Dave Cozzens. He'll hang out there until we can get the paperwork finalized on his transfer. He has more room to move around there. He'll miss his handler, Connie. He would talk to her every day when she would go out and feed, clean and when we caught him to check his weight.
We have several new patients. A clutch of nestling sparrows (3), an adult female Common Loon, a Ring-Necked duck and another golden eagle.
The Loon didn't need rehabilitation, but just to be put back into water. Loon's and Grebe's commonly end up on the pavement or roads just after a rain. They migrate at night and when lights or the moon reflect off of the wet hard ground, it appears to be water. They land and get stuck since they are made to take off from water where they can get a run and then get airborne. On the ground, they appear to be crippled as they cannot stand. We get a few every year and after making sure there are no injuries from the impact, we get them to a large body of water.
Migration is going on now, so besides the orphan issues, like the nestling sparrows, we have issues relating to migration this time of year. I've included 2 pictures of the Loon release today in Emery county. A volunteer, Diane Krozel did the release.
As I mention above, there is another eagle with us and a duck that came in under horrible circumstances, but that's for the next post! It will be my 9pm feeding and medication time here shortly, so I'll get this published and save the rest for next time.
By the way,
If you find baby birds this time of year, a couple of things you need to do. Really look at the babies. Do they have feathers? A lot or only a few? If they are trying to fly and all of their baby down is gone, look around. Do you see mom and/or dad? If so, the babies are fledging, the process of learning how to fly. It's not like the Disney movies where they come off the nest flying perfectly. It's pretty dangerous and awkward those first few hours and days. Look around for predators. If the babies aren't in any immediate danger, just step back and watch.
If they don't appear ready to be flying and/or appear injured, or if you see a cat grab one, then they need help. Call your local wildlife agency (DWR) in Utah or your local wildlife rehabilitator. Injuries such as a cat attack are almost always fatal if no medical attention is received. If they just need to be put back into a nest, look up to see if you see their nest. If you can get them into it, that is the best solution. Don't worry, the old wives tale that the mothers will abandon them if you touch them is just that, a wives tale, not true. If you cannot get them back into their correct nest, then call DWR or the wildlife rehabilitator.
Debbie.................
No comments:
Post a Comment