SNN (ScrollingNetworkNews) ✿ ✿ Our Mel and Sydney returned to their nesting box with plenty of bonding occurring..but after 2.5 months of Sydney in the box from Dec 2013 to mid Feb 2014, the lack of prey gifts from Mel ( perhaps due to the severe and historic drought underway in California)and they have forgone the nesting process this year as many other raptors ✿ Compared to other owls of similar size, the Barn Owl has a much higher metabolic rate, requiring relatively more food. Pound for pound, Barn Owls consume more rodents – often regarded as pests by humans – than possibly any other creature. ✿ We remind viewers that sometimes owlets may not survive - the parents will dispose of things in "The Owl Way" -viewer discretion is advised, this is nature and the "Owl way". ✿ ~ ✿ “Animals, like us, are living souls. They are not things. They are not objects. Neither are they human. Yet they mourn. They love. They dance. They suffer. They know the peaks and chasms of being.” ― Gary Kowalski, The Souls of Animals ✿ Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius." ~ E.O. Wilson

Monday, June 11, 2012

International Bird Rescue

 A badly injured gull, one that had eluded rescuers for the past two weeks, was finally captured by, none other than, one of Wildlife Hero Purple Cape Award recipients, Dave Cogswell!

The gull was first spotted at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. It had a hook in its mouth and line tangled around its bill, but it was still flighted and very, very wary. There were numerous attempts to capture the seabird - various entities responded, including San Francisco Animal Care and Control (THANK YOU!!!).

It seemed no one could get close enough!

One night, Dave and his wife, Desiree, took the time needed to draw the gull closer and closer using tasty morsels to draw it in, until finally, Dave was able to grab the bird with his bare hands! Way to go!!!!!!!!!! Bravo, bravo!!!!!!

The gull was transferred to WildCare (Marin) and then on to seabird experts at International Bird Rescue (Cordelia).
According to medical staff at International Bird Rescue, the gull also had an old fishing hook superficially embedded in its wing, and a very infected hock wound. It remains in guarded condition.