As we described in past posts, in the middle of August, staff at the Lower Klamath Wildlife Refuge, which straddles the state line between California and Oregon, discovered an outbreak of avian botulism that was killing ducks by the hundreds. Managed by BAX co-directors January Bill and Marie Travers, and working with Refuge staff, our response successfully treated and released 297 ducks and shorebirds. The last three ducks in care, each American Wigeons (Mareca americana) were transferred to Humboldt Wildlife Care Center because they weren’t ready for release and could take advantage of our seabird and diving duck pools.
[Our goal of $10,000 by October 31 has not been met! In fact, we are far from it. Our resources are emptied after a busy baby season. Thank you to everyone who has contributed during this drive. We need your help. If you want to donate now, click here ]
After a week in our pool, each duck was ready for freedom. Fortunately, at the nearby Arcata Marsh, there are hundreds of overwintering Wigeons with plentiful food available. It’s possible these three wigeons would have made it to Humboldt Bay this Winter anyway.
In any case, after a brush with death by botulism, a lifesaving trip through our rapidly manifested “Duck Hospital” set up near the Lava Beds, followed by some time spent in our pools, gaining weight, improving feather condition, restoring red blood cells, and gaining strength, these Wigeons returned to their wild and free lives, healthy and ready for a winter of easier times.
The first American Wigeon was released several days before the other two. She made short work out of getting hid in the vegetation of the pond.
Thick with duckweed and other food, the Arcata Marsh proved her a soft landing at release.
About thirty feet away scores of wintering Wigeons make use of the Marsh as well.
Providing a hiding place for our patients lowers their captivity-caused stress and helps them focus on recovering. This female Wigeon lurks behind her blind, hoping to avoid capture.
Of course, when that capture is intended for healing and release, we take liberties that ordinarily would be unethical, handling and housing without consent.
Rudimentary blood analysis will provide data that confirms our impression that she is ready for release. Here a small sample is collected to be given a ride in the centrifuge so that we can measure percentage of red blood cells – as the carriers of oxygen through the body, they are critical for all aspects of life. We can also get indications of possible unseen infections and other maladies which can affect total protein solids in the plasma that is separated from the red blood cells, which we also measure.
Here we examine a previously swollen foot to see if the problem has resolved well enough that she will be fine in her natural environment. The answer was yes!
About a week after being transferred from Tulelake, the two last Wigeons were released in to the same pond as the first Wigeon. Each bird is her own person and does what she wants. The first Wigeon we released dove for cover in the vegetation, this one flew as quickly away as she could.
The third Wigeon swam away, accompanied by a Mallard who we’d also treated at HWCC and released that day.
The Arcata Marsh is one of the gems of our neck of the woods. Knowing that these birds are making there way with quality food available and in the freely-chosen company of their kind after their long ordeal is very relieving. The habitat of our home is not just for show. It’s the actual living place of our wild neighbors. It’s our home too. Our wild neighbors aren’t just like some new family who recently moved here from Atlanta but who will soon be moving to Seattle. They are our kin. We have the same needs. Our shared home is worth loving and respecting.
HWCC volunteer Katharine (l) and 2018 Intern Desiree Vang (r) are displaying the typical expressions worn by members of their species who are experiencing fulfilling joy. Warm smiles. Successful releases of our wild patients are like that.
The challenge of 2018, so far the busiest year in HWCC history, has been at times a joy and at other times deeply stressful. The avian botulism outbreak in the Lower Klamath Basin, a region that is just on the other side of Shasta, just up the Klamath River, was difficult but also very fulfilling – launching a successful emergency wildlife response is a very gratifying experience. The privilege of doing our work is something no wildlife rehabilitator takes for granted. So far in 2018 we’ve met every challenge but the financial one. We need your help. In the midst of these ever greater demands, our resources aren’t merely not growing to meet them, but are shrinking. The world is full of demands for support, pleas for generosity. The world is in upheaval right now. We know, we work on the front lines of the devastation. And the only thing that keeps us here, keeps our pools functioning, keeps our facility’s rent paid, keeps our phone on, keeps our care improving, keeps our reach expanding, is you. Please donate today. We need your help. Thank you!
photos: Laura Corsiglia/Bird Ally X
HWCC/bax staff rehabilitator, Stephanie Owens at the scene of the rescue.
Our latest wildlife rescuing recruit, Damian, ferries the gull back to the mainland.
Part of what was removed – a ‘cute’ little device with it’s ghost fishing days now behind it.
