Eaglet's First Flight... in a Plane! Kestrel updates & Northern Harrier Video!

- High Speed Migration -

 REGI transporter? You 'betcha!

We are very lucky at REGI to have such a trustworthy batch of volunteer transporters! Our list stretches from the Milwaukee area to Minocqua, and we couldn't do it without every single one of them! This time of year, their phones are ringing off the hook with calls about injured birds and orphaned babies. It's not out of the ordinary for them to pick up several birds for us on their journey to REGI.

Our team meets Dave Piehler our transporter pilot!

This week, the interns learned that transport comes in all shapes and sizes. I'm not just talking about 2-door sports cars to the family friendly mini-van... I'm talking about the flying variety... with props and landing gear!!

Molly, Alyssa, Sarah, Aysegul, Dave P., Marge, Maddie, & Don with the new eagle patient

Dave P., Marge, and the patient

This isn't the first baby eagle of the season, although I'm sure he has had the fastest flight of the lot. Although he came to REGI a starving young eaglet, right now his future looks bright! You may have noticed a theme with this year's patient eaglets. Emaciation (an extremely critical starvation), can happen for many reasons in the wild. Sometimes it's a health condition. Sometimes the stronger babies push their way into getting more food from the parents. Sometimes weak individuals are discarded by their parents. This is what makes animal rehabilitation so difficult. They can't open their mouths to explain their symptoms... we are left to make educated guesses based on history and research.

- PATIENT UPDATE -

Several of REGI's babies this summer are lucky enough to have foster parents. Species making the list are bald eagles, American kestrels, Eastern phoebes, American robins, crows, bluebirds, and many more.

 Bald Eagle foster dad & female eaglet

 

This male Bald Eagle is a foster parent to three young kiddos this summer. A huge part of being a foster parent is teaching the young ones what the different vocalizations mean. So far, it seems that the eaglets only know the food begging call!

American kestrels fostered by an education kestrel female

These American kestrels have graced our blog several times now, but this is the first time you've seen them outside! They are getting SO big! Our female education kestrel is making a great foster mom for 4 fledglings!

 Northern harrier baby admitted tonight

 Feeding the Northern Harrier
You can see the crop (located on his neck) get bigger and bigger as it fills with food!

This little guy came to us from the Marshfield area. Many people don't realize that not all hawks nest in trees! Northern Harriers (Marsh Hawks) nest in fields! Often times, the fields that provide the best cover for their nests are farmer's hay fields. This little guy's nest was run over by a baler. Unfortunately his siblings weren't as lucky as he is, but he's a fight

 Molly McKay, REGI's education director, and intern Alyssa Z. at the turkey vulture portion of the tour

Thanks so much to the Natural Resource Foundation for coming out today! It was hot, sunny, and information packed! This photo was taken during the turkey vulture portion of the tour. Many people find turkey vultures to be disgusting creatures because of what they eat (dead stuff)... but here at REGI we see vultures in a much different light!

This week we said happy birthday to intern Sarah! Look at those candles!

Enjoy they rest of your weekend... and keep your eyes peeled for injured wildlife over the 4th of July week. Fireworks are beautiful, but they have a tendency to create various issues in the world of wildlife!!

- Katie Rymer, Assistant Avian Rehabilitator

Happy Foster Father's Day to REGI's Barred Owl

Happy Foster Father's Day!

These two barred owls have a special foster dad this summer. The owlet in the front is utilizing his nictitating membranes. These help keep the eye clean & moist.

It's not too often that a raptor can say that they have a full-time job, but here at REGI... nothing is out of the ordinary! These two baby barred owls (pictured above) were featured in an earlier blog eating some mice in the clinic. Since then, they have been placed with a foster dad.  

When he's not busy doing education programs for the public, this barred owl works a summer job as a foster dad (pictured below, in the middle). He cares for a handful of owlets every year, teaching them how to act like a raptor. With his help, baby barred owls that make their way into REGI don't become imprinted on humans. Imprinting occurs when humans have too much contact with younger birds. The babies view you as one of their own... their parent... their friend... their chef... their.... dare I say it... mate. Because of this, imprinted birds are non-releasable. They rely heavily on humans, and wouldn't be able to fend for themselves.

Today, we celebrate our education barred owl's many accomplishments! Happy Foster Father's Day!

 Two years ago at this same time, our education barred owl was hard at work!

