There were just 5 admissions this past week. The first was Red Crossbill 24-314 who had been struck by a vehicle near Baker City causing fractures in the upper and lower right mandibles, the right ulna and the right coracoid. The damage was too extensive to repair and the bird was euthanized.

New intern Kara has been a big help for a week now. 

She released a Ring-necked Pheasant, a Brewers Blackbird and three American Robins in Wetland Park on the Umatilla Indian Reservation…

Swainson’s Hawk 24-316 was found near Hermiston unable to fly, another starving fledgling. We found no injuries. The young bird seems to be responding to supportive care. Emaciation cases are so challenging. The birds need calories for metabolism, but more importantly they need to be hydrated first for their gut to function properly. 

Golden Eagle 24-318 was found in Jordan Valley, very weak and unable to stand. The logistics of getting the eagle to Pendleton (the closest rehab facility) were somewhat challenging. Although both locations are in eastern Oregon, it is 255 miles to Jordan Valley and it is in the Mountain Time Zone. Noon in Pendleton is 1:00 pm in Jordan Valley. The eagle was transported to Vale, OR on Friday and then from Vale to Pendleton on Saturday. 

The initial exam found no major injuries, but the fledgling weighs 3.3 kilograms, 30% underweight for a female. Another starving youngster. We will provide supportive care and slowly reintroduce food.

Four young Swainson’s Hawks fledged from a hack box this week. They are returning to the feeding platforms for food. Six more Swainson’s were placed in two hack boxes. The doors will be opened at the end of the week allowing them to fledge.