Barred Owl (Strix varia)

The Barred Owl is one of two species of Wood-Owls in the genus Strix.  S. varia can easily be distinguished from the Spotted Owl Strix occidentalis  in several ways.  The larger size of the Barred Owl (720g versus the 610g of the Spotted) is a good indicator of the species.  Additionally the streaked feathers on the thoracic region and the much paler face give this owl away!  This vocal species has a comical call often referred to as "who cooks for you, who cooks for you all".  Click here to listen to a Barred Owl call.

Volunteers For Wildlife is home to Solomon a young Barred Owl.  Our newest permanent resident, Solomon came to us in February of 2009 from a rehabilitation center in Destin, Florida. Solomon was found on the side of a road in 2008 with a fractured wing. It is suspected that he was involved in an automobile collision. His wing was surgically repaired by a veterinarian. Although the rehabilitation center had planned to release him after the surgery, it was then discovered that he was blind in his left eye. As owls rely heavily on their keen vision to hunt for prey, he was found to be unsuitable for release to the wild. Barred Owls can be found in Eastern North America from Canada to Mexico, in mature, swampy woodlands. Although once found on Long Island in large numbers, Barred Owls have been seldom seen here in recent years due to a lack of suitable habitat.

Windy Days

For the last few days, the winds have been gusting and the rain falling here on Long Island. The wind has thrown many of the wild migratory birds off track and has certainly exhausted others making the journey South. Here at the center, our own permanent residents are taking refuge from the wind in their shelters. Yesterday morning, we captured this moment of two of our permanent Red tailed hawks, Baby and Lucky Lady, huddled together on their perch.

Baby, the Red tailed Hawk pictured at left, came to our center in 2001. He was a young nestling that had fallen from his nest. He suffered from extreme torticolis (twisted head) and took many months to recover. Unfortunately, due to the time of his recovery and the intensive care needed, he had become imprinted on people. Baby is a male Red-tail and is smaller than his companion Lucky Lady.

Lucky Lady, pictured at right, also came to our center in 2001. She was an immature Red-tail (~2 years) at the time of admission. She was transferred to VfW from a nature center in Westchester. She had been found with a badly damaged eye. Once she arrived at the center, we realized that eye needed to be removed. After the removal of her eye, we tested Lucky Lady to see if she could hunt. She proved although she only had one eye that she was capable of finding live prey. We banded her leg and released her. Unfortunately a month later, Lucky Lady was found down on the ground again. She was weak and emaciated. She was brought to our center and we then learned she was the same bird we previously released. Although Lady was able to find food in captivity, she had difficulty finding enough prey in the wild. Due to her inability to hunt effectively, she is now a permanent resident at our hospital. Both Baby and Lady visit with thousands of school children and adults every year to teach about the importance of wildlife conservation.

Cub Scouts Visit Volunteers for Wildlife

Wednesday, on a chilly fall morning, Cub scouts from Pack 21 in Port Washington came to Volunteers for Wildlife to fulfill requirements for their wildlife badge. The group participated in a "Living with Wildlife on Long Island" program taught by VW Education Volunteer Alice Hackett.

During the hour long program, the Scouts learned about several different species of reptiles, mammals and birds that make their home here on Long Island. The scouts were delighted to meet some of Volunteers for Wildlife's animal ambassadors including our American Kestrel, Opossum, Eastern Box Turtle, Mallard, Red tailed Hawk and Great horned Owl. In addition to learning about their natural history, the Scouts learned what they can do to help ensure these incredible animals have a future on Long Island. Simple actions such as picking up litter, properly discarding fishing line and watching the ducks instead of feeding them can go a long way in preserving our wildlife and natural habitats. It is our hope they will take these lessons with them and educate others on the importance of wildlife conservation.

Pictured Above: Nina, our female Eastern box Turtle, visited with the Scouts on Wednesday. Eastern box turtles are native to Long Island. Although they used to be found in great numbers, their populations are threatened due to habitat destruction. Nina was dropped off at a vet's office this past summer. She had developed an upper respiratory infection. Box turtles have an incredible homing instinct. If they are taken out of their territories they will spend their lives trying to find their way back. This often will put the turtles in danger as they will have to cross dangerous roads and other barriers to get back home. Unfortunately, Nina cannot be released to the wild as we do not know where her home territory is.

New Volunteers for Wildlife Video

Check out our new informational video about Volunteers for Wildlife!  In this short piece Lauren Schulz (Education Coordinator) and Sue Corradino (Clinic Supervisor) go over the mission of Volunteers for Wildlife as well as how to stay up to date on fund raiser's for the organization, patients in the hospital, and other exciting news & events.

2009 Volunteers for Wildlife Raffle!

Want a great way to help out Volunteers for Wildlife?  You can participate in the annual raffle.

Here's how it works:

1. Email your info:

      First Name, Last Name
      Mailing Address

to wildlifeadvisory@gmail.com

2.  We will mail you a "Raffle packet"  which includes blank raffle tickets.  Purchase as many tickets as you would like by filling in the information on the ticket and mailing the ticket stub along with your payment to the address indicated in the packet.

3.  The Raffle drawing will be on December 4, 2009.  You will be contacted if you have won any of the wonderful prizes.

Raffle prizes include...

• $500 cash prize
• Dinner for two at Abel Conklin's in Huntington
• A basket of wine from Syosset Discount Liquor
• $200 Gift Certificate to Bryant & Cooper
• A Gift Basket from the Wild Bird Center of Stony Brook
• The below 16x20 Snowy Owl image framed, matted and ready to hang from Wildlife Photographer Chris Corradino
  

Successful Rehabilitation of A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

The Great Blue Heron is the largest species in the Ardeidae family in North America. This magnificent bird can be spotted hunting fish and other small animals such as salamanders, rodents and small mammals in the many marshes and estuaries on Long Island. Both Nassau and Suffolk County provide a spectacular habitat for this 5 pound plus bird.

Recently Volunteers for Wildlife received a call from Dr. Ellen Leonhardt's office at Animal General of East Norwich about a Great Blue Heron in need of rehabilitation. The bird was brought to her office by a good Samaritan that found this large awkward bird in his yard. After an initial examination Dr. Leonhardt and her staff determined that the young bird was shot with a bee bee gun and had a bullet under the surface of his skin on his neck. Additionally radiographs showed an ulna fracture. The doctor brought the bird to surgery to remove the bullet and called our office to continue with his care.

As with all of our patients, upon arrival at the Wildlife Hospital, an examination was performed. It was determined that the Heron required a bandage for his fractured bone. We wrapped the injured wing and began a regiment of feedings and antibiotics to prevent infection.

Each day this beautiful bird got stronger and healthier. His recovery went smoothly as we kept him in a quiet calm location on the grounds of the facility. The Heron's voracious appetite was satisfied with capelin fish and spearing. After two weeks of having a bandage on his wing, we removed the wrap and allowed for him to strengthen the muscles on his injured appendage. Soon after he was roosting in his aviary and flying short distances.

On November 4th, the Great Blue Heron returned to the wild at a salt marsh in Cold Spring Harbor on the North Shore of Long Island. VW Volunteer, Erica Cirino, joined us at the release to see the heron off and snap some photographs of the event.