Bluewater Centre For Raptor Rehabilitation
R.R #2 N0N 1T0 Wyoming, ON, Canada

This Canada Goose was found not moving at the edge of Lake Chipican until Carolin Brown came across her and noticed that she was not acting as a normal goose. She called BCRR where we were able to net her without struggle. She had fishing line wrapped several times around a foot and 4 times around the base of her neck partially strangling her. She was gasping to inhale her breath. After several days of hydration, humidified air and medication we were able to successfully release her back to her environment. A big thanks goes out to Lakeshore Veterinary Clinic for getting xrays done quickly and consultation with both Dr Sandy Taylor and Dr Sherri Cox, and BCRR for their intensive care therapy to help her on her way. Please be sure to take any loose fishing line home with you to help prevent these kinds of injuries.

Please sign the petition to stop wetlands from being dredged and developed commercially . So much of our wildlife depend on these areas to live and hunt and they are critical to the survival of these species.

Leucistic Red-tailed hawk release!

Reminder: if you find a bird in need of help, please call us directly. Messages on this page aren't checked regularly if there is an emergency. Information on what to do if you find a bird in need of help found here https://www.raptorrehabilitation.com/found-a-bird Primary contact numbers:... 519-466-2443 Or 226-349-2443 See more

What a difference a moult makes! BEFORE and AFTER photos of the SAME Red-tailed Hawk after moulting out it's juvenile feathers and replacing with new (second year) feathers. This hawk is unique, a leucistic bird, that we do not get to see very often. Leucism is a condition in which pigmentation (melanin) is lacking resulting in a pale/white appearance. This hawk was admitted back in spring after being found starving in a yard. The finder's observed the hawk eating worms an...d they were able to easily capture the hawk. The hawk was dehydrated, very thin and had numerous abraisions to it's feet and legs as well as an old fractured toe. The toe healed abnormally, was no longer functional, and could later cause arthritic pains for the hawk so the toe was amputated by Dr. Sandy Taylor of Lakeshore Veterinary Clinic. After some TLC, conditioning in the large flight enclosure and successfully catching prey, this beauty was recently released!

Always a thrill to see these beautiful birds released!

This second year Red Tailed Hawk was banded this week in order to get ready for release. He had been found at the side of the road stunned by a car strike with a mild head injury and bruising on the right side of his body. He spent a month with us at Bluewater Centre For Raptor Rehabilitation to allow us to watch him during his recovery. After a full recovery he was successfully released back to the area that he was found.

A beautiful day for a release ! This year we have had numerous Red -tailed Hawks just like this one released after injuries have healed and they are fit to return to the wild again. Thankyou Mark Heinle for your assistance in releasing two birds this day and our team of volunteers who come daily to feed and clean cages at the clinic which is an important part of their care in captivity . And to the team of Veterinarians and experienced Techs at Lakeshore Veterinarian . Thanks everyone!

This American Kestrel was very lucky to be found after flying over a flarestack. Her feathers are in rough shape as they were singed by the flames. Luckily, she didn't sustain any serious injuries and was found soon after the incident. She is in good body condition, despite the terrible looking plumage. She received fluid therapy initially to correct some dehydration. She is bright and alert, perching and eating well. She will be in care with us for a while as she will have to moult new feathers in.

This young seagull came to us with fishing line wrapped around his body, through both wings and around both feet. It was resucued by Linda McGregor andCraig Potter who saw it struggling on shore. After removing the line it was noted that the bird had abrasions on both wings from its struggles. There was some concern that he may have injested the leader and hook. Thank you BCRR for your care, Craig and Linda for their rescue. He was happy to be going home.

Red-tailed Hawk Release! We recently released the Red-tailed Hawk that was admitted to us in critical condition. This hawk was dehydrated, starving and had an old, abnormally healed leg fracture. Thanks to Dr. Sherri Cox and Octavio of National Wildlife Centre Canada who performed surgery on this bird to realign and stabilize the leg. ... Thanks to Dr. Sandy Taylor and the amazing veterinary team at Lakeshore Veterinary Clinic for performing a second surgery (at a later time) to remove a necrotic toe. Thanks to Matt for transporting this hawk and being a part of his release also. Despite many challenges this hawk did so well in care. He was flying strong and catching prey successfully before his release back home. He is a strong little warrior! It was a wonderful recovery and release to be a part of. Erica BCRR volunteer

Release video of one of two Vultures that came in injured and starving.

