I was on my way to work yesterday (Mon) when I felt someone touch the left side of my neck. A solid, cold touch as if someone laid their finger on my neck. Definitely not my hair or coat, I was alone in the car, and I was wearing no jewelry. Freaked me out pretty bad and I slowed way down as I tried to figure out what was going on. Then on the left side of the road I saw a crumpled heap of what I thought was an owl. I was going so slowly by then that I made eye contact with what turned out to be a hawk and I could tell this was one very unhappy bird.
I pulled off onto the inadequate shoulder of the road (inadvertantly blocking traffic). I had a lot of thoughts scrolling through my brain, but mostly I wondered if I would be able to get this beautiful bird to a wildlife rescue org (I had gloves, a box, a large coat for draping over it). As I got closer to the hawk, I realized cars had stopped in both directions. The bird did too, and staggered halfway across the road and then gracelessly launched itself into the air. It was a short flight, but enough to put him safely up into a tree. I was relieved, and the other cars went on their way as I settled back into my own.
It was a very exhilerating moment, and it was a long time before I remembered the touch that had freaked me out so badly. Had it not been for that touch, I would've been going too fast to ever notice that hawk. And I felt like stopping traffic may've saved it's life, since the only open sky was across the road. A coincidence that the bird was on the same side of the road as the touch to my neck? I don't think so.
I didn't see the hawk in the trees when I drove home yesterday afternoon.
But I was looking for him again on my way to work this morning, going kinda slow and looking up. An SUV passed me, flashing it's lights, so I looked ahead to see what was wrong. And there was my hawk, on the right side of the road. Looking very scruffy and unhappy. So I pulled off (this side of the road had a good pull-off spot) and headed towards him. No cars were coming, thank heavens, because he hopped across the road to the low hillside there, and went about 5 feet up. Hopping, not flying.
I stood at the base of the hill and talked to him. I told him I wanted to help, that I meant no harm. When the road behind me was quiet I climbed a few steps. I stopped and talked whenever cars were going by. He never mantled up or hissed at me until I was within reach of him. He never tried to fly at me or scare me. I kept talking and stretched the coat wide open. He opened his wings and as I leaned towards him he leaned backwards until he was laying on his back. I draped the coat over him and realized I'd forgotten the gloves this time as a talon pierced my hand. I kept wrapping him in the coat, untangling him from vines on the hillside. I cradled him in in my arms like a baby as I carefully climbed back down. I was shaking like a leaf when I got back to my car.
I was scared to put him in the box, since it wasn't very big or sturdy. So I experienced the joy of driving a stick shift while cradling a raptor.
"Frightful" is currently residing in a brooder box in the garage, with the screened lid held down with pieces of firewood and 8 pound weights. He's in shock, I think and resting. He's been breathing when I checked on him, but I'm trying not to check on him much. So far the wildlife rehab places aren't answering, aren't calling me back.
If hawk feet are like chicken feet regarding the scales, then Frightful is an old bird. Maybe at the end of his days. I saw no sign of injury but he also has no real strength in his wings. That could be hunger, but I'm not offering anything unless I can't reach a rehab. His belly feathers are in really poor shape, but that could be from spending so much time on the ground, maybe.
Can you tell I really REALLY want to check on him gain? Feed and water him? Leaving him alone is harder than leaving an incubator alone
It would help if the rehab places would CALL ME!
On a funny note, my cat came up as I was gathering the empty brooder box and such. She sniffed the bundle in my arms and then leaped backwards with a real 'whattheheck' look on her face. I managed to save my laughter until later (didn't want to scare Frightful). The cat was REALLY needy when I got back inside the house empty handed...
Anyway. If anyone reads this, and knows anything about hawks, feel free to give me advice. It will at least keep me busy and distracted for a while
I pulled off onto the inadequate shoulder of the road (inadvertantly blocking traffic). I had a lot of thoughts scrolling through my brain, but mostly I wondered if I would be able to get this beautiful bird to a wildlife rescue org (I had gloves, a box, a large coat for draping over it). As I got closer to the hawk, I realized cars had stopped in both directions. The bird did too, and staggered halfway across the road and then gracelessly launched itself into the air. It was a short flight, but enough to put him safely up into a tree. I was relieved, and the other cars went on their way as I settled back into my own.
It was a very exhilerating moment, and it was a long time before I remembered the touch that had freaked me out so badly. Had it not been for that touch, I would've been going too fast to ever notice that hawk. And I felt like stopping traffic may've saved it's life, since the only open sky was across the road. A coincidence that the bird was on the same side of the road as the touch to my neck? I don't think so.
I didn't see the hawk in the trees when I drove home yesterday afternoon.
But I was looking for him again on my way to work this morning, going kinda slow and looking up. An SUV passed me, flashing it's lights, so I looked ahead to see what was wrong. And there was my hawk, on the right side of the road. Looking very scruffy and unhappy. So I pulled off (this side of the road had a good pull-off spot) and headed towards him. No cars were coming, thank heavens, because he hopped across the road to the low hillside there, and went about 5 feet up. Hopping, not flying.
I stood at the base of the hill and talked to him. I told him I wanted to help, that I meant no harm. When the road behind me was quiet I climbed a few steps. I stopped and talked whenever cars were going by. He never mantled up or hissed at me until I was within reach of him. He never tried to fly at me or scare me. I kept talking and stretched the coat wide open. He opened his wings and as I leaned towards him he leaned backwards until he was laying on his back. I draped the coat over him and realized I'd forgotten the gloves this time as a talon pierced my hand. I kept wrapping him in the coat, untangling him from vines on the hillside. I cradled him in in my arms like a baby as I carefully climbed back down. I was shaking like a leaf when I got back to my car.
I was scared to put him in the box, since it wasn't very big or sturdy. So I experienced the joy of driving a stick shift while cradling a raptor.
"Frightful" is currently residing in a brooder box in the garage, with the screened lid held down with pieces of firewood and 8 pound weights. He's in shock, I think and resting. He's been breathing when I checked on him, but I'm trying not to check on him much. So far the wildlife rehab places aren't answering, aren't calling me back.
If hawk feet are like chicken feet regarding the scales, then Frightful is an old bird. Maybe at the end of his days. I saw no sign of injury but he also has no real strength in his wings. That could be hunger, but I'm not offering anything unless I can't reach a rehab. His belly feathers are in really poor shape, but that could be from spending so much time on the ground, maybe.
Can you tell I really REALLY want to check on him gain? Feed and water him? Leaving him alone is harder than leaving an incubator alone
It would help if the rehab places would CALL ME!
On a funny note, my cat came up as I was gathering the empty brooder box and such. She sniffed the bundle in my arms and then leaped backwards with a real 'whattheheck' look on her face. I managed to save my laughter until later (didn't want to scare Frightful). The cat was REALLY needy when I got back inside the house empty handed...
Anyway. If anyone reads this, and knows anything about hawks, feel free to give me advice. It will at least keep me busy and distracted for a while
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