Sunday May 25th, 2008 A trip to Yacolt for baby photos & maintenance was interrupted by a rescue call.

It was a misty, 60 degree morning driving into Yacolt. We're visiting today to do maintenance on nest platform # 1 and hoping to get some photos of the baby Quakers that have been heard in the nest.Around the corner we saw smoke.
It looked like it was going to be a smokin' day as we viewed a controlled brush burning to our right.
Down the road a bit we stopped to cool down at the Lewis River.
A beautiful view of Lewis River.
Arriving in town nothing much seemed to have changed. Yellow tape is still deterring the Quakers from the power pole.
Arriving on the corner of Hubbard & Twin Falls Rd. YAPPA’s nest looked the same.
I could see that the Quakers built a nest entrance.
Arriving at nest platform #1 where the maintenance is needed,we noticed that the Quakers had added more sticks to the left of the platform.
Homeowner Glenn Welker has heard the baby Quakers over the last few weeks and was anxious to see photos of the babies. In addition, he was happy we were there to repair the lower front corner of the nest platform.
If you look closely you can see the lower left corner of the nest box where the repairs need to be made.
The setup begins.
Bottom view from the front of the box where the repairs need to be made.

Below, Glenn Welker & Garth Noggle prepare the compressor hose for the staple gun.

A bad joke was told...
Our first view into the nest box.
From the looks of this nest, the Quakers have been very busy weaving their new home.

A look into the nest box from the north.
A look into the west side of the box where the repairs are to be made.
The Quakers have woven a good insulation pattern around the drafty entrance.

A view of the north side.
Glenn Welker observes the Quakers in a nearby tree watching us.
The project begins...

... just to be interrupted by a phone call for an injured bird forty miles away. I quickly finish the repairs.

Garth prepares for a quick departure.
In route to the rescue, we glance at the "Leaving Yacolt" sign.
We ponder the remaining Quakers,
"The Yacolt Five"

Are all still alive.
We missed the opportunity to count the birds and photograph the new babies.
Well, maybe we will see the next clutch of babies this coming fall.






~~ Rescue Arrival ~ ~


Upon arriving at the location of the injured bird, we discovered our second American Kestrel Falcon within the last ten days.

Upon examination of this female Kestrel I discovered dried blood under it's left wing.
It appears to have a possible puncture wound or compound fracture.
I called Dr. Ackermann and was advised to transport immediately.
While Dr. Ackermann exams this bird, she receives another call on an injured goose. Upon further exam, the Dr. discovered that there is an apparent fracture. She bandages the bird and lets it rest a bit before transport for X-rays. Below, the Kestrel takes a much needed rest.

Friday May 16th, 2008

Friday May 16th, 2008 7 AM Rescue call

At 7:30 am on a 70-degree morning, we received several messages about what was thought to be a baby owl. This Good Samaritan called Washington Humane Society who referred him to us. After leaving a voice mail for us, they called The Emergency Veterinary Services of Vancouver who also referred him to us. We returned the calls for help. Upon arrival, he showed us where the bird was found in their pond. The bird turned out to be an American Kestrel Falcon.

The trees in the backyard showed no sign of other Kestrels.

The resident Goose didn’t see one either.
Upon first glance, you could tell that this falcon was sleeping.

He was tired from his unexpected bath.

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A brief tap on the ground woke the tired bird.

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The Kestrel knew she was being rescued and didn’t struggle while being picked up.
Once in the transportation carrier, the bird was ready for the doctor’s office.

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After another search for siblings or mates, we discovered this bird was a lone traveler.
Then we were off to the American Wildlife Foundation for a doctor’s exam.

Arriving at Doctor Janet Ackermann’s, she prepared some fluids to administer for hydration.The doctor also gave a dose of additional medications.

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Upon further exam, Doctor Ackermann confirms that this is an adult female Kestrel Falcon.

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Although this bird showed no obvious wounds, the doctor noticed behavior indicating the prognosis that there may be a head injury.

