Many thanks to Dan McKinney, WJFW Channel 12 Rhinelander, WI Reporter for the excellent video work on this piece on the eagle physical day and the recent releases. So great to see them free...and take their rightful place in the world. Enjoy a view into our world at REGI.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE3i8-fiEjM

Veterans Day

Yesterday was Veterans Day in the U.S.  REGI is known for our work with Bald Eagles and native birds; however less known is our informal work with veterans, and the Wounded Warriors project. Veterans, those from our own family as well as those we will never meet, are near and dear to our heart here at Raptor Education Group Inc.
A request is usual as simple as allowing a veteran, nearing the end of his life, or trying to regain stability following active duty, to spend some time watching the birds. The birds appear to have a healing quality to veterans. The memory of the late, Bob Mingus, a special Vietnam vet that served in the 101st Airborne Division, "Screaming Eagles”, always comes to mind when I think of the great spirit that embodies veterans we see. The 101st pin he gifted me with means so much!
The photo here is from an ad in our local paper. Yesterday was the day designated to remember veterans. We want to thank those that have given their service in the past, those that are currently serving and their families on this day and every day.

As well as our amazing human soldiers, past and present, who have served this country, there have been several animal soldiers as well that deserve recognition. Few people know that homing pigeons were used in wars and saved many. The next time you see a pigeon and find it annoying...it could well have a relative that was a veteran! They are miracle in feathers... with a gentle coo!:)

Homing Pigeons were especially important before the advent of radio, they were entrusted with important notes that had to be delivered regardless of the battles that waged below it.  These pigeons often had to dodge enemy fire, as troops realized that the release of a pigeon meant that a message was being sent, possibly carrying beneficial secrets.  In fact, during the 19th-century Franco-Prussian War, German troops trained hawks to hunt the message carrying pigeons.  

Some well-known pigeons include "The Mocker", who flew 52 missions before he was wounded and "Cher Ami", who was shot and wounded in the last week of World War I.  She lost a foot and an eye, but she managed to deliver the message and save a group of surrounded American soldiers.

To learn more, visit this link:
http://www.americainwwii.com/articles/pigeons-of-war/

Happy Veterans Day!

Hello!
We just wanted to leave all of you with three of our most popular videos from the last few months! Enjoy!
(Please click the descriptions for the videos)

From June 20th, we have the pileated woodpecker babies eating.

On July 22 we celebrated the turkey chicks hatching!

And on September 17, this is an amazing video of ruby-throated hummingbird babies eating!

National Eagle Center Program

Hey friends!

Just a reminder that Marge and the REGI education team (both humans and birds) will be presenting a program and a "walk and talk" this Saturday, September 28, 2013, at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN for their SeptOberfest event.  Our times are 11 AM - 2 PM with the main presentation at 12 PM.  Hope to see you there!

Video of Hummingbird Babies Being Fed/Intense Summer Season Following Extended Winter Season

Dear Friends,

It has been a while since I updated "Taking Flight".  I apologize to our readers. The past months have been extremely busy, in large part due to wildlife problems created by our odd weather pattern.   I defaulted posting patients news and updates to the Raptor Education Group, Inc. (REGI) Facebook page.   The Facebook page can be updated quickly, whereas the blog format is in constant flux. 

I have received many note and emails urging me to begin the blog again and now that I can catch my breath a little, I will just that. 

We have had more patients this year than ever in our history.  Our patients are always fascinating and incredible and this year is no exception...there are just more of them.   Some of the patients we have some great video on.  I will begin the renewed effort on the blog with one of the more requested video. It is of a nest of tiny Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that were rescued after a storm brought down a tree limb that held their nest. The chicks have been reared and the oldest was released on 8-22-13.   She is doing well and has integrated successfully into the wild group of hummingbirds as they prepare to migrate south.  We have released 2 other hummingbirds this summer as well.



Enjoy and I will be update again soon.

