GHO kills Osprey chick at Belwood Lake. 02.11 / 09 July 2017

[Kris G.]

Thank you for posting the updates, Kris! I hope Bailey will have no further problems and will be able to migrate safely.

Hi, Alison!  I guess I forgot to post the latest update about Bailey..

We received an update regarding Bailey from Steve Kress:
“We have just received an update about Bailey from the raptor rehabilitators. The wounds that Bailey received from the recent eagle attacks have healed nicely and are no longer a concern.  However, it was noticed that Bailey had a consistent wing droop, so x-rays were taken of the wing.  On consultation with several veterinarians experienced with raptor rehabilitation, it was agreed that Bailey has a fracture in her ulna that is about a month old.  This may date back to an attack from the Great Horned Owl when she was in the nest. Continued use of her injured wing over the past month has affected healing, evidenced by wing droop and mobility that would likely interfere with hovering, a necessary behavior for an osprey to capture fish.  It is their opinion that Bailey is not ready for release and another two weeks of rehabilitation plus physical therapy will improve her chances for successful release.  Her wing will be x-rayed after this period and reassessed by veterinarians and next steps determined at that time.
I share your concern  for Bailey and thank you for your patience and all the good wishes everyone has sent along the way.    Steve Kress"

So, here's hoping Bailey's therapy goes well and she can be successfully released at some time in the future.

[AlisonL]

Hi, Alison!  I guess I forgot to post the latest update about Bailey..

We received an update regarding Bailey from Steve Kress:
“We have just received an update about Bailey from the raptor rehabilitators. The wounds that Bailey received from the recent eagle attacks have healed nicely and are no longer a concern.  However, it was noticed that Bailey had a consistent wing droop, so x-rays were taken of the wing.  On consultation with several veterinarians experienced with raptor rehabilitation, it was agreed that Bailey has a fracture in her ulna that is about a month old.  This may date back to an attack from the Great Horned Owl when she was in the nest. Continued use of her injured wing over the past month has affected healing, evidenced by wing droop and mobility that would likely interfere with hovering, a necessary behavior for an osprey to capture fish.  It is their opinion that Bailey is not ready for release and another two weeks of rehabilitation plus physical therapy will improve her chances for successful release.  Her wing will be x-rayed after this period and reassessed by veterinarians and next steps determined at that time.
I share your concern  for Bailey and thank you for your patience and all the good wishes everyone has sent along the way.    Steve Kress"

So, here's hoping Bailey's therapy goes well and she can be successfully released at some time in the future.

Thank you so much for that very interesting update, Kris! It is sad that Bailey has a fractured ulna, but encouraging that she will receive rehab and physical therapy. I hope that this will be successful in healing her wing.

I am hoping for a good outcome for Bailey; she deserves to have a really good life from now on.

[Kris G.]

Latest Bailey update:
"X-rays demonstrate that Bailey’s wing continues to slowly heal, but the rehabilitators think that at the rate of healing, she will require another 2-3 months of continued care. Keeping her in Maine’s climate for that length of time would not be in her best interest. So, transfer to another rehabilitation facility in the southeastern U.S. is likely. Here she would be in a climate where other ospreys winter and where she could hopefully be released when she has completely healed. Here is a recent photo that shows she is looking good- benefiting from a diet of Atlantic herring.
The rehabilitators join me in sending their thanks to the 45 people that have donated a total of $2,285 to Audubon for Bailey. These funds have been sent to the rehabilitators. Additional funds were also sent to Friends of Hog Island for Bailey and these funds will also help meet her medical and rehabilitation expenses. Thanks to everyone for remembering Bailey and for all of the good wishes.
My best, Steve Kress"

[AlisonL]

