bit of a wreck

from the bird lists
(Not that I expect it'll change the world for anyone reading here, but I couldn't not post it, either. Thanks, Cathy and Scott and all decent human beings.)
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We got a call last evening from a very concerned citizen reporting that someone
had driven their car deliberately through a flock of RING-BILLED GULLS in a
shopping center parking lot near the now defunct Northridge Mall on Milwaukee's
north side. We responded quickly and found three dead fledgling gulls and
several badly injured second-year adults and juveniles. One had two broken
wings; another an open fracture at the shoulder, another had a fractured pelvis
and paralyzed legs...All of the birds were captured and brought to the rehab
center -- not all of them were repairable.

There was a witness to the event and we will be reporting the episode to the
USFWS and the DNR. The local police were reportedly not interested when they
were called by the witness to the incident. Reportedly, they said, "They're
just birds" and hung up the phone.

We rescued a GREEN HERON hanging by one wing from fishing line from McGovern
Park on Silver Spring Drive in Milwaukee yesterday. It took wading out into the
water chest deep and then using a 20 foot extension pole with a net to rescue
the bird. With a little time, it looks like this bird will be OK. PLEASE watch
for discarded fishing line and lures as you bird and pickup any line and lures
that you find. Take the material home and cut it into pieces 6" or less in
length. This material is a hazard to birds [and plants, fish, turtles, humans, etc.]
if left in the environment!

In the Good News Department, we were delighted to release an adult RED-TAILED
HAWK at West Milwaukee Park this week. This bird had been rescued by one of our
volunteers about a month ago. Some cops had seen the bird hopping on the ground
and tried to corner it with their squads. The hawk decided to jump on top of
one of the cars and wasn't inclined to leave. Our volunteer happened by right
at that moment and retrieved the bird from the top of the squad. The hawk was
coated in a material called "Tanglefoot." This is a very sticky substance that
is sold to be applied to areas that you don't want birds to perch or to things
like bird feeder poles to keep squirrels off the poles. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS
SUBSTANCE or materials like it! -- there are several brands. These materials
are not water soluble and will essentially kill any creature that becomes
coated with the substance. The animal will not be able to clean it from its fur
or feathers and in the case of birds, may be grounded, and in the case of birds
and mammals, will lose waterproofing. The products are intended for "nuisance"
species such as ROCK PIGEONS, but in fact it is indiscriminate in the creatures
it affects.

It took three anesthesia's and special cleanings to remove this substance from
the hawk's feathers and get it back in the sky.

Please support your local wildlife rehabilitator, they are not supported by
your taxes.
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