Ten releases and counting!

Just a quick entry to let you know that a lot of my short-term neighbors (ie birds in rehabilitation) have been released this week!

Remember the tiny, fluffy baby American Kestrel admitted a couple months ago?  She grew up strong and healthy, and was released on Sunday to a chunk of beautiful land up north.

The second-year Peregrine Falcon admitted a few months ago with high voltage trauma (HVT) from a powerline incident was a bit of a longshot:  HVT cases are difficult to heal, and her wounds had left her patagial tendon exposed on one wing.  The patagial tendon is critical to flight.  The wound took nearly two months of patient treatment by the Humans to heal, and then she had to regain her stamina in one of the large flight cages.  But soon enough she was flying like a champ, and was successfully released north of La Porte a few days ago!  The Human that released her said that when she flew off, she didn't just go find a perch to land on and take a rest, she kept flying, and flying, and flying...

Four immature Great Horned Owls were released last night.  They passed "rat school" a couple weeks ago, and have been perfecting feather condition since then.  The way the Humans here release Great Horned Owls is called a "soft release" through an apparatus called a "hack box".  Essentially, the birds were fed for a few days from a platform in the cage, so they became accustomed to getting their food there.  Then, last night the door from the feeding platform to the outside world was left open, and the Owls all flew off on their own into the night.  But since they're young birds with no real-world experience, and it's a drought year, it could be difficult for the birds to make ends meet, so the Humans will continue putting food on the platform for the next few weeks just in case they need to come back for a snack.  When they stop coming back for food, we know they're off being wild!

Great Horned Owl flying in a cage

Common Barn Owl experiencing those awkward teenage years

Two Common Barn Owls were released a couple of evenings ago, and flew silently over open fields, until they were out of sight.



And, finally, another American Kestrel and a mature Swainson's Hawk are both being released as I type this!  That's ten birds so far this week, and more are due to be sent on their way soon!  While all these releases are great news, I keep watching the main building and seeing how many newly injured birds are being admitted--there are a lot.  Things are not slowing down here at all.  West Nile Virus is really rearing it's head, and the Humans have received results from blood tests for over a dozen birds confirming WNV, and there are many, many others with WNV symptoms who are awaiting blood test confirmation.  So, as always, the work never ends!  But if you are as excited as I am about the ten releases listed above, please support us by clicking on the "donate now" link on the right sidebar!

Things to Be Happy About

In recent weeks, things haven't been all dark nights and dead mice at the RMRP.  What, would you prefer the Human phrase "sunshine and roses"?  Okay, things haven't all been sunshine and roses.  Recently many of the birds being admitted to the CCU have been broken beyond repair (multiple fractures, old necrotic wounds, etc).  These birds have been humanely euthanized, and while that's the kindest and most ethical thing to do with those cases, it still hurts to not be able to do anything to help.  In addition to the badly broken birds, the Humans are also admitting many young birds (lots of Swainson's Hawks) suffering from starvation, symptoms consistent with West Nile Virus, and often with traumatic injuries on top of all that.  While these cases are extremely labor-intensive, there is a reasonable chance of fixing and releasing them, and the Humans give care wherever there is hope!  Still, it's tiring and difficult work, so with an influx of such heartbreaking cases, I've decided to help keep spirits high by listing off six wonderful things that have happened in just the past couple of days! 

1.  This immature Kestrel is a probable West Nile Virus case (awaiting blood test confirmation).  He was so neurologically impaired that for his first couple weeks at the RMRP he couldn't stand on his own, and he didn't have the beak-eye coordination to eat on his own.  Now look at him!  Not only is he eating on his own and standing upright, but he can stand on one foot.  He still has a ways to go, but it's great to see him improving!

2.  The Humans released nine Swainson's Hawks into a kettle a couple days ago!  Every Swainson's Hawk that can be released into a migrating kettle is one less bird that has to be overwintered at the RMRP.  Fewer beaks to feed, less dollars spent, and, most importantly, more birds getting their second chance at freedom (and a trip to Argentina).

No, your screen is not dirty: those little black dots are all Swainson's Hawks

3.  This Cooper's Hawk grew up and was released today!

4.  A rehabbed Peregrine Falcon is flying like a champ, and is on track for release after finishing up a molt!

5.  A Common Barn Owl that was probably hit by a car tried to toe-dust yesterday.  Toe-dusting is something that Barn Owls do to scare away predators and other threats.  This bird suffered massive trauma and is being treated for her pain.  The fact that she was feeling well enough to try to be scary is great news!  The video below (not the RMRP's) will show you what toe-dusting is.

6. A Red-Tailed Hawk that was admitted with a fractured clavical was moved to a larger cage after time in the CCU, and quickly demonstrated that he can fly very well, thank you very much.  It's always nice to see a broken bone heal nicely! 

That's all I've got off the top of my head.  Not bad considering all that happened in the past three days.  Through good times and bad, the Humans at the RMRP will keep on taking care of every single raptor that comes across their threshold, and will keep on churning out success stories like these.  Thank you for your support!

Also, don't forget, the Open House is this Saturday from 11:00-3:00 at the main facility on Vine Drive!  Click the link for details and directions.  This facility closed to the public except on Open House days, so come on over for a chance to see what happens here behind the scenes.  There will be educational exhibits, lots of people to explain the ins-and-outs of the facility, and plenty of educational ambassadors on display.  Oh, and there will be snacks!  Hope to see you there!