AWARE’S TAILS FROM THE WILD The Tales Behind the Tails Over the past year, AWARE has rescued more than 1,200 wild animals, returning the majority of them to the wild. These animals come to us for many different reasons, but because our patients can't tell us what happened to them, sometimes we can only guess what is wrong. Typically, the injured or orphaned animals we treat are brought to the center by caring members of the public, but our dedicated volunteers often drive many miles out of their way at inconvenient times to rescue injured wildlife. No matter the season, there is always an interesting array of wildlife at AWARE. All of the animals have their own unique tales. None of the volunteers will soon forget the small, bristly black wild pigs that spent several weeks recovering from their injuries after an A pair of orphaned wild pigs at AWARE encounter with some dogs left them orphaned and bleeding. Their constant snorting and rooting about for food provided lots of laughter at the center during their stay, and could they ever squirm and squeal! Because wild pigs are a non-native species and cannot be released into the wild, this lucky duo found a home where they will be raised as farm pets. Another patient of special note was a Great Horned Owl that came to AWARE after flying into a barbed wire fence that had pierced
its eye. Dr. Hadley and several volunteers commented on how exciting it was to care for a G r e a t Horned Owl at the c e n t e r since they don’t often come into After eye surgery and many weeks treatment. of rehabilitation, this Great S t r a n g e l y Horned Owl was released . enough, soon thereafter AWARE became a nursery for four Great Horned Owl orphans. After a difficult eye surgery performed by Dr. Hadley and many weeks of rehabilitation, the adult owl recovered. In fact, once she was well, she helped teach the fledgling owlets how to be “real” Great Horned Owls. One of last year’s most unusual stories involved a Cooper’s hawk and a squirrel. According to the rescuer, the hawk had captured the squirrel on the ground, but before it could make the kill and fly off, the squirrel's "posse" attacked the hawk. In fact, the hawk got the worst of it. The squirrel ran off, while the hawk spent several weeks in rehabilitation for a broken wing bone. At one point last summer, AWARE became an infirmary for sixteen fox kits -- the unfortunate orphans of parents that were trapped and killed as "nuisances." Rounding (Continued on page 5)
Winter 2013 Inside this Issue Hot Winter Nights
p. 7
Photos from a Wild Year p. 4
In Each Issue Director’s Reflections from the Wild
p. 2
Wing Beat: Common Sparrows of Georgia p. 3 Rehab 911! Helping an Injured Animal
p. 5
Spotlight on Georgia’s Wildlife: Red-Tailed Hawks p. 6 Meet the Ambassador: Tweakers the Red-Tailed Hawk
p. 6 AWARE’s Mission, Hours, Wish List & More p. 8 Senior Writer and Editor: Melanie Furr mefurr@bellsouth.net
www.AWAREwildlife.org
Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
Board of Directors
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Director’s Reflections from the Wild
This winter at AWARE was Kristi Warren relatively quiet President of the chirping McKesson of birds and the Lindsay Wallace quiet has been Vice President only occasionNewfields ally interrupted by the mewling Linda Potter of baby squirTreasurer rels, the honkRetired ing of adult geese, hissing of Kim Mitchell Dr. Tarah Hadley opossums, and Secretary the flapping of raptor wings. It is a good Mitchell Consulting time to reflect on where we’ve come Alex Hoffman from over the past year as well as look MCL Industries ahead to the promise of the future. I am grateful for how much AWARE has reKelly Jordan cently accomplished and I am ever humPoint Center Corporation bled by the generosity of volunteers, donors, and staff that made it all possible. Melinda Matla I would like to say a huge thank you to KPMG the individuals and groups involved with some very essential projects at the center. I would first like to thank the federal employees of the Atlanta region who parManagement Team ticipated in the Combined Federal CamDr. Tarah Hadley, DVM paign aka the CFC. These employees Director were gracious enough to donate to AWARE and other non-profit organizaLinda Potter tions some of the proceeds from their Assistant Director paychecks. Their kind gifts will be a lasting treasure to the center for the rest of Marjan Ghadrdan 2013. Wildlife Care Supervisor Special thanks also to John Kral of Kral X-Ray, who donated and installed Tammi Scarbro an x-ray processor machine for the cenWildlife Care Supervisor ter. Now we don’t have to take our animals elsewhere to check them out for Bird photos from page three, broken bones and other injuries; that can clockwise from top left: be very stressful for them. In the backSong Sparrow ground of John Kral’s donation was White-throated Sparrow Melanie Haire -- wildlife rehabilitator Chipping Sparrow extraordinaire and beloved friend of the Field Sparrow center. If not for Melanie, who already Swamp Sparrow does so much for us, we would never Savannah Sparrow have met John. We’re still not sure how Melanie does everything she does.