Have a great day everyone,
Marge Gibson

Migration Has Begun! Common Nighthawk One of the Earliest Migrants!

 

Common Nighthawk shows how wide her mouth opens to catch insects 

The nighthawk migration has begun! Common Nighthawks are a very personal species for me. I cared for my first nighthawk patient some 48 yrs. ago. That single bird did much to shape me professionally. People that say one bird doesn’t matter but I beg to differ. Individual birds and their interaction with people have changed opinions, career choices and lifestyles. I have seen attitudes evolve when a person rescues a bird. It doesn’t have to be a rare or endangered species that creates change, the personal connection with a robin or sparrow can do it.

 My dad, Clarence Cahak, was an amazing naturalist. He loved all nature, but birds and nighthawks were special. He called them goatsuckers, the name itself made the bird fascinating to the mind of a child. The name will be a story for another column. Nighthawks eat hundreds of flying insects each night. In the stomach of one unfortunate nighthawk we found 300 freshly caught mosquitos and that was in an hour’s time. That fact alone should make the nighthawk a candidate for most popular bird species ever!

 The thing about nighthawks that amazed me most however, is their migration.  The migration is so reliable you can use it as a calendar.  When I was a kid, dad would haul out lawn chairs on August 22. About 5 p.m. we would pile into the car, drive to the agriculture fields at the edge of town, pull out the chairs and settle in as one would at a kid’s soccer game. Soon the air was filled with nighthawks flitting back and forth, mouth open as they scooped up insects. It was amazing!

Time and even days at the REGI clinic quite literally merge in these busy times.    Last night I glanced skyward on my way to the house.  And there…flitting back and forth were nighthawks, migrating in a southward direction, doing what they have done for as long as I can remember.  The date I knew had to be August 22, 2013 and…it was!   The next stop for this spectacular bird is South America!  There they will spend the winter and see us again in May when our insect population is strong enough to support them and their families.

We recently released a rehabilitated nighthawk.   The patient was admitted starving, unable to feed herself after being injured by a car.   This patient had a difficult course.  While releasing all patients is a great joy...those that have complicated stories are all the more sweet.    The photo is of the REGI team including summer interns moments before the nighthawk was released to the wild.

 Please enjoy the video of a recent nighthawk release.  After watching, go outdoors at dusk and enjoy the show as nighthawks migrate through. You can bet I will be doing the same, thinking of my dad and remembering all those great nights. In our region, migration begins about August 22 and continues through August 28. Look for an active narrow winged bird with a white blaze on each wing, gobbling insects as they travel.

Wishing you all a wonderful day,
Marge

Things are getting busy at REGI...

Things are picking up here at REGI. We have received our first baby bird of the year, a three week old Great Horned Owl baby! This owl may be our first baby, but he definitely will not be our last. As the weather gets nicer, more people will be outside finding not only baby birds, but injured birds as well. Our clinic is full of new patients that have arrived in the last couple of weeks.

There are many ways you can help REGI during this busy time. One way is to check out our Amazon.com wishlists. We have a baby shower wish list, a patient wish list, and most recently an education wish list to help supply our future classroom (more details coming soon!).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/TUDJTMJA0YQA/ref=topnav_lists_1
http://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/1T7FRTO4KRPN8/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_o_C-1
http://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/NW91M663IHZK/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_o_C-1

Another way to help is to sign up to be a volunteer transporter or just come on down and volunteer at REGI. We are always in need of landscapers and gardeners to help get our facility ready for summer and tours.

Below you will find a video of our little owl eating a mouse. The video is dark because we keep a sheet covering the enclosure so the owlet does not see people. Our foster dad is sitting above him on a perch keeping watch.

Check Out our Facebook Page!

