Northwest Nature Log: A busy spring at the wildlife center

Published 10:02 am Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Life is hopping at the Wildlife Center of the North Coast — hopping, fluttering, soaring and swimming, actually.

The narrow winding lane that leads off the highway to the center closes away the world of big box stores, log trucks and roaring cars. Native alder, pines and hemlock lean into the road, huckleberry and ferns crowd the edges, often harboring rabbits and deer. There’s a reason for the speed limit of 10 miles per hour, because this place is for the critters. Many rehabbed deer, owls, porcupines and songbirds have been released on the property and now call it home.

Inside you are greeted by the familiar sounds and yes, smells. There is a certain pungency to any place birds and animals are housed. Somehow, it’s a good smell. New, important things have happened at the center over the past several months.

Each enclosure now has a clipboard attached with key information about each bird: injury, date of admission, what they eat. Each bird has its own identification tag when they leave their enclosure. There is an intake process and a daily huddle to talk about what is most important to get done that day. And there are the birds.

Four tiny mallard ducklings huddled together beneath a feather duster and plush “mother” duck. The real mother was unavoidably hit by a car and the kind driver caught four little ones and got them to the Center. They swim ambitiously in two inches of sink water as their enclosure is cleaned. Fresh new grass is cut into short lengths and placed with the duckling chow. Back they go, scooting for safety under the feather duster at lightening speed.

Next, it’s time to feed the barred owl. This owl had been in the center four days. He was limp and unresponsive when admitted with a serious head injury. This day he was perched on his little log, watching us alertly as we prepared to feed him a dismantled small rat. Owls need the entire rat, feet, head and all, in order to digest the meat. The remains will be coughed up in a pellet a few hours after the meal. We always check for a pellet when cleaning, to assure that digestion is working both ways. He is held gently but firmly, wrapped in a towel, as the other volunteer offers tasty chunks of rat. At this point he was still unable to take the bit from the forceps, so his beak was gently pried open and the food placed in the back of his mouth. Swallowing motions, eyes half closed (in pleasure I hope), and ready for more. He ate the whole thing.

Flynn, one of the center’s education birds, is a kestrel who has a severe right wing and leg injuries. A kestrel is a small, colorful falcon. He is unable to be released because his injuries are permanent. Flynn loves to go outside every day, and indeed, needs to for stimulation. Josh asked him to step onto his wrist, secured him with a “jess” or thin, light strap that attaches just above the bird’s foot. Away we went for a 20 minute walk. Flynn didn’t miss a thing. Big, dark hunter’s eyes caught every movement in the bushes and trees.

Last, but certainly not least, is Cormie. He is a small cormorant who has won the hearts of everyone at the center. We try hard not to make pets of the birds, because it is not healthy for them to see people as all good and all trustworthy. It’s hard not to with Cormie. He has free run of the hospital side of the center. One of his favorite things to do is quietly walk up to a volunteer cleaning an enclosure and nab the wet sponge out of the soapy cleaning bucket. Sponges are his favorite things and you will find them scattered around the center, and in Cormie’s beak. He walks proud with his sponge. Some of the volunteers have put together a large cup labeled “Toys.” It contains other of his favorite things for his selection, but sponges still come out on top. He is a quiet, inquisitive, unaggressive soul, padding around, checking out the washer repairman, and endearing himself to all of us.

There are more birds: the fulmars, the bald eagle injured in a battle with another eagle, the ever present common murres, calling and singing to each other as they have the best time ever bathing in the steel sinks. They all lend a sound or sense to the background cacophony that is a joyous noise to this volunteer.

Every bird that can be released is given its freedom. Most of us go to the releases. Happy times. The carrier doors open and the birds scoot for freedom, hardly believing their luck. Flying or swimming away from us, always to be in our hearts.

It feels so good to share their lives for a short time and to help.

For information about the Wildlife Center of the North Coast, see www.coastwildlife.org or call 503-338-0331.