American Woodcock Family Tragic Beginning, Dorf Kapelle Fundraiser Saturday

( Photo: "Hello world!", this tiny American Woodcock had a traumatic first morning of life.)

This has been a Woodcock kind of day here at REGI. We've spent an inordinate amount of time digging, stunning and feeding earthworms to our growing brood of American Woodcock chicks. Who said wildlife rehabilitation wasn't fun and exciting!



( Photo: Hatchling American Woodcocks are tiny fluff balls. In this photo the four newly admitted chicks, fit easily in one hand.)

On Wednesday Ben Antoniewicz and his friend Luke, were out turkey hunting near Wausau. They saw something so rare few, even those of us that live in the northwoods of WI, have the opportunity to witness. A female American Woodcock was crossing a road with her newly hatched brood following close behind. Ben and Luke were amazed to see this shy bird, especially with a young family. They stopped to watch. The sight seemed more like a National Geographic movie than an actual occurrence. The scene took a tragic turn however, as a passing semi-truck hit and killed the mother bird. The chicks scattered. The hunters knew the little ones had no chance of survival alone at this tender age. So, our everyday heroes gathered the chicks up and called REGI to tell us they were on their way.



( Photo: This clever cooler shaped like a fishing bobber contained the rescued woodcock chicks.)

The trip to REGI took about 45 minutes. That gave us time to prepare a brooder and materials to stabilize the chicks on arrival. When wildlife chicks of any species are stressed, they die very quickly. The "flight or fright" reaction that gives wild creatures fast reactions, works against more vulnerable individuals. Our job is to prevent that



( Photo: Four tiny American Woodcock chicks were inside the unique travel container. The open wings position on the chicks is a stress reaction. )

The best way to prevent stress is to make the chicks secure. The best news is we admitted an American Woodcock chick just ten days before. he has done very well. Blog readers will be amazed to hear that he has most of his feathers now and is flying. To say woodcock chicks grow fast is an understatement. They eat SO much it is hard to describe. If there is anyone out there that wants to dig earthworms ( that is their diet) PLEASE do and bring them. We are going through 20 dozen large sized earthworms a day now and the chicks are still tiny.



( Photo: Blog readers will remember this little American Woodcock admitted just 10 days ago. This photo was taken when he was admitted.)



( Photo: This is the American Woodcock chick admitted just 10 days ago. He can fly now. This photo is taken yesterday with his wing extended. They grow FAST!)

The really excellent news in this story is our older chick has played a major role in helping the new babies adapt and recover from their trauma. In the photo below, you can see the older chick with the four new chicks surrounding him. He even kills worms for the little ones! The blended "family" has been a miracle to watch unfold and definitely one of those moments we at REGI treasure.

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( Photo: Taken from above, you can see the older chick, now looking mostly grown, surrounded by 4 little puff balls. They are all well camouflaged so look carefully.)

The woodcocks story hasn't ended yet, but it is looking like a great ending to a day that started pretty awful for the chicks.

Don't forget we have a fundraiser this weekend. We sure could use your support. It is the Antigo Spring Fest . A renown polka band Dorf Kapelle, is playing 2 performances at the North Star Lanes in Antigo. The afternoon performance is at 1:30 pm and the evening starts at 7:00 pm. You can purchase tickets at the door. Afternoon is $12.00 and evening is $15.00. A German buffet is also available. There will be a raffle and silent auction with some terrific items including a Packer football. Please bring you mom, have a great time and help REGI too. Call 627-0120for more information .

Hope to see you there!

Marge Gibson © 2010

The REALLY Bald Eagle Is Released to the Wild

( Photo: REGI Education Director Steve Fisher prepares to release the Bald Eagle we came to know as "Volt".)



( Photo: The REGI team that was so much a part of saving the life of this amazing patient: Katie Farvour, Steve Fisher, Marge Gibson with eagle, and Alberta Halfmann. )



( Photo: Wings to the air, Volt is a wild Bald Eagle once more.)