Thanks as well to Kamal Aladil. Kamal stopped by the center one fall day after a run up Arabia Mountain (kudos to those who can do this!) and said he was an artist and was willing to donate his time to help us. Little did he know what that meant. Thanks to his donation so far of months of time, AWARE will soon have a beautifully decorated sign near the street that will announce our presence to all who drive by or stop by our location on Klondike Road in Lithonia. I would like to especially thank Katrina Morris and Thomas Floyd, wildlife biologists with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, for joining us for our first 2013 Michael D. Ellis Memorial Wildlife Series in January. Katrina and Thomas talked to an audience that included volunteers, rehabilitators, and the general public about the latest bat and bog turtle conservation efforts. We greatly appreciate the time they took to enlighten us about these efforts and the job that they do every day trying to conserve these and other endangered species. Thanks to generous donations from the audience and a matching donation from AWARE to the DNR Conservation Fund, we were able to do our part to help conserve these species Finally, thank you AWARE volunteer Christopher Dunlap. Actually, our thanks are premature for Chris as he is still working hard on repairing and replacing the floors throughout the entire center with much of the tile that was graciously donated by Floor and Décor as well as others. This is no easy task and Chris, a newlywed and full-time student, has taken countless days out of his own personal time to help us see this through to the end before the busy season begins. By the way, he still does rehab during his breaks. Chris has done a beautiful job and this has really given a huge facelift to the center. I am amazed and humbled by all of the donations. On behalf of the countless animals we serve, I say thank you!
Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
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Wing Beat Enjoying Georgia’s Birds Common Sparrows of Georgia Georgia is a great place for birding. Besides our resident birds, Georgia has many species of migratory birds that pass through during spring and fall migrations or that come down from the north for the winter to take advantage of our food sources and warmer weather. At any time of year, Georgians can see several species of sparrows -- you know, those little brown blobs that are difficult to identify even when they are close to you. Three sparrow species that are permanent residents in Georgia are the Chipping, Field and Song Sparrows. The Marietta Christmas Bird Count used to have the highest count in the nation for Chipping Sparrows, but development changed that many years ago. This sparrow can be recognized by its rusty brown head cap, a white stripe over the eye, and a black streak through the eye. It’s a small sparrow that readily visits feeders. “Chipping” refers to this bird’s call, a continuous rapid trill like the whirr of a sewing machine lasting 2-3 seconds. Field Sparrows can be recognized by their orange/pink bills, a color not seen in other sparrows. They also have rusty head caps with white eye rings and solid gray or buff breasts. Two wing bars can also readily be seen. Field sparrows prefer open countryside, but can also regularly be seen around feeders in suburban areas. Like other sparrows, they forage on the ground or in low vegetation, eating primarily insects and seeds. Song Sparrows are one of North America’s most widespread and geographically variable songbirds. In the southeast, they have heavy brown streaking on their white breasts, usually with a prominent central spot, so it’s best to view them at an angle from which you can see their frontal profile. As their name implies, they have a rich varied warble for their song, and they are one of
spring and summer’s most persistent singers. Unlike Field and Chipping Sparrows, Song Sparrows do not tend to form large flocks. Three common species of sparrow are seen in the Atlanta area only in winter: Savannah, Swamp, and Whitethroated Sparrows. The White-throated Sparrow, the most common in our area, can frequently be seen scratching on the ground under your seed holder. Its white throat is distinct from its gray breast, and the yellow spot in front of its eye can be either bright or pale in appearance and usually requires binoculars to see clearly. These sparrows come in two color forms (morphs) with either black and white or brown and tan stripes on the top of their heads. Savannah Sparrows, named after Savannah, Georgia, are mostly seen in open fields of the countryside. They like to