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 

The Photo-filled Blog of the Century. WOW, Lead Loon, Patient Updates.

It's been a while since the last blog. It's been a work in progress for some time now. Every time I feel like it's ready to go... something amazing happens. So here it goes ladies and gentlemen... an amazingly long, awesome, photo-filled blog!

Lets spin back time a little ways. We've had several releases these past few weeks! Releases are the epitome of our hard work at REGI.  I have to say that working with the patients in the clinic can be an emotional roller-coaster, but releases make everything worth it. I wish everyone could experience the feeling of releasing a rehabilitated bird back into the wild. Here's some photos from our recent releases.

We just love releases. But release wouldn't be possible without rehab, and rehab isn't possible at REGI without support from YOU!

This past weekend we celebrated the 3rd Annual Wings Over Wausau (WOW... great acronym if you ask me!). WOW was a big success this year, we saw several faces from last year, as well as hundreds of new wide-eyed bird nerds in training! Although many people came out to see the birds up close and personal and hear their stories, WOW also featured a silent auction table, vendors, food, and bird games.

Thank you everyone for coming out to support us! We couldn't do it without YOU!!

 The Wausau Grand Theater, a beautiful backdrop for the stars of the show!

 The staff, interns, and volunteers getting ready for the doors to open!

 Mike with a male American kestrel and intern Kerry with a peregrine falcon at the falcon station.

 Interns Alyssa and Sarah at the turkey vulture station.

 Executive director Marge Gibson with an education Western red-tailed hawk.

Rehabilitator Katie holds a red-tailed hawk stretching her wings over Wausau... get it?

Not a second after getting the birds put away from WOW, we had 2 new patients come through the doors and, the phone rang once more. 

A loon had been found up in Ashland, Wisconsin (4 hours from REGI) washed up in a marina on the boat launch. Nothing appeared to be injured and to the staff here at REGI that meant one thing.... lead poisoning. After flying to REGI via airplane, the loon landed safely in Antigo. After drawing blood to check the lead levels our suspicions were confirmed. The lead levels were off the charts.

The common loon shortly after being admitted with an off-the-charts lead level

 X-rays from the loon showed 2 lead sinkers in the bird's intestine

After a trip to the Antigo Vet Clinic, the X-rays revealed 2 lead sinkers in the loon. Not a good diagnosis. Lead from the sinkers works its way into the bird's blood and sequesters in the bones. Treatment is time consuming, meticulous, and extremely expensive.

Lead poisoning in birds is 100% human-induced, and loons aren't the only ones that are effected. Eagles, swans, and the endangered California condor are constantly in a battle against lead. One lead sinker can kill an eagle. One lead sinker can kill a swan. One lead sinker could kill REGI's new patient loon. Just ONE. Our unlucky loon has ingested two.

Although not impossible, the road ahead will be a difficult one for this guy. Staff is working round the clock and we have our fingers crossed that the sinkers come out soon so we can begin the road to recovery. Until then, we play a difficult and frustrating waiting game.

** For more information on lead poisoning in wild birds please click here.

** DO YOU FISH? For alternatives to lead tackle please click here.

On a happier note, there are some of our growing babies... one of which has stole the hearts of many... the Virginia rail!

 Look at the Virginia rail! He's getting so big (relatively speaking), and is about the size of your palm. He's graduated into an outdoor enclosure!

 This young goldfinch came in not long ago without feathers. Hard to believe it's already turning yellow!

 This young cardinal is under the wing of an adult male foster parent

This killdeer came in weighing no more than the change in your pocket, but has grown into a stunning young bird. Keep an eye on the blog for an upcoming release!

As happy as I am to share our baby bird updates... I can't stress enough the importance of using non-lead sinkers & ammunition. Just as we've moved away from lead paint in homes for our own health, we now need to focus on a mind-frame to protect the environment we live in. 

As a full-time rehabilitator, hunter, and fisherman, I wish every outdoors-man could witness a lead poisoning case first hand. It changes everything.

- Katie Rymer, Assistant Avian Rehabilitator

Patient Update- Dozens of Babies!

We are bursting at the seams with young birds, and we have many new patients to introduce to you so here they are in no particular order...