Below is VOLT's story. You will see the photos soon after he was admitted and understand why he is such a miracle.

In an earlier blog I wrote about an adult Bald Eagle that had been "scalped" by an unknown source. He had burn marks on his beak. We concluded he made contact with an ungrounded electric line or something similar. We don't usually "name" our patients; however, the name "VOLT" became seemed to fit.

Below is the blog written in January of this year.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Case of the REALLY Bald Eagle

Steve Fisher, our Education Director, wears a whole lot of hats here at REGI. We tease him those odd tasks are "opportunities for personal growth." He could enjoy a rather sedate life as an educator, but we want more than that for Steve. One day last summer Steve was enjoying a day off. I called him to "check on a situation" with a Bald Eagle near Wausau. Steve and his wife Evie ended up rescuing a Bald Eagle that was flailing desperately in Lake Dubay.



( Photo: The Bald Eagle affectionately known as "Volt," just before his release on 5-4-10)



(Photo: The Bald Eagle was scalped by an unknown cause. Some possibilities are tower cables or electric lines.)

The Fishers' car pulled up to the REGI clinic. I was waiting for them. From the look on Steve's face, I expected this was a difficult case. Steve's tension was obvious as he relayed information even before the box with the Bald Eagle was in the clinic. There were words like "can't figure out," "bad injury," "not sure," "something wrong with the head"...anyhow, you get the picture.

I have seen many things over the many years of my work with wildlife, but I was not prepared for the sight of a "really Bald Eagle."

The eagle nearly drowned, and would have, had it not been for a few concerned fishermen with a big net who helped secure the exhausted eagle when Steve and Evie arrived.

As so often happens here at REGI, we worked fast and furious to help this patient and did not take photos when he was admitted.

We didn't' know what to expect. The scalped area was large. We could not connect any tissue to cover the very visible skull.

He did not appear to be in pain. Maybe a headache, but nothing overt. Once he was dry, warmed, and comfortable, he ate well. He seemed normal, except for the glaring lack of skin and feathers on his head.

The exposed skull was kept clean and moist. We worked with artificial skin and various other treatments and soon...the skin was granulating into the open space. The opening grew smaller. That is exactly what my husband, a retired Pathologist, said would happen. Sometimes it is good to admit when he is right.:)



( Photo: Don checks "Volt's" head. We are all amazed at the remarkable progress.)




( Photo: Steve and the Bald Eagle he saved from certain death.)

The great news is that Volt now has a full head of "skin" covering his scalp. He also has most of the feathers back as well. We look for his release to the wild soon. Many thanks to Steve and Evie Fisher and my great REGI team for making this horrific case a success.

(A note: one thought was to euthanize this eagle on arrival. That was considered; however, unless it is an overt case of pain and agony, we have a "euthanasia committee" that discusses those options here at REGI. I like to include all angles, including those from interns and students, to make sure we are giving the bird every chance. This also allows students to feel they have a voice in this major decision and prepares them for their future as wildlife professionals. )

Have a great day everyone,

Marge Gibson © 2010

Busy Day with Six Admissions, Saw-whet Owl, Broad-winged hawk, Coopers Hawk, American Goldfinch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Mourning Dove

( Photo: This adult male Coopers Hawk was admitted from the Mosinee area. He has stunning red eyes. He was shot illegally and has a wing fracture. )



(Photo: This Saw-whet Owl weighed only 54 grams when admitted.He has a broken wing. His prognosis is very good for a full recovery. )

We are often asked to describe a typical day here at REGI. The thing is, we don't have a "typical" day ever. Each day is new and different with both challenges and joys. A few days ago we took several more calls than usual after our normal hours. By morning we had five patients waiting for transport from the Wausau area. Oddly each patient has a broken wing.