It was a beautiful night to release 2 amazing birds that happen to be one of my favorite Raptors!! Can you tell what they are? They are the roadway cleaner uppers and mostly the reason we get then into the centre. Road kill is their specialty but it comes with a price . A dangerous place to eat their meals. If you see road kill and can safely remove and toss it way off the road then scavengers like the Turkey Vultures, Eagles , Red Tail Hawks, Crows and a variety of ma...mmals will be safer. These two Vultures came in last fall injured.amd starving. They were released where other Vultures congregate in the evening. They are very social birds and easily accept 2 new outsiders. . See more

Thank you to those who responded to our need for a driver tomorrow to take our wee patient. A Sharp Shinned Hawk down to THE Owl Foundation while we wait for surgical arrangememrs. Midge and Jim have kindy offered to drive our bird THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU GIYS.

Hello Facebook friends, BCRR is in need of a driver to take an injured Sharp Shinned Hawk we have that needs surgery to the Owl Foundation in Vineland Station. It's about a 2-3 hr drive whereupon you will drop off the bird and leave. The bird needs to go tomorrow as early as possible as we are still making arrangements for the surgery . The bird can be picked up at my house or at the centre depending on the time frame Thankyou in advance for considering our request .... Lyyn Eves and the BCRR team See more

He was released today. Looking good, eating and drinking well. He was glad to join his many friends at the beach. A big thank you to Lakeshore Veterinarians for removing the fishing gear from his beak and foot.

Every year we get similiar calls about waterfowl caught up in fishing line especially on their legs feet and beaks . Each time we receive these calls it is almost impossible to rescue these birds because they are still able to fly away and get into the water. As the weeks pass the fishing line gets tighter and tighter around their limbs and cuts off circulation. An extremely painful ordeal for the bird with a predictable outcome of losing a limb. Once a bird is weakened a...nd unable to eat or walking has become too painful to take off from water or land it is finally able to be captured. In this case a Canada Goose was the unlucky recipient of careless fishing line in the water or on land. The pain this bird had to have endured sickens me and it makes me angry. We spent about an hour unwinding the tightly wound line from the remaining leg to make him.comfortable . Both legs had been originally tied together before the one foot came off from the line cutting into his leg. We put him on strong pain medication for a brief time before he was humanely put to sleep. See more

Every year we get a call at BCRR where a tree has been taken down because it is old and hollow and presents a danger. But because that tree is old it is more than likely home to more than one species of wildlife. Before you cut that tree down or burn that pile of brush seriously consider there may be wildlife in that tree or brush pile. Animals and birds nest and rear young around the same time we are tidying up our yards. Please look carefully for nests and hollow cavities . Better still wait until the fall to do your cutting if absolutely necessary. Man made nest boxes can substitute in some instances for cavity nesting birds and mammals.

A rather rare admission: a leucistic Red-tailed Hawk! Leucism is a condition affecting various species, in which a lack of pigmentation results in white patches or an overall pale colour. This leucistic Red-tailed hawk came to us after a lovely couple noticed her eating worms in their backyard. She was starving when she was found, easily captured and transported to us. We are unsure of the exact cause of her injuries, but she has sustained multiple abraisions to her legs and feet, broken tail feathers, a fractured digit 3 and loss of a talon. She is currently undergoing treatment, gaining weight and doing well in care!

While you #stayhome you might be noticing birds colliding with your untreated windows. If you do witness a collision, follow these instructions on how to help the injured bird! For more information: flap.org/injured/#help

We have another happy ending to share. Aimee and Matt Raspburg found a tiny little ball of fluff in their yard sitting on the ground. They contacted BCRR and sent a picture to us for advice what to do. The tiny bird was a baby Eastern Screech Owl that was still covered in down and estimated to be a 2 week old nestling. Sometimes baby birds get moving around the nest as they grow and stretch their bodies to peek out over the sides or cavities and get accidentally pushed... out by siblings. Or maybe the nest cavity is too small to hold all the growing babies .This is a natural occurance in the wild. Today BCRR and the Rasburg family were able to intervene and help this little baby still too young to be out of the nest get up the tree to safety again and re unite with its parents The Raspburgs were comfortable assessing the situation and answering our questions about the babies well -being, so we felt assured that the owlet was healthy and ready for reuniting . Matt constructed a roosting box, a design suggested by BCRR where the baby could be placed and will offer shelter from the winds and rain as well as a place for the parents to deliver food.The box was placed in a tree close to where the baby was found. Parents are near by . That night while the Raspburgs watched, the parents came to feed the Owlet. All was good and this baby didn't have to share with siblings. The next night another baby is found out of the nest. It too is placed in the roost box. This owlet appears a couple days older with more feathers developed. Baby Owlets will hatch out on different days depending on when the egg was layed and parent begins incubating . This is called asynchronous hatching. .