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 Patient Update
 

REGI's newest baby... a very hungry bald eagle

New patients are filling up the clinic everyday, and not all of them are lucky enough to get foster parents. One of this week's new patients is a young bald eagle. Although it's hard to believe, this bird hatched from an egg just this spring! Crazy! After only 10 weeks of being in the nest, young eagles are ready to make their first flights. Unfortunately, this one didn't have such a graceful first flight. Although the future looks bright for this young eagle, there is still a long road to a full recovery!

Raptors aren't the only birds that come through REGI's doors. The majority of our babies this time of year are songbirds and ducks.

These baby robins are enjoying their day outside!

A family of Eastern phoebes taking naps after feeding. 

Can you guess who's still hungry?

This baby turkey is only a day old. 
You can still see his egg tooth on the front of his beak. This tooth is used to help poke their way out of the egg.

Ruffed grouse chick nap-time!

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 The crew eats a delicious meal!

We are always hard at work and lunch time is no exception! This past Thursday, a delicious meal was prepared for the staff, interns, and volunteers from Linda, a long-time REGI friend! We made quick work of the chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and COOKIES!

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  Happy Father's Day! We were hard at work all day feeding babies from sun-up to sun-down!

- Katie Rymer, Assistant avian rehabilitator

                          ___
                       .-"-~-"-.
                      /.-"-.-"-.\   "Who
                      ||((o|o))||     cooks
                      )\__/V\__/(     for
                     / ~ -...- ~ \     you?"
                    |\` ~. ~ .~ `/|
                 () | `~ - ^ - ~` |   - Barred Owl
             () //  | ;  '  :  .  |
            ()\\/_() \ . : '  ; '/
           ___/ /_____'.   ; ' .'____
                 _   ^ `uu---uu`    /\
          _____________^ _________^_\/
                       \ \
                       //\\()
                     ()/  ()
                      ()

Thanksgiving Day Story from REGI

(Photo: "MOM" turkey in back with the now nearly grown young she raised. Photo11-24-10)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. We are grateful for so much in our lives. We hope you have a wonderful peaceful day spent with friends and family. Enjoy the story from the Wausau Daily Herald about our "MOM" turkey.

Marge Gibson 2010

Happy Fathers Day, Foster Fathers Working Hard at REGI

Happy Fathers Day! We hope you have all had a wonderful day and were able to spend time with the special person in your life who wears the title of "father", "dad", "pops", or whatever special term you have for your father. Fathers are very important to our lives, but did you know they play a huge role in the avian world as well?



( Photo: Malcolm,REGI's Barred Owl, works hard both as an education bird during most of the year and for a few months a year as a foster father to orphaned Barred Owlets. In this photo Malcolm is seen with the Barred Owl owlets recently. See photo below to see the scene the day he was introduced to the owlets.)



( Photo:In this photo the Barred Owl owlets are very young. It is the day they were introduced to Malcolm.)

People are often surprised when they hear many of our foster parents are MALES. Male raptors and several other avian species are great parents. They nurture, preen, and care for the young every bit as well as the female does.



( Photo: Our foster father Bald Eagle with a orphaned Bald Eagle eaglet in 2009. We usually get Bald Eagle chicks in late June or early July. He will likely be busy again this year.)




(Photo: Foster Dad "Frenchie" takes his job seriously. He has 4 foster Canada Goose goslings this year. If you think he is not a great dad, just TRY getting past him to touch one of those goslings!)



( Photo: Foster parent Sandhill Crane ( sorry we are not sure of gender) takes great care of this young sandhill recovering from a broken leg.)

These are but a few of the amazing foster parent birds that help us through the summer months by raising orphaned babies. We can raise these chicks/youngsters, but never as well as they can be by their own species.

We hope your day was perfect!

Marge Gibson © 2010

Patients Big and Small, Warblers, Great-Horned Owl Trapping Injury, Excellent News on Sandhill Crane Patients

It has been awhile since I updated our blog. We have been very busy with a huge variety of patients. We are also in the process of editing our newest newsletter.



( Photo: Warbler hatchlings are very tiny.)

Looking over the last week's photos, it comes to me that I may have to change the format of the blog, if only for these crazy summer days. There are days when we have admitted 10-15 patients a day. I will do more posting of photos with captions that tell the story so we can keep everyone informed better on our daily work.



( Photo: Irrigating the foot injury on a Great-horned Owl that was caught in a jaw trap is an important first step with trapped birds to better see the extent of the injury.
Interns look on from Left to Rt. Jen Rothe, Katie Rymer, Karissa Mohr and REGI staffer Lance Holm.)




( Photo: The trap caught only one toe in this older female Great-horned Owl.)