feed in tall grasses where they blend in nicely because of the fine brown and white streaks on their white chests, coupled with a pale brown back. This sparrow also has a dull yellow spot in front of the eye like the Whitethroated, but its chest streaks differentiate it. Swamp Sparrows, as their name implies, like to be around water, especially shallow wetlands. They have longer legs than other sparrows to allow them to wade in shallow water, and they sometimes stick their head under water to catch aquatic invertebrates. They mostly forage near the ground for bugs and invertebrates, but do eat seeds sometimes. You typically first note their rich brown wing, gray breast and face, and a reddish brown head cap. With a little practice and the help of good binoculars, the sparrow species common to the southeast become fairly easy to differentiate, so give it a try next time you see a little brown bird. By Jim Wilson Jim Wilson has been birding for over twenty years. A former president of Atlanta Audubon Society, Jim has co-authored several guidebooks, including Common Birds of Greater Atlanta. Jim is a dedicated
can you identify these Little Brown Birds? (Answers on page two)
Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
Tails from a Wild Year at AWARE
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Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
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Tales Behind the Tails (continued from page one) up the kits for checkups was quite a task! Once these prey and kill countless others. Still more animals are youngsters were weaned and given a clean bill of health, brought to AWARE after well-meaning, but misguided they were transferred to a rehabilitator in South Georgia people have attempted to raise them as pets. Baby animals with special permits to release them on hundreds of are often brought to us after they have developed health acres of private land, which will afford them the best problems from improper care, while other animals are surpossible chance against hunters and trappers. Perhaps rendered to us later in life, after they have matured and the most novel and irresistible patients of the past year become more difficult to deal with. (It should be noted that were an orphaned fawn and baby otter, but each animal - Georgia law prohibits the possession of wildlife or any of - from the tiny songbirds and squirrels to the Canada its parts except with special permits). Wild animals that geese and coyotes -- is unique and important. are brought to us after being Sadly, most of the animals that come to us are injured senselessly injured are the or orphaned as a result of human activity. Wild animals most upsetting cases of all -are often hit by cars, especially hawks, owls, and other the goose with an arrow raptors that often hunt for prey feeding along roadsides through its neck, the hawk (an excellent reason not to throw food from car win- shot with a BB gun, the heron dows!). Other animals are brought to us after being at- tangled up in carelessly dis- This goose was lucky to make it into tacked by off-leash dogs or cats, while others are evicted carded fishing line, or the ani- treatment. Many others are not so lucky. from their homes when people cut down trees, prune mals whose legs have been partially severed in traps. Unhedges, or clear overgrown areas without checking them fortunately, human activity often hurts wildlife, which is for nests first. Secondary poisoning brings animals into why AWARE’s mission to educate the public about wildour care as well. Eating rodents or other animals that life conservation is so vital. have been poisoned is often lethal to hawks, owls, foxes, In spite of some disheartening cases, the majority of the and other carnivores, and work we do is hopeful and rewarding. Every time someone those that make it into treat- calls AWARE with a question about a wild animal or ment are usually very sick. brings an animal to the center, we have the opportunity to AWARE also treats hawks teach them to appreciate and coexist with their wild that make the unfortunate neighbors. Each armadillo, bat, chipmunk, fox, hawk, choice to perch on top of the goose, opossum, owl, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, songbird, A hawk scorched on a smokesmokestacks at city landfills; vulture, (etc., etc.) released back to the wild restores a prestack at a landfill. although these stacks provide cious natural resource to the environment. Each wild anian excellent place to spot abundant prey, unpredictable mal plays an important role in the balance of nature. At flares of scorching methane gas regularly injure birds of AWARE, every "tail" is important. By Melanie Furr
