Amazing case came in today. A Red Shoulder Hawk with a fishing lure hook through it's foot! No joke! This mature Red Shoulder was so hungry he mistook a fishing lure as prey. One of the hooks went though his foot. Dr. Mike removed it without incident. Now we are going to fatten this guy back up, providing no problems occur with the foot, and send back out in time for nesting season.
Folks try not to lose your lures. What would the end of this story be if the hawk was not recovered. Hmmm, i would rather not think about it.
A lot of Red Tail Hawks have seen engaging in courtship rituals. Keep an eye out and you might catch some beautiful aerobatics. Have also received some reports of territorial behavior. About mid-morning watch for a Red Tail in the air circling over a field. He is patrolling his territory, which may be as big as 2 square miles, to keep out unwanted types. It's early in the year for this behavior but you will have a better chance to see it as we move toward warmer weather.
Email answers-
1. We are currently out of owl pellets. I just gave the last 200(approx) to 3 different schools. Nobody requested any last year so the freezer was steadily filling up. If you are still interested check with us in the fall.
2. There is still some confusion about where wildlife rehabilitation fits into the scheme of things. There were 3 emails about this and I am going to try and answer them simultaneously.
Ga. DNR primarily enforces regulations and manages populations in Ga. The US Fish and Wildlife Service does the same on the national level. Both agencies have gargantuan tasks to perform. It would be very difficult for them to maintain raptor rehabilitation, for example, and perform their other tasks. Raptors need to be released close to where they were picked up. This is much easier done by wildlife rehabilitators spaced out around the state. It is a well designed and efficient system.
Bubba and Friends just happens to be in the space near the fall line, that geological line that runs from Columbus to Macon to Augusta. We get the residents of the Piedmont and the flatlands. This accounts for the diversity of raptors we get. It also allows for programs that increase the awareness of the raptors in closest proximity to us. We are close enough for you to get questions answered about raptors in your neighborhood.
Bubba and Friends has permits issued by the State of Georgia and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. We are not employed by them, nor do we get money from them, only permits. Data is collected on all raptors we receive and is submitted to the appropriate agency at the end of the calendar year.
Falconers are not rehabilitators. They have a different permit and different regs. So don't ask me if you can give an injured raptor to a falconer. You can ask USFWS.
These are our raptors, our heritage, and our responsibility. There is magical little man on top of a mountain who will run out and fix things when we mess them up. There is only us. The constitution of the United States starts out with " we the people". We are the ones who can undo the ignorance of the past and infuse the future with common sense toward our raptors.
Lastly we can only do this with your financial help. If you want raptors put your money where your mouth is. I am tired of people saying" Thank you for coming to get this bird. Leave us a card so we can send you a donation". They volunteered we didn't ask. In 15 years of leaving cards with people we have received no donations.
Hopefully the emails are answered.
No I haven't seen the Guardians of Gahoulie( how do you spell that?) I have seen Glimfeather and the Parliment of Owls( What story is that from Rodney?)
If you get a chance go to the Special Story page and see what you think.
The weather's getting warmer let's go sweat out this winter!
Thanks for your time.
Steve
Folks try not to lose your lures. What would the end of this story be if the hawk was not recovered. Hmmm, i would rather not think about it.
A lot of Red Tail Hawks have seen engaging in courtship rituals. Keep an eye out and you might catch some beautiful aerobatics. Have also received some reports of territorial behavior. About mid-morning watch for a Red Tail in the air circling over a field. He is patrolling his territory, which may be as big as 2 square miles, to keep out unwanted types. It's early in the year for this behavior but you will have a better chance to see it as we move toward warmer weather.
Email answers-
1. We are currently out of owl pellets. I just gave the last 200(approx) to 3 different schools. Nobody requested any last year so the freezer was steadily filling up. If you are still interested check with us in the fall.
2. There is still some confusion about where wildlife rehabilitation fits into the scheme of things. There were 3 emails about this and I am going to try and answer them simultaneously.
Ga. DNR primarily enforces regulations and manages populations in Ga. The US Fish and Wildlife Service does the same on the national level. Both agencies have gargantuan tasks to perform. It would be very difficult for them to maintain raptor rehabilitation, for example, and perform their other tasks. Raptors need to be released close to where they were picked up. This is much easier done by wildlife rehabilitators spaced out around the state. It is a well designed and efficient system.
Bubba and Friends just happens to be in the space near the fall line, that geological line that runs from Columbus to Macon to Augusta. We get the residents of the Piedmont and the flatlands. This accounts for the diversity of raptors we get. It also allows for programs that increase the awareness of the raptors in closest proximity to us. We are close enough for you to get questions answered about raptors in your neighborhood.
Bubba and Friends has permits issued by the State of Georgia and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. We are not employed by them, nor do we get money from them, only permits. Data is collected on all raptors we receive and is submitted to the appropriate agency at the end of the calendar year.
Falconers are not rehabilitators. They have a different permit and different regs. So don't ask me if you can give an injured raptor to a falconer. You can ask USFWS.
These are our raptors, our heritage, and our responsibility. There is magical little man on top of a mountain who will run out and fix things when we mess them up. There is only us. The constitution of the United States starts out with " we the people". We are the ones who can undo the ignorance of the past and infuse the future with common sense toward our raptors.
Lastly we can only do this with your financial help. If you want raptors put your money where your mouth is. I am tired of people saying" Thank you for coming to get this bird. Leave us a card so we can send you a donation". They volunteered we didn't ask. In 15 years of leaving cards with people we have received no donations.
Hopefully the emails are answered.
No I haven't seen the Guardians of Gahoulie( how do you spell that?) I have seen Glimfeather and the Parliment of Owls( What story is that from Rodney?)
If you get a chance go to the Special Story page and see what you think.
The weather's getting warmer let's go sweat out this winter!
Thanks for your time.
Steve
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