For those of you who love daily updates about what is going on at REGI, "LIKE" our Facebook page. You will get updates, pictures, and videos of our new patients!
https://www.facebook.com/RaptorEducationGroupInc?fref=ts

Bald Eagle Release January 19th

If you have always wanted to see a Bald Eagle go back to the wild after rehabiliation this is your chance! This Saturday , January 19th, I will be releasing several Bald Eagles at VFW Park during the Sauk Prairie Eagle Days celebration. You can see them up close and personal before they take their "first flight of the rest of their life" the flight to freedom. Check out the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council web site for specifics. I will also be giving a presention on Eagle Rehabiliation later in the afternoon on Saturday Jan 19th, 2013! Come and enjoy the weekend festivies. There will be lots of eagle related programs for young and old alike. http://ferrybluffeaglecouncil.org/

Staten Island Zoo Bald Eagle, IWRC Conference

 

Intern Brian and I do the final check on Tweety before he takes his flight to New York.  In this photo Brian is applying Udder Balm to his feet to keep them soft as a baby's bottom.  ...which is important for raptors.



In early October we sent one of our non-releasable Bald Eagles to the Staten Island Zoo.  He will be a permanent member of the zoo family there.  After the Super Storm Sandy, we were gravely concerned for our friends and their families as well as for the animals including the Bald Eagle that was once our patient. We contacted the Staten Island Zoo staff and heard back that the zoo personal were all affected by the storm. Sadly, many staff members have lost their homes and some lost loved ones.  The zoo itself weathered the storm with little damage and no animals were lost due to the quick thinking and pre-planning of the zoo veterinarian and staff.  Our Bald Eagle is doing well and enjoying his enclosure and the lovely lady Bald Eagle with whom he shares the space.  We will continue to keep our friends and all the residents of Staten Island and surrounding areas in our thoughts as they recover from this disaster.

People often ask us how we transport eagles and other birds cross country.  The answer is by domestic airlines on the same flights you would take...but in a different part of the plane.  The photos below are from the mid October when "Tweety" our handsome male Bald Eagle flew to New York to begin his new life.  Before any bird leaves our care they receive a physical to make sure they are in top shape for travel and their new homes.  We don't usually name our patients.  This eagle was named by the young family that found and rescued him and the name stuck.




All is ready and Intern Peter is about to put "Tweety" into the carrier bound for New York.







 


Airline personal and TSA are always excited to see a Bald Eagle staring back at them .




We had to arrive at the airport at 0500. Brian and Peter wait with the eagle while the paperwork is finished.



Good Luck sweet bird.  We hope he has a long and happy life at the Staten Island Zoo.

 

This week is the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) Symposium in Appleton, WI.  We hosted a field trip to our facility on Wednesday 11-14-12.   It was great to see so many wildlife rehabilitators from around the country visiting REGI.  I will be presenting 6 professional papers at the conference this week. 




It was terrific to have so many IWRC members tour the REGI facility this week. 

 


Touring the REGI ground this time of year is not as comfortable as in the summer.  Because our guests came from across the country we had to remind them to dress warmly as we have already experienced snow in our part of the world.

 Patients continue to flow into REGI at a rapid rate.  More updates soon.

Have a great week everyone.

Marge Gibson

Eagle Release Success, Release photos



 The eagle releases last Saturday were a resounding success.  Each eagle soared into the sky and soared and soared... It was exactly what we like to see when we release there magnificent birds.  Enjoy the following photos as each bird regained their freedom.


This magnificent adult female Bald Eagle had the highest blood lead level of any eagle we have ever worked with.  The fact that she recovered 100% is miraculous.  She was dealt a difficult blow by humans through the lead exposure. We hope the remainder of her life is peaceful and trouble free.



The adult eagle is about to feel the wind of freedom for the first time in several months. She is focused and well aware her captive status is about to change.




There is nothing more beautiful than a former patient flying free once again.  We at REGI are honored to have helped her regain her health and to give her  a second chance at life.

 

This young Bald Eagle was found by a family from Iowa while spending time in Northern WI.    The eagle was caught in a snare.  He had been there for some time and was starving and suffered from lead poisoning.  We were delighted the entire family could be there for his release back to the wild.







