Poison Killed the Babies Again

Over the course of many years I have seen baby birds nest in lot around the house every year the baby robins will suddenly die. The only thing that makes sense is some kind of poison is building up inside of them killing them. Why the adults are not dying and where they are getting it from makes absolutely no sense to me. I don't feel that bad but it happens year after year. Pesticides, rat poison and anything toxic to people is most likely toxic to birds. It gets onto my nerves that people can spray chemicals onto there lawns and the robins go and eat the worms full full of poison and the poison concentrates into something more toxic into the parent birds who feed it to their young who die from it. Think before you spray.

Birds Vs. Windows: Evening Grosbeak

Every year about 1 billion birds are killed by collision with windows uncounted are the ones that survive. I have tended to see that birds collide with windows when the window is close to a green belt or forest of some sort. The idea of why birds hit the window is that the bird see the reflection of a forest beyond. Where there is a window there is a bird to hit it.
Once again I was subjected to the feats of nature when a male evening grosbeak hit the window of the cabin. He hit the window straight on which may have saved his life. He hit the window and fell off to the side. The first thing i learned when dealing with a bird that hits a window his to immobilize it. Therefor I pressed my hand down on his side to keep him from trying to flap covering his eyes to try to relax him. As soon as i felt that his neck wasn't broken I lifted him up and kept him on his side in my hand. I checked that his wing joints and bones were ok. Then checked that he hadn't bloated or that he didn't have blood in his eyes or mouth to signify internal damage. Most birds after that simply want to relax and he stayed on his side and I didn't have to fight to keep him there. After a few minutes I held him upright he started looking around and I kept my hands cupped around him cause the wind was strong. After looking about the world for a while he hopped onto the balcony and then flew off to the nearest tree. I checked that his flight pattern was straight and he hadn't have much traumatic head damage. He flew off a while later to join his flock.

The hurt robin far far away

Today I went for a hike in the woods about 2 hrs in I noticed something scrambling in the bushes. Upon investigating it a learned it was a robin that had somehow become stuck. Being me I decided to see if I could help it but before I managed to get it, it got free and flew away with an obvious broken leg and crash landed somewhere further into the bramble. Two thoughts struck me at the same time. I could of chased the bird down and might have caught it and maybe have helped it or I could let it be. But before I tell you what I did I'm going to ramble a bit. I think to be a wildlife rehabilitator you have to be willing to get dirty and but I thought about how animals get injured with out human interaction and is really right to save those. I feel that if someone harms an animal it isnt natural but if it breaks its leg far out in the woods it is natural selection and I shouldn't interfere with it. But i still felt compelled to help the poor bird out. It is amazing a bird can still muster energy to lift off and fly when its in that much pain.
Switching stories I'm in the middle of nowhere seriously I mean move 25 min walk in any direction you hit national wildlife area its great this is the place I would love to live forever it saddens me how many kids haven't been this far out. I mean Yellowstone really isnt real wilderness anymore its to controlled by humans but in the back country that's where real lessons are learned and its amazing. Animals aren't used to people and aren't really afraid the air is clear even your skin knows it and there are more stars the dark spots in the sky.
And now back to the robin I didn't chase him I watched him fly away later on. It will survive I can tell. I think its best to wait till an animal is in serious need before interfering. Choose your battles wisely.

-Izi

What Wild Means

The wild in wildlife is commonly ignored but the serious damage a wild animal can cause is real. From deer to bears to coyotes to birds creatures are out there that can cause traumatic damage. People should never go out of their way to try to capture or to find a wild animal. Read the full article on the New York Times website here.

Summer Seasons

It is a calm time around the summer when any baby animals have all gotten old enough to survive and before the collision rate goes up. This is the calm peaceful time. Though this year the robins nested late and they are still sitting on eggs. So for an view this year Kona, a goose was released back into her flock, Alburt a robin was saved then also released when he learned to feed. I saw Creat , a crow, this year so he is still alive in the area. I hope you all are enjoying the summer and don't run over any frogs when the rain comes.
-Izi

(not so) Wild Animals As Pets

We all know know of someone who has kept a wild animal for a period of time as a pet. Whether its for the cool factor of because they want to help some baby animal face it its illegal. Unless you have a permit almost all native animals are protected under one treaty or another. There are some exceptions though and thats what this topic is on.
The main rule is if it is invasive its allowed. Invasive species are an ecological hazard and cause a huge threat to an ecosystem but with that I will dive right into invasive species that are open for the taking (be sure to check with your local government laws I am not responsible for your stupidity). I will go over a few options that should wet your wistle when it comes to the varity of non-native animals.
The European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) was introduced to New York in 1890-91 since then it has quickly spread across the United States. There very aggressive and successfully competes with native species. Starlings are very smart intelligent birds and their quickly growing as a pet industry. Mozart owned one and there are rather talkative. If you are interested in a starling this is a good website to start you out.
There are two reptiles that I will touch on the Cane toad and Brown Tree Snake. The Brown Tree snake (Boiga irregularis) for all you reptile lovers is originally from Australia and was first detected in Guam in the 1950's. It preys off bird species and is becoming a large threat to nesting birds and their young. The Brown Snake has received a bad rap due to its infestation in Guam and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. The Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) these are native to southern U.S.A but are invasive to the islands of Hawaii and to Australia. There are still in the pet trade however. The Cane Toad eats most anything it can swallow so you can understand the damage to other natives. If you are interested in a cane toad this website should help get you started. Word to the wise these suckers get huge!
I can't bring up invasive species without mentioning the fish industry. Each year thousands of fish are moved across the globe so satisfy the aquarium industry. Many of them soon become invasive such as Plecostomus catsish commonly sold about 3 inches long or so these cute little things make great companions for an aquarium but can quickly become huge monsters that people decide to dump in local waterways. These fish have ended up surviving and are taking over many United States water systems. There have also been sightings of lionfish that have taken hold along the east coast of the United States that are quickly becoming a problem.
If you are interested in a non-native pet be sure to never release it because the damage can be largely significant. But other then that have fun just check local laws before you collect any animal.
-Izi