2010 spring - Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue

NewsletterEl Paso / Las CrucesVol. 21, 19, Spring Fall/Winter THE THE EAGLE 2010 2008American Bittern ·············· 1Brewer's Blackbird ·········· 13Red-winged Blackbird ······ 1Mountain Chickadee ········· 1American Coot ·················· 1Brown-headed Cowbird ···· 5Sandhill Crane ··················· 1Crow, American ················ 1Eurasian-Collared Dove ·· 62Inca Dove ························ 71Mourning Dove ············· 210Ringed Turtle Dove ··········· 2Rock Dove (Pigeon) ······ 245White-winged Dove ······ 911Mallard Duck ·················· 41Wood Duck ····················· 11Eagle, Bald ································ 1Golden Eagle ····························· 5Cattle Egret ····························· 20Little Egret ································ 5Snowy Egret ···························· 17Exotic/Domestic/Pet ··············· 90Peregrine Falcon ······················· 4Prairie Falcon ···························· 3Cassin's Finch ···························· 1House Finch ·························· 142Northern Flicker ························ 9Ash-throated Flycatcher ············ 3Gray Flycatcher ························· 2American Goldfinch ·················· 3Lesser Goldfinch ······················· 6Snow Goose ······························ 1Great-tailed Grackle ·············· 196Pied-billed Grebe ······················ 3Western Grebe ·························· 2Least Grebe ······························· 1American BitternAnd I quote......."I don't care if I have an open weeping woundon the inside of my elbow, I don't want it cleaned, and if youtouch me, I am going to kick your ……."Bonaparte's Gull ························ 1Ring-billed Gull ························ 1Northern Harrier ·················· 1Cooper's Hawk ·················· 11Red-tailed Hawk ··············· 25Sharp-shinned Hawk ··········· 3Swainson's Hawk ·············· 24Blk Crowned Night Heron..18Great Blue Heron ················ 1Green Heron ························ 2Blk-chinned Hummingbird.54Broad-tailed Hummingbird · 5Rufous Hummingbird ········· 5White-faced Ibis ·················· 1Blue Jay ······························· 1Dark-eyed Junco ················· 3Oregon Junco ······················ 1American Kestrel ···················· 79Western Kingbird ···················· 38C D W R * El Paso / Las CrucesWestern Meadowlark ······5Merlin ······························3Mockingbird ··················84Common Nighthawk ·······8Lesser Nighthawk ············3Buff-collared Nightjar ·····2Red-breasted Nuthatch ····1Bullock's Oriole ···············2Scott's Oriole ···················2Ovenbird ··························1Barn Owl ·······················39Burrowing Owl ··············46Flammulated Owl ············5Great-horned Owl ··········30Long-eared Owl ··············1Western Screech Owl ······2Partridge ··························1Say's Phoebe ··················10American Pipit ················1Common Poorwill ·····················1Pyrrhuloxia ································5Great Horned OwlGambel's Quail ······················113Scaled Quail ·······························5Chihuahuan Raven ·····················1continued on page 2

continued from frontCommon Raven ·························6Roadrunner ······························18American Robin ·······················76House Sparrow ······················254Brewer's Sparrow ·······················3Lincoln's Sparrow ······················1European Starling ····················41Barn Swallow ··························54Cliff Swallow ···························20White-throated Swift ·················1Curved-bill Thrasher ················24Hermit Thrush ···························2Canyon Towhee ·························2Green-tailed Towhee ·················1Spotted Towhee ·························1Verdin ········································2Gray Vireo ·································1Plumbeous Vireo ·······················1Turkey Vulture ··························8Common Yellowthroat Warbler.2MacGillivray's Warbler ·············3Nashville Warbler ······················1Orange-crowned Warbler ··········1Townsend's Warbler ··················1Virginia's Warbler ·····················1Wilson's Warbler ·······················3Cedar Waxwing ·························1Whip-poor-will ··························3Ladder-backed Woodpecker ······2Bewick's Wren ···························2Grand Total Birds -3272Badger ········································1Mexican Freetail Bat ·················5Beaver ········································2Bobcat ········································3Ringtail Cat ································7Gray-Footed Chipmunk ·············2Mule Deer ··································1Domestic/Exotic/Pet ················71Gray Fox, NM & TX info ··········4Botta's Pocket Gopher ···············1Jackrabbit ·································17Field Mouse ·······························1Collared Peccary (Javelina) ·······2Porcupine ···································1VA Possum ································2Cottontail Rabbit ···················140Raccoon ·····································2Striped Skunk ····························6Mexican Fox Squirrel ················2Mexican Ground Squirrel ··········5Squirrel, Spotted Ground ···········2Grand Total Mammals - 277Tarantula ····································2Mediterranean Gecko ················4Desert Kingsnake ·······················1Desert Spiny Lizard ···················1Horned Lizard ····························3Texas Nightsnake ······················3Black-tailed Rattlesnake ············8Prairie Rattlesnake ·····················4Western Diamond Rattlesnake 47Black-headed Snake ··················1Checkered Garter Snake ············1Coachwhip Snake ······················1Sonora Gopher Snake ··············10Russian Tortoise ························3African Sulcata Tortoise ············3Bolson Gopher Tortoise, MX ····3Hermann's Tortoise ····················1Desert Box Turtle ····················62Eastern Box Turtle ·····················1Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle ···1Ornate Box Turtle ····················21Red-eared Slider Turtle ···········38Spiny Softshell Turtle ················2Western Pond Turtle ··················1Yellow Mud Turtle ····················1Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle ······3Grand Total Reptilesand Amphibians - 224Pictures by Debbie LoftonA Special Thanksto the volunteers that helped work on three wildlife rehabilitationfacilities in January and February. This projectwould surely not have been accomplished without thehard work from these volunteers.It is obvious to all of us that rehabilitation is not alwaysthe fun of feeding baby birds and mammals. There is somuch more to it, including constant cleaning, disinfecting,and the ongoing maintenance and repairs to cages andaviaries. Debbie, Carol and I thank you sincerely forgetting everything ready for us. You are fantastic!- Josie KaramPage 2C D W R * El Paso / Las Cruces

Letter From Our Letter New From President Our New PresidentI remember that summer in the woods, a I remember few hundred that feet summer off highway in the woods "M" a few just hundred outside feet of Grandmarsh, off highway "M" Wisconsin. just outside Itwas the summer I learned what it was like of Grandmarsh, to be a rehabilitator. Wisconsin. The It was hunters the summer had trapped I learned several what it coons, was like leaving to be a the rehabilitator. babies withouta mother. I remember someone mentioning it was not trapping season, but that point didn't help the babies now. WeThe hunters had trapped several coons, leaving the babies without a mother. I remember someonementioning it was not trapping season, but that point didn't help the babies now. We wrappedwrapped them up to keep them warm and took them to a cage far from the cabin, set up for situations such as this. There wethem up to keep them warm and took them to a cage far from the cabin, set up for situations suchbottle fed them and cared for them until as they this. were There old we enough bottle fed to them be released and cared back for into them the until woods. they were It would old enough have to been released best forthem to learn survival skills from their mother back into such the woods. as fearing It would man, have be skeptical been best of for traps, them how to learn to find survival food skills in the from wild their and mother stayhidden during the day. Sadly these little such ones as would fearing have man, to be learn skeptical on their of traps, own. how We to find had food done in our the best wild with and stay our hidden limited during knowledgeof how a mother raccoon would teach day. her Sadly young. these little Now ones it was would up to have them. to learn I remember on their own. the release We had day done with our best feeling with of our hap-lim-thepiness and accomplishment and yet sadness ited knowledge too. Not sad of how for a them mother to raccoon go but sadness would teach in hoping her young. they Now knew it all was they up to needed them. to I rememberthe to be. release That day was with the feeling summer of happiness before my and 8th accomplishment birthday and and it shaped yet sadness my life too. as Not it isknow to be the wild animal they were intendedtoday.sad for them to go but sadness in hoping they knew all they needed to know to be the wild animalthey were intended to be. That was the summer before my 8th birthday and it shaped my life as itAs President of Chihuahuan Desertis today.Wildlife Rescue, Inc., one of the goals I have for the organization is to develop astrong educational program. This program will not only address the needs of the adults but children as well. My hope is to providethese opportunities at special events,As President of Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue, Inc., one of the goals I have for theorganizationin the schoolis tosystemsdevelop aatstrongeveryeducationalgrade levelprogram.and at generalThis programmeetings.will notByonlyprovidingaddressantheappropriate curriculum for children they needs will of be the made adults aware but children of wildlife as