Released at the Arcata Marsh, the young bird wastes no time getting out of the box.
Just a short stroll…
…to his favorite watering hole
And then goodbye…
Another gull, wild and free, with a second chance…
Inside our large outdoor aviary, the young Pileated Woodpecker perches as high as she can get, out of reach of her human caregivers.
At her capture to be evaluated for release, after 7 days in care, her flight was strong and direct – exactly as a Pileated Woodpecker’s should be!
We took her back to where she was first seen. The kind man who found her met us there so he could see her release. HWCC intern Desiree Vang opens the box. Our former patient wastes no time putting distance between herself and her “captors”!
She immediately flew to the stump where she was found. It was obvious, that she recognized her old stomping grounds, – now that she’s two months old and all grown up!
After re-orienting herself to freedom she flew off into the woods – in a direction that her rescuer had seen her parents go just a few hours before. We’re confident that she was able to reunite with them for more time spent learning how to be an adult Pileated Woodpecker.
A last glimpse of this remarkable bird of the Northwest forests.
One fawn per crate, each is brought to the release site. We are lucky that a good release site, protected against hunting and full of choice deer habitat is remote but not that far from our clinic. A nearby pond, forest and meadow, and the presence of a deer herd make this a great spot for our youngsters to begin their second chance at wild freedom!
It’s a great moment when the crate’s door is opened and your patient immediately puts distance between you and her!
Once safely away, a newly released fawn stops to consider the change of scenery.
Another fawn bolts for the cover of the trees.
Another fawn turns to assess the danger her caregivers pose…
Six fawns were released!
After this fawn reached the pond he stopped to cautiously consider us.
Zoomed in, it’s easy to see that this guy just doesn’t trust us, even though we delivered him over 200 bottles of milk and scores of wheelbarrow loads of leaves. His mistrust is a terrific sign of our success!
Nothing brings smiles to HWCC/bax volunteers faces like giving our wild neighbors in need a second chance at freedom!
A healthy, independent wild youngster rushing to meet her own destiny on nature’s terms… this is always the best view to be had.
Weight checks on raccoons who are nearing release can be challenging! Here HWCC rehabilitator Lucinda Adamson holds a young raccoon gently but firmly while intern Tabytha Sheeley (facing away) assists with identification.
Once weaned, all of our orphaned raccoons are moved to a 14 day weight check. The reduction in handling does them a world of good!
Raccoons who are ready to go wait for their ride to the release site.
At the release site: tentative faces peer out. Caution in the face of novelty is the hallmark of being wild!
And curiosity eventually overpowers! There’s a whole wide world to explore and raccoons, intelligent, investigative and irrepressible, soon leave the familiar crates for the limitless cosmos.
One by one, the five raccoons emerge from their transport carriers, the last box that will ever contain them!
Some elements of the natural world – rock, river, insect, leaf – are familiar to the youngsters. Our raccoon housing is built to introduce wild orphans to many of the the resources they’ll use once they’re independent and free.
In this group of raccoons, two are siblings, but all five have been housed together since they were first weaned. Raccoons form bonds – bonds of family, bonds of friendship – just like many of us.
Soon, they all start to look across the river to the ever widening world.
They cross the river together.
HWCC/bax volunteer Skylr Lopez (right) and intern Tabytha Sheeley watch the young raccoons move farther and farther away. Like sending our kids off to college, releasing our patients after four months of providing their care is a joy that is tinged with sadness.
Five raccoons facing their future, not looking back.
A Black-necked Stilt in care, one of the many species affected by avian botulism.
Bird Ally X is working with the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges to provide care for these birds. We’ve mobilized to bring supplies and experienced wildlife rehabilitators to the response, to send some of our interns, and train community volunteers.
In the affected zone of the vast wetlands, rescuers search for sick birds. They cannot swim or dive normally but may be found struggling on the water’s surface or hiding in vegetation. Deceased birds are also collected to remove them from the environment and help break the cycle that fuels the outbreak. Rescued live birds are placed in a transport crate aboard the boat.
An airboat is used for rescue and recovery – a flat bottom makes it safe for use in shallow waters and around diving birds.
Huddled closely together, the rescued birds arrive at the hospital.
BAX co-director January Bill lifts a listless and weak Green-winged Teal from the transport crate. Despite appearances, this bird is alive and has a good prognosis for recovery with proper treatment.
The Teal’s eyelids are sealed shut as a result of botulism. January administers a saline solution wash.
Examining a Northern Shoveler.
