A Week of WESO’s (Western Screech Owls)
There were just eight new admissions this past week. Six of them were Western Screech Owls, and all but one were nestlings. The three below were admitted on 4/27/2021. The two smallest owlets were initially admitted to the Benton City Center on 4/13/2021. On that day their nest cavity was cut into with a chain saw, mortally wounding their mother. The larger owlet had just hatched. The smaller owlet hatched two days later. Two other eggs did not hatch.
If at all possible, please wait until the fall or winter months to do major pruning or removal of trees. Many species of birds, as well as some mammals, are currently nesting in the trees.
Five days later the owlets are growing like baby birds!
Swainson’s Hawk 21-107
Sadly, the only hawk admitted this past week was a gunshot victim. The adult male Swainson’s Hawk was found in a pasture near Cle Elum, WA. A radiograph showed a fractured right ulna and 10 pellets scattered throughout his body. The fracture has been immobilized with a wing wrap. If attitude has anything to do with it, the hawk will be ready for release in plenty of time for his return migration flight to Argentina this fall. Unfortunately, if he has a mate who is incubating eggs, she will not be able to raise a family without his help.
Thank You Volunteers!!!
Blue Mountain Wildlife is deeply indebted and dependent upon a dedicated corps of volunteers. With a service area that includes eastern Oregon and a large part of central and southeast Washington, just getting birds to the Benton City or Pendleton Centers is a major undertaking. But that is just the tip of the ice berg for BMW volunteers.
This past week volunteers built a Pollinator Garden dedicated to Bob’s memory and filled it with plants donated by Cascades Raptor Center of Eugene, Oregon and Go Wild Nursery of Pendleton.
Volunteers also created a designated parking area for visitors.
Over the weekend, volunteers assembled the frame for the flight pen replacing the pen that collapsed during the February snow storm.
Soggy Saw-whet
The week ended with some much needed rain. Farmers and foresters alike were grateful for the moisture. Tiny Northern Saw-whet Owl 21-082 did not seem too pleased. He is recovering well from a collision and should be released soon. He also could have chosen to roost in a box in the flight pen, but declined! Intern Adrian captured this photo.
