Evening report After writing my afternoon report, I thought I might be finished for the day. I was ready to walk out the door to take Roy to Pet Therapy when I received the call:
falcon down! It was thought to be injured with blood on its mouth. I tried recruiting several downtown patrol members, but at 6:00 PM they had already gone home. Luckily another patrol member had told me he was trying to find them so I called hoping he was still there. Nope, on his way home, but close enough to turn around and secure the bird until I got there. Well, wouldn't you know it, there were 2 calls and another rehabber volunteer [they do ducks and geese] was on her way. I advised Scott not to let them take the bird since they had no idea what really needed to be done.
It didn't get ugly, but they really wanted the falcon even though their plan was to take it to a vet, not the one who specializes in birds, and who knows what else. Scott and I explained that we worked with DNR particularly with falcons, and we would take over. Thank you.
Turns out is was Una, our peregrine version of Big Bertha. She was close to home, but I have a feeling she just couldn't get that big body of hers that high. The blood was most likely from a recent meal. We initially thought she was okay to take back up to the 31st floor, but when we put her in the gutter, one of her talons was pointed in the wrong direction. Rather than take a chance, we took her to be checked out by the rehabber that I volunteer for, who, incidentally had checked out both of her brothers within the last week. They did a thorough check and her talons were now pointing in the right direction. The are keeping her overnight and I will return her to the 31st floor in the morning.
What can I say? Three for three babies on the ground. Rookie parents, I guess. I am ready for a quiet day!
Some pictures. Una giving me the stink eye!
And just for fun, I saw this earlier under Willow's favorite feathering station.