Return to freedom

Thanks to the expert care received through Native Animal Rescue's skunk expert, Monique Lee, the skunk that was caught in a Gophinator trap was set free today in the woods just below where she was found. Click HERE for the original story. 

Rattlesnake entangled in erosion-control netting

This morning we were alerted of a rattlesnake that was stuck in plastic garden netting being used to control erosion in the Carmel Highlands.

The snake was first spotted on Sunday morning, but residents did not know who to call for help. Finally, they reached WES.

WES' founder, Rebecca Dmytryk, was on scene quickly, and removed the snake from the hillside. 

In its attempts to get through and free of the material, the snake had become more and more tangled and restricted. In minutes, though, and with help from the homeowner, the snake was freed.

The rattlesnake was taken in for supportive care. With luck it can be released within a week.

Check out the video of the rescue:

Rebecca had an early start with reptiles. At age 13 she was catching snakes, including rattlesnakes. She learned even more through a herpetology class that was offered at the high school she attended.

Looking back, I cannot imagine what my parents were thinking, but I am glad they allowed me the freedom to develop my skills and learn to respect these magnificent creatures. I am also grateful to Richard Lapidus. He taught herpetology at my high school. You don't see these types of extracurricular classes anymore, which is really too bad.

UPDATE: 7-2-15

After a while in care the rattlesnake was returned to its home in the mountains above Point Lobos.

Little skunk in a big plastic bag

This morning we were called to help rescue a baby skunk that a homeowner found in her garage, stuck in a large clear plastic bag. It must have wandered into the garage when the door was left open the evening before, and just happened to get itself stuck inside the bag as it was exploring. The skunk was immediately set free outdoors where it made a prompt exit into the bushes. Free again, at last!

Support the Coyote Challenge

By Rebecca Dmytryk

In addition to managing WES, my husband and I run a for-profit business where we help people resolve their conflicts with wildlife - be it a raccoon in the attic, a skunk under a shed, bats, rats, you name it.

When it comes to coyotes, we face a tough crowd. By the time we're contacted a coyote has often become a problem - there's been a loss or there's fear of an imminent attack. The animal is a perceived threat that must be removed without delay.

When it comes to coyotes, we find people are usually set in their misbeliefs and are far less willing to change their habits than with other species - less willing to adapt to living with these animals as part of their environment, less willing to invest in making modifications to their property even if that is what will solve the problem, yet, they are often quite demanding that something be done, admonishing local officials for not taking action to protect their home, family and pets.

For these people, we offer the Coyote Challenge.

The Coyote Challenge is our pushback to those who believe nothing less than lethal control will work. The Coyote Challenge is also a way for us to help those who truly cannot afford to invest in non-lethal control measures. 

In return, participants agree to share their account of the process and the results - which we expect will be that their coyote problem has been resolved, for good.

With each challenge being documented from beginning to end, we see this as a great opportunity to help people and coyotes while gathering conclusive evidence that non-lethal control methods do work.

The Coyote Challenge officially launched last month and we have 3 applications in the review process.

Duane and I will be donating our time, but we are hoping to collect about $1,500.00 to cover supplies, equipment and associated travel costs. Please help if you can.

For those who contribute $100.00 or more, we have a special treat - you'll be invited to share our journey through a private blog where we post each challenge with frequent updates.

Thank you for supporting the Coyote Challenge!

Taking a stand for our wildlife

By Rebecca Dmytryk

This week, the California Fish and Game Commission convened in Mammoth Lakes, CA.

These meetings, allow the public and other stakeholders an opportunity to have a voice in the management of our state's wildlife.

Understanding the Commission's role can be a bit confusing... In basic terms, California State Legislature creates Fish and Game laws. The Fish and Game Commission, consisting of an Executive Director and 5 members appointed by the Governor, implements regulations to further clarify Fish and Game Laws as well as set hunting and fishing regulations for the state. The Department of Fish and Wildlife along with the general public submit recommendations and supporting documentation to the Commission to assist them in their decision making.