BAX co-director Marie Travers examines a patient’s wing.
During the intake exam, rehabilitators assess each patient’s condition and decide on an individual treatment plan. Patients are given a temporary band and a case record is begun to track their progress.
Botulism in later stages prevents birds from maintaining normal body posture – these are ducks are critical care patients. They are housed in a heated enclosure and are propped up with supports. When unable to accept oral fluids, they are provided intravenous or subcutaneous hydration.
Two Ring-necked Ducks and a Northern Pintail showing the debilitating symptoms of botulism.
Fluid therapy is an essential part of treating botulism. Patients who can hold their head up, such as this Northern Shoveler, are given oral fluids.
Preparing hydration and nutrition tubings.
A Ring-billed Gull is assist-fed fish.
Patients are re-examined during the course of their treatment. The Refuge outreach and education coordinator observes an exam.
Small easily warmed enclosures house patients until they are strong enough to move to pool housing. To reduce stress for the patients, the enclosures are covered to form a visual barrier.
January Bill assesses the waterproofing of a Green-winged Teal who’s been swimming in a therapy pool.
His condition much improved, a Ring-necked duck swims in a larger pool enclosure enriched with natural vegetation.
Lead Refuge biologist John Vradenburg fits each patient with a permanent band before release. John selected a release site free of botulism, within the vast Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
These birds have come such a long way from the terribly debilitated state in which they were rescued – it’s a thrill to watch them fly, strong and healthy, back to their free and wild lives!
At the release site: healthy water, rich with aquatic invertebrates and duckweed, quality foods for ducks and other birds!
Wildlife rehabilitation is not just hard work, getting dirty, looking tragedy in the face and getting pooped on – it’s a source of joy and a privilege to be close to wild animals in their hour of need and offer real help.
Setting up housing in a hurry: BAX co-director Laura Corsiglia and intern Courtney Watson assemble the Refuge’s modular enclosures to create pool housing for ducks.
HWCC/BAX interns Bekah Kline and Courtney Watson traveled from Humboldt Wildlife Care Center to help at the site, putting in many days of long hours alongside BAX staff.
Two baby Common Murres we raised and released this year at HWCC.
House finches, whose nest was destroyed by badly timed pruning, were raised as hatchlings until old enough to be released. Still on the formula that we feed these strict granivores (seed-eaters) in this photo, soon they were finding their own food and wanted nothing more to do with us.
We raised two Western Tanager babies this year, the first we’ve had in our care in over 7 years! (and that’s HWCC/bax’s indispensible Assistant Rehabilitation Manager, Lucinda Adamson’s capable hand offering the worm!)
When workers at PG&E replaced an old utility pole in Blue Lake they were surprised to find five nestling Chestnut-sided Chickadees in a cavity at the top end of the pole. For three weeks we made frequent trips to the aviary to make sure they had all the mealworms they could swallow.
Four Brewer’s Blackbirds were found along a drainage ditch in Loleta. While such an odd place is a normal nesting area for these birds, the closeness to the road was more than the compassionate rescuer could take. Unable to find their parents, we raised them until they could be fostered to a flock of adults of their species near our facility.
A nest of Acorn Woodpeckers, above as featherless hatchlings and then as their colors begin to show. Now they are mostly self-feeding and are close to being releasable.
Because our patients need nutritious, healthy food, and because everyone deserves to be treated with respect, we offer the mealworms we feed out as good a life as possible in the short time they’re themselves, before they become songbirds, raccoons, opossums, or doves.
A very young orphaned raccoon is fed a milk replacer with a feeding tube. From when their eyes open until they are weaned usually takes about six weeks, which is followed by another ten weeks learning how to be adult raccoons. Staff and volunteers who tend the raccoons in their housing call themselves “raccoonnookkeepers”, which sets a record in the English language for number of consecutive double letters (6!).
In our raccoon housing, fish is presented in an artificial river, fruit is hung on tree branches, eggs are hidden in fake nests, all so that our young orphans have a chance to learn what they need to know in order to succeed as adults in the wild.
Two BAX co-founders, Laura Corsiglia (left) and January Bill, while scouting release sites on the shore of Lake Superior for rehabilitated oiled wildlife in Wisconsin.
BAX co-directors Marie Travers (left), January Bill (center) and HWCC/bax intern Courtney Watson (right) admit a Northern Pintail suffering from botulism at the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge.
BAX co-director and co-founder January Bill leads the effort to rehabilitate botulism impacted waterfowl and shorebirds at the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge.
