A one year old bald eagle was set free yesterday morning at Pricketts Fort in Fairmont after months of rehabilitation. Cassie Moore, one of our wildlife biologist volunteers, did the release with several other volunteers on hand. This eagle was hit by a train south of Parkersburg, WV. We normally release birds where they were found but this is an exception. It's mating season and nesting raptors aggressively defend their territories. It could possibly be attacked by an adult eagle, even it's parents. It is very common for first year bald eagles to travel hundreds of miles from their nest site and be nomadic for several years until they become sexually mature. He was strong and healthy weighing in at a bit under ten pounds. Good luck big fellow and stop playing with trains.
This young red-tailed hawk was picked up early this year by one of our volunteers who happened to have spotted the hawk on the side of the interstate with obvious head trauma. He made a complete recovery and was ready to get back out to the wild. On Wednesday, he was released by Michaela, the very volunteer who brought him in.
Fledgling Red-shouldered hawk heading hack home
This little guy was found in Clarksburg with no significant injury. He was treated for about two weeks with rest and food therapy. He was returned to the folks who found him, and released. His family was waiting for him. He landed and did a baby squawk to announce his presence and then was told to get his tail feathers back home. A very happy reunion! 🪶❤️🪶
This little barred owl was lucky to be found in a remote area of Doddridge County by Kevin Currey while out at his job site. He was emanciated and unable to fly well. After a couple of months of rehab and TLC he was able to return home and fly free.
WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS GRAPHIC PHOTOS.
The first picture is of a Red-tailed Hawk named Elle. You met her back in May when she came to us emaciated and dehydrated with an eye injury and clipped wing feathers. She is doing well now, rehabilitating in a flight cage where she is enjoying the fresh West Virginia air.
Not all of our patients are as lucky as Elle though. We received another Red-tailed Hawk this past weekend with severe damage to his legs and feet. Unfortunately, he passed away due to his injuries. A thorough examination of his wounds lead us to believe a steel trap caused them. While steel traps are legal in WV using specific guidelines to trap certain wildlife, they can lead to painful deaths for unintended victims.
A before and after.
Roger, a Red-tailed Hawk, came to us back in February. As you can see in the picture in the comments, he was what the kids call “a hot mess”. Five months of rest and a steady diet of delicious rodents later - he’s flying again.
(Sound on to hear Roger flapping those big, beautiful wings!)
These two fledgling Kestrels were found at the Barbour County Fairgrounds. They were both squatting on the ground, hardly moving. This behavior is normal for fledgling birds. They’re still learning to fly and instinctively squat quietly so as not to attract potential predators. Big-hearted humans interpret this behavior as distress and capture them thinking they are helping. This is actually considered “birdnapping”. When you find a young bird that has all its feathers but seems to be a clumsy flyer, observe it from a distance. Learning to fly properly takes a little bit of time and, usually, the parents are nearby watching too. If the bird is visibly injured or no adult birds approach it after an hour, contact your local wildlife rehab center.
In the video, Mike is feeding the two Kestrel fledglings a delicious meal of mouse meat dipped in water. They have perfected their flying skills and will be released soon.
Liz releasing another successfully rehabbed red-tailed hawk in Harrison today. Its fun to watck them go.
And.......she's off! Good luck, Scraps! Live a long and wonderful life. (Please feel free to share any photos or videos of the release). Thank you to all those who came out to see our girl go home.
Scraps says she's ready for Saturday!! Come on out Nd join us. We will have one of our education bird aambassadors as well as some activities for the kids. Copies of "Raising Thunder" will be available for purchase and the author - and our founder- will be signing them after the eagle release. Activities begin at about 1030, with the eagle release at 12 noon. See our event posting for further information.
Red-shouldered Hawk release yesterday at Turner Run and Wickwire Rd. This is a baby that was way under-weight upon receipt. We kept him and fattened him up. Now he’s back with his family. Happy birthday Dee Wolfe!
Little male American Kestrel rescued in Clarksburg. No apparent injuries but he is way too thin. Tip of the wing to Gabby Davis for the assist. Now it’s time to eat.
Yesterday, our baby turkey vulture called Morticia was very successfully released. Brandon Hose did the honors as other guests and WVRRC volunteers looked on.
Mr Magoo on his way with a boost from Holly!
Great horned owl release on July 23 in Lumberport. So awesome to watch them fly off.
Specs, " Mr. Spectacular " just completed his second career program at the WV Wildlife Center in French Creek where we were celebrating West Virginia's 154th birthday. As luck word have it Specs was also celebrating a special birthday as June 20, 1782 was also the day that the Bald Eagle officially became this great countries National Symbol. Now, as you can see, he is enjoying the back half of a roadkill rabbit as his reward for a job well done.
Another successful release! Thank you, Sara! We think this little Cooper's Hawk was a victim of a window strike. Sara was able to get him to us. After a few weeks of rest (and waiting for the weather to cooperate), she was able to release him on a farm.
We would like to give a big tip of the wing to Prickett's Fort State Park! They let us release this feisty little Cooper's Hawk on their rail trail this afternoon. Look fast or you'll miss him!
I misspoke. The WV Hunting and Fishing Expo...soory