well. broken My into hope broad is to provide categories these such opportunities as habitats, at special baby/adultcamouflage, tracks, and bird and egg identification. By providing children with an educational program such as this they mayJulie Ito Morales (far right) with sistersand baby raccoonevents, in the school systems at every grade level and general meetings. By providing an appropriatecurriculum for children they will be made aware of wildlife broken into broad categoriesalso choose to become an advocate and/or rehabilitator when they are older. Adults will have the opportunity become bettereducated as to what they should do in the such event as habitats, they come baby/adult across camouflage, a fallen nestling tracks, or and fledgling, bird and egg and identification. a mammal whether By providing it is ababy or injured. I look forward to developing children this with program an educational with our program board such of directors as this they and may introducing also choose it into become the community. an advocateand/or rehabilitator when they are older. Adults will have the opportunity to become better educated in what they should do in the event thatthey come With across baby a nestling, bird season fledgling, just or days mammal, around whether corner it is I a would baby or like an injured to remind adult. everyone I look forward to look to for developing active nests this program before you withour trim board a tree of or directors bush. An and active introducing nest is it into one the with community. eggs or babies present. You should never disturb and active nest and many birdsare protected by law, including their eggs. Ideally, trees should be trimmed prior to and at the end of the bird season which runsWith baby bird season just days around the corner I would like to remind everyone to look for active nests before you trim a tree orfrom March 15 - September 15. I have listed some tips from our web site in the event you do come across a bird or mammal inbush. An active nest is one with eggs or babies present. You should never disturb and active nest and many birds are protected by law, includingneed to their help eggs. this season. Ideally, trees should be trimmed prior to and at the end of the bird season which runs from March 15 - September 15. Ihave . listed some tips from our web site in the event you do come across a bird or mammal in need to help this season..Nestling Birds-Baby birds which are featherless or still in down1. Pick it up in your hand. If it feels cold Nestling to your Birds-Baby touch, warm birds it slowly which in are your featherless hand. The or adult still in bird down will accept her baby even if you havetouched it.1. Pick it up in your hand. If it feels cold to your touch, warm it slowly in your hand. The adult bird will accept her baby even if you have2. touched Return it. the baby to the nest if possible. It may be necessary to reattach the nest, to rebuild it, or to construct a new nest.3. 2. Return If the nestling, the baby or to any the bird, nest if is possible. injured, do It not may give be necessary it fluids. Put to reattach it in a warm, the nest, dark to place rebuild and it, call or to a construct rehabilitator a new in your nest. area immediately.3. If the nestling, or any bird, is injured, Fledgling do not Birds give - Baby it fluids. Birds Put which it in a warm, are feathered dark place and and learning call a rehabilitator to fly in your area immediately.1. Place the grounded fledgling in a tree, bush, etc. Adult birds will fly to it and feed it.Fledgling Birds - Baby Birds which are feathered and learning to fly2. Keep cats and dogs confined or inside. It will take up to three days for a fledgling to learn to fly.1. Place the grounded fledgling in a tree, bush, etc. Adult birds will fly to it and feed it.Mammals2. Keep cats and dogs confined or inside. It will take up to three days for a fledgling to learn to fly.1. Baby mammals are often left alone while mother searches for food. Do not disturb!Mammals2. If it is injured, ill or its burrow or hiding place is destroyed, do not touch. Wild animals with rabies act friendly. Call a rehabilitator immediatelyBaby in mammals your area. are often left alone while mother searches for food. Do not 1. disturb!2. For If more it is injured, information ill its visit burrow our or website hiding at place www.whc.net/cdwr. is destroyed, do not For touch. wildlife Wild animals emergencies with rabies call a act Chihuahuan friendly. Call Desert a rehabilitator Wildlife immediatelyin your area.dispatcherat 575-882-2910 or 915-772-6011.For more information visit our website at www.whc.net/cdwr. For wildlife emergencies call a Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife dispatcher at 575-I 882-2910 look forward 915-772-6011. to a busy baby bird season with all our great rehabilitators and volunteers!Thank I look forward you, to a busy baby bird season with all our great rehabilitators and volunteers!Julie Ito MoralesThank you, Julie Ito MoralesC D W R * El Paso / Las Cruces Page 3