Yesterday, I spoke before the Commission on trapping.

Last year, Dan Fox, president of Animal Pest Management, sent a letter to the Commission asking that a section of the regulations be modified to exempt licensed pest control operators from needing written consent from neighboring homeowners before they can set traps to take and kill wildlife.

Subsection of 465.5 (g)(3) was introduced in 1980 to protect people, children and pets from being harmed by potentially dangerous body gripping traps like the leghold, snare or conibear. It also protects neighbors’ rights to the shared resources – the resident wildlife. It provides them a voice – a say in the management of these animals – a right that should not be watered down or taken away, especially by big business.

This request to change the regulations is not about protecting people's property of managing problem animals as much as it is about money.

Pest control operators make an incredible living exterminating neighborhood wildlife, charging upwards of $100.00 per head. With a single backyard yielding 3 or more animals and the assurance of repeat business if nothing is done to prevent future conflicts, it's easy to see why trappers don't want anything to stand in their way.

Trapping and killing nuisance wildlife is an outdated practice. It is not a lasting solution as it does not address the actual problem. That said, the way trapping and killing is promoted in the pest control industry is, in my opinion, nothing short of a racket - conducted in the name of the State.

It's my hope the Commission, in its review of its predator management policies and trapping regulations, will require non-lethal control methods before lethal management is allowed, and, they do not strip away neighbors' rights to say how their wildlife is managed.

In researching this issue, I discovered something very disturbing: pest control operators are not required required to report how many animals they kill each year. Neither are those who trap privately on their own property.

Imagine if 2% of households in California used lethal methods to control wildlife. That could mean 250,000 mammals - fox, bobcat, raccoon, opossum, coyote, skunk and squirrel - exterminated each year without anyone knowing.

All other forms of take are documented but not the the toll by the pest control industry. To me, this seems negligent - that such a large number of wild animals - game, non-game and fur bearers can be killed each year and the State does not require documentation. 

Therefore, I requested the Commission's attention to this, asking that they consider modifying the trapping regulations to require annual reporting by pest control operators. Additionally, I asked that they come up with some method of reporting that would reduce double profiting by trappers. 

You see, a pest control operator who is also licensed for recreational trapping (a matter of ticking two boxes on their application) can trap a nuisance bobcat, skin it, then, during bobcat trapping season, they can say it was taken recreationally and then legally sell the pelt for $1,000.00 or more.

That, too - bobcat trapping, was on the Commission's agenda. The Bobcat Protection Act (more HERE), recently signed into law by Governor Brown, requires the Commission to amend bobcat trapping regulations and establish no-trapping zones. Thanks to Commissioner Rogers, a statewide ban is, once again, up for consideration.

If you have time, consider writing a letter to the Commission, expressing your support of a statewide ban on commercial and recreational bobcat trapping.

California Fish and Game Commission

P.O. Box 944209

Sacramento, CA 94244-2090

fgc@fgc.ca.gov 

Stay tuned!

Mallard hen and ducklings led to safety

This afternoon, a mallard hen and her newly hatched ducklings were found in a parking lot on the Google compound in Mountain View. Davis, a member of the Google family called WES for help. 

With guidance from our experts and help from a couple of other concerned Googlers, the ducklings were carefully collected into a milk crate.

Then, the team started a slow walk toward Permanente Creek - just a couple of blocks away. The hen followed, nervously.

Finally, they reached the creek! 

Following our direction, Davis gently dumped the ducklings out - all at once, and backed away. The hen quickly gathered their attention and led them into the stream and toward the wetlands.

THANK YOU DAVIS! 
THANK YOU AJAI! 
THANK YOU RUSSELL!
THANK YOU NICE, QUIET GOOGLER W/BEARD!

Darted pigeon

WES volunteer responders, Johnie Kindle and Patricia Denn set to capture the injured bird.