( Photo: Our summer interns learn how to restrain a Great-horned Owl to provide care in the event you are alone in the clinic when the patient arrives. This wrap we affectionately call the "burrito wrap". If you have ever eaten a burrito, the reasons are obvious.)






(Photo: Our Sandhill Crane patients are now housed together so the adult can function as a foster parent to the youngster. The cast on the leg of the chick in this photo is not off. The leg healed perfectly.)

Great news on our Sandhill Crane patients. The baby admitted when she was only 23 days old with a leg fracture has her cast off and has healed perfectly. More good news for this little family. The adult Sandhill Crane admitted with a leg fracture several weeks ago is now working as the foster parent for the young colt. It is a match made in heaven for both patients. The adult is happy as she was taken from her youngsters when she was injured, and the little patient is delighted with having a "mom" back. With a foster parent the chick will remain a wild crane. We are currently gathering information from crane experts on reuniting the young crane with her biological family.

Back with you soon. We are sure to have another busy day with tours, patients to feed and care for, and new patients to stretch our learning curve.


Marge Gibson 2010

REGI Canada Geese Join Spring Migration, Ruffed Grouse Hits House, Spring Cleaning Continues

( Photo: Canada Geese raised at REGI last summer were flying at first light this morning.The photo is a bit dark, but it was very early a.m.)

It's great to see birds of any species, raised at REGI, join their own in the wild. We know the population of Canada Geese is strong in the State of Wisconsin. When orphans are admitted in the spring, however, they are just needy orphans and are treated the same as more rare species.

Orphans reared at REGI are not raised directly by humans, but instead by a foster parent of the same species. We are lucky to have a great foster father in Frenchie, our Richardson's Goose. He is non-releasable and has been with us for many years. He is an incredible dad, capable and SO protective. Any gosling Frenchie raises are definitely "HIS," and we all know it.




( Photo: Canada Goose foster dad with three goslings in early summer 2009 at REGI. The little ones are the same geese pictured in the first photo flying over the swan compound.)

It was a busy but wonderful day doing programs with former intern, Megan Hass Ackley (9 yrs ago) and great friend and volunteer, Bronnyn Bulgrin. It was even more special since the programs we did were for Megan's children's classes. I love when our former interns come back and are doing great things in their life. We are all so close by the time their internship ends, many become lifelong friends. Watching Megan's youngsters, and seeing bits of their mom, including her strong interest in wildlife, was incredible. Both Bronnyn and Megan are great educators. They had a chance to use education birds they'd used many years ago.



( Photo: Bronnyn with Gyrfalcon, Marge, Megan with Great-horned Owl Bumpy, and Megan's son, after a program near Wausau. Bumpy was Megan's favorite bird when she was an intern.)



( Photo: Marge demonstrates how far an owl can turn its head with Megan and her son.)



( Photo: Classes at Riverview Elementary, gathered in the library for the REGI program with Megan and Bronnyn and Megan's daughter.)

A male Ruffed Grouse crashed into the side of a house in Langlade County, knocking himself out. The homeowners went to investigate the loud sound. They found the grouse lying on the ground unconscious. The caring folks picked him up, called REGI, and brought him in this evening for care.



( Photo: This Ruffed Grouse crashed into the side of a house this evening. It is breeding time now. He was likely distracted.)

Our spring cleaning continued today. We are taking advantage of the mild temperatures to begin power-washing a winter's worth of "living" in the mews. Unfortunately, our power-washer broke after the photo below was taken. We need a new one.:(



( Photo: Spring cleaning with a power-washer is a good thing after a long winter.)

Have a great day everyone.

Marge Gibson © 2010

Father’s Day Tribute, REGIs Foster Dads at Work

( Photo: Doug,our foster dad Bald Eagle is a wonderful dad to the 8 week old eaglet that was admitted a few weeks ago after suffering a fall from his nest near Chippewa Falls. )


It’s Fathers Day. For several years now when Fathers Day comes around I wish I could share the incredible dads at REGI with everyone. I realized this year through the blog I could.
People are often surprised to hear that we have several foster-fathers at REGI. These special dads raise orphaned babies, which have brought to REGI, without the benefit of a female partner.





( Photo: Frenchie our Richardson's Canada Goose is a great foster dad. Notice that head down position when I got close enough to take a photo? That means " These are my babies and if you are smart you will stay right where you are." This photo taken Fathers Day)






( Photo: Frenchie with the Canada Goose goslings soon after they arrived at REGI. What a great dad he is! The little ones were more his size when they were young. While they are all Canada Geese, the Richardsons is a smaller size that the Giant Canada Geese. The goslings very quickly grow larger than Frenchie. )




People think of a female as being the main “child rearing” parent. Even when we think about other animals our minds go right to mammal species. As mammals ourselves, we understand parenting of our most common pets such as dogs and cats or livestock such as cows, pigs or sheep. When consider ring wildlife species many people conjure up the thought of a lovely fawn or playful raccoons.