The Saw-whet Owl above was likely hit by a car near Hatley, WI. He was in the middle of a highway when spotted by an alert driver. He has a wing fracture but has a great prognosis for a full recovery. That would not have been the case had he not been removed from the road. The tiny owl is also low in weight. Migration exhaustion could be the cause of his low nutrition. When birds migrate they lose weight. If the little one landed in another Saw-whet Owls territory ( breeding has started for this species) he would be chased out. Finding a comfortable place to hunt and relax is not as easy when resident birds are breeding.



( Photo: A cat got this male American Goldfinch. Cats mouths harbor deadly bacteria. Birds injured by cats need immediate antibiotic treatment if they are to survive.)

American Goldfinches are lovely little members of the finch family. Our most recent American Goldfinch is a brightly colored male. In the spring and summer we admit hundreds of cat caught passerines. This tragedy has an easy "fix" if only cat owners understood the importance of keeping their pet indoors, especially during this sensitive season. Adult birds are often killed while defending their nests or young. In the end it is not one bird killed by a cat, but the entire family if the parent is not longer there to feed babies.



( Photo: Lance Holm examines a Broad-winged Hawk with a wing fracture. )

Broad-winged Hawks travel as far as Argentine for the winter. We admitted an adult male with a broken wing. Broad-winged Hawks are fascinating. They are demure and chunky looking members of the buteo family just as Red-tailed Hawks. This patient likely just arrived from his winter migration when he was hit by a car.



( Photo: This male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker broke his wing, but is comfortable in captivity as he heals. He loves the hang out on a vertical perch and eats tons of waxworms. If you look close you can see a waxworm in his mouth. )

As always it is the public that finds these birds and brings them to us so they can have a second chance at life. Thanks everyone for stepping up and helping the wild ones when they are injured.

I have been occupied with the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill. I will post news articles that ran during the past few days. I am on call to go to help out, but no one knows where the oil will come ashore or when. There are many more unknowns than solid facts at this point. We are organizing to respond when needed.

Going along with that thought. A friend, Ed Clark, posted the warning below on his blog. I will use it because he said it well.

"Many groups are soliciting fund to help oiled wildlife in the Gulf. WATCH OUT! The only group working this spill is Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. They are being paid by BP! Others claiming to be caring for oiled wildlife are either not telling the truth, or doing something other than removing crude oil from ...feathers! Watch out for predatory fundraisers capitalizing on your compassion!"

Have a great day everyone.

Marge Gibson 2010

ANOTHER Bald Eagle Hit by Car, Field Trip for Hortonville Zoology Class, Patient Updates

(Photo: This photo was taken as I removed an adult female Bald Eagle from the transport carrier. She was hit by a car near Ladysmith, WI. and has a fractured left wing, facial bruises and scrapes and internal injuries.)

A friend emailed today and noted that when I don't have a new blog up in the morning she assumes it is a very busy day. That is an excellent point. I try to get it done, but there are times when the need for sleep takes precedence.

I drove to Medford, WI, to meet a DNR employee with an adult Bald Eagle. She was hit by a car near Ladysmith, WI. The eagle had been sitting on a deer which had been hit by a car, when she too became a victim of a speeding auto. Sometimes animals in the roadway cannot be avoided, but as a reminder, please drive carefully and try to avoid these situations. We have admitted two Bald Eagles in as many days, both hit by cars. This adult female has brood patch. That is a sure sign she has young in the nest. Without mom around the male will have to care for the young. He can do that, but not as successfully as with both parents present.



(Photo: Feeling pretty miserable after being hit by a car which broke her wing, this female Bald Eagle is now resting at the REGI clinic.)



( Photo: The Hortonville High School Zoology Class took a field trip to REGI this morning.)

The sky was gray this morning and threatening rain as the bus from Hortonville High School pulled up for a field trip. Like a miracle the clouds moved away and the zoology class was able to spend the entire hour dry and enjoying the many education birds and learning about the multi-faceted world of wildlife rehabilitation. It was good to be able to meet such terrific young people and their teacher.