Photo by Bill Michaels....Female immature Bald Eagle takes to the sky after recovering from a wing fracture.

 

And he is off to reclaim his place in the natural world.  This young eagle flew and flew in circles and loops and was so enjoying his freedom. Stay safe little one. 





Release is always the best part of doing wildlife rehabilitation.  People ask us if we will miss these magnificent patients.  The answer is a resounding "NO".  We certainly will think of them and wish them well, but seeing them fly free and in good health is our success as rehabilitators as well as the success of our patients. 

Have a great day!
Marge Gibson

Eagle Releases Nov.3, 2012 Sauk Praire, WI

Just a note to let our friends and eagle affectionados that we will be releasing 4 Bald Eagles on Saturday Nov.3, 2012 at VFW Memorial Park in Sauk Praire, WI. The Park is right on the WI River in Sauk Praire.  The release time will be about noon.  Photos are welcomed.

One of the eagles will be an adult that recovered from the highest level of lead we have ever seen.  She is an older bird and is amazing from a number of perspectives.  Three of the eagles will be immatures between the ages of 2-4.  All have incredible stories . Two were hit by a cars and recovered from broken wings. One was a lead poisoning case with an wonderful story or rescue and survival by an Iowa family while in northern WI.  More on the birds soon.  Enjoy the photos below from recent eagle releases, 

Bald Eagle release Sept 2012.



Bald Eagle Release on Oct 6, 2012

 Hope to see you there.
Marge Gibson

Fall Has Arrived: A REGI Patient Update

Fall seems to have arrived here at REGI.  The air has cooled and the leaves have started to blaze.  Our resident turkey vulture population has doubled in size as they begin preparations for migration.  Our clinic is still full, but not with the chirp of babies waiting to be fed.  We are awaiting the arrival of our fall interns next week; you will get to meet them soon.  These interns will have a different experience then our summer interns, without all of the baby care, but it will be equally important.  This is the first year that we will have fall interns thanks to the generous bunkhouse donation from Wausau Homes.

One of our resident vultures rides the thermals on a beautiful fall afternoon.

The bright reds and oranges make for a beautiful backdrop here at REGI.

Last week we had a very special tribute on 9/11.  We were able to release a bald eagle patient that had suffered botulism poisoning earlier in the summer.  It was an amazing moment.  Seeing her open her wings and soar was such a symbolic moment on such a somber day.

Marge Gibson (center) poses before the release with daughter (left) and friend.

We have a wide range of patients in care, some of them new patients or some just about to be released.  We anticipate that next week will be full of releases.  We have many robins ready to make a big migration along with other birds.

A beautiful sora perches in the aviary while awaiting release.  Look at the size of those feet!  They are designed for wading through the marsh.

Sora are little marsh birds that are more often heard than seen.  They have a distinct descending trill.  Their bright yellow beak is another characteristic that stands out.  This little bird was found near a marsh with a hanging wing.  His wing healed quickly and well allowing for release as soon as the weather improves.

The wing of an Eastern bluebird with severely singed feathers.

This beautiful male Eastern bluebird was found in a dog park which happens to be on the site of an old landfill.  He has obviously burned feathers and the most likely scenario is that it flew over a methane flare and was burnt.  While he will be unable to fly until he grows new feathers in he is in good health, eats well, and behaves normally.

An osprey prepares for a feeding.

This beautiful osprey was found on the ground with a severe injury on the inside of his left wing.  He will have a long road to recovery, but we are hopeful that this injury will heal.  If only the birds could tell us what happened to them!

Great-horned owl that was caught in a trap and severely injured his foot.

If you have been following our blogs for the past few years you may remember seeing quite a few patients with severe foot/toe injuries from traps.  REGI is a big supporter of trapping done well.  Each year we get 1000's of muskrats for our birds from trappers; it keeps them fed through the winter.  But trapping done poorly is the cause of many injuries each year.  We will work our hardest to save this birds toes.