On May 1st, WES was alerted of a pigeon with a dart in its neck at Lake Merritt in Oakland. A WES volunteer responded to attempt to capture the injured bird, but it was very wary and flew off, and we stopped receiving reports about it.

Then, on May 21st, we received another report about a pigeon at Lake Merritt - this one had two darts sticking out of its body. It looks to be the same bird.

This morning, WES volunteer responders met at the park. They were able to draw the bird close enough to net it. Check out the amazing video (A huge THANK YOU to Walter for filming!).

Another volunteer, Nancy Powell, transported the bird to WildCare for treatment.

A huge THANK YOU! to everyone who helped rescue this poor bird!

Skunk caught in a Gophinator

At the end of a long dirt road near Laguna Creek, in the hills above the redwoods, at the start of a closed-cone forest - in the middle of nowhere - a skunk was trapped in a Gophinator - a trap used to kill gophers and moles.

This particular trap was set inside a gopher tunnel, but the entry was not blocked well. A curious or hungry female skunk was able to access the trap and set it off. Her hand was crushed.

Duane and Rebecca released the skunk from the trap and transported her to Native Animal Rescue's skunk specialist, Monique, for evaluation and treatment. 

Sadly, we heard from Monique that the skunk was a lactating mother - she had kits left behind.

We called the landowner and asked if they would keep an eye out for little ones, but, so far, none has been seen. 

The mother skunk continues to improve thanks to the expert care she is receiving.

Stay tuned!

Want to support our rescue program? Small monthly donations go a long way. 
Remember to tick the box that says Make This Recurring. 

Second entrapped screech owl rescued!

A couple of weeks ago WES was called to rescue an entrapped screech owl from a professional building in Santa Clara (original post HERE). Today, another owl was found inside the building - possibly the same one!

Check out the video:

Responding as Humane Wildlife Control, Duane and Rebecca removed the little owl then took a look around the property to try and find how the owl entered the building. They found a possible spot which the company's maintenance crew will investigate further, being careful to look for a nest as Western screech owls are cavity nesters.

Stay tuned!

Fawn receives helping hand from weed abatement inspector

Last week, Los Angeles County Weed Abatement Inspector Ellen Walton was checking out a parcel in Glendale when she noticed a doe and her fawn on a hillside, standing near a couple of erosion gullies. 

The doe was behaving oddly - not leaving when Ellen appeared. Instead, it kept its attention on one of the deep cuts in the slope. 

Ellen climbed up the slope to investigate.

There, in the gully was a second fawn! It had fallen in and couldn't get out. 

Ellen quietly made her way down the hillside, sliding much of the way. The ravine was deep. She had to lay flat to reach the baby deer and lift it to safety.

Once she had the fawn on solid ground, Ellen aimed it toward its mother and let nature take its course. She watched as it went strait to its mom!

THANK YOU ELLEN!!! GREAT JOB!!!

Red-tailed hawk rescue

By Deanna Barth

This evening, I received a call from Hollister Animal Control about an injured hawk. The address was just down the road from my home, so I was there in minutes. 

The property was vast, with pastures and rolling hills. 

The reporting party had been working in his yard when he heard a commotion high above him. He looked up to see what appeared to be two hawks fighting in mid air. Suddenly, one of them spun out of control and plummeted to the ground.  

He quickly crossed the field and found the hawk lying on its back with both wings extended. After sheltering the terrified bird with a tarp, he called the non-emergency police line for help.

Having the bird somewhat contained under the tarp made my job a little easier. 

I lifted a corner and peeked underneath to see what position the hawk was in. Once I knew where the talons were, I moved to that side.  

With one hand resting across the bird to prevent it from moving, I used my other gloved hand to gain control of the legs, then lifted the tarp.  

The red-tailed hawk was bright and alert and on cursory exam there was no obvious sign of injury. It was transported to the SPCA for Monterey Wildlife Center for further evaluation and care. 

UPDATE: 5-12-2015

The hawk suffered an injury to hallux, or hind toe. The bird, a female, was also slightly underweight. She will be held for about a week to get her weight up and to see if she can successfully catch prey, before returning her home.

