This morning started off with good old raccoon feeding. While the other two rehab interns weighed them all in order to determine how much we should feed them via formula; I made squirrel trays. Changed out a cage with two eastern gray squirrels and gave them food, fresh water, and egg shells for calcium. Made a special combination of solid foods for the raccoons as well. Once this was all done I helped out by feeding the racoons formula, loaded up some trays with solid food, water, and changed out some bedding in a few. Eventually some stuffed animals were thrown in for the raccoons once we restocked some bedding materials. During the feeding process we received a rescue call which involved a Bald Eagle!
Needless to say what happened once feeding was finished. Two of us rehab interns and one education intern loaded up with an eagle box, gloves, and some sheets then the three of us took off towards St. Germain. I must say the house where the eagle was located was absolutely amazing; gated home, huge log cabin style home, a boat, jet ski, and 100% Amazingness. I wish I could live in a home like this someday but sadly being in wildlife, maybe not. Now if I could just sell enough Advocare stuff....
Anyway, the two rehab interns eventually managed to capture the eagle and load it into the box. We brought everything back after having the lady who called us in fill out a recovery card. Once back at the center with the eagle we checked to see if he was a fledgling or an able flying juvenile. He was in fact a fledgling! So this guy/gal has just recently acquired his flight feathers and is still in the process of learning. We believe he has an injury in the wing since he was not holding it properly; this could have been from possibly tumbling during his practice flights. When we were originally trying to capture him we noticed he was carrying his wing rather funny which is what helped us think of this. Legally, due to not having advanced license yet and lacking permit, we could not give the eagle a complete examination but we at least wanted to check him out to see what stage of life he was in mainly.
After we finished this, I helped feed residents while others worked on restocking. Managed to feed/water all residents inside but still need to feed all of our outside residents. We took lunch shortly after the feeding and other tasks were finished.
When lunch was over and done we head back downstairs and started getting stuff ready for our 2pm raccoon feeding. We eliminated a lot of formula feeds down to 8am and 8pm so at 2pm they merely received solid foods and fresh water (which they chow down right away!) This is a good sign because it means they are almost weaned off from formula completely and after their last vaccinations they will be able to go outside into the outdoor mammal cages where they will become more in tune with nature. This, of course, also frees up the Raccoon isolation room cages to where we will start being able to receive more raccoons.
I believe once this was finished I offered to feed outdoor residents but was actually sent to REGI instead. I copied the two cards for the Bald Eagle and American Robin then loaded them both up into the tan truck. An education intern called REGI to let them know I was coming and I was on my way.
While at REGI I was able to see a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Barn Owl in person for the very first time. I have always loved Barn Owls but seeing the one they brought out made my heart melt. They are by far my most favorite owls out there aside from the Great Horned. Always have loved this owl the most and probably always will. Also, the eagle was just fine - was only a fledgeling taking its first flight as previously thought.
After leaving REGI I cashed a check, got some taco johns for dinner, and head back to the center. Took an hour and a half of course but upon returning I had 10 minute down time before it was 8pm raccoon feeding. This went smooth and since one intern did most of the dishes I finished up the rest and turned off the light so the raccoons could sleep. This practically ended the day aside from me buying some addicting mints from the gift shop and of course typing up this blog. Tomorrow I am back on education.
First eagle rescue, managed to finish off the woodpecker list on my Ohio life list (now on the North American life list!), and saw my first Barn owl. Overall today was good. Have some pictures but they are not uploaded yet. Hopefully tomorrow :)
In the mean time, here's some pictures of our nursery patients taken by one of our rehabbers!
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| Eastern Chipmunk |
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| Southern Flying Squirrel |
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| Southern Flying Squirrel |
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| Eastern Gray Squirrel |
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