Thank You Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
WDFW has awarded Blue Mountain Wildlife a $21,000 grant for the 2019 -2021 Biennium. Grant funds will be used to purchase raptor food, lead test kits and raptor medications. We are very appreciative of the generous financial support from WDFW.
Some 2019 Numbers
We have had 212 admissions to date at the Pendleton Center, 28% fewer than this time last year. The primary cause seems to be the abnormally low number of baby Barn Owls. There was a barn owl tsunami last year when hay was moved earlier than usual, disturbing barn owl nests in the hay stacks. The current hay shortage means there are few hay stacks left from last year resulting in fewer owl nests. There are still nearly 80 birds in care, so we are not lacking for things to do. Below, Taylor is feeding a nestling Bullocks Oriole.
19-207 Black-chinned Hummingbird, Adult, Female
At 3 grams, 19-207 is one of the tiniest adult birds ever admitted to BMW. Her right wing was injured by a cat. She is consuming nearly 6 ml of nectar daily. Twice a day antibiotics are added to the nectar.
19-189 Great Blue Heron Nestling
Herons build a nest 100 or more feet off the ground in colonies called a heronry. There may be multiple nests in the same tree and up to 500 nests in a heronry. When 19-189 moved to a neighboring nest, its parents stopped bringing food. The young heron eventually fell to the ground. No injuries other than bruising were found on the intake exam, but the bird was very thin and critically anemic. It perked up after administration of IV fluids and a blood transfusion, but died a few hours later.
A Visit to the SAGE Center
The Education Team visited the SAGE Center, an interactive visitor center that highlights Sustainable Agriculture and Energy in Boardman, OR. They have lots of fun family activities throughout the summer and Tillamook Ice Cream!
