It was already a chaotic day at Powell River Orphaned Wildlife Society when a call came from Texada Island about a red-tailed hawk found lying by the side of the road, not moving.
The callers picked it up and took it home, then called PROWLS to arrange for the hawk to come over. The timing was perfect: PROWLS volunteers were already going to the vet with two other birds, so what does one more matter? The hawk was not standing, he was sitting with his legs splayed and his tail between his legs, leaning drunkenly against the side of the kennel.
As he was lifted from the kennel, his lightning fast feet sought anything to hold on to and happened to find PROWLS president Merrilee Prior’s hand. It was a fight to get his talons away and safely restrained, but the examination went smoothly after that. Dr. Barnes at Westview Veterinary Hospital found no fractures or problems with the hawk’s wings or legs, but diagnosed a bad concussion.
Back at the PROWLS facility, the hawk was placed in a quiet room to recover. At the first opportunity, he was sent to OWL, the raptor specialists in Delta, thanks to Pacific Coastal Airlines. OWL was told that the hawk and its mate had been seen carrying nest materials across the road where he was hit. OWL is working to get the hawk back in time to finish the nest and raise a brood this spring. It is improving daily, so PROWLS is hoping for a quick release.