( Photo: Alberta with our delightful Saw-whet Owl, Little Bit, during the Hortonville school tour. Little Bit is twelve years old. That is elderly for a Saw-whet Owl. He gets more time off programs these days but enjoys "people watching" from his habitat perch as much as he ever did.)



( Photo: The American Woodcock chick is growing rapidly. In this photo he is gobbling earthworms, which is his favorite activity. He eats about twice his own weight in earthworms each day at his age.)



( Photo: The nestling Mourning Dove admitted several days ago is growing and beginning to eat on her own. )



( Photo: Today was Education Director Steve Fisher's birthday! I love this "action shot" of him blowing out the MANY MANY candles on the cake, as Don, Katie and Alberta watch. I am comfortable in commenting on the copious number of candles because I am the same age.:)

The REGI family loves to celebrate special days or even regular days. Celebration days means we get to share food and especially cake. Today was Steve Fisher's birthday. We had pizza for lunch and a four layer, super chocolate cake. Happy birthday Steve and thank you for working on your birthday!

As a reminder we are selling tickets to our Springfest Fundraiser. If you love polka music or ethnic, Czech, German or Polish music, the widely renowned Dorf Kapelle Band is a must see. We do have tickets available. The performances are Saturday May 8th at 1:30-3:30 and 7:00-9:30 Pm in Antigo. Tickets are $12. for the afternoon performance and $15. for the evening performance. A German theme buffet meal can be purchased separately.

For more information or tickets call John Jacobs at 715-627-0120. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year. We hope you can all make it.

Have a great weekend.

Marge Gibson © 2010

Whirlwind Few Days, Bald Eagle Hit by Car, Barred Owl Release, American Woodcock Chick Admitted, Volunteers

( Photo: This adult Bald Eagle was hit by a car near Neillsville, WI. She has a spinal injury, but is moving her legs today. It is less than 24 hours after admission so we remain hopeful.)

What a fast-paced few days it has been! I can hardly remember it all, let alone write about everything.

The adult Bald Eagle in the photo above was found by a citizen near the side of a road. The location indicates the eagle was hit by a car. Wild creatures are unable to tell us what happened to them, so we put pieces of evidence together just like CSI:). Well, maybe not just like CSI, but you get the picture. That's why we ask lots of questions of those finding our wild patients. Our admission form has questions not only about where the bird was found, but the circumstances. The information helps us figure out what happened so we can understand and respond correctly. We don't know for sure what happened, of course, unless someone observes the bird being injured or gunshot residue exists or there are other indications.



( Photo: Alberta with the Barred Owl that was released on Tuesday night. The photo was taken a few days after he was admitted in early March.

The photo above shows a beautiful Barred Owl soon after he was admitted to REGI. He had been hit by a car near Mosinee. Rose Shelley found the owl. She scooped him off the street and put him in her trunk. He was near death. Rose knew it was his best chance of survival. His story quickly became an odyssey that includes the Mosinee Police Department, REGIs own Education Director Steve Fisher, and the employees of Fed Ex in Mosinee.

The first call REGI received was from a very excited Fed Ex employee saying an owl had been in someone's trunk, but when they opened the trunk, out popped a very dizzy owl. The Mosinee Police Department responded. Steve Fisher was quickly on his way as well. It all ended well when they were able to contain the owl and Steve transported him to REGI for care. We get lots of "interesting calls" at REGI. Often they are given in a kind of excited "shorthand" with important facts being left out until later.

We were very happy to let Rose and a group her friends release this owl back to the wild after he made a full recovery at REGI. It is so good to know there are people like Rose that care about wild ones when they are injured. Thanks Rose, Fed Ex employees, Mosinee Police Department, and REGI staff.



