Rescued a hawk this evening - probably an immature red shoulder

[csziggy]

It was hard to tell, he was wet and his feathers damaged. He was in one of the horse water troughs - probably fell in while trying to drink. We keep sticks in the troughs so animals can climb out but apparently he managed to tip the stick out while trying to get out. He was so exhausted he did not try to struggle at all even after he was in the cat carrier and had rested a while. I carried him to one of the local wildlife rescue groups so they could get treatment and take care of him. When he recovers, they will release him back out here. I'll get pictures when we release him, didn't think about it tonight in the rush to get him to treatment.

[eleny]

1. I'm glad you found him in time!

[csziggy]

2. I wasn't the one who found him

The young man who takes care of the farm and horses found him and did a great job of getting him out of the trough and to us without stressing the bird.

I forgot to call the rescue group to check on him. I hope he makes it!

[csziggy]

3. The little hawk recovered and we released him this evening

We're still not sure what kind of hawk he is - immature for certain. Maybe a red-shoulder, maybe a Cooper's hawk.

He had just needed rest and some feeding - he was slightly underweight. But today he was ready to be released and had gotten pretty agitated about being caged. The wildlife rescue group called and they brought him out and let us release him. He took off straight out of the carrier and flew up into a group of oak trees on the edge of one of the pastures.

We'll be on the lookout for him. I hope he does OK.

Other raptor news - a swallow tail kite was swooping around the house today. It may have been checking out the sprinklers since it has been so dry around here recently.