Thank You 3RCF & The Bald Trust
On Thursday Blue Mountain Wildlife received two $2,000 grants! Three Rivers Community Foundation in Richland, WA awarded BMW a grant to support wildlife rehabilitation and education programs in the Tri-Cities area. A grant from the Clara and Art Bald Trust in Walla Walla will be used to purchase an incubator that will accommodate large hawks and owls and an ophthalmoscope that will allow better evaluation of eye injuries.
Barred Owl Release
There is a lot of controversy surrounding the Barred Owl. Originally a bird of the east, during the twentieth century it spread through the Pacific Northwest and southward into California (as a result of human activity). Barred Owls live in large, mature forests made up of both deciduous trees and evergreens. In the Pacific Northwest they have moved into old-growth coniferous forest, where they compete with the threatened Spotted Owl.
There was a news report this past week stating since no old-growth timber had been harvested in the past 20 years and Barred Owl populations are increasing, the Barred Owls must be responsible for decreasing Spotted Owl populations.
The amount of old-growth forests is a tiny fraction of historic levels. In the northern part of their range, Spotted Owls are dependent upon old-growth forests. Thinking massive habitat loss has less to do with the decline of the Spotted Owl than increasing Barred Owl populations makes no sense to me.
One month ago a Barred Owl was admitted with a head injury after it flew into a window in Yakima, WA. On Friday, volunteer Toni and her husband Don, along with Ryan Siegmeth who found the injured owl, released the him at Yakima Sportsman’s State Park just south of Yakima. Toni sent these pictures.
New Intern Housing
Funds from the estate of Cathy Oliver have been used to purchase a much newer and larger travel trailer for intern housing. Up to four interns will be able to stay in the trailer, providing hands on experience for twice as many college students and doubling BMW's staffing during the busy summer months. The digital x-ray system installed in August was also made possible by Cathy’s bequest. Her generosity will provide a lasting legacy to wildlife, future wildlife rehabilitators and wildlife veterinarians.