( Photo: Rose Shelley and friends prepare to release the Barred Owl that was hit by a car near Mosinee on March 2, 2010. We know the photo is blurred but it is the only one we have. sorry::( )



( Photo: A day-old American Woodcock chick was admitted last night. It is shown in a brooder that mimics what its natural habitat would look like.)

The Doering family of Merrill called yesterday evening to say they found an strange little bird on their lawn with no sign of an adult. They tried to put it in the woods but it followed the children in the family back to the house. It was likely lost from its family. The family quickly drove to REGI to get the little one care.

We are grateful when we are able to admit chicks soon after they are found. Youngsters are not able to thermo-regulate, keep themselves warm, without an adult. They always need a brooder or incubator. Our thanks to this great family for getting this little one help.

American Woodcock are secretive birds. They eat earthworms for the most part from the forest floor. They can be challenging to raise to release, but we have great success with them. It is important to make sure they feel comfortable with their environment or they will not survive. We take great pains to provide a natural "habitat" for them from day one. Can you see the woodcock chick in the photo below? It is on the left of the photo.



( Photo: The "brooder" American Woodcock habitat from above. It is a Rubbermaid container with natural leaf litter. Even the water dish has small stones to allow for safe foot placement for the chick. The legs of gallinaceous birds splay easily when on any slick surface. Splayed legs can result in a crippled bird. )



( Photo: Check out that long beak on this tiny American Woodcock. The beak is delicate and flexible to probe worms from the soil.)



( Photo: Super volunteer Dave Koch was back yesterday to continue repairs on our Peregrine Falcon enclosure. Dave brought Scott Breneman, a recently retired science teacher, to help with the project. Many thanks to both Dave and Scott for your help. It means so much to us.)

The repair work continues on the REGI compound. After twenty years we have lots to repair. We sure could use more volunteers to help with repairs, painting, and the like. While our work with the birds is important, we need to have our cages in good repair to continue to do good work with the birds. If you are interested in helping call Molly at 715-623-2563.

In case you noticed the time I began this blog, from this time on through summer I will be up at least part of the night tending baby birds. It is a long process from nestling to release of a healthy adult.: ) If you know someone who is interested in feeding baby birds, please give Molly a call.

Have a great day everyone.

Marge Gibson © 2010

Bald Eagles Admitted, Fishing Lure Embedded in Both Feet of a Bald Eagle

( Photo: This lure was embedded in both feet of a Bald Eagle from the Marinette area.)

I received several emails during the past few days from folks wondering what happened to the Bald Eagle I was waiting for from Marinette about midnight Friday. I would love to say it was a success story, but it was not. The beautiful adult Bald Eagle died before she arrived at our clinic. The kind folks that found her were in route and still about 60 miles from our clinic when the eagle died. They continued on their way, however, so we could do testing to find out what happened to this magnificent bird. I usually don't put photos of deceased patients on the blog unless it serves a distinct purpose. I hope the photo below is helpful in urging people to try to find lost fishing equipment and not discarding broken line, etc. in a lake or river.



( Photo: This beautiful female Bald Eagle had a muskie lure embedded in both feet and was not able to free herself. )

I cannot say enough about the terrific people who found this bird. They saw her while fishing earlier in the day and again in the same place as they were coming in for the night. They knew that was odd so they called for help. We have no volunteers in this remote area. This special couple carefully caught her up and began the trip to Antigo, knowing they would arrive about midnight (and a 2 hour trip home once leaving off the bird). It is people like this that make the world a better place to be.

Sadly, the Bald Eagle also had a hole in her lower mandible where a hook had been. She weighted only 5 lbs., which is less than 1/2 what she should have weighed. That indicates she was at least 10 days and probably more with the lure embedded. She was unable to eat. She was an older female and likely had been in the area for quite some time as Bald Eagles are territorial and occupy the same territory for many years.

We are doing tests to find out if there was something else such as lead poisoning involved. The preliminary testing, x-rays, revealed no lead shot in the body. The blood tests will take a few weeks.

