Red-tailed hawk two releases with Andew TWC

Andrew checking to make sure it is the right red tailed hawk.  There were three in the cage.  

 This red-tailed hawk has a bit of a history.  I watch the peregrine falcons at the Harlequin Building.  Quest and Sky are very protective of their space.  Back a few months ago this young Red-tailed hawk was being attacked by Quest and Sky to get him out of their territory.  Luckily this hawk had a friends and Sally and Don rescued him and took him to Toronto Wildlife Centre.  They cleaned him up, gave him some good food and then released him back in the wild.  Red-tailed hawk are on migration right now so they were able to release him away from the peregrine area.

He also does a wellness check to make sure bird is ready to fly.

A fantastic family with lots of property allowed us to release the hawk in their back farm area.  Perfect location for hunting and getting back on his feet. Andrew releases the cage.

The hawk was so ready to get out of cage.

He gained height and slowly made a right hand turn and flew right over us.

Good luck.  

This second red-tailed hawk was released where he was found.

Andrew - head of TorontoWildlife Centre rescue staff  and friend sent this beauty free

evil eye telling me I better get a shot of him.

Landed in tree a bit unsteady and very quickly flew again

And then he high perched on the tallest tree to decide where to go next.  Great day with Andrew.  Every day is a wonderful learning day.

Eastern Screech Owl released Early September 2014

The Owl Foundation called to let me know they had a beautiful ginger eastern  screech owl to release.  I said oh yes I will help. With Charm, and her three children we went to the location where owl was found and released him back in the bushes.
In this photo I took a photo of owl prior to release.  You can see one eye.

Can you see the top of his head

Charm does it again.  Captured perfectly out of the box and into the woods.

Her daughter also captured this amazing shot of the owl flight to freedom.

Again thanks to the person who made the call for this injured Screech Owl, The Owl Foundation for the rehabbing and care of the owl.  Thank you to Charms and her family for joining me on this amazing release.

Killdeer in oil - thanks TWC. Sept 2014

Back in early Sept Tammy and I were volunteering for Toronto Wildlife Centre rescue  and were busy looking for geese that had vegetable oil on them.  Once we arrived at pond we saw this killdeer on the side of the road.  We quickly called TWC who told us to get him in asap. Once the killdeer was stable they gave him a few baths.

All photos taken by TWC.  

While on holidays in Temagami Andrew called with the wonderful news that the killdeer had been released back in the wild.  Thank you TWC.

Toronto Wildlife Centre releases cygnet at Bluffers Sept 2014

3 days before the Trumpeter Swan cygnet had been rescued by Toronto Wildlife Centre staff Sarrah.  The cygnet had a fish hook in his back of leg to bum area.  Hook was removed and quickley returned to the family.

Sarrah releases the little cygnet at Bluffers Park.  

Male runs to meet his missing cygnet

FEmale shows her approval and flaps her wings

Young cygnet quickly runs down the hill to join his 6 other siblings

At the waters edge

Quickly joined by 2 of siblings

Female takes all the 7 cygnets out for a swim.  Male makes sure Sarrah and Andrew stays on shore.  lol

This rescue and release was only possible because Jill Ramsey made the call for help.  A friend had seen the hook, Jill monitored the situation and called when they were on shore.  Sarrah did the perfect rescue and quickly took swan to the TWC.

Thank you all.  

Black and White Warbler, cedar Waxwing Release Sept 2014

I was asked by Toronto Wildlife to release a few birds the other day.  Two cedar waxwings (juveniles), Swainson Thrush, Black and White Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, and a Magnolia Warbler.

 I had a good viewing of the Cedar Waxwing and just prior to release an adult flew over my head.  The 3 warblers I can honestly say I did not see them at all and the thrush needed a bit of help to leave.  Luckily the black and white warbler came back to say goodbye.  The Tennessee did as well but it was a flash.   Good work by TWC on the rehab of these beautiful birds.

two cedar waxings

Swainson Thrush

Barred Owl release August 15, 2014

Thanks to The Owl Foundation this beautiful Male Barred Owl was released back where he was found.  He came in last March with a eye injury.  On August 15, 2014 we set him free again.
Donna and I went to Vineland to pick up the owl.  I was so thrilled to get to hold the owl when Stacey banded it.
I guess you can tell I am happy.  All of the following photos at TOF are by Donna Hayes

Putting on the band

Checking the wings

Sharpening the talons.

checking the wings

Looking at those talons

being weighed 930 

Stage two was to go where the owl was found. Helena Chu joined me for this.
We found a great location on a dead end road with very little traffic and lots of trees and farmers fields.All the next photos are by Helena Chu

No I don't want to leave you

No I have no intention of leaving this cage.  

Please put the cage top back on. Helena stayed in the car during the release.  

take off

Freedom 

He flew  really well and landed in a fairly close tree.  The following three shots are by me.  

Thanks for the ride.

Thanks to The Owl Foundation for the wonderful work they do.  Stacey, Annick and Cathy.  Thank you.