Blue Mountain Wildlife’s new clinic is on its way. BMW staff and board members traveled to Pasco this past week to look at a mobil building that will be transformed into a wildlife clinic. Our goal is to have the new clinic operational by the end of the year. There’s a lot of work to do (and opportunities to help). I will keep you posted!

Just three migratory birds were admitted this past week. Black-billed Magpie 25-480 was found on the ground, unable to walk or fly. X-rays showed the bird had several damaged cervical vertebra – his neck was broken. The damage was too extensive to repair and the bird was euthanized. Magpies are a high risk species for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. In order to better understand the bird’s condition, it will be tested for avian influenza.

Western Screech Owl 25-481 was likely struck by a vehicle. An exam and x-rays found fractures in the right shoulder and a dislocated right hip. Again the damage was too extensive to repair and the bird was euthanized.

If you read the journal, you know we x-ray almost all wildlife admitted to BMW. A whole-body radiograph is very helpful in identifying injuries, especially in smaller birds that can be challenging to palpate. The two views we most often take are a ventral-dorsal or VD, with the bird on its back and a lateral, LAT, with the bird lying on its side. The birds are anesthetized to minimize the stress of an exam. Then they are taped to the x-ray table with masking tape so we can step out of the room and take x-rays without exposing staff to radiation. In addition to injuries, you can see the shafts of growing feathers on the radiograph.

Sunset at BMW…