I am certain that we will have many release pictures to share with you soon!  Until then, enjoy your weekend.

Molly McKay
Director of Education

Goshawk, Barred Owl, Red-tails, Broadwing, Nighthawk, & Great-horned Galore

Although baby season has slowed down for this season the clinic is still overflowing with patients. Let's start with a batch of good news. We enjoyed fantastic weather these past couple of weeks which is great for RELEASES. Watching the babies grow up is one of my favorite parts of the summertime. After seeing songbirds come in featherless and pinky-sized and raptors come in looking like abominable snowmen, it's the best feeling in the world to be able to watch them fly freely into the sky in the unruly, teenager phase.

These past couple of weeks gave way to several releases of this summer's babies, and we still have several more to go! Here's some photos of the birds before and during release. The list of released birds included several barn swallows, several Eastern phoebes, cardinal, yellow-rumped warbler (also known as a
butter-butt"), goldfinch, chipping sparrows, bluebirds, a couple of broad-winged hawks, turkey vulture baby, and 10 merlins. The following are photos of some of the released.

 Yellow-rumped warbler before release. See why they get the nickname "butter-butt"?

 Cardinal just before release

 Rehabilitator Brennan opening a box full of songbirds, first out of the gates, a beautiful bluebird

One of several barn swallows released. They all immediately took to the air and began to catch bugs!

 Although she's not quite ready for release yet, this Great-horned owl spends several hours in our long flight hallway each day.

 These two photos were taken right after release. This young turkey vulture graced the blog several weeks back as a white fluff-ball with a black face. After several weeks under the care of a foster parent, this young turkey vulture is soaring high above REGI daily with his new wild family!

We love releases here at REGI. It's always a reason to celebrate. The time and effort put into each individual bird adds up to countless man hours. Even though these birds were ready for release, new patients are coming in daily just beginning their rehabilitation process. We've admitted raptors, wetland birds, and a BABY GOLDFINCH within this past week (I'm not sure what the goldfinch's parental units were thinking when they decided that NOW was a good time to lay eggs). The next several pictures are updates from the clinic and their stories.

This Northern goshawk was found under someone's deck. It most likely had a run in with a window while hunting it's favorite prey... other birds. Her wings are now un-taped from her injury, and she spent several hours in our flight hallway today. The prognosis at this point is great!

This red-tailed hawk came in very thin and a little spacey with what we believe to be West Nile Virus (WNV). The virus is spread through bites of infected mosquitoes. WNV has several effects on birds. Everything from their eyesight to their feathers can be damaged indefinitely. 

 Great-horned owl that entered the clinic after being found in someone's front yard mid-day. Strange behavior for a GHO.

This common nighthawk was also found mid-day. Strange for a bird that flies nearly exclusively in the dusk and night hours. Although they have "hawk" in their name don't let it fool you, they only prey on insects. As of right now he eats every half-hour and can handle nearly 15 waxworms at a time!

Barred owl that came in very thin. He's been on a liquid starvation diet since admittance, and will likely begin to eat solid foods again soon

 Another red-tailed hawk exhibiting signs of WNV.

Getting just as much attention as the raptors is this little sora that was found under someone's vehicle. A strange place since they are mostly found in thick vegetation wetlands. He's thin, but is fattening up as we speak.

Although the songbird babies have flown the proverbial nest, the clinic is still very busy. WNV seems to be hitting the raptor world hard this year in the Wisconsin northwoods, and each bird that enters the clinic comes in a very critical state. Several of these birds come in very weak, emaciated, and spooked. One minute you look into their eyes and everything is okay, the next minute they are looking at you as if you were a giant purple monster and exhibiting more aggression. Each bird is handled with extreme care.

Time to head out for the day! Remember... REGI TOURS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER! Tours will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10AM. Spots are limited, and pre-registration is required. Please call (715)623-2563 to reserve your spots!