Rehab 911! AWARE Rehabilitators Provide Answers to Common Calls about Wildlife Help! I found an injured animal. What should I do? Find a wildlife rehabilitator to help you assess the situation and tell you the safest and best way to handle and transport the animal. AWARE’s website, www.AWAREwildlife.org, provides links to wildlife rehabilitators both in Georgia and worldwide. These links are found in the upper left corner of AWARE’s home page. AWARE is available from 9 am to 7 pm every day of the year. Please call us at (678) 418-1111 before bringing any animals to AWARE. To capture an animal, you will typically need a pair
of gloves, a transport box with ventilation (the cardboard carriers from veterinary clinics work well for most species), and towels or sheets without holes or loose threads that the animal can get tangled in. Do not attempt to handle animals that appear to be sick or acting aggressively; a rehabilitator can tell you what behavior is normal. Once the animal is contained, get it to a rehabilitator as soon as possible. Keep the animal in a warm, dark, and quiet environment to minimize stress, which can cause further injury. Do not give the animal any food or water which can also cause harm. The steps you take to act quickly and appropriately may save an animal’s life!
Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
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Spotlight on Georgia’s Wildlife: Red-Tailed Hawks Probably the most widespread hawk in North America, Redtailed Hawks are found across most of the continent from Alaska and Canada down to Panama and the West Indies. They occupy a wide range of habitats including forests, deserts, grasslands, rainforests, roadsides, and urban areas. Human settlement has actually benefitted the Red-tail, which has extended its range over the last 100 years. The erection of utility poles and the planting of trees in treeless landscapes (as in the southwest) created nesting sites for these hawks, while the clearing of forests in other parts of the country created new hunting areas. Red-tails are seemingly unfazed by human activity and can live in close proximity to humans. Red-tailed Hawks have dark brown heads and wings and pale breasts with brown streaking that can be either heavy or sparse. Their most distinguishing traits are a brown band of streaking across the belly and the cinnamon-red tail for which they get their name (in young birds, the tail is brown and banded). The average Red-tailed Hawk measures about two feet in length and has a wingspan of approximately four feet. They weigh 2-3 pounds with females outweighing males AWARE’s Red-tail Hawk ambassadors, Koko and Tweakers. by approximately 25 percent. A group of Red-tailed Hawks is called a stream, boil, tower, spiraling, or knot. A young hawk is called an eyass (pronounced EYE-ess). Red-tails eat a wide variety of prey. While they primarily hunt small mammals, they have also been known to a eat in-
vertebrates, reptiles, and birds. They hunt either by swooping down from a perch or by pursuing prey while in flight. With their amazing eyesight--up to eight times greater than a human’s--they can spot a mouse from one hundred feet in the air. Red-tailed Hawks are built wikimedia.org for soaring flight, flapping as little as possible to conserve energy. While soaring, they can reach speeds of 20-40 miles per hour, but in a dive, they can reach speeds of up to 120 miles per hour. Red-tails usually begin courtship and breeding in late winter or early spring. Their stunning aerial courtship displays sometimes include a plummeting spiral with interlocked talons. Both male and female build or refurbish their nest, which measures about three feet in diameter and can be equally as tall. The female lays one to three eggs and does most of the incubating while the male brings food to the nest. The eggs hatch in about four weeks and the young fledge around six weeks, although they remain dependent on their parents until they are approximately four months old. Red-tails are usually monogamous unless a mate dies or the pair is unsuccessful at breeding. The greatest threats to Red-tailed Hawk populations are shootings, collisions with automobiles, and human interference with nesting activities. Secondary poisoning also kills countless numbers of Red-tailed Hawks each year when they eat prey that has been killed with poisons or lead shot. Red-tailed hawks play an important role in their ecosystems by helping to control populations of small mammals, including rodents and rabbits. They help farmers by eating mice, moles and other rodents that harm their crops.