Stay tuned!!!

UPDATE: 5-19-2015

After about a week of rehabilitative care the red-tailed hawk was ready for release. Deanna returned it to Stony Brook Drive in Hollister and set her free.

"There is nothing more rewarding then to release a once injured animal, now healthy, right back to where it came from."

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participating in this birds rescue and recovery!

Five baby opossums get a second chance

By Deanna Barth

It was late Friday afternoon when I received a call from the Hollister Animal Shelter. A mother opossum had been hit by a car and witnesses had watched several of her babies go flying across the pavement.  

Animal Control Officer, Anna Patterson, arrived to find the mother opossum deceased and two of the six babies alive. 

Back at the shelter, she called me to pick up the two survivors. During our conversation she mentioned that one of the babies had landed precariously close to a storm drain. I knew the drain needed to be checked!

I drove to the intersection and peered through the grate and sure enough, there were three baby opossums at the bottom – and they were still moving! 

I informed Anna and she in turn contacted a city crew to remove the heavy grate for me.

Lying on my stomach, I was able to lift up the tiny babies with my net. They were ice cold!  

I placed them in a pillowcase on top of a snap heat pack to warm them up. 

It was close to 5pm and traffic was getting heavy. I drove toward the shelter to pick up the other two and called ahead to the SPCA for Monterey County Wildlife Center. They were kind enough to have a staff member meet me half way.

Hopefully, these tiny opossums will thrive and be able to return to the wild in the near future.

A huge thank you to Alex and Jake for 

helping me gain access to the storm drain!

Young girl helps great horned owlet

We just want to say a very special thank you to Jasmine (10) for helping a young great horned owl brancher get back into a tree where its parents could find and feed it.

Way to go, Jasmine!

Gull untangled from commercial bird netting

At about 4 PM, we were transferred a call from the SPCA for Monterey County. A gull was stuck in commercial bird netting on the roof of the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. The cleaning staff had noticed it earlier in the day.

Duane and Rebecca responded immediately. 

The netting had tears and openings here and there, large enough for gulls to get through. This one became entangled when it tried to escape.

Check out the video of the rescue:

The gull appeared to be in fairly good shape. It was transported to the SPCA for Monterey County for evaluation and treatment.

Hotel management agreed to contact the company that installed the bird netting to get them to make the necessary repairs so this does not happen again.

THANK YOU TO THE STAFF OF THE PORTOLA HOTEL 

FOR SEEKING IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THIS POOR BIRD!

Lucky Cooper's

It was late yesterday afternoon when we received a call from the Lucky Supermarket on Sloat near Lake Merced in San Francisco.

We got the word out to Allen Fish, Director at the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO), hoping he'd have someone who could help get the bird out of the building.

While the store management agreed to leave the large roll-up doors of its storeroom open through twilight, they couldn't keep the area clear of people, so we knew the likelihood of the hawk leaving on its own was pretty slim.

Thankfully, Allen was able to get hold of Craig Nikitas - also with GGRO. He's experienced in trapping raptors and has the right equipment to rescue the hawk. He was willing to help!

This afternoon at about 5:00 PM we received word that the bird, an adult male Cooper's hawk had been successfully captured and released outside.

More from Craig in his report:

It had chased a blackbird in through a roll-up door on Saturday. 

Keel was meaty, disposition excellent (totally BAR), mouth interior moist & pink. 

Released on-site and it flew to a Monterey Pine on Ocean Ave. at approx. 16:00. 

I assume he's the father of a juvenile bird we've seen further east on Ocean Ave. 

I also saw an adult female near the plaza prior to catching this guy. He's got some explaining to do when he gets home!

A very happy ending. 

THANK YOU CRAIG FOR

RESCUING THE HAWK!!!

Western screech owl rescue

Today, WES received word about an owl that was caught inside a building in Santa Clara. It had come in through the front doors a couple of nights before, when workers were installing new carpeting.

