Embedded Files
3 May 2018 - Trumpeter Swan. A report from Bruce P. about an injured swan was passed on to Deb Boettcher mid-morning. Bruce observed the swan near the mouth of the Taiya River for about 45 minutes, and it never put weight on its left foot. Deb, Elaine Furbish and Andrew Beierly responded to Dyea, and found the swan resting with its head tucked, on a tidal island off the flats. It occasionally lifted its head, but didn't stand. Deb & Elaine left, Andrew stayed behind to get more photos. He saw the swan fly, swim and eat (see photo). A few hours later, Bruce left a message that he observed it eating and noted it was not using its leg, and was rolling in the water to feed rather than moving normally. This is the same swan observed in the area since last week. Since the swan is able to fly, swim and feed itself, we will monitor its condition for the next few days and update its status.
UPDATE: 6 May - the swan is still resting, flying, swimming and feeding in the same area at the mouth of the Taiya River. It is not using the injured leg, but seems healthy and vigorous.
UPDATE: 12 May - swan still at mouth of Taiya River, feeding and looking healthy, but still not using the leg.
Trumpter Swan (photo by A.Beierly)
10 June 2018 - Northwestern Crow. Skagway PD dispatch received a call about a baby crow in distress at 8th and Alaska. Elaine checked it out, and found a young crow perched on a tarp-covered materials pile next to the brown house on the north side of 8th, at the intersection with Alaska St. At least four adults were protecting and feeding the young crow, which did not appear to have any injuries and was alert. Elaine contacted dispatch to let them know that it should just be left alone, but to let us know if anybody reports an injury or signs of sickness.
14 June 2018 - gosling/duckling. Deb B. and Joanne B. responded to a PD dispatch report about an abandoned gosling/duckling. The chick may have been a Canada goose, but identification wasn't confirmed. After consulting with JRC, the chick was sent to Juneau to be euthanized. Thank you to Alaska Seaplanes for transporting the bird.
NOTE: Please do not pick up baby birds that seem to be abandoned - parents may leave these birds unattended for awhile, their best chance for survival is to leave them alone !!
2 July 2018 - baby bird. Skagway PD contacted Deb B. about a baby bird needing help. A tourist had shown the bird to K. Rain (Klondike Park ranger), it was at 5th and Broadway and looked like it had been pecked. Deb and Joanne responded with advice to move the bird to a shady spot until Joanne she could get there to evaluate further. When she arrived soon after, the bird was gone.
3 July 2018 - Pine Siskin. Skagway PD called Elaine about a bird trapped in the Rec Center. A Pine Siskin was flying high in the rafters, trying to get out of the high windows. Elaine discussed methods with the staff, advising them to lower the blinds on the high windows and open an outside door when no people were around, to encourage it to leave. No call back, so presumed successful.
11 July 2018 - immature Bonaparte's Gull. Unknown persons put a "pigeon" in a box to protect it from harassing crows. The box was passed to other people, and ended up at Joanne & Andrew's house. When they opened the box, they found an immature BOGU, which seemed energetic but disoriented, with no sign of injury. The gull was let loose in their yard, where it walked around, took a nap, and eventually flew away.
young Bonaparte's Gull (photo by A.Beierly)
16 July 2018 - Northwestern Crow. Skagway PD contacted Elaine with a report of a dead Raven at 6th and State. Elaine found a dead Crow, and removed it to a wooded area to recycle.
22 August 2018 - Dark-eyed Junco. Joanne and Andrew were contacted by John H. about a bird that had hit a window and was unable to fly or walk. They collected a Junco that had a severe head injury. It died shortly afterward.
17 September 2018 - Northwestern Crow. Skagway PD contacted Elaine in the morning about a report of a crow with an injured wing in front of Jeff Smith's Parlor. She responded to the site and found the young crow near the Alaska Geographic shop. It was holding one wing askew, and it appeared to be broken. Three or more adults were protecting the young injured crow, which was very active and energetic. After consulting with JRC, we determined to continue to monitor the crow. As long as it is healthy and the adults are caring for it, it will be difficult to capture. We will re-evaluate if its condition declines.
28 September 2018 - American Robin. Late in the day, K-ray found an injured bird next to her house. It wasn't moving and there were feathers on the ground nearby. She put it in a cardboard box and contacted Skagway PD. Elaine responded and found a Robin in the box, conscious but hardly moving. However, K-ray related that earlier the bird had hopped out of the cardboard box and ran around the yard. It opened its wings, but could not fly. K-ray and a second person chased the bird, and returned it to the box. Also, a couple of marks of what looked like blood were on K-ray's gloves after handling the bird. Elaine took the Robin, which fell asleep during the drive back to her house. It was too late for plane service, so the Robin was placed in padded box with some water, and left overnight. In the morning, it was alert and responsive, and a quick exam showed no signs of injury, but some tail feathers were missing. It was placed outside, and after a few minutes, flew away.
29 September 2018 - duck, possibly scaup. Deb saw a bird being pecked by a crow in the middle of the road mid-town (about a mile from the waterfront). She picked up a duck, possibly a female scaup, that was bleeding from a head wound. The duck was passed on to Joanne, who contacted JRC. The duck was sent to Juneau that afternoon by Alaska Seaplanes - THANK YOU to Alaska Seaplanes for the continued support.
UPDATE: 30 Sept The duck was alive and being cared for by a rehabilitator.
UPDATE: 4 Oct The duck's wounds were too severe and it died.
9 December 2018 - Northern Pygmy-Owl. Betsy Albecker noticed 8 magpies surrounding and picking at a small bird in the road outside her house. She shooed the magpies away and found a Northern Pygmy-Owl, which was able to fly short distances. She herded it into a corner, and called Deb B. to help capture it. They got it settled in a kennel, and contacted Juneau Raptor Center, who agreed to take the owl. Alaska Seaplanes got it out on the next flight (THANK YOU TO ALASKA SEAPLANES!) JRC sent the owl to the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka.
UPDATE: 13 Dec The owl had too much head trauma and died from its injuries.
N. Pygmy-Owl (photo by B.Albecker)
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