Meet the Ambassador: Tweakers the Red-tailed Hawk When Tweakers arrived at AWARE in 2010, he was in bad shape. He had head trauma and a broken pelvis, which prevented him from standing. AWARE’s rehabilitators suspected he’d been hit by a car, and his prognosis seemed bleak, if not hopeless. AWARE’s founder and former director Michael Ellis luckily decided to observe Tweakers for a day or two to see if he improved. He was given medication for pain and swelling and set up as comfortably as possible in a soft “nest” of towels. Tweakers’ recovery was slow--almost six weeks passed before he could stand--but he demonstrated a strong will to live and was a model patient. In spite of the pain he must have felt, he was always extremely tolerant and compliant. Because his injury forced him to sit on his tail feathers, volunteers had to restrain and bathe Tweakers daily, a ritual he endured without ever attempting to talon or bite his handlers. His only sign of protest was a soft, high-pitched squeaking--a sound he makes whenever he is nervous or excited. Once Tweakers could perch again, AWARE’s rehabilitators were hopeful that he might be releasable and moved him to a large flight enclosure to exercise his wings. When he fell from some branching, our hearts sank. Unfortunately, Tweakers still struggles with balance and hasn’t regained the ability to fly. He gets about with a clumsy flap and a silly-looking high-step that
always makes volunteers chuckle. Fortunately, his gentle disposition (perhaps a result of the head trauma) made him a perfect candidate to become an educational ambassador at AWARE. These days, when he isn’t outside enjoying the sunshine, “Tweaks” oversees the activities at AWARE from his perch in the main room of the center where he appears completely at ease amid the bustle and noise. An eager eater, his excitement at mealtimes always elicits his trademark chirps that are so endearing, but most of the time he seems content to quietly observe the comings and goings around him. Sadly, Tweakers will never live in the wild again, but he provides AWARE’s visitors with the unique opportunity to see a Red-tailed Hawk up close and to learn more about these awe-inspiring birds. Did you know... the Red-Tailed Hawk’s raspy, piercing call— “kee-ee-ar”—seems to be just how movie producers think a bird of prey should sound? Whenever a hawk, eagle, or other raptor appears onscreen, whatever the species, the shrill cry you hear is usually a Red-tailed Hawk.
Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
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Hot Winter Nights Winter is a great time for viewing wildlife. Even in the cold, gray, wet weather that makes most southerners cringe and stay indoors, much of the animal world stays active, and the absence of leaves on the trees makes wildlife easier to spot, especially birds. Some animals aren’t hindered by winter’s chill at all, instead finding it the perfect climate to “turn up the heat.” (The steady arrival of several tiny orphaned and injured baby squirrels at AWARE since early February is evidence of that!) Believe it or not, winter is the best time of the year to observe several species of raptors that begin courtship and breeding even during the coldest and darkest months. The Great Horned Owl is one of the earliest breeders in North America, beginning courtship calls as early as October and choosing a mate by December. The male attracts the female’s attention by puffing up his white throat and hooting while bowing to her. If the female is sufficiently impressed, she joins in the bowing and hooting, and the birds may remain mates for their entire lives. Breeding occurs in January or February with Jim Wilson females laying one to four eggs that hatch in about seven weeks. Now is the best time of year to get out and look for these birds, particularly while the bare tree branches make it easier to spot their nests, which are often taken over from hawks, crows, or squirrels. Be sure to look for the two ear tufts popping out from the top. Great Horned Owls are not the only raptors getting “busy” this season. Bald eagles are also early breeders, often building their nests and laying eggs by mid to late February, sometimes earlier in southern states. Their nests, usually made of sticks and other plant material and found in big trees near large bodies of water, are the largest nests of any bird in North America (usually 5-6 feet in diameter). A pair of Bald Eagles will typically use the same nest for many successive years. According to statistics provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, there were 111 known Bald Eagle nests in Geor-
gia in 2011 that fledged a total of 175 eaglets (georgiawildlife.com/).
