hawk

Spruce tree as seen through the snow pasted kitchen window.

We were hit with two blizzards. The first came with a mighty wind that wreaked all kinds of havoc. When it was over, all the windows were pasted with wet snow and it was only as it melted off that we could see the damage outdoors.

Blizzard-downed tree top.

A large tree top was blown down onto the driveway and a big snowdrift had formed in its wake. Fortunately, we’d put the car in just as the snow began to fall. The next blizzard, a few days later, was less windy and more snowy. The heavy snow covered everything and pulled caragana branches to the ground — the spruce trees just shrugged it off.

Merlin footprints on the window sill.

Yet spring was still lurking underneath. One morning a merlin made a dive at Quincy. Fortunately, the intervening window deprived him of his prey. We got to see the merlin sitting dejected in the bushes below, but he flew off before I could snap a picture. All I have to show of him are the footprints he left on the window sill. I wonder if he is the fellow who hit the window last year.

Quincy recovering from the merlin attack.

He created quite a stir; sparrows and cockatiels screamed in warning and flew for cover at breakneck speed. Quincy was so shaken that he decided to have a recovery nap on the fridge.

Robin looking for grass to forage in.

The robins were forced to find what food they could on the small strips of grass that appeared late in the afternoon.

Injured red-tailed hawk awaiting transport to the wildlife center.

I got a call from the wildlife officer about an injured red-tailed hawk that needed to be transported to the Wildlife Rescue Center. Since I’m now a volunteer, it came to me to deliver him. He was found in Chavin, about an hour from here.

Curious red-tailed hawk wondering about the camera.

It turns out that one of his wrists were broken. He is now at the center receiving therapy and stands a good chance of eventual release.

Waterbirds at the Medicine River Wildlife Center. Some will be rehabilitated; many will simply become permanent residents.

We were fortunate enough to be able to deliver him during the center’s open house and so were able to tour the facilities. We saw quite a few of the patients including songbirds, ducks, geese, eagles, owls and a young beaver.

Inside the owl flight cage. Most of these owls will eventually be released.

The Medicine River Wildlife Center accepts all forms of wildlife, although some of the larger mammals such as bears get transfered to another facility for care. Many of the animals can be rehabilitated back into the wild. Those which cannot become permanent residents. Some of these are enlisted to help educate people about wildlife and the facility.