Latest Bailey update:
"X-rays demonstrate that Bailey’s wing continues to slowly heal, but the rehabilitators think that at the rate of healing, she will require another 2-3 months of continued care. Keeping her in Maine’s climate for that length of time would not be in her best interest. So, transfer to another rehabilitation facility in the southeastern U.S. is likely. Here she would be in a climate where other ospreys winter and where she could hopefully be released when she has completely healed. Here is a recent photo that shows she is looking good- benefiting from a diet of Atlantic herring.
The rehabilitators join me in sending their thanks to the 45 people that have donated a total of $2,285 to Audubon for Bailey. These funds have been sent to the rehabilitators. Additional funds were also sent to Friends of Hog Island for Bailey and these funds will also help meet her medical and rehabilitation expenses. Thanks to everyone for remembering Bailey and for all of the good wishes.
My best, Steve Kress"

Thank you so much for the update on Bailey, Kris! I hope that moving her to a warmer climate will work out well for her. She has had such a hard life. I just hope that her wing will heal completely, so that she will be releasable.

She looks great in the photo you posted -- what a beautiful bird she is. 

[Kris G.]

Latest Bailey update:
"X-rays demonstrate that Bailey’s wing continues to slowly heal, but the rehabilitators think that at the rate of healing, she will require another 2-3 months of continued care. Keeping her in Maine’s climate for that length of time would not be in her best interest. So, transfer to another rehabilitation facility in the southeastern U.S. is likely. Here she would be in a climate where other ospreys winter and where she could hopefully be released when she has completely healed. Here is a recent photo that shows she is looking good- benefiting from a diet of Atlantic herring.
The rehabilitators join me in sending their thanks to the 45 people that have donated a total of $2,285 to Audubon for Bailey. These funds have been sent to the rehabilitators. Additional funds were also sent to Friends of Hog Island for Bailey and these funds will also help meet her medical and rehabilitation expenses. Thanks to everyone for remembering Bailey and for all of the good wishes.
My best, Steve Kress"

Thank you so much for the update on Bailey, Kris! I hope that moving her to a warmer climate will work out well for her. She has had such a hard life. I just hope that her wing will heal completely, so that she will be releasable.

She looks great in the photo you posted -- what a beautiful bird she is.  

I’m hoping for a release too and that they continue to update us, after she’s transferred.

[Kris G.]

Bailey update..great news!   

Dear Friends of Bailey   

I am pleased to report that yesterday morning Bailey was transferred from Avian Haven in Maine to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida as their 799th raptor patient of the year. She continues to be in good hands as the Florida Center has treated more than 20,000 raptors.
Bailey was driven to Boston’s Logan Airport, placed aboard a direct Delta flight to Orlando and met by staff from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.  According to the Center staff she “looked fabulousâ€� on arrival.  She will be placed in a 55’ long flight pen with two other ospreys where her recovery will continue.  Bailey’s assisted migration to Florida was just ahead of an advancing Arctic cold front that dropped the first snow fall of the year in Maine.  This was great timing for Bailey as ospreys prefer warmer temperatures. It’s interesting to see the layers of clothing that Baileys holder in Maine is wearing and the contrasting t-shirt of her receiver in Florida!  The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey will post occasional updates about her progress on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AudubonCenterforBirdsofPrey/
It is with great pleasure that I thank the staff of Avian Haven for their great care for Bailey and for arranging the transport to Florida.  We are very pleased that her recovery will continue at this important Audubon facility that specializes in the recovery of birds of prey.  Somehow it seems appropriate that Bailey has found her way from one Audubon Sanctuary to a new Audubon home.  Both Hog Island and the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey are owned and managed by National Audubon Society. 
Many thanks to the many Bailey friends that made gifts to Hog Island for Bailey’s support.  More than $3,000 was received from 85 friends for Bailey’s care at Avian Haven and her transport to Florida. An additional $1,500 for Bailey was received by Friends of Hog Island and these funds will go to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey to help support Bailey while she continues to heal. She is one lucky osprey to have so many friends!

Steve Kress, Director Hog Island Audubon Campus

[Donna]

That is great news about Bailey and hope she continues to heal! Thanks

[AlisonL]

Many thanks for the update on Bailey, Kris! I think the transfer to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey was a very good decision, since they are so experienced in caring for raptors. They did a wonderful job with Peace from the Northeast Florida nest earlier this year.

Bailey looks a little scared in the photo, which is totally understandable since she had had a very long day, ending up in a new place with new people. The people at Audubon seemed very happy to have her there.