For right now it looks like the Bald Eagle died of starvation and exhaution from trying to free herself from an impossible situation. You can imagine the eagle curled over with hooks in both feet and lower beak for at least part of that time as she tried to extricate herself from treble hooks. The hooks that are made specifically so fish cannot get away.

Please be mindful of your fishing equipment and monofiliment line and encourage those you know to do the same. I am a fisherman. I am well aware lures are lost when fishing. Some are impossible to retrieve. Many more are simply discarded if broken or are no longer wanted. The same properties that make monofiliment line so great for fishing, make it impossible for wildlife to free itself once tangled. Please keep wildlife in mind when your restring a pole or cut off bits of weak line. If you find discarded line along a pond, river or lake, pick it up and discard it yourself to avert this kind of tragic situation. This Bald Eagle would be in the sky above Marinette now had someone been more careful.

It has been crazy busy here at REGI with many patients admitted including another Bald Eagle yesterday, more patient releases and end of school year programs. I will catch up today so stay tuned on the REGI blog for some good news next time.

Marge Gibson © 2010

Patients Pour In, Barred Owl, Saw-whet Owl, Mourning Dove and Visit from UWSP Captive Wildlife Class

( Photo: This Barred Owl had a bit of bad luck. He has both a broken wing and a broken leg.)

Spring certainly is in the air. The warm temperatures brought with it baby birds earlier than any other year. While the calendar says it is April, the breeding birds seem to think it is May. I just hope the Warblers and other more delicate birds hold off arriving in Northern WI until later in May when our chance of freezing weather is minimal.

Dr Shelli Dubay brought her Captive Wildlife Class from UWSP here for a field trip on Friday. It is always a great class. We are excited to show them around and cover as many aspects of captive wildlife care as possible in the two hours they are here. It is exciting for us to know their bright minds and energetic spirits will be working with wildlife for many years to come.



( Photo: Dr Shelli Dubay's Captive Wildlife class from UWSP tours the REGI clinic as I explain what happens when birds are admitted. Two birds were admitted during the field trip.)



( Photo: An adult Saw-whet Owl with a fractured right wing spent some time on the ground without food as it is near starvation.)

A Saw-whet Owl was admitted with a broken wing during the time the UWSP Captive Wildlife class was at REGI. The little one, is an adult but weighs only 54 grams. That weight indicates starvation. The little owl must have been injured a few days previous and spent some time on the ground before it was noticed and brought to REGI. We re hydrated him and put him on heat to bring his body temperature back up to a normal level.



( Photo: A baby Mourning Dove was admitted after a homeowner found it in her dogs mouth. Thank goodness it was a retriever. Note to pet owners...Do you know where your pet is and what it is doing?)

I took a call very early in the morning from a homeowner in Mosinee, WI. Her dog brought home a baby bird the night before. She looked for a nest but was not able to locate it. She keep the little one warm and brought it to REGI soon after contacting us. It turns out it is a baby Mourning Dove. The nest of a Mourning Dove is a weak structure which consists of few sticks. It looks more like "a few sticks" on a branch than a nest. I am not surprised the nest was not located.

Mourning Doves drink crop milk from their parents crop rather then being fed in the more typical open mouth gape most people associate with baby birds. It is an interesting twist in the world of birds.



( Photo: UWSP Captive Wildlife Class tours the Eagle flight building to learn the importance of conditioning or birds before release to the wild as well as specifics of housing raptors.)



( Photo: UWSP Captive Wildlife Class got to visit with several of REGI education birds up close with Education Coordinator, Molly McKay and Education Director, Steve Fisher.

It is sure to be another busy day. We have high winds today. For us that means baby birds being blown from nests and adults occasionally colliding with solid objects like trees as they are buffeted around on wind currents. Wildlife rehabilitators see life so differently than regular people.:)

Have a great day everyone.

Marge Gibson ©2010