We received word from the OSU Veterinary Diagnostic Lab that Great Horned Owl 25-006 who died soon after being admitted last week, tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The owl had multiple bruises that seemed consistent with being struck by a vehicle. We tested the owl for avian influenza because it is a high risk species for the disease. This is a good example of the importance of following protocols. 

There were just three admissions this past week. American Robin 25-008 was quite thin and coated with some type of oil. We are not sure of the type, but it did not smell like automotive oil. After multiple baths with Dawn Dish Soap, the feathers were clean and the bird was placed in an incubator to dry. Unfortunately it died about an hour later.

Western Screech Owl 25-009 was found by students at a school in Baker City unable to fly. Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife transported the small owl to La Grande and it rode the Tribal Bus to Pendleton. We suspect it’s right eye was damaged when it collided with a window at the school. It has gotten quite feisty since its arrival four days ago and is eating two mice each night. We will schedule an appointment at Pendleton Veterinary Clinic this coming week to have the right eye evaluated. 

Barn Owl 25-010 was found in a road near Boardman and we presume it was struck by a vehicle. Fluids and anti-inflammatories seem to have done the trick. After one more day of treatment, we will test fly it in the large flight Pen

The Annual Membership Meeting has been rescheduled for February 8, 2025 at 11:00 am. A Zoom link will be posted on the Blue Mountain Wildlife website home page the week before the meeting and will be included in the February 2, 2025 newsletter. 

And here is a bit of humor to start your week out right, Tricia and her Christmas shirt…

We enjoyed some gorgeous winter days this past week. A nice change from the typical gray of winter. There were three admissions to the clinic: two Great Horned Owls and a Merlin. 

Merlin 25-005 dislocated its right shoulder and elbow. The damage was severe and could not be repaired.

Great Horned Owl 25-006 had internal injuries from blunt trauma on her left side, likely from being struck by a vehicle. We tried to stabilize her condition, but she died of her injuries soon after admission.  

Great Horned Owl 25-004 was found tangled in a barbed-wire fence. The finder, a captain in a fire department and knowledgeable about first aid, was great help as we cleaned the owl’s wounds and closed the laceration. The owl is eating well and has regained its feisty disposition. 

We had great news this week from the Bird Banding Lab. Mark Vogt had reported the band number of a Bald Eagle he photographed in Idaho. The Lab sent BMW information regarding the eagle we had banded in 2022 and released at McKay National Wildlife Refuge. The eagle had been shot in April, 2022 and brought to BMW for care. Generally we receive banding reports after a bird has died and someone reports it to the Banding Lab. It is wonderful to know that a bird BMW cared for is alive and well after 2 1/2 years after being released. Below are two photos Mark shared of the eagle. Thank you Mark!!

Blue Mountain Wildlife ended 2024 with 434 admissions that included 69 species of birds, mammals and reptiles. With your support we were able to asses their conditions, provide them with appropriate care and release 161 animals. We couldn’t have done it with out you. Thank you!

There were three admissions the first week of 2025: a Barn Owl, a Red-tailed Hawk and a Great Horned Owl. Three of the most common raptor species that we see. All had injuries that could not be repaired.

Barn Owl 25-001 had a humerus fracture.

The right shoulder and elbow of Red-tailed Hawk 25-002 were dislocated, injuries that could not be repaired.

Great Horned Owl 25-003 was unable to stand. A physical exam found a large bruise at the base of her neck and no pain response in either foot. The likely cause was a collision with a vehicle. The prognosis for recovery was very poor and the owl was euthanized.

Please join us for our Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11:00 am. We will meet on Zoom. A link will be posted on BMW’s Home Page. I hope to see you there.

Saturday’s Winter Solstice means winter is here, but we enjoyed another week of spring-like weather in Pendleton. There were just five admissions including Sharp-shinned Hawk 24-428 who had a fractured right humerus and dislocated shoulder. As you can see from the radiograph, the damage was extensive and could not be repaired.

Sunday morning multiple callers reported seeing Great Horned Owl 24-430 in the median of the freeway along I-84 east of Pendleton. Fortunately he was easy to spot and offered minimal resistance when captured. The most significant finding during the exam was the amount of gravel in the owl’s feathers. It shows up in the radiograph as white flecks, especially below the owl’s left knee. There is also some hemorrhage in his left eye. Hopefully tincture of time and anti-inflammatory medication will allow the owl to recover from (presumably) being struck by a vehicle.

Thank you to volunteer Burt who transported two injured birds to Pendleton, American Crow 24-431 found in Umatilla and Snow Goose 24-432 found in Hermiston. The crow had both a broken wing and a broken leg as seen in the radiograph below. The fractures were compound, at least several days old and infected. 

Although the goose had probably been struck by a vehicle, it was also exhibiting signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza, (HPAI), a virus we cannot successfully treat. You may have heard recent news stories of dairy workers contracting HPAI from infected cows. Out of an abundance of caution and to protect our resident education birds, the goose was also euthanized. 

Save The Date: January 11, 2024, 11:00 am Annual Membership Meeting

Mark your calendar for our annual membership meeting. We will look back on the accomplishments and challenges of 2024 and look ahead to the opportunities the new year will bring.

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 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.