Two Golden Eagles admitted in 2021 are at their new home with The Zuni Nation in New Mexico. Golden Eagle 21-515 was struck by a vehicle near Mattawa , WA on the Fourth of July. He is non-releasable as a result of the head trauma he received during the collision.

Golden Eagle 21-778 was found near Patterson , WA in November of last year suffering from ingested lead toxicity. He recovered, but has long-term brain damage that affects his decision making skills.

We loaded up the birds and Tricia made the 18 hour drive from Pendleton to Zuni, New Mexico. We contemplated flying the eagles, but they would have been in their crates 18 hours either way, and the airline flight would have included a three hour layover in Salt Lake City, Utah with a change of plane. Driving seemed the better option and it also gave Tricia the opportunity to continue on to Midland, Texas and visit her family.

The eagles will be in quarantine for a month and then will be moved into the large eagle aviary. We are very grateful to The Zuni Nation for giving the eagles their forever home.

It was Swainson’s Hawk Teddy’s turn for his annual checkup this week. Above, Samantha examines him prior to drawing a blood sample and taking a radiograph. He received a clean bill of health!

Walla Walla high school student Alex is volunteering on Sundays this semester. Below he is restraining a Red-tailed Hawk while I put a band on his leg. The hawk was placed on a travel box and Tricia left to meet Ken and Janie in Umatilla. They traveled to Sunnyside, WA to meet Kathy who released the hawk near Tietan. It takes a village to rehabilitate migratory birds!

In addition to the red-tail, we released a House Finch, an American Crow and a Great Horned Owl…