When we arrived, the owl was tucked up in a space above the dropped ceilings of the office. We would never be able to get him out of there, so we worked with the bird's behavior to devise a plan...

Since the bird had spent most of the morning in the offices, perching on various objects, one can say it's "comfortable" with that space - not fearful (yet). We needed to keep it that way. Conversely, we needed to make the space above the dropped ceiling a "bad and scary" place, so we had Duane stick his head through one of the ceiling tiles.

It worked. The little owl dropped down into the office space again.

The company's employees, whose offices we had invaded, were all so wonderful. They were so concerned for the owl, and so willing to help.

We gave them jobs, positioning them in certain spots to prevent the owl from going down a hall that led to windows where it could be seriously injured. We assigned another to help with the net panel, and another helped with one of the nets.

We used a panel of netting to block one end of a hallway, with Duane approaching from behind. It worked, until the owl wiggled through a small gap. 

On the next attempt, the owl was successfully netted and quickly taken outside where it was placed on a branch of a tree.

There, it sat for some time. Looking around. Alert. Responsive. Then, all of a sudden it hopped across branches and took off toward the building (Please, don't crash into a window!) and straight up under an overhang.

We used binoculars to get a better look and found the owl nestled on a spike strip, padded with pine needles. Was this its roost or could it be a nest? 

Western screech nest almost exclusively in cavities of trees and will take readily to nest boxes. Pairs mate for life, but if a partner is lost they may take a new mate.

We will be checking up on this little owl in days to come. Stay tuned!

THANK YOU TO ARMANDO AND EVERYONE
HOO HELPED RESCUE THIS LITTLE OWL!!!

Skunk caught in covered trap

By Rebecca Dmytryk

This morning, we were contacted by UC Santa Cruz Police about a skunk with a paw caught in a trap. 

We thought it would be a Trapper T-Rex, one of those newer, heavy plastic snap traps that have interlocking jaws - powerful and deadly to rodents and dangerous to other animals. From the description, however, it sounded like the skunk might have reached into a plastic bait box meant to cover are conceal a trap.

Duane and I responded to the location immediately. There, under the porch of the Carriage House we found the skunk, tucked back against the building, trembling. At first, we could't tell what was on its front paw.

Duane used poles to move the skunk out from under the deck where I could net it. We draped a dark sheet over the animal to calm it and allow us to approach and get a good hold of it without getting sprayed.

I needed to have a really good hold of the head, so, while it goes against normal protocol, I doffed the thick leather gloves and gathered its scruff with a bare hand for a much securer, no-slip grip. Again, this goes against protocol and should not be attempted by anyone without a tremendous amount of handling experience and rabies prophylaxis. 

Once I had the skunk well-restrained, Duane went to work on opening the box and freeing the skunk's paw. It was quite an ordeal and took some time, but we finally got the animal freed. 

The skunk was placed into a padded carrier and transported to Native Animal Rescue's skunk expert, Monique, in Corralitos. We await word on its prognosis. 

Check out the video. Missing money shot due to camera user error! That would be me : (

Looking into the box where the skunk reached in and was caught by the jaws of the trap.

The T-Rex brand of snap trap exudes bone-crushing pressure meant to kill rodents swiftly. For larger animals, these traps can cause severe injuries. We know of many skunks that have lost digits. Some have lost their entire paw. One skunk lost its nose to a Trapper T-Rex.

The trap itself is not the problem, though, it's misuse by the consumer. We believe clearer labeling is needed to better ensure the traps are not placed where other animals have access to them!

Last September, I contacted Bell Laboratories and spoke with Vice President of Sales and Business Development Mark Westover. At that time, he indicated a willingness to look into adding language to the T-Rex and Mini-Rex product instructions to help reduce non-target wildlife injuries. 

With the cover off, you can see the trap is set, and how an animal can reach it through the hole on the side.

As for the "prtotective" box, we now know these boxes meant to protect other animals (and children) from reaching the trap, are ineffective - at least this brand by Liphatech.

