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, September 17, 2012

Help on the way

Capturing a flighted turkey is difficult, but one with a 30" projectile through its body makes for an even greater challenge. Last month Wildlife Rescue spent the last couple of weeks orchestrating the rescue - devising a safe method of capture that would offer the greatest potential for success on the first try, and coordinating with avian specialists for the bird to receive immediate care.
The landowner who first reported the bird kept us informed of the bird's condition and habits. It visited regularly, traveling among a raft of other turkeys that crossed the hilltop property nearly every morning and evening. Turkeys have incredibly sharp eyesight and are wary of even the slightest changes in their surroundings. For the capture to be successful, they needed the birds to get used to netting material, so they staged their capture equipment in advance.

The day arrived. With transporters lined up, and the veterinarian on standby, their capture team assembled at the property just after sunrise. At 7:20, the turkey was spotted heading toward the residence - traveling alone.

Everyone scrambled into position inside the house, remaining quiet and still as the bird approached cautiously. At 7:40, the injured turkey was captured!
Check out the video:


After a quick inspection of the wound, they believed it was better to remove the projectile than cut it. Wildlife rescue slowly pulled the long carbon fiber shaft from the bird's body, and she was placed inside a transport kennel.
During the 120-mile drive from Hollister to Fairfield, the young hen bird was uncharacteristically calm. They hope this behavior was due to her age and not because she was ill.

Once at International Bird Rescue, the bird was seen by avian specialist Dr. Rebecca Duerr.
By 11:30, the bird was under anesthesia. Radiographs were taken to check for fractures, and the wound was thoroughly cleaned.

By 1:00 p.m., after being observed for a while, she was headed back to Hollister to be released. All said and done, it was an 8-hour turnaround - from the time the hen was captured, to her release!

Amazing!