LAUGHINGGULL'S
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2000 CRITTERS
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So here's Lucky, my first critter of the new
year.   I don't usually name rehab animals but Lucky was named by his rescuers.

He was found 30 feet up in a tree being attacked by crows.  His rescuers could tell his wing was broken but couldn't get to him.  They eventually got him out of the tree and brought him to me.  My vet pinned his humerus, which had been partially shattered.  He's now with me for at least a month or so in recovery.  He clacks his beak and hoots at me when I bring him his dinner (mice).  Open the file below to hear him.

Lucky Hoot (mp3 file)

Lucky is a Barred Owl.  Owls and hawks take very special handling and care.  Their strong talons and beaks make handling them pretty scary. You have to keep in mind these are weapons designed for tearing flesh and they will defend themselves against giants who try to pick them up.
 

I received Sebastian here 3 days after getting Lucky.  Unfortunately Sebastian's wounds were too severe for him to be saved.
These owls have a bad habit of swooping into moving cars.  I believe that's what caused this guy's terrible head wound.

Here's a shot of Lucky done on a digital camera.  He's been evaluated now and unfortunately he will not be releasable.  However, he does have a new career waiting for him as an educational bird.

Here's barred owl number four.
Finally breaking the streak of owls - a ruffed grouse.

This little Canada goose baby stayed with me for week while I searched for a foster family.  He was so lonely I finally resorted to placing him with domestic geese.  He may not have worked out in the wild anyway as he was terribly imprinted on humans, having spent a week in an animal hospital before I got him. See him grow up
May 21 - The midst of baby squirrel season here in the Adirondacks.  I have three in an outside cage, two just being weaned inside and one still eyes shut.  The lucky boy above fell into non-rehabber hands but, unlike the majority, he was well cared for and properly fed before coming to me.  These pictures were taken by his foster family, the Ruppels.  Too many others are picked up by well-meaning people but are often given to me half-dead from not being properly fed.

 
FLIGHT CAGE UPDATE
Although I've been very lax in fund-raising I have received some donations and best of all a great load of lumber from Adirondack Builders!

So the flight cage is started, despite the horrendous mosquitoes in my backyard.  I am still in need of  lumber (2x4s, 1x4s, 2x6s, 4x4s & plywood), two exterior doors, hardware cloth, roofing and sand but I am hoping to get it done this fall.

You can send donations to the address on my home page.

Grey Fox kit


mystery bird - do you know what this is?
It's a fledgling cuckoo! 

How to hang a nest back in a tree for mom & dad bird to find.  Be sure to punch holes in the bottom and keep in the shade.  This needs to be monitored to make sure mom & dad come to feed and watched in adverse weather conditions.

Here's a sweet little squirrel who spent several weeks with me, "wilding up" after being kept in a home with a dog.  I was able to put her in with another older squirrel who also needed "wilding up".  They made a great couple.

You don't want to raise wild animals with domestics as they won't be afraid of them when they are released.  Just like being too friendly with people, this can be lethal to the animal when it approaches the wrong person or pet.