Perhaps it's time to petition both companies to make the necessary changes to protect our wildlife.

Stay tuned!


UPDATE: 4-27-15

The skunk's paw was not badly damaged. Monique suspected the female skunk might be a mother - it was important for her to get back back home, soon. This evening, Duane released her right back where she'd been rescued. She definitely knew where she was and took off!

Priceless

By Rebecca Dmytryk

More than 40 volunteer hours.

Over 300 miles traveled.

Returning 6 baby owls back to the wild: priceless

It was Sunday morning around 9:00 AM. Duane and I had just arrived at our Sunday morning breakfast spot when we received a call from WildCare about a fallen owlet. It had been found at the base of a eucalyptus tree at the Chuck Corica Golf Complex in Alameda. 

I asked for the reporting party's number so I could get the details, firsthand - more about the baby, how big, its exact location, when it was first found, and maybe get a picture of it texted to my iPhone. All really important information to collect from the finder before it's too late - before the animal is dropped off somewhere and no one knows where it came from.

The finder, Jake, was very willing to help. He texted a picture of the owlet which confirmed it was a great horned owl nestling. We had him look around for other owlets, in case more had toppled.

In the meantime, I contacted the golf course to discuss renesting. It was during one of these conversations they mentioned that another baby owl had been found last week and was taken "somewhere". 

I contacted the nearest wildlife hospital, Sulphur Creek Nature Center, and sure enough, they had admitted an owlet from Alameda but had no information on where it had been found. Little orphan owlet, no more!

The day was getting on - it was maybe 11:00. It would take time to organize a renesting, so we asked Jake to give the owlet a ride to Sulphur Creek. There, it could get a proper evaluation by medical staff and be reunited with its sibling.

In the meantime, we received a call from the Elkhorn Slough Reserve that a baby great horned owl had fallen from one of the barn owl nest boxes (Yes, right.) They said it looked good except for a little bruising on one wing. 

As wildlife paramedics we provide first aid, but, if there's any question as to an animal's condition - if it looks sick or injured, it must be seen by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. 

The SPCA for Monterey County was called to pick up the baby.

Meanwhile, WES received another call about fallen owlets. This call was patched through to us from 911. The RP was reporting 4 baby owls had fallen from a palm tree.

Duane and I rushed to the location to find four very upset barn owl chicks on the ground next to debris that had once been their home. The homeowner had been cutting at the dead fronds of the large palm when a big chunk of rotted wood fell from the trunk - inside were the babies!

We began collecting them.

You have to take great care when handling barn owls of any age. When frightened they'll use their talons to strike at and grab hold of anything in reach - a gloved hand, a towel, a sibling, even a part of their own body. So, their talons must be controlled at all times.

We collected the feistiest chick first, placing it into a box by itself so it would not hurt one of its siblings. The second oldest was also confined separately, and the two smallest were placed together.

They all needed to be examined by a licensed rehabilitator. 

Timing could not have been better! 

Jessica Shipman, manager of the wildlife rehabilitation program at the SPCA for Monterey County was nearby, picking up the Elkhorn owlet. We met up with her so she could have a look and a feel.

Sadly, two of the barn owl chicks were badly injured and could not be returned to their nest, but the oldest and the youngest appeared to be in good health.

The great horned owl from the reserve was also in good shape and could be returned to its nest, but we'd need approval from the Reserve's manager to work on site. Since this could take a day or so, and with other owlets to renest, the little great horned went with Jessica for the time being. 

It was now about 2:00. Duane spent the rest of the afternoon building a barn owl box for the Freedom owlets.

At about 7:00 PM, we headed over to the home in Freedom to install the owl box and renest the barn owl chicks. Two WES responders, Mary and Maureen met us there to help.


Over the past few years, Duane has gained a lot of experience installing barn owl nest boxes. 

With Maureen helping, it only took about 30 minutes to get this box raised and mounted securely to the tree.

When it came time to place the chicks, the youngest one was set inside the box first, to one corner. 

