American Crow 20-422
An adult Crow was seen roaming a south hill residential area in Pendleton. After nearly a week, good Samaritans were able to capture it. A radiograph left no doubt as to why the Crow could not fly. It had been shot twice. One pellet fractured the left radius, ulna and humerus. The second pellet fractured the sternum.
Vaux’s Swifts: Two Families of Four
The first three Swifts arrived on July 22. They came from Walla Walla. Another sibling was found on July 23. On July 24 four more were admitted from Waitsburg. Swifts are aerial insectivores. They nest in cavities found in mature and old-growth coniferous and mixed forests. When tree cavities are not available, they nest in chimneys (where these were found after their nests fell down). The nest is constructed of small twigs, using saliva to adhere the twigs to the side of the nest cavity. I’m pretty sure saliva is a more effective adhesive inside tree cavities than sooty chimneys.
The Week in Review and a look Ahead
Business continues to be brisk. There were 24 new admissions and 15 releases this past week, including two Red-tailed Hawks.
Remember, wear your mask…
And practice good social distancing…