Photo above: This Trumpeter Swan Cygnet (youngster) sustained a back injury from an unspecified source. He is recovering well and gets to swim in the tub multiple times per day. It is essential for young swans to get regular exercise in the water to strengthen their swimming muscles and help waterproof their feathers. In this photo he is shown after having fallen asleep one evening. I don't think I've ever looked this comfortable in my life! The little guy in the background is a Mallard duckling that was keeping him company for a short time. (Photo credit: Marge Gibson)

Photo above: Do you know where your pet is right now? This baby Green Heron was carried away from home by a dog. This time of year, it is critical to keep your pets leashed and under control because baby animal’s lives count on it. We see countless patients per year that have been injured and misplaced by domestic animals and even the kindest pets can injure a young animal by mistake. This Green Heron was also initially confused for a Great Blue Heron by the folks that rescued him from their dog; an easy mistake for someone who is unfamiliar with Green Herons. Green Herons are a small species of heron in Wisconsin, much smaller than Great Blue Herons, and have bright yellow legs, a pointed spear-like beak, a long neck, although it is typically tucked down so it looks short, and beautiful greens, purples, and blues in their feathers. Lovely little herons. This little fellow survived with minor bruises and will be hand raised here until he is ready to go back into the wild.

Photo above: This tiny American Kestrel was found as an orphan and is now in the good hands of our rehabilitation staff here at REGI.

Photo above: These seven (YES SEVEN!) young Belted Kingfishers were found when their nest was destroyed on a construction site. Kingfishers are a real challenge to raise in captivity, because every bit of food provided to them has to be put into their mouths by our rehabbers. Luckily for us, these birds are fairly old for being babies, and should not have to stay with us for quite as long as a new hatchling would.

Photo above: This teeny tiny Turkey Vulture was found as an orphan in MN and is one of the littlest baby vultures we have ever had as a patient. As you can see, his whole body fits in my little hand. Young Turkey Vultures hatch as helpless little creatures with white fluff and black faces; very different from their parent’s shiny brown feathers and lovely red heads.

Photo above: This baby Red-shouldered Hawk was found as an orphan with a broken leg. A broken leg at this age is a bad situation, but he has been giving us hope; the other day he was found standing.

Photo above: This baby Red-tailed Hawk was also found as an orphan and is growing very fast. She is currently in with a foster parent to avoid imprinting on humans. Even at this age, you can see the intelligence behind those beautiful eyes.

Photo above: This Sandhill Crane colt (baby) was found along a road. They watched him for several days with no signs of his parents so he was brought to REGI. This little tyke was only a few days old when he was rescued, and now he is receiving exceptional care here. Young cranes need to walk many miles per day so their legs and muscles develop properly so the staff here takes turns walking laps around the driveway with him. Cranes are some of our cutest patients, but some of the most time consuming as well.

Photo above: These darling little fluffballs have been keeping each other company. The baby in the back is a Wild Turkey chick and the baby in the front is a Ruffed Grouse chick. They are similar in size now, but soon the turkey will tower over the small grouse. (Photo credit: Marge Gibson)

Photo above: Here is another photo of the baby Ruffed Grouse. This is one of the cutest babies I have ever seen!

Photo above: This adult female Ruby-throated Hummingbird was admitted unable to fly. In addition to a wing injury, she may possibly be weakened from organophosphate poisoning.

Photo above: This gorgeous adult Common Loon was rescued by another rehabber in the Northwoods. The wonderful folks from Wild Instincts rescued her and found that she had a nasty fish hook embedded in her wing. They removed the hook and transferred her to us for care. She is doing much better now that she is hook-free. We are never "happy" that a patient is with us because that means they aren’t in the wild living their lives like they normally would, but it is a real treat to see an adult loon in her breeding plumage. Loons are definitely some of the most beautiful waterfowl in Wisconsin.

In addition to all of these patents that I just shared with you, we currently have many, many other babies. The numbers are always increasing, but at last count we have around 15 American Robins, 6 Mourning Doves, 3 Common Grackles, 4 Chipping sparrows, 4 Great Horned Owls, 6 baby Bald Eagles, a few other passerines (song birds) here and there, and well over a dozen water fowl of species ranging from Mallards, Wood ducks and Mergansers. Plus there are many adult Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, and other species in our clinic that I haven't even mentioned. Needless to say, we are busy, busy, busy!

As always, we are in need of volunteers, and any way that you can help us is appreciated!

Thanks everyone!

Karissa Mohr
Wildlife Educator