[Kris G.]

Many thanks for the update on Bailey, Kris! I think the transfer to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey was a very good decision, since they are so experienced in caring for raptors. They did a wonderful job with Peace from the Northeast Florida nest earlier this year.

Bailey looks a little scared in the photo, which is totally understandable since she had had a very long day, ending up in a new place with new people. The people at Audubon seemed very happy to have her there.

Here’s a nice write-up about Bailey, Alison.

http://www.audubon.org/news/the-saga-continues-bailey-beleaguered-hog-island-osprey

[AlisonL]

A new update on Bailey from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey:

Yesterday was a big day for patient 799-17 aka Bailey the Osprey. She made it up to the high perch in our 55' rehabilitation barn!

Up until now, she's been doing low flights and spending all her time on the lower perches. Being able to fly up to these higher perches is a good sign that her rehab is progressing; but she will require much more time to build up conditioning and stamina. Small victories like this help give us hope, as Bailey's possible release depends on continued improvement in her rehabilitation.

In the photo, Bailey is on the right and Osprey 230-17 aka “Burn� is on the left. Burn was so named as he flew through a methane flare stack and singed all his major flight feathers.



I think it is very encouraging that Bailey is able to gain height and fly up to the higher perches. It is also good that she has another osprey for company. 

https://www.facebook.com/AudubonCenterforBirdsofPrey/photos/a.178902082122714.47191.178399165506339/1717702354909338/?type=3&theater

[AlisonL]

Here’s a nice write-up about Bailey, Alison.

http://www.audubon.org/news/the-saga-continues-bailey-beleaguered-hog-island-osprey

Thank you, Kris! It's an excellent article on Bailey; I just finished reading it. She is such an incredible bird, and so beautiful.

[MAK]

A new update on Bailey from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey:

Yesterday was a big day for patient 799-17 aka Bailey the Osprey. She made it up to the high perch in our 55' rehabilitation barn!

Up until now, she's been doing low flights and spending all her time on the lower perches. Being able to fly up to these higher perches is a good sign that her rehab is progressing; but she will require much more time to build up conditioning and stamina. Small victories like this help give us hope, as Bailey's possible release depends on continued improvement in her rehabilitation.

In the photo, Bailey is on the right and Osprey 230-17 aka “Burn� is on the left. Burn was so named as he flew through a methane flare stack and singed all his major flight feathers.



I think it is very encouraging that Bailey is able to gain height and fly up to the higher perches. It is also good that she has another osprey for company. 

https://www.facebook.com/AudubonCenterforBirdsofPrey/photos/a.178902082122714.47191.178399165506339/1717702354909338/?type=3&theater

Some very good news! Thanks Alison! 

[AlisonL]

A new update on Bailey, posted two hours ago:

We posted a few weeks ago the news that Bailey the Osprey (patient 799-17) was making it up to the high perches in the 55 foot rehab barn. Since then however, we've noticed that she cannot sustain the height to fly from one high perch to another. Instead, from the high perches she can only glide down to lower perches.

Throughout her rescue, transport and time in the clinic, Bailey has some broken wing and tail feathers. We try to prevent broken feathers throughout the rehabilitation process, but it happens. Since there is a possibility that these broken feathers are the reason she is unable to sustain height while flying, we imped Bailey's wing and tail feathers today.

Imping is a process of gluing a matching feather from a donor bird of the same species into a damaged feather. It's an old falconry process that's been around for hundreds of years, although it's become an easier and more efficient procedure through the use of modern materials.

Now that Bailey has a full tail and set of flight feathers, we'll be able to continue to monitor her flight and see if the new feathers make difference in her flying. More updates to come when we know more.

Images: Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.





I knew Bailey had some feather damage, but this was pretty extensive. I think they did a wonderful job with the imping, and I hope this will help Bailey to be able to gain height and strengthen her flight muscles.

https://www.facebook.com/AudubonCenterforBirdsofPrey/posts/1740086726004234

[MAK]

 

[Donna]

  Hoping for the best!