Raptor Rescue
At work, on Tuesday morning, we found a raptor lying on his side, on the ground, near one of our buildings. We bundled him up, put him in a huge box and took him to the Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital in Walnut Creek. We had no idea if he was injured or sick.
The Lindsey Wildlife folks brought the fledgling back on Friday; he was in great health! They took him up on the roof, near where he was originally found, and set him free. He perched for about 20mins and then sort of glided across to the nearest tree. He really didn’t quite have the finesse of flying so, he crashed into the tree trunk. He was determined. Holding on with his talons he began to climb; beak then talons, grabbing and pulling upwards.
Erick with the lost teenage red tail hawk.
That same Friday morning the mother was spotted In the high pine trees. She swooped down and tried to feed the little guy, totally recognizing him from his cry. The mother was quite large with an enormous white chest and wing span. Due to the tree’s density, and her size, she missed. She stayed close by but, would probably not make another attempt until we had all left the area.
A bird carrying box (not the one shown in the picture) was left by the Lindsay Wildlife folks. If the little guy falls again, we can just put him in the box and take him to the roof. Another adventure awaits us!
