Finally site prep for the new clinic has begun! We are dotting the “i’s” and crossing the “t’s” in preparation for delivery of the new clinic. This is such an exciting time for BMW!

There were no admissions this past week, but we kept busy interviewing interns who will be here during the busy summer baby season. The interns are college students with plans to become veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitators or environmental educators. They will gain valuable experience during their internships, and BMW will gain insight and knowledge from them.

Blue Mountain Wildlife was honored to receive a $25,000 anonymous donation which will be used to further BMW’s mission to care for native wildlife. Specifically, the funds will be used to stock the freezers with mice for feeding baby raptors which will be arriving soon and to help furnish the new (larger) clinic. We are very grateful for this amazing gift!

We have passed the mid-point of winter. The days are noticeably longer. Spring will soon be here! Although our winter has been mild, I’m looking forward to that last average frost date in April when I will no longer need to be so careful about draining hoses.

There were two admissions this past week. American Crow 26-009 had a broken leg and pox lesions. The prognosis for recovery was poor, and the bird was euthanized.

Ring-billed Gull 26-010 was struck by a vehicle resulting in too many fractures to count. Again, euthanasia was the humane option.

Water fowl are the primary carriers of HPAI. In general, BMW does not admit large numbers of water fowl. We regularly admit Red-tailed Hawks, Great Horned Owls and occasionally Bald Eagles, all high risk species for HPAI. Last week was a typical week.

Red-tailed Hawk 26-007 was found near La Grande, OR unable to fly. The hawk was emaciated, it’s left foot was clenched, there was a minor abrasion on the left hock and a noticeable clicking sound in the left shoulder. An x-ray showed increased density in the left hip, but no fractures. 

The most likely causes for the bird’s condition were electrocution, collision with a vehicle and/or HPAI. We ruled out electrocution during the exam. The prognosis for recovery was poor and the hawk was euthanized. The results of an HPAI test will be available later in the week. The x-ray below shows very little muscle, typical of an emaciated bird.

Great Horned Owl 26-008 was found near the USDA agricultural Research Station. It had a wound on the right elbow and punctures on the right foot indicating it might have been electrocuted. X-rays showed fractures in the right scapula, right elbow and left tarsometatarsus, a dislocated right shoulder and hip, and emaciation. A collision with a vehicle seemed the most likely explanation for the injuries. Results of an HPAI test will tell us if the owl was also suffering from the virus.

Thank you to all who attended BMW’s Membership meeting on Saturday. Your input and involvement as we prepare for a new clinic and the challenges of 2026 are invaluable. Below is a graphic that Winnie created to summarize 2025 accomplishments.

After our meeting we welcomed the 4-H Clover Buds. They learned about BMW’s Education Birds and then dissected owl pellets. Many took home their collection of rodent bones they found in the  pellets.