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I left feeling confident that Dr. Ackermann would give the Kestrel its best chance for survival after its unexpected swim.

Tuesday May 13th, 2008 Was A Great Day !!!!!!!

Tuesday May 13th 2008 Great News !!

A Quaker was found on May 3, 2008. While Judy & Ted of Felida,Washington were taking a walk, a Quaker flew down to them. They arrived at our Northwest Bird Rescue facility with the bird bonding to her new found savior, Ted. We agreed to keep the bird in the vehicle until we could place the Quaker in a safe carrier to make sure she wouldn't fly off again.

(Click on any image for a full close up of image) While in the back seat, it was obvious that the bird was wounded. It had an abrasion above the left eye.A close friend of Judy's has referred them to us .
Pictured are the Quaker, Ted and Judy with grandson, Alec in the background. They were happy to see that the bird would receive medical care and that a search would soon begin for the owner.
Upon arrival inside the quarantine and acclimation room, the Quaker was happy to see a clean cage with fresh fruit, veggies, seed and water waiting for her.
This bird arrived with an abrasion above the eye. I added a topical antibiotic, gave the bird some electrolytes, and let it rest in a dark room.

After a night's rest, this bird was surprised to see a large full flight aviary waiting for her.
Fresh exotic seed and soft music.
The view was great but she was a bit timid to fly off her safe tree.
She looked around for two hours watching the Cockatiels fly.
She was not temped to fly. She felt safe on her perch with fruit, seed, TV, and music.
Back inside, it was time for more topical antibiotics to be applied.

After a further exam the Quaker appeared healthy with no additional wounds.

The Quaker was found on May 3, 2008 while Judy & Ted of Felida were on a walk in a park in the Salmon Creek area of Washington. A close friend of Judy's had referred them to us.

I immediately contacted a Parrot 911 Alert representitive and had this bird advertised on the Internet. I contacted the local newspapers and placed a Lost Bird ad. Volunteers of Parrot 911 Alert had volunteers plaster the area with posters about this bird.

The posters placed by Parrot 911 read:

FOUND
BIRD
May 3, Salmon Creek
Contact to ID:
lostbirds@911parrotalert.com
Or call (360) BIR-DMAN
(247-3626)

Nine days later the owners called after seeing one of the posters with a description of their bird which included the bird’s vocabulary.

The McDonald family quickly responded,

meet me andidentify.

The Quaker named "Doc", seeing her family flock, was ecstatic to touch a member of her flock. Within 10 seconds the family began to sing a familiar song.

Oddly enough, the song was… the theme from the T.V. show “Cops”. The family started singing “Bad Boy, Bad Boy... Whatcha’ gonna’ do? Whatcha’ gonna’ do?..... What they going to do when they come for you? ”Then the bird (named Doc) joined in right on cue without missing a beat and finished the song:

"Whatcha' gonna' do when they come for you..."

After "Doc" sang an extended "Bad Boy Bad Boy" she jump up onto her favorite perch.

The family was very happy to have their baby back.

Mr. McDonald held his little girl and gave her a special tickle.

"Doc" loved the extra attention.

Mr. McDonald enjoyed petting the belly of his smallest daughter.
After "Doc" received her extra TLC is was time to calm down for the trip home. One more cuddle and it was time for the drive home.

The McDonalds e-mailed me these photos of Doc when they arrived home.

"Doc" inspected her room making sure everything was in order.
She found her fresh fruit & veggies in place for breakfast or a quick midnight snack. One more peek to make sure her house is in order and the window is closed.
Then she prepares to close her cage door
and gives permission to pull the covers over her cage.

Thanks to the great work by all involved: Nancy,

Judy & Ted and Tracy.
Most important a special thank you to our local Parrot 911 Alert staff, Christa & Chrisi who at the drop of a hat, dropped their schedules and relentlessly searched for this bird's owners,placed the posters and kept the communication gap open.
Once again they have reunited another lost feathered child back with its loving family.
Good job - well done!