Dovekies (Alle alle)

Dovekies belong to the family Alcidae which includes Guillemots, Murres, Razorbills, Murrelets, Auklets and Puffins. Alcids are pelagic birds (birds that spend most of their time out at sea). They come ashore only to nest or when they are exhausted, or ill. Birds belonging to Alcidae have black feathers on their backs and white feathers on their bellies. This coloration helps to camouflage them from their prey. Recently a series of storms have blown a large number of Dovekies, Alle alle, to the southern part of their winter range and inshore.

There have been many reports of stranded, starving birds, most likely the result of sustained, easterly gale-force winds. These winds have pushed the birds toward the coast. These small (average about 160 grams) auks are driven to exhaustion and emaciation.

Compromised individuals have been found on the streets of Eastern Long Island, West Islip, and even as far inland as Deer Park! The largest wreck of Dovekies to date was during a severe weather event in 1933. Reports of Dovekies were noted from the streets of Manhattan. Unfortunately the efforts of our rehabilitation team were unsuccessful in nursing these severely emaciated birds back to health.

Great Horned Owl Rescue!

On a beautiful Saturday morning, Volunteers for Wildlife received a call regarding a large distressed owl tangled in a soccer net at a home in Cold Spring Harbor. VW Director, Eileen Hagerman, and her husband Tom loaded up their car with the necessary supplies and rushed to the owl's aid. Upon arriving at the scene, Eileen and Tom discovered the owl was a Great Horned Owl that had become entangled while in pursuit of a rat. After several minutes spent untangling the owl and cutting the soccer net, the owl was finally free of the net. He was brought to Volunteers for Wildlife's Wildlife Hospital for further evaluation. Stay tuned for updates in the coming days on his story!

Here is the homeowner's video of the rescue:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=098Cwxf0Gys

Brant (Branta bernicla)

Recently a concerned gentleman and his son brought a Brant, Branta bernicla, into the wildlife clinic for admission after obtaining advice from the Wildlife Advisory Telephone line (631-423-0982). The bird was found in their yard unable to fly.

Upon examination by the wildlife rehabilitation department of Volunteers for Wildlife, the bird was found to be emaciated, weak, dehydrated, and afflicted with feather lice. Additionally the Brant had a nasty "cough"; the increased respiratory sounds were most likely an indication of a respiratory infection. An intriguing part of this patient's history was the band on its right leg. Lauren Schulz, the education coordinator at Volunteers for Wildlife reported the band information to learn more about our patient. Apparently this bird was in fact a female Brant banded in Point Lookout, New York on 2/20/2003!

Antibiotics, fluids, and rest were prescribed for this winter visitor. After being deloused, the Brant swam in a warm bath. Unfortunately, several days of supportive care and medication were not enough to bring this beautiful bird back from her severe level of emaciation. Our migrating visitor did not survive. Emaciation and exhaustion afflict many migrating species. Several elements factor into a successful migration, one of those is nutrition. Before heading out on their journey migrating birds must increase their weight to sustain their bodies higher demands. Long flights and poor weather can lead to a dangerous situation for many birds. If the bird can rest and find a sufficient food source before it is too late they can survive. The death of the banded Brant was reported to the bander. Hopefully the information gathered by this bird and others like her will lead researchers and rehabilitators to a better understanding of migration, population, and the ecology of the world's migratory birds.

Branta bernicla, are separated into three distinct winter populations who intermingle throughout the breeding range. The Pale-bellied population can be found nesting in the eastern part of the breeding range and will winter on the Atlantic coast of North America and Ireland.