California Myotis
September 2009
We were referred a call about a tiny bat that was trapped in the enclosed stairwell of a local establishment. A passerby noticed the tiny mass, huddled as small as it could be, clinging to the shadowed inside of one of the hundred or so cement steps in this busy, very scary place. Even more frightening to the creature was when Duane's gloved hands scooped it up carefully.
The bat looked very healthy and did not show signs of dehydration or sickness. We set it in a sheltered spot where it could take flight as night came.
Amazing creatures bats are. They do us such tremendous service yet people continue to have such misguided fear of them. Find out more about bats at these web sites:
Raven Entangled in Fishing Line
July 2009
Despite heroic efforts by arborist Jaime Merritt from Nature First Tree Care in Soquel, CA, and Duane Titus of WildRescue, a young raven, caught by its legs and hanging from a tree in Santa Cruz, could not be saved.
The raven had apparently become snared by a discarded fishing hook and its trailing line. The line soon wrapped tightly around the bird's feet, cutting into its flesh. At some point, perhaps even fours days before WIldRescue was notified, the line became caught up in a branch. The raven was stuck, dangling by its feet, seventy feet high in an old cypress off West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz.
This loss is even more tragic as it was so easily preventable. Had we been alerted earlier, this bird could have easily been saved. This is also a sharp reminder of how discarded fishing line and netting can kill other creatures. Please pick up any derelict line you see and dispose of it properly.An interesting note - the raven may be the second smartest creature on Earth.
Duck, Ducks, and More Ducks
July 2009
In the last couple of weeks our wildlife consultants have had to relocate three families of mallards. In keeping with our US Fish & Wildlife Service permit and the regulations therein, we only provide relocation of mother ducks and ducklings when they are in imminent danger or pose a risk to human health or safety.
Ducks in someone's pool or in a yard is not reason enough to relocate them. However, when they are trapped within the confines of a large corporate structure, or in a heavily industrialized area, or surrounded by busy streets and highways - then there may be a need for intervention of some kind. Often though, we are able to herd the mother and babies to a safer location. Other times though, we must use our wildlife capture skills to catch the flighted hen. Not an easy task to say the least!Here is one of our technicians, Lindsey, after releasing a family into a much more suitable habitat nearby.
Barn Swallow Caught By 'Fly Stik' Trap
June 2009
This poor barn swallow was doing what it does best -catching insects on the wing, when it became stuck to this fly trap - a sticky tube that was hanging in a building at a nursery in Watsonville. Our rescue team arrived and transported the bird back to our triage facility where it was given water and carefully removed from the trap. It was then 'battered' in corn meal so that it would lose its stickiness. What a mess!
The next morning it was transported to International Bird Rescue in Cordelia and then on to specialist Veronica Bowers, Director of Songbird Hospital of Sonoma County where it is reportedly doing well having had the horrible substance painstakingly cleaned from its feathers.
The swallow will be held in rehabilitation until its feathers grow back. It is expected to make a full recovery and be released in the coming months. Thanks to everyone - from the caring people who called for help to the experts who are seeing it through its convalescence.
Update!Great news!After months in rehab under the care of songbird specialist, Veronica Bowers, this swallow and four others he shared accommodations with were returned to freedom August 25th. During his long stay he helped teach about a dozen younger swallows the fine art of catching flighted insects, learn their species' alarm call, and how to hold their ground against cliff swallows. Here is a picture of him just before he was released, wearing his federal band. Gorgeous!
Fox Embraces Duck Family
May - July 2009
In early May, WildRescue was alerted to a situation involving a mother duck and her eleven babies. She had taken up residency just outside of Rupert Murdoch's office at Fox Studios in Los Angeles. At first, the studio thought it best if the family was moved - certainly it would have been more convenient! What ended up happening was wonderful.
After hearing that it was not in the duck's best interest for them to be relocated, nor was it legal - federal regulations prohibit this except under certain situations, Fox embraced their new family members and went about making the best of an awkward situation. See the story below.
Typically, only a few ducklings from a large brood will survive. Ducks become food for many creatures, that's why they have so many babies. In spite of the great efforts put forth to protect these ducklings, just three survived to maturity.
Early on in July Maude, the hen, reportedly took to the skies. As of July 21, the three remaining ducklings were spotted flying off together, heading West over Pico Blvd.
Fox and all of those on the lot who helped in these endeavors should be commended for their compassion and willingness to do the right thing and for the investments and sacrifices that were made to see that the ducks were kept as safe as possible. Bravo!
Fledgling Crow
May 2009
On May 9th, we received a call about a crow that couldn't fly. When we were told it had blue-gray eyes, we knew it was a baby. We arrived to find a healthy young fledgling crow - a baby that is old enough to be out of the nest and practicing flight. As with most songbirds, the baby crow will be grounded for a number of days during which the extended family will watch over and feed it. This young crow is even luckier. He found his way into a residential complex in Aptos where the people are very concerned for his welfare, willing to keep their cats indoors for the time being, and watch out for his safety. Thank you! Caw!