Elora Wildlife in Need

  Willow and I rescued a Merlin!  This was on April 9th, a Sunday, as we were out on our morning walk.  We were on Mathieson Street and spotted a larger bird on the ground (on someone's driveway) with something dark underneath.  I thought he must have just caught something and moved in slowly for a better look.  As we approached, the poor thing tried to flutter away, dragging one wing behind.  Oh-oh...  I had just noticed that two men entered a house across the street so I went to the door and a lady came out, “Can I help you?”  I asked her for a large box to trap the bird and instead I got a box, the two gentlemen and pairs of gloves!  With Willow tied to a tree (she was so good), a big coffee machine box and leather gloves, we circled the bird, cornered him and I rushed forward and squished the box on top of him.  One of the men helped get him into the box and close it up, but the bird didn’t put up much of a fight at all (I was worried).  Very graciously, they drove us all home and I called our 24 hour vet's office and they told me to call the Guelph Humane Society to access their 24 hour wildlife service. 

  So Tyler, an Animal Protection Officer, (THIS would be the job I always wanted!!!) arrived 40 minutes later and the bird kicked up a fuss as the box was put into his truck.  That was a good sign!  Later, Tyler phoned to say the bird was bright and active and many hands were needed to examine him. He reported that "The species of bird was a Merlin, a type of falcon. The break was proximal on the humerus, right close to where the head of the upper wing inserts into the shoulder capsule. We performed a wrap on the wing to prevent further injury and support the joint (much the same as you would on a human!), gave subcutaneous fluids to make sure the bird was hydrated, and administered an oral painkiller prior to sending to rehab. We sent the Merlin to Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge who work to rehabilitate a number of wildlife species."   

  So send good thoughts to our little Merlin and hope for him a speedy and complete recovery!  Perhaps he's already testing his mended wing!  Open skies! 

You can read more about Merlins here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/elyunque/learning/nature-science/?cid=stelprdb5208587

 and here: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/merlin. 

If you ever encounter injured wildlife in the Guelph area, please do take action and contact the Guelph Humane Society at 519-824-3091, even on Sunday.  It doesn't take much to help our fellow wild creatures, especially with this dedicated team of professionals only a phone call away.  
  And please consider helping out your local wildlife rehabilitation center.  

Photo at the top is of our rescue, taken by the great folks at Hobbitstee, from their Facebook page.