Eagle & Owl Released Today!

This afternoon more than twenty islanders gathered to watch as a Barn Owl and a Bald Eagle came home to Gabriola to be released close to where they were initially rescued. Both birds had been injured in the wild, rescued by GROWLS, and taken off-island for treatment and rehabilitation.

The Barn Owl, a species of special concern, is a rare resident in the southeastern Vancouver Island region. This one was released at the end of Dorby Road off Peterson.

Barn Owl ready for release back into the forest



Bye-bye cage! (Photo thanks to Tawny Capon)




I'm outa' here! (Photo by Tawny Capon)

As soon as the owl flew into the woods (after relieving himself after the long car ride!) crows and ravens began makng themselves known. Perhaps they were letting everyone know an old neighbour had returned home?


FIRST EAGLE RELEASE ON ISLAND
This Bald Eagle, released today at Brickyard Beach, is the FIRST one ever to be rescued on Gabriola, taken off-island for treatment and rehabilitation, then successfully returned to the island for release. So today was very special ...




A good crowd gathered at Brickyard Beach to honour and quietly cheer on the eagle.
(Photo thanks to Tawny Capon)



A wet feet beginning. (Photo by Tawny Capon)



Off he goes! (Photo by Tawny Capon)

A Few Bald Eagle facts:

• This most majestic of birds is a common resident of the southern coast of BC
• Eagles don't mate until they have their characteristic white head and tail feathers, at about four or five years old
• When they do mate, it's for life
• Many reuse their nests year after year, adding sticks each season until the nest is massive!
• Their chicks are hatching now - or very very soon!

For more about the Bald Eagle check out the GROWLS website: http://www.growls.ca/

Bald Eagle rescued; now recuperating in Errington

GROWLS got the call on November 1 just before dusk. An eagle had been spotted hopping along North Road near Bertha dragging a wing. A rescue team was organized.


Our feisty healthy bald eagle. Photo by Carmel B.

Since GROWLS rescuers most often see eagles when they are sick or injured, they were surprised by the feistiness of the big, healthy five year old male with a broken wing. The cause of the injury has not been determined.

Ready for transport. Photo by Carmel B.

After capture he was taken to Twin Cedars Veterinary Clinic for the night before being transported the next day to Island Veterinary Hospital in Nanaimo where he was assessed and surgery was performed. Later the eagle was taken to North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington where he will recuperate in their 42.5 metre long rehabilitative flight cage - which I happened to see last weekend on my first visit to NIWRC.

Check it out here: www.niwra.org

During my visit, there were several eagles in the flight cage, a safe environment that gives a recuperating bald eagle the opportunity to regain strength and practice flying until it is healthy again before being returned (usually) to the location where it was found. Our feisty Gabriola eagle is just one of approximately 60 eagles admitted to the Centre each year, mostly with gun shot wounds, lead shot poisoning, injuries from car collisions, or suffering from starvation. He will - if all goes well - be returned to Gabriola in the future for release back to the wild near the spot where he was found.

In addition to the rehab flight cage for eagles, NIWRC runs the Museum of Nature (a fascinating educational museum), the Vancouver Island Black Bear Rehab Program, and a treatment centre. There is also a large public viewing area where non-releasable wildlife are cared for. They also offer a year round education program for schools and community groups and have a lovely Gift Shop where I found some great Christmas presents. 

NIWRC is definitely worth the trip. And if you go soon, please say hello to our eagle and wish him well!