Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tiny baby
This is a very young Western Screech Owl, the smallest eared owl we have in these parts. He weighs a whopping 4.125oz. This nestling was one of four that fell out of their nest cavity after the tree they were living in was cut down. After slamming into the ground from about 30' high, the logger then cut the trunck into 6-8' pieces. Not knowing there was a nest in the tree he was very surprised when he made one cut and had four babies tumble out. He said they hurried back into the cavity so he didn't do anything about them. Unfortunately that was yesterday, he didn't call me until this morning. I didn't know the timing so when I got there I expected to just find all four sitting around waiting for help. After a friend who lives in Burlington came over to help look we managed to find just this one baby. Because of the lag time between his cutting into the nest cavity and my arriving on the scene the chances of the other three surviving the night were very poor. My friend said she'd go back tonight to listen and hope to hear the babies begging for food so they can be found. Thanks B.J. for trying. This baby is very depressed so his prognosis is guarded right now.
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The dumb sh**t! Now this poor survivor has had a shock,has been under a lot of stress out in the cold with no feedings, meaning things look really glum for it. So very sad. And to think that this out come could have been avoided! Gerrrr
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