All of the moms above produce milk. They nurse their babies from the day they are born until they begin to eat solid food. Mammal moms ARE the main parent. Mammal babies have to be nursed to live. Creative humans have developed infant formulas and in recent days dads are taking a more hands on role in parenting, but they would be shocked to learn that avian dads have always had an active role.

Given that history it is understandable that many people mentally reject the fact that in the bird world the male is an absolute partner as a parent. Birds have a strong pair bond that often lasts their lifetime. Together they select nest sites, build nests and rear their young. If something should happen to his mate the male can and often does raise his own babies.

( Photo: This male Sandhill Crane
on the right, was captured in the fall by Doug Christianson, Wisconsin Rapids Police Office. The crane had a severe wing fracture and will not be able to be released to the wild, but is a great role model to the young cranes. What a gift he is to the REGI program.)

About twenty years ago I began using foster parents to raise orphans of the same species when they came to REGI. I reasoned that since we had “wild fostered” birds into nest where similar aged young were and the adults didn’t mind then maybe they would take care of babies at our wildlife facility. It worked perfectly. In all those years I’ve never had an adult bird reject a healthy baby. It was a few years into the process that I realized one of my favorite “foster moms”, Great-horned Owl, was a MALE! (There are not many external indicators the clue gender in many birds.)



( Photo: This young Great-horned Owl is lucky enough to have two foster parents. The dad is next to the owlet and mom is on the far left.)



( Photo: Adult male American Robin is a fantastic dad and role model for all of our young robins. He helps them with everything from learning vocalizations, to being aware of predators and hunting worms by hearing. We raise many American Robins at REGI during the spring and summer so our foster dad is one busy guy. )


So as they say, “the rest is history”.
Enjoy the photos most of which were taken on Father’s Day. We do have other foster dads at REGI but they do not have young right now.

We wish all the dads a wonderful Fathers Day from all of us at REGI.

Marge Gibson ©2009

Bald Eaglet Admitted, Heartwarming Stories of American Woodcock, and Great-horned Owl Foster Parents, White Lake Summer School Tour Photos

( Photo: A Bald Eagle chick was admitted after falling from his next near Chippewa Falls. He was only about 7.5 weeks old when admitted.)

I hardly know where to begin. We have had a weekend with jam-packed tours, lots of new faces and patients of every shape and size. I am easily working 18 hour days now and often more. As happens in human medicine, patients seem to get worse in the evening. That makes for long nights spent caring for patients. Sometimes it is just a race for time to get them stable so they can survive until morning.


(Photo: Badly injured and starving when admitted, this adult American Woodcock on the left is now well enough to spend time with the young woodcock. The youngster, raised at REGI, is nearly feathered. Look closely at the photo as they blend into the background so well you may miss them on the photo. The youngster is in the corner and nearly hidden)

At REGI we tease that if we begin thinking about something, it often happens. We have to be VERY careful what we think about. :)

Weeks ago we admitted a single American Woodcock chick. He has done very well, but we mused how great it would be to expose him to his own species. We don't often see woodcocks as patients. We accepted that introducing him to his species was a nice thought but may well not happen.

We've done our best for the young woodcock including creating a naturalish woodcock habitat and providing natural food to assure he is hunting well.

Then, like magic someone drove up with an adult woodcock they found in near their rural home. The bird had severe puncture wounds and was near death from starvation when she was admitted. She remained in critical condition for several days. She was tube fed and given antibiotics for the wounds. Honestly we were not optimistic about her chances of survival. She surprised us as so many cases seem to do. Before long she was unsettled in the small critical care box. We introduced her to the nearly grown youngster. It was a match made in heaven! They are perfect together. The adult is teaching the youngster all kinds of woodcock behavior and vocalizations that will benefit him when he is released to the wild. They are such a team they may be released together. We LOVE when that happens! The adult is an "accidental" foster-parent. She may well have left behind youngsters of her own when she was injured.



( Photo: Adult Non-releasable Great-horned Owls foster GHO owlet. The youngster was admitted from WI Rapids area on May 2, 2009. Check the blog on that date for his baby pictures.)