This is a really important rule. If you place the most aggressive baby in the box first, it will strike at each one being introduced, risking injury to the other chicks. Placing the most aggressive last and getting out of sight fast will lessen the chance of it hurting a sibling or itself. We sometimes use dark pillow cases to cover chicks until were our of view.


With the two barn owls safe and secure in their new home, we instructed the landowner to keep watch and let us know when they see an adult owl enter the box of make a food drop.

.......

By Monday morning, we'd had an excellent response from our Bay Area Team, with seven volunteer responders were willing to help renest the great horned chicks at the golf course in Alameda. Maureen, Lisa, Kathy, John, Julene, Kerry and Patricia! 

We made plans to meet at the entrance at about 5:30 PM. 

While waiting for Duane to arrive with the tall ladder, the team helped put the finishing touches on the replacement nest - a laundry basket transformed into a great horned owl nest, with sticks and willow, eucalyptus bark and coyote bush. 

Drainage holes were drilled into the bottom, and branches were attached to the sides of the basket for the owlets to perch on as they get older and begin exploring their treetop home.

Patricia Denn generously volunteered to pick up the owlets from Sulphur Creek Nature Center and deliver them to the golf course. 

Mike Prajsler, who works at the golf course and who found the first owlet the week before, he organized transport for our team - golf carts! 

Once Duane arrived, we headed out to to south field.

Our first task was to look for the nest. We scoured the ground at the base of the trees near where the owlets had been found, looking for traces of a nest, urates, pellets, carcasses. Oddly, there was nothing really obvious.

Then, Duane spotted an adult, on a spit of a nest, high in one of the eucalyptus trees. We assumed it was the female. Huddled next to her was the third chick.

Finding the nest with an adult present meant that we could swap out the old nest for the new one, place all three chicks, and feel confident the parent would return quickly and continue caring for the chicks as if nothing had happened. 

There would be no need to use vocalizations to draw in the parents, no need for someone to stay late into the night to confirm the reunion, but we would have someone check the next day.

But first, Duane had to scale the tall tree, collect the remaining chick, haul up the replacement nest and secure it to the truck.

Photo credit Patricia Denn

It was windy and cold and the sun was setting, but the team rallied. I was really impressed. They supported Duane during his ascent and helped get what equipment he needed sent up. They even organized the rope box! (THANK YOU!)

Then, it came time to renest the owlets. 

The chicks were placed together in a canvas bag that was lifted safely through the branches to their new home.

It went perfectly! Safe and sound.

Check out the video, below.

.......

By Monday afternoon, we'd received permission to renest the fallen great horned owlet at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. Since there was at least one baby in the nest, there was no huge rush, so we scheduled it for Tuesday mid-day.

At about 11:30 AM we met the SPCA for Monterey County at the Reserve. They had brought the fallen owlet, plus a little orphan great horned that was about the same age, hoping we could wild-foster it into the brood.

We never want to overwhelm a parent, but if there was only one chick still in the nest, adding this orphan, to make it a total of 3, would not be a hardship, especially with the abundance of prey in the area.

Duane climbed the ladder and peered inside the box. There was only one chick. That meant the orphan had a home!

This renesting was a bit unusual. We had to work with an existing nest box installed years ago. It's flawed open-platform design allowed nestlings to reach the edge and fall. 

Normally, great horned owls nest in trees, but this "open" box has been used before by a great horned. 

Instead of replacing the nest with a more suitable one, we were limited to making a few alterations to, hopefully, prevent any more chicks from tumbling. We added a higher rim and some branches for them to cling to. 

After making these few adjustment, all three chicks were placed inside.

Check out the video:

A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED 
GET THESE SIX BABIES BACK TO THE WILD!

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UPDATE: 4-24-15

The Freedom barn owl parents have been seen making food drops inside the box. Mike called from the golf course and said one of the adults was on the nest the following morning, and, so far, the Elkhorn Slough Reserve chicks have stayed put.