As I’m sure you know, it is really cold outside and frigid temperatures will continue for the next few days.
Thank you to everyone who joined us virtually on Saturday for our annual membership meeting. Below is a brief summary of BMW’s 2023 accomplishments. Stay warm and safe and if you feed the birds, keep your feeders stocked! The days are getting longer. Spring is on its way!
A Northern Flicker was the first bird to be admitted in 2024. It had collided with a window and was unable to stand. A radiograph showed no sign of fractures. It had feeling and movement in both feet and legs but its breathing was labored. We are hopeful that there will be improvement with anti-inflammatories and tincture of time.
The annual BMW Membership Meeting will be via Zoom on Saturday, January 13, at 11:00 am. A Zoom link for the meeting will be posted on BMW’s home page.
There will be a review of 2023 accomplishments and plans for 2024 will be discussed. Members will have an opportunity to vote for BMW’s 2024 officers and ask questions of board members or the director. I Hope to see you there!
We have reached the end of another year and thanks to the dedication and hard work of staff, interns and volunteers, hundreds of wild birds have had a second chance at living free. We could not do this work without the generosity and compassion of you our donors. Thank You!
We are grateful for your support and look forward to continuing with you at our side in 2024.
Kestrel Release
American Kestrel 23-348 was admitted with a swollen wrist after a collision, most likely with a vehicle. When a bird has an injury in a wing joint the prognosis is often guarded. Fortunately this little falcon defied the odds and recovered beautifully. I attempted to take a picture of the release, but I was not quick enough. He flew across the open field and landed in the clump of trees in the distance. It was a great release which is all I can ask for!
Sharp-shinned Hawk 23-369 was moved outside to a small pen. She had flown into a glass door, separating her coracoid from the sternum. We immobilized her shoulder for 2 weeks, then continued cage rest for another week. She will stay there for a week and then be moved to a flight pen.
Thank You to all who have made a year end gift to Blue Mountain Wildlife. Your generosity has been overwhelming. If you have not yet made a year end gift, there is still time to do so through the Valley Giving Guide (before midnight 12/31/2023) and have your donation increased with matching funds. Thank You again! Happy New Year!
It continues to be quiet at the Pendleton Center with no new admissions this past week. The weather is cold, but daytime temperatures are mostly above freezing with no precipitation. Not bad for the middle of December.
Volunteer Kenny picked up a Cooper’s Hawk at the prison in Connell, WA that had run into a fence while chasing a bird. Michele examined it and found no injuries. After a few days to recover in a hospital cage, it was moved to a flight pen where it was soon flying like an accipiter should! It was released today (Sunday) 9 days after admission. Good job everyone!
Thank you to all who have made a year-end donation to Blue Mountain Wildlife. Your generosity will allow us to start the new year off equipped to help wildlife in need. If you have not yet made a year-end gift to BMW, please consider donating through the Valley Giving Guide and have your donation qualify for matching funds. Thank you again for your generous support.
I hope you enjoy my favorite picture drawn by preschoolers who came to visit BMW…
