Red-tailed Hawk Journey
During the Umatilla County Christmas Bird Count, Pendleton Bird Club members spotted a tagged Red-tailed Hawk on Poverty Flat Road about 15 miles east of Pendleton. Aaron Skirvin took this awesome photo. The hawk was trapped at the Portland Airport on April 8, 2015 and released near Ranier, OR five days later. Banding records indicate the hawk is blind in its left eye. It is commonly assumed that one-eyed hawks cannot survive in the wild. I love it when Mother Nature proves us mere mortals wrong! (Hawks are regularly trapped at the Portland Airport and relocated in an effort to reduce bird/airplane collisions.)
Thank You Portland General Electric
PGE has notified BMW that the energy company will make a $10,000 donation to support BMW’s 2016 wildlife rehabilitation program. The funds will be used to purchase supplies needed to care for the hundreds of birds that will be admitted for care in the coming year. Thank you PGE!
Sad News
On Wednesday Dr. Yackley at Pendleton Veterinary Clinic attempted to repair the fractured humerus of the gunshot Bald Eagle admitted last week. Unfortunately the bullet had caused too much damage to the bone and the eagle was euthanized.
New Species Admitted
A very cold and hungry Red-breasted Sapsucker was found in LaGrande. It has responded well to warmth and food. These smallish woodpeckers are commonly found in lower elevation coniferous forests in western Oregon and Washington. We will wait until March, and warmer temperatures, before releasing it.
A Really Ugly Eye
Owls have very large eyes for their size. If our eyes were as large as a Great Horned Owl’s eyes they would be the size of softballs. In addition, owls don’t have much of an eyebrow to protect their eyes like we do. Consequently, we see lots of eye injuries in owls. This past week a Great Horned Owl was found on the ground at the OSU Agricultural Research Station in Hermiston. She had an ulcer on the cornea of her right eye that had ruptured.
After examining the eye, Dr. Yackley prescribed eye drops to be applied every 4 hours for two days and then every 6 hours for five more days. Then we will reevaluate. Fortunately Mrs. Owl is a very cooperative patient (at least when it comes to eye drops).
Annual Membership Meeting Saturday, January 23
Please join Bob and I and BMW’s Board of Directors for the Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, January 23, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 215 North Main Street in Pendleton, Bailey Street entrance.