Long-tailed duck release after being freed from fish netting. Thanks to @Matt Parsons

Be respectful of nature! Each year at BCRR, we assist numerous birds who have become entangled in fishing line, netting and fishing gear. Monofilament fishing line is a strong material that easily snags on a bird’s beak, wings, and legs causing injuries and even death. Birds (and other wildlife) will struggle to free themselves, but over time the line will tighten and may cause loss of circulation to an extremity, the eventual loss of a limb, strangulation, starvation, and in... some cases death. This beautiful Long-tailed duck was very lucky to be rescued by Matt Parsons. After noticing the duck entangled and in obvious distress, Matt rescued this bird from the lake and transported the duck to us for treatment. Weak and exhausted from his efforts of trying to free himself and forage for food while entangled in netting and debris, this bird needed help! Long-tailed ducks breed in the arctic tundra. They are deep diving seaducks, diving as deep as 200ft! They use their wings to propel themselves as they dive in search of fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans and plant matter. Upon examination, the netting was entangled tightly around his neck (which we quickly removed) as well as his body, wings and legs. While in care he received fluid therapy, nutrition and a safe place to rest while he regained his strength to continue his migration north. We are happy that Matt recently released this Long-tailed duck after his short stay with us in care. Please pick up your fishing line and dispose of garbage responsibly.

Not a.new share but worth circulating again especially during baby bird season, baby mammals and at a time when the parents are distracted and desperately searching for food to feed their young . Be a responsible pet owner please.

Do you see what I see?? Look hard This bird has found a safe secure spot to lay her eggs and incubate for the next several weeks. She is hiding inside of a cedar bush believing she is completley out of sight. I explain to the homeowner where the bird has decided to dwell that she poses no threat to anyone and will leave the nest as soon as her babies hatch in about 4 weeks . She will take an uncertain and sometimes dangerous path while her babies follow behind eating insect...s and grass along the way until she finds water. The small fluff balls can't fly so mom is their only hope for survival to keep them safe and warm on this journey. They will stay with the female for 50-60 days until the babies mature. It's best not to disturb mom once babies hatch but to let her and her brood leave your yard and make their journey with her good instincts to a source of nearby water. Like many birds today this bird has had to learn to adapt to its loss of habitat and adjust to urban living. A far greater amount of birds will never be able to make this urban adjustment to be amongst humans because they are solitary. Sadly these solitary species will die out if we don't save spaces for them to live in . Spaces that they can choose not us. Wild undisturbed spaces Have you figured out our mystery bird hiding in the bushes?? .

Dear Friends, we just received our first phone call regarding newborn fawns, therefore it is the time of the year to post this. Deer deliver their newborns in t...he strangest of places! Residents will find them and be concerned about a newborn deer on their lawn, in their garden, under the azaleas, etc. Most call because they think the fawn is in peril and Mom is nowhere to be found. Well, Mom is actually off feeding and helping to keep predators away. Those who call ask what they should do for the fawn ... Leave it alone, do not touch, move or attempt to feed it. Here's the scoop. Deer are NOT like horses. They do not have their legs under them immediately and need time to rest after birth. Horses get up and go that's the sign of a healthy horse. A healthy fawn will curl up, nap most of the day and move their heads. They have no scent and predators cannot find them unless humans interfere. Mom leaves during the day for 2 primary reasons: to feed, and to keep her scent a distance from the fawn. Mom will come back (unless something tragic happens to her), but don't expect her until dusk and certainly don't expect her if humans are hovering around. If you are fortunate enough to have the gift of a fawn please enjoy the experience, respect Mother Nature and let the Mom do what comes naturally. She will move the fawn daily so you may see it in different locations. Please share, thank you. See more

The latest update on the two Great Horned Owlets that were placed into their makeshift nest when their original nest tree blew down in a storm back in April. From now until about September the young will stay with their parents and continue to be fed and learn how to hunt for prey. When the babies first fledge from their nest they are called branchers and like all baby birds that first fledge they cannot yet fly. Their tail and wing feathers are not fully developed so it is... more of a flap and jump to get around. They are still fully dependant on both of their parents for food. The Horned Owls are one of the few species that have such a long parental support. During this time baby birds are very vulnerable to predation by other animals because they are unable to fly and get away . Hiding in bushes and undergrowth is their best defense. Once feathers develope which depending on the specie may take a week to several weeks they will hide and hop and flap after their parents and beg for food. Please be respectful of ALL baby birds at this stage and leave them alone unless visually injured .Gently remove them from danger such as on the road and place them in a area nearby to hide . Keep your CATS INDOORS . This is baby birds greatest non- native predator. Enjoy Nature. Photos are courtesy of Wilhelmina Waters