Never Put Gorilla Tape on Feathers
A well-meaning good Samaritan stabilized this Merlin's injured wing with gorilla tape. It took 30 minutes to remove the tape and Goo Gone (that we used to dissolve the tape adhesive) from the falcon’s feathers, before she could be examined. A radiograph showed both metacarpals were fractured and her thumb was damaged. Time will tell if she will have full use of her wrist and wingtip.
A Busy Week
Our slow spell ended this past week with 17 admissions: 5 Red-tailed Hawks, 4 Great Horned Owls, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Northern Saw-whet Owl and 5 non-raptors. Sadly, three were gunshot victims: a Red-tailed Hawk, a Great Horned Owl and a California Gull.
The Education Team had a great time helping Wild Birds Unlimited celebrate their second anniversary. We also went to Hermiston’s Outdoor School at Camp Elkanah, although we were mostly inside (where it was warm and not raining!).
Don’t Miss the Open House, October 19, 2019, 1-4 pm
Fun for the entire family and a Red-tailed Hawk Release!
Red-tailed Hawk 19-301 was admitted in July with electrocution burns on both wings. She is finally ready to go, and some lucky person will win the opportunity to release her.
