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                                  The Good News~

(Pictured left) This big female juvenile eagle came in on 8/7 from Lake Crescent. For those who helped get her, this is for you! This big female was found by a Forest Ranger who passed her on to a family touring the area who took her to a police officer in Port Angeles who then dropped her at the PA Courthouse where she waited until WDFW officer Owen picked her up and brought her here to Port Townsend. Boy, it really does take a village! She was covered in feather mites and weighed only 6 lbs. Because she’s a big female that’s half what she should weigh. The good news is she has pulled through and is well on her way to recovering. 

​(Pictured right) This male juvenile eagle came from Dewatto Bay on 8/7 and weighed in at only 4 1/2 lbs. That is very thin and he was covered in feather mites. The mites tell us that he was unable to preen himself to keep those parasites down because of his debilitation. This bird required round-the-clock care to get him strong enough to handle solid food again. With specialized care this bird is making a full recovery. 

Thanks to the Washington State Fish and Wildlife (WSFW) we received a grant through the money acquired from the personalized license plate program to purchase this washer and dryer for use at the Center! As you can imagine, we do many towels here in the rehabilitation of birds, in fact, we are washing everyday. Not a glamorous picture but still exciting nonetheless...❤️

The Sad News~HPAI

Pictured above is a juvenile eagle that died from highly pathogenic avian influenza, (HPAI) and had to be tested to confirm our diagnosis. HPAI is showing up in both Clallam and Jefferson counties. Highly pathogenic means very contagious to other birds, like chickens, and it has been 100% fatal to raptors. Cindy Daily (pictured above) doing the test in the field so as to avoid bringing this virus to our Center and exposing the birds that are in care. Waterfowl can carry this virus and then be preyed on naturally by birds like this young eagle who then contracts the virus  and dies within about 24 hours. If you see a bird with neurological signs like seizures, vomiting. lack of coordination, or death you can call us for further instruction. At this time the WDFW is recommending a dead bird be double bagged and disposed of in the trash or at the dump. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask, and wash your clothes and self immediately afterwards. Although risk to humans is low you should always protect yourself.
For more information- 
agr.wa.gov/birdflu 
wdfw.wa.gov/bird-flu

Backyard Feeders

We are receiving calls about small birds like passerines who visit backyard feeders and the risk that they present for HPAI. It is believed that the risk for these birds is very low as they would have a very small viral load and don't seem to expose other birds. What we are seeing instead at feeders is avian pox, you will see lesions on the birds heads, wings, legs, and feet that can grow quite large. This is contagious and like with salmonella you should take down your feeders and clean and disinfect them well. Rest feeders for a few weeks and don't invite birds in until the risk for exposure is gone. You may also see conjunctivitis in finches at your feeders which may resemble pox but is usually a crusted eye that is more easily treated. If you have any questions please call at 360-379-0802
For more information-
on avian pox
​www.vet.upenn.edu/avian-pox 
on salmonella
​wdfw.wa.gov/salmonellosis-wild-birds 
​on conjunctivitis
​feederwatch.org/house-finch-eye-disease/

This is avian pox and it can be on feet as well!