- Katie Rymer, Assistant Avian Rehabilitator 

Lead Loon: Surgery, Recovery, & RELEASE!

We have spectacular news on the lead filled loon! 

Our staff & loon breathed a sigh of relief at the Antigo Veterinary Clinic this past week as an operation was completed to remove the lead sinkers. We crossed our fingers as the loon underwent a procedure that has only been completed a handful of times in avian rehabilitation history!!! This blog is a recap of the procedure, recovery, and RELEASE!!!!!!

For those of you who are not aware of the loon's story, he was found washed up in a marina unaware of his surroundings. Upon being admitted to the REGI clinic, the loon's blood lead levels were so high our device had no way of knowing what the true level was, and the X-ray a day later confirmed our fears. The loon had 2 lead sinkers in its gizzard. A death sentence for any loon not brought in for treatment. To add to the loons growing list of problems, he came in with a severe case of avian botulism.

 The loon upon arrival into the REGI clinic. Lethargic, thin, and extremely high lead levels

 X-rays at the vet clinic showed 2 lead fishing sinkers in the loon's gizzard

 Loon eyes are a beautiful maroon color. Not too often can you see them so closely. This individual loon is beginning to molt it's feathers

Lead poisoning is treated with several series of daily injections, and can take anywhere from weeks to months to see real results depending on the species and how severe the case is.

After a week of trying everything in our power to get the sinkers out, we knew that it was time to take some drastic measures for this bird to have a chance at recovery. We brought the loon in to the Antigo Veterinary Clinic and thus began a physically and emotionally grueling afternoon. The loon was sedated as a tube was fed through its mouth and down to its stomach. Water was then rushed through the tube and into the loons system where it began to pop out pebble, after pebble, after pebble. Just as it seemed like the treatment would show no results, lone behold, 2 lead sinkers sat among the rocks on the table.

The air in the room was tense, but a huge wave of relief flooded the REGI and vet clinic staff.

IT GETS BETTER!!!!! 

After monitoring his progress and declining lead levels this week, he was released today (8/17) by the interns! His release is a huge relief to the REGI crew. "I've never seen a loon that close before," said intern Molly. Neither had the rest of the REGI interns. To see a loon that close means that they really are feeling down-in-the-dumps. Loons, for obvious reasons, don't fair well in captivity, and we are happy to see him headed home to the open water! 

The following is a string of photos from the procedure, recovery, and release

 After arrival at the veterinary clinic, the loon was carefully sedated by veterinarian Sarah with help from our Turkish veterinarian Aysegul & interns Molly and Sarah

 Veterinarian Sarah feeds the tube into the loon's mouth. Water will be pushed through the tube in hopes of pushing out the two lead sinkers

 Oxygen is given to the loon following the procedure

 After the procedure, Turkish veterinarian Aysegul checks the loon's vitals as interns Alyssa, Molly, and Sarah hope for a successful recovery

 The two sinkers and one of the several rocks that were pushed out of the loon's system

After fully waking up from the anesthesia, the loon quickly returned to fishing for minnows in the REGI clinic

It's a great feeling to be able to watch the loon catch fish knowing there's no lead sinkers left in his system. He makes quick work of a tub filled with minnows

The Antigo Vet Clinic team accompanied by interns Alyssa, Molly, and Sarah, executive director Marge Gibson, and our visiting Turkish veterinarian Aysegul! GREAT JOB LADIES!

 Interns Alyssa, Molly, Sarah, and Turkish veterinarian Aysegul wishing the loon safe travels!

Please, please, please think about switching to non-lead tackle & ammunition. 

Cases like this are 100% preventable, and YOU have the power to change it!

For alternatives to lead tackle click here.

For alternatives to lead ammunition click here.

A HUGE thank you to the Antigo Veterinary Clinic for their hard work and patience through this case and the countless others that they have helped us out with.

To donate to the Raptor Education Group, Inc.'s patients , CLICK HERE!

- Katie Rymer, Assistant Avian Rehabilitator