2022 rescues

Rescue Group activities in 2022

28 May 2022 - bird's nest with eggs.  Skagway police dispatch contacted Deb Boettcher about a woman who was concerned about a bird’s nest in a tree that was going to be cut down in her yard.   Deb spoke with the woman and explained that the best way to protect the nest would be to wait until mid July when the birds would be fledged.  The woman suggested moving the nest to the roof of her shed.  Deb explained that was unlikely to be successful, the eggs would be vulnerable to predators, as would be the chicks if they hatched.  The USF&WS advises that to protect nesting migratory birds in southeast Alaska, trees should be felled before 15 April or after 15 July.

UPDATE 30 May - Elaine visited the site the next morning, and found two pairs of adult terns perched on the edge of the dock,  in the area around bollard #9.  As she approached they aggressively defended the site by swooping at her.   Their alarm calls brought in 6 other terns.  All tried to drive her out of the area for about 20 minutes.  Elaine thoroughly examined the concrete in the vicinity, but no egg was present.  

UPDATE 18 June - Deb checked on the bird in the morning and found it much improved, energetic and alert, not seeming sick or injured.  She took it back to the area where it was found, put it in a sheltered place near a shrub and gave it water.  Adult crows came around and seemed to start attending to it.  When Deb checked on it later, it had moved out into the sun, so she moved it back to the sheltered place.  Adult crows were nearby.  A neighbor approached and was asked not to disturb the birds, to keep children away from them, and to be cautious about the avian flu situation.

UPDATE 19 June - Elaine checked in the morning and late afternoon.  Both times the young crow was hunkered down in the lee of the shrub, energetic, flapping wings, but not moving away from the shrub.  Perhaps it thinks of the place as its nest now.  Adult crows nearby, but didn't see them feeding the youngster.  If keeps getting fed, gets stronger and starts flying, it might have a chance.  Biggest threats are the many cats that roam around town.

UPDATE 20 June - Elaine checked in the morning and saw an adult feeding the crow.  She talked to the man in the adjacent house, who said they were watching the bird but not going near it.  Later that afternoon, kids were playing basketball nearby, but away from the crow and without alarming the adult crows.  The young crow was sitting in its spot by the shrub.

UPDATE 21 June - Deb checked in the morning and afternoon.  The crow was moving about a bit away from the shrub and into the grass.  It is staying low and inconspicuous, even sleeping some, when not being fed by the adults.

UPDATE 22 June - The young crow was gone when Deb checked today.  There were no signs of predation, and the adults behavior changed - no more alarm calls or mobbing to keep people/animals away from the area where the crow had been staying by the shrub.  There may be a chance that it become mobile enough to move away from the area and is being attended to elsewhere.  But it didn't seem like the youngster was quite able to fly yet, and it may have been taken by a predator overnight.

UPDATE 23 June - Deb received information from the family next door that the young crow had died.

3 July 2022 - distressed crows.  Joanne and Andrew B. responded to a Skagway police dispatch call from Rebecca S. who was concerned about crows in distress at 10th and State.  They found a juvenile and adult crows in the area, up on roof tops and panting with the heat.   Later they received another dispatch call from Chris S. about crows at 14th and Main, where they found a juvenile with adult nearby, also panting but otherwise OK.  With our high temperatures lately, crows can be expected to be a bit lethargic at times and will often be seen with their mouths open to help keep cool.  In addition, crows may actively seek out high perches and spread their wings in direct sunlight to help control parasites, and keep their feathers in good shape.   Here's an interesting article about these behaviors:  https://corvidresearch.blog/2016/09/06/why-crows-sunbathe/

7-8-9 July 2022 - sick and dead crows and jays.  There have been many reports of crows and a few Steller's Jays with obvious neurological problems (wobbly head, can't coordinate walking or flying, let people get close without reacting) as well as dead birds being found around town.  Some crows habituated to hang out in streets by people feeding them are being hit by vehicles.  But the others are exhibiting behaviors that indicate the highly pathogenic avian flu.  

Please be extra careful handling these birds.  As always, wear gloves.  Wearing a mask is recommended.  People who find dead birds should contact the Skagway PD, who will contact the bird rescue group for collection.

11 July 2022 - dead crows and jays & other birds.  US F&WS asked for specimens of dead birds of any kind to test for the avian flu.  Klondike Park agreed to take dead birds, hold them in their wildlife freezer, and send them to F&WS in Anchorage.  When people call dispatch about a dead bird, the rescue group will collect it, and Elaine or Deb B. will pass it on to Klondike Park. -see 30 July update below-

12-16 July 2022 -  dead crows. There have been more reports of dead crows and jays.   Bob D. put one out for collection, but it was not found when Elaine came by.  Debbie A. collected a crow, bagged it up and passed it to Elaine.  Skagway dispatch contacted Betsy Albecker about a dead crow at 13th and Main, car trouble kept her from getting there - a couple of hours later, Elaine looked around and knocked on some doors, but could not find the dead crow or anybody who knew about it.

18 July 2022 - sick/injured hummingbird.   Elaine was contacted by police dispatch with a report from Kristin W. about a sick or injured hummingbird.  It was found on AB hillside, on the ground in a garage where the door is left open.  The Rufous Hummingbird  seemed sick, so they put it in a pet carrier. There were no signs of trauma, but the hummer was getting weaker as time went on.  Elaine collected the bird, but it died shortly after.  The body will be added to the birds being sent for avian flu testing.

30 July 2022 - Avian Flu UPDATE   Thank you to all who helped collect birds to test for avian flu!  

Klondike Park sent 5 American Crows, 1 Steller's Jay and 1 Rufous Hummingbird to the USF&WS in Anchorage, where they will be processed and sent to the AK State Veterinarian for testing.  It usually takes 2-3 weeks to get results.  

In the meantime, no additional birds are needed for testing.  We will go back to our regular rescue group handling of sick, injured and dead birds.   Please report any birds that exhibit signs of neurological distress - acting "drunk", unable to fly or walk properly, wobbly head or seeming woozy or ill.

October -December 2022 UPDATE  No notification received from AK State Veterinarian nor did Skagway appear on the website listing of confirmed cases, therefore the sick and dead birds from Skagway were probably not suffering from the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

6 Aug 2022 -dead crow   Betsy received a call in the evening from Skagway dispatch about a dead crow behind the Elks club.  The next day, she and Elaine searched, but did not find the crow.

29 Aug 2022 - injured warbler   Skagway dispatch contacted Elaine about a small bird that had injured itself when it flew into a building and couldn't get out.  Elaine, assisted by River H., went to the site and found Tara B. holding a stunned warbler outside the building.  The warbler (probably orange-crowned) was unresponsive and had one eye swollen and full of blood.  As we were discussing the probability of serious head injury, or the possibility that it would soon recover, the bird started reacting to its surroundings and then flew away.  A very welcome happy outcome!

28 Sep 2022 - injured junco   Skagway dispatch contacted Elaine in the early evening about a small bird that could not fly, in the 4-5 alley between  State & Broadway.  Elaine went to assist Haley S. and two friends who had picked up the Dark-eyed Junco so it wouldn't get run over.  The junco was getting more active, but since it might be injured Elaine put it in a box with padding and placed it in a quiet dark place.  When she checked on it a couple hours later, it was tucked and sleeping.  The next morning, the junco flew away when the box was opened.  Another happy outcome!