Our foster parent Great-horned Owls have been hard at work raising an owlet admitted on May 2 from the Wisconsin Rapids area. His admission story and photos are on the blog from that date. You will notice the photo above was taken quickly and without much aiming. We rarely go into the enclosure for more than dropping food for the adults to give the the chick. Photos when taken are done pretty much as we are moving through the mew. At this point he, or perhaps she judging from the size, is tearing up its own food and beginning to hunt.

Our foster parents work tirelessly. We are so grateful to have them. Not only do they save us work, but more importantly the youngster has grown up NOT IMPRINTED TO HUMANS. He/She can and will be released to the wild in the fall.

The great-horned owl foster parents themselves will have a new home soon as well. You may have noticed in the photo that each of the adults is blind in one eye. Both were former REGI patients. Each had been hit by a car. Collisions with cars often cause head injuries. Head injuries can cause blindness in one or both eyes and/or hearing loss. That is the case with both of these beautiful owls. They are not releasable to the wild due to their disabilities, but are wonderful foster parents. They will both be transferred to Houston, MN and Karla Kinstler's Great-horned Owl breeding project. The owls were not a pair when they arrived at REGI but have formed a strong bond since that time. Their bond was further strengthened this spring while functioning as parents to the orphaned owlet.

Great stories happen here so many times a day it is hard to share them all due to space and time constraints.

Our REGI tours have been more popular than ever this year. If you are planning on coming please call ahead and reserve a spot. Many dates are already filled through the summer.



( Photo: Nicole Swanson and intern Aprill Jeager demonstrate owls eyes to
The White Lake Summer School Program on a recent visit to REGI. )



(Photo: Steve Fisher teaches up close and personal with Morrie, our education vulture.)

Updates and more photos will follow soon.

Thanks for tuning in to the REGI blog!

Best,
Marge Gibson 2009

Sandhill Crane Colt, Photo Documentary

Young Sandhill Cranes are called colts. People are surprised the baby crane designation is the same as a horse. However with those long legs and their love of running there are similarities if only in concept.
We raise Sandhill Crane colts every year at REGI. Usually we have more than one at a time. A week ago today we admitted a day old Sandhill Crane colt into care at REGI.

(Photo: A day old an already beautiful. Nicki Christianson photos)

The colt was admitted measuring six inches tall. He was in critical condition. We had a few very rough days before the little one turned to corner to better health. He has more than doubled his size in the ensuing week.

(Photo: Weak and suffering from hypothermia the colt was lethargic when admitted)



The day after the colt was admitted a pair of wild cranes that nest on REGI property appeared without their colt. The couple is a new pair. They have not been parents together before. Like new parents of any species it takes a little coordination to be good parents. The lives of wild birds hang in a fragile balance. One mis-step by a parent, or a second of distraction can lead to death for the youngster. That is particularly true in those ultra delicate first days of life. We are not certain what happened to the colt. What is certain is the pair no longer has a baby with them. We were feeling terrible for them and then realized we may just have the key to their future happiness in our care.

The photo below shows the two day old colt with the wild adults in the background. He is very aware of them and vice-versa. He was still very fragile. We let the pair spend some time. They vocalized often to him. (Photo: To see the wild adult look behind the colt carefully. The male in on the right facing you and the female on the left.)



On Monday Katie was walking the colt and digging worms with him. Next thing we know the adults had flown in and were approaching Katie and the little one. They were observing very closely our behavior with this colt. I hate to be anthropomorphic but I swear they were judging our parenting ability with the little one. Crane colts have to be walked about two miles a day EVERYDAY as they grow so rapidly the muscles have to stay well toned. ( Photo: Katie is the stooping figure on the left with colt. The adults were about 15 feet from them.)


Each day the wild pair spends most of the day very near. They walk within five feet of us while we are exercising the youngster. They vocalize to him constantly as if to underscore they want a place in his life. We are elated with their interest and hope we can allow him to go with his new parents soon.

(Photo: He is still not as tall as a Daffodil, but will soon tower over the flowers.)


Due in part to the continued freezing temperatures in our region this year, we need to wait before we allow them to take him with them. So far the experience has been nothing short of incredible for us. Never before have we been able to get this close to the wild cranes. They seem to be including us in their family unit.

We will continue the saga as it goes. For now the colt is still with us and in a brooder for most of the day and night. He is walked as much as possible and is growing very well. We are working hard to make sure he is not imprinted to humans. Because of that our interaction with the colt will minimize and with it the photos ops.

Enjoy the photos of his first week at REGI. We will bring you more as we can.

Have a great weekend everyone,

Marge Gibson ©2009