Eagles have a spectacular courtship ritual involving vocalizations and acrobatic flights that sometimes include a spiraling freefall from great heights with interlocked talons. What a thrill it would be to see this www.edrotberg.org/ amorous display! Red-tailed hawks are also getting ready to breed at this time of year by building or refurbishing their nests of twigs, foliage, and other plant matter. Eggs are typically laid in March or April, depending on latitude. Like eagles, wikimedia.org Red-tailed Hawks have dramatic aerial courtship displays. The male and female soar in circles calling with their unmistakable shrill, raspy cries. The male dives steeply then rises again, repeating this display several times. The display someHawks usually begin courtship times culminates with the Red-tailed and nesting in February. pair clasping talons and plummeting in a spiral toward the ground before pulling away. Because Red-tailed Hawks are possibly the most common hawks in North America and are well-adapted to living in proximity to humans, the careful observer is sure to be rewarded with sightings of these beautiful birds. Witnessing these powerful birds is a reminder of what an incredibly diverse and magical planet we share. For those inclined to stay indoors in the winter months, several websites with live “nest cams” offer viewers the unique opportunity to watch these birds building nests, brooding eggs, and raising young in real time (see below for links), but how much more fascinating it is to witness it in person! So, before the leaves obscure the treetops, bundle up, grab a pair of binoculars, and keep your ears open and eyes toward the skies! By Melanie Furr
Suggested Nest Cams: Great Horned Owls: http://birdcam.xcelenergy.com/owl.html Red-tailed Hawks: http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/16/Red-tailed_Hawks/ Bald Eagles: http://www.ustream.tv/SouthwestFloridaEagleCam
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Preserving Georgia’s Wildlife through Rehabilitation and Education 4158 Klondike Road, Lithonia, GA 30038 (678) 418-1111
Tours given Saturdays and Sundays at 1 P.M. Donations gladly accepted
—————————————— Book an educational program and meet our ambassador animals up close!
AWARE’s Wish List
Home Depot and Wal-Mart gift cards Towels and linens (no holes or loose threads) Sticky notes, fine-tipped permanent markers Applesauce, mixed fruit baby food Pecan halves or miscellaneous whole nuts Unscented HE laundry detergent and bleach Purina Dog Chow Complete, Friskies Grillers Blend Cat Chow, or Friskies Classic Pate
AWARE is a volunteer-based organization working to preserve and restore wildlife and its habitat through education and wildlife rehabilitation. We believe that peaceful coexistence of humans and wildlife is essential for our mutual survival. AWARE rescues and rehabilitates about 1,200 wild animals each year and returns most of them to the wild. In addition, our licensed rehabilitators answer approximately 10,000 phone calls each year from people with wildlife concerns, providing AWARE with opportunities to help people better understand, appreciate, and coexist with wildlife. Our educational outreach programs, which feature our non-releasable ambassador animals, include school programs, festivals, fairs, nature centers, community events, scout meetings, and anywhere there is an audience interested in wildlife. Our non-releasable ambassador animals (a bobcat, four owls, two hawks, a snake, an opossum, two skunks, and a crow) provide a face to our lessons on how to peacefully coexist with wild animals. AWARE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on private contributions of time and money. AWARE receives no government assistance.
Your donations make our work possible.
Many thanks to Floor & Décor for the generous donation of 1,400 square feet of much-needed tile to replace the floors at AWARE. This donation will make a huge difference to the center! If you are considering new flooring, please check them out.