All 7 of the native birds admitted this past week were too badly injured to save. They were victims of cars, cats and guns.
Two young Coop[er’s Hawks had been shot. One hawk died immediately from a head injury. The second hawk had multiple fractures in his right wing and was euthanized.
We were able to release 10 songbirds who had been admitted as nestlings.
1 Western Kingbird…
6 American Robins…
And 3 House Finches…
Long-eared Owl Update
The emaciated Long-eared Owl admitted last week has responded well to supportive care and is feistier by the day!
Visit the Blue Mountain Wildlife Store We have new selections in our Bonfire store…
Although there were just 8 new admissions this past week, we saw a lot of broken bones. American Robin fledgling 25-408 had both wing and leg fractures. Euthanasia was our only option.
Wilson’s Warbler 25-410 had both radius and ulna fractures. The injuries were not repairable.
Fledgling Burrowing Owl 25-411 was found at the former Umatilla Chemical Depot with an injured eye. The owl has an appointment on Tuesday at Pendleton Veterinary Clinic to have the eye evaluated.
Fledgling Western Screech Owl 25-413 had a new fracture in its right tibiotarsus and a healed fracture in its left radius. The leg fracture was very close to the knee joint which would almost certainly compromise joint movement. Again euthanasia was the humane option.
The hack box door was opened and two young red-tailed hawks were released. Food is being placed on a feeding platform daily until they perfect their hunting skills.
Just before we said goodby to intern Sadie, she released a young Killdeer. Sadie is back home in Colorado and will soon be returning to school in Kansas.
As I was composing this newsletter Long-eared Owl 25-415 was admitted. The finder had kept the owl “a week or two” and fed it chicken and fish. At 166 grams, the owl is emaciated. A radiograph showed a healed fracture in the right leg and damage to the left wrist. The bird’s shoulders are not symmetrical. If the emaciation can be successfully treated, we will re-evaluate the shoulders next week.
If you or someone you know find a bird needing care, please call the nearest wildlife rehabilitator. It can literally mean the difference between life and death for the bird.
Interns Sadie and Marissa are still busy feeding baby birds. Marissa returned a young American Crow to its family in SW Pendleton.
Of the 16 birds admitted this past week,10 were raptors. The smallest was Northern Saw-whet Owl 25-401 from Vale who had a fractured humerus that could not be repaired Euthanasia was the most humane option.
On Saturday Tricia and I presented a program at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute. American Kestrel Yoda and Gyr/Peregrine hybrid Rainy were a big it with museum visitors.
Summer continues and the temperatures are climbing. Today’s high is 101 degrees. Wind is predicted for Monday, coolng temperatures down to the mid-90’s by week’s end. There were 31 admissions this past week, 7 raptors and an assortment of 24 songbirds, corvids, and 1 hatchling California quail.
Northern Harrier 25-358 is a long shot for successful rehab, but we wanted to giver her a chance. She was struck by a vehicle near Ontario, OR. She has a dislocated left shoulder, fractured left ulna, and damage in the wrist and hip.
Nearly one month ago Mule Deer fawn 25-289 was admitted after her mother was struck by a vehicle and killed. She has nearly tripled her weight on a mixture of goat milk and lamb milk replacer. We are having a difficult time getting her to eat browse so have “borrowed” Snickers, a young goat to be a role model for her.
This will be a very short newsletter, as staff and interns are busy examining new birds, feeding baby birds and cleaning cages, all never ending jobs!
Admissions at BMW are up by 41% compared to this time last year, from 252 in 2024 to 356 in 2025. The species admitted are typical. There were 10 raptors: 1 Swainson’s Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 3 Cooper’s Hawks, 2 American Kestrels and 3 Barn Owls. Songbirds admitted included a Brewers Blackbird, Barn Swallow, House Finch, American Robin and a small flycatcher. There was also 1 Common Raven.
Below is a photo of two fledgling American Kestrels. They will be banded and join the 12 Kestrels outside who will soon be released at their hack site. We will continue feeding them until they have become proficient at flying and hunting, and naturally disperse. We are enjoying the nightly Barn Owl show. Most of 70 baby Barn Owls are now flying. They have been released from their hack boxes and are returning each night for food. Within the next two months they will refine their rodent catching skills and disperse.