Board of OfficersPresident: Julie Ito MoralesVice Pres.: Susie JensenSecretary: Inga GroffTreasurer: Debbie LoftonPage 4Board of DirectorsRoger ChaconVacantMarcia FultonJohn LinneyAbe MendozaNewsletter EditorSusie JensenThe Purpose of CDWRWildlife rehabilitation is thecare of injured or orphanedwildlife for return, where possible,to the wild. Successfulrehabilitation takes a lot oftime, a lot of effort and nosmall amount of money.It is challenging work, doneby special people. ChihuahuanDesert Wildlife Rescueis a nonprofit organizationwhich exists to help the rehabilitatorsin the El Paso/LasCruces area. Our purposes areto:♦♦♦♦♦* CDWR *El Paso / Las Crucesprovide a volunteer networkto assist active rehabilitatorsin their worksupport wildlife rehabilitationprograms financiallyprovide education and instructionin wildlife rehabilitationeducate the public aboutwildlife conservationproblemswork for the reduction ofpressures on native wildlifefrom domestic animalsand humansEl Paso Electric Co. and CDWRCollaborate to Help American KestrelsAfter Bill and Lydia Barnhouse built their dream home inthe Cielo Dorado Estates, they were dismayed to notice ahole in the top of the eave of their hanger. Bill immediatelycalled the builder, who assured him it was not a hammerhole and was possibly the result of a Northern Flicker(woodpecker). They weren’t sure what to do. Bill loves tofeed the ducks in their beautiful yard and Lydia was excitedsoon after when she noticed a bird fly in the hole. Lydiaknew they were a type of small hawk (later it was determinedthey were American Kestrels, the smallest falcon inNorth America) and the Barnhouse’s decided they wouldleave things be, enjoying the birds as they would fly in andout of the hole and perch in the surrounding trees and buildingsfor the next 14 years or so, raising many young. Until…..After having their home re-stuccoed and painted in November 2009, they noticed the “favor” the contractorhad performed. The hole had been patched and painted! Lydia watched with dismay as theKestrels looked in vain for their home. Bill,being a man of action, decided to make somecalls and through Helen Bigelow, dispatcherfor CDWR, contacted me. Bill explained thesituation and we made an appointment tomeet.John Waters in the bucket of the boom truckinstalling the inside of the nest boxC D W R * El Paso / Las CrucesKen Spence with Kestrel BoxSince I have had success in my own back yardwith kestrels nesting, I knew I could help. Ibrought along one of my favorite carpenters,Ken Spence, who also happens to be my boyfriend.We identified the kestrels, talked aboutbuilding a replacement nest box for them andassessed the situation, which was not exactlyoptimum due to the fact the a 28 foot extensionladder did not reach the peak of the roofwhere the old entrance hole used to be.Lydia wanted to maintain the integrity of their new paint job and had a specific idea of how the boxshould look. Ken climbed the ladder, tooksome measurements and went to work designingthe nest box using a proven design,adding changes to help the box lookas if it belonged on their home. The endresult was a triangular shaped nest box,approximately 6 feet long and 3 feet high.Since climbing up the ladder to take measurements,Ken knew he would never beable to get the box up to the eave and installit safely on the extension ladder dueto the fact the peak was about 31 feethigh. We would need scaffolding or ahydraulic lift to manage it.After researching costs, which were prohibitive,I called Board Member RogerEd Segura and Ken in “Supervisory” positionChacon, El Paso Electric Company(EPEC) for help. Roger referred me to Oscar Trillo, Environmental Department, EPEC and throughthe efforts of EPEC and the approval and assistance of Supervisor Refugio S. Chavez and ManagerRay O. Marquez, we were able to arrange linemen and a boom truck to assist us. (continued on back)

* CDWR DIRECTORY *www.whc.net/cdwrWhom can you call in the El Paso/Las Cruces area when you find an injured/orphaned wild bird/animal?EL PASO AREACDWR CHIEF DISPATCHERSHelen Bigelow ............................................................575-882-2910Debbie Lofton ............................................................915-772-6011EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMSLorraine Snelling ..............................................................592-9642REHABILITATORSCentral/EastBill Howe (turtles/snakes/lizards/small exotics) ................772-0695Debbie Lofton (songbirds/raptors/waterbirds/sm. mammals)…772-6011Northeast -Charles/Carrol Bella (raptors/reptiles/mammals) ..............751-4711Deacon Foote (turtles) .......................................................757-9330West -Carol Miller (birds, water birds) ......................................584-7088Josie Karam (small mammals/birds/turtles) .......................920-7867Sarah Forrestal (small mammals/birds) .............................588-6467Geoff Wiseman (reptiles/snakes) ................................915-525-0261COOPERATING VETERINARIANSCentral -El Paso Veterinary Hospital, 4101 Montana ......................566-7387Montana Animal Clinic, 1015 Chelsea ..............................778-9588El Paso Animal Emergency Center, 1220 Airway .............545-1148East -Johnsen Animal Hospital, 1851 N. Lee Trevino ................592-6200Desert East Animal Hospital, 11635 Pelicano ...................855-4100Eastwood Animal Clinic, 9509 Montana ...........................593-0713Americas Animal Clinic, 630 Americas Ave. ...................858-1971Animal Clinic, 7184 Alameda ...........................................778-5355Northeast -Skyline Veterinary Hospital, 4424 Titanic ........................755-7647Northeast Veterinary Clinic, 9405 Dyer ............................755-2231Harwood Veterinary Clinic, 4404-A Edgar Park ...............755-5653West -Crossroads Animal Hospital, 4910 Crossroads .................584-3459Country Club Animal Clinic, 5470 Doniphan ...................833-0645Anthony Animal Clinic, 901 Franklin, Anthony TX .........886-4558TRANSPORTERS/TROUBLESHOOTERSNortheast -Joe/Inga Groff ....................................................................755-2957Nancy Bain ........................................................................822-9228West -Susie Jensen .......................................................................877-4036Rhonda Niswanger………………………………………..449-5450East -Our list is getting shorter! We need help!Please call and volunteer!LAS CRUCES AREAREHABILITATORSGeri Tillett (birds) ..................................................... 575-522-4966Tracie Buffington (tortoises)………………………...575-644-9297Jessica Palmer (mammals)…………………………..575-680-1226Pilar Hinde (waterbirds, raptors, mammals)………...575-382-1753SILVER CITYMargaret Cejka (birds, excluding raptors) ................ 575-537-6624COOPERATING VETERINARIANSCalista Animal Hospital, 1889 Calle de Ninos ....... 575-525-1000Jornada Vet Clinic, 2399 Saturn Circle ..................... 575-382-1710East Lohman Vet. Clinic, 1700 E. Lohman .............. 575-523-5654TRANSPORTERS/TROUBLESHOOTERSDavid/Sherri Byrd (raptors) ...................................... 575-524-2314Abe Mendoza ............................................................ 575-382-1732Jack Diven Family ................................................... 575-527-2661Thank You’s From Debbie Lofton and CDWRAgain the generosity of the Carol and Kent H. LandsbergFoundation has carried the major part of our 2010 foodand medical treatment supply budget. While we do providethem with pictures and descriptions of the wildlife wecare for, the depth of the good that they provide can nevertruly be expressed.Let me introduce you to Gerald Norman, a local businessman,who has a special knack for finding and supplyingspecial medical supplies that are otherwise unavailable.Our thanks and appreciation for Gerald's special effortsand response to our needs.And for our crazed shopper and bargain hunter, our warmestappreciation to Mary Hudson whose diligence anddedication has again resulted in the best bargains andprices for this years supply purchases. Being a shopaholichas its advantages.A special thanks to Ryoko and Bernie McCune for fillingin budget shortages and being generous with their time inannual supply distribution. These two Las Cruces residentstake multi-tasking to a higher level.Abe & Helga Mendoza continue to be a major factor in annualsupply distribution and we appreciate their continuedassistance. If you have ever seen them in operation, youwould understand why they are indeed a hard act to follow.C D W R * El Paso / Las Cruces Page 5

Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue, Inc.,7425 Dale Road, El Paso, Texas 79915Join us now and help make adifference for wildlife!Yes! I would like to help our area’swildlife. I am enclosing a donation.$10.00 ______ $15.00______ $25.00_____$50.00______ $75.00______ Amt:_______Thank you for your support. Your donation is awonderful opportunity to help orphaned and injuredwildlife and to support the efforts of the CDWRvolunteer rehabilitators. All donations receive ayearly subscription (3 issues) of the newsletter.Name: ___________________________________Address: _________________________________City:_____________ State:______ Zip:_______Phone:_______________ Email:_____________CDWR is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organizationand all donations are tax deductible.7425 Dale RoadEl Paso, TEXAS 79915www.whc.net/cdwrNON PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGEPAIDCANUTILLO, TXPERMIT NO. 001EPEC & CDWR Collaborate (continued from page 4)On December 22, 2009, Linemen John E. Waters and Edward R. Segura met Kenand I at the Barnhouse residenceto install the nest box.These two men were veryprofessional,caring, and qualified in theirposition. Since Ken was notallowed in the boom cradledue to safety issues, wewatched from below as Johninstalled the nest box toFinishing touches beingmade by KenJohn installing the box frontKen’s specifications. John did a wonderful jobwith Edward assisting and the box was up in notime.After adding framework for aesthetics and a littlepaint, the job was done. Now we hoped andwaited, until…… I am so happy to report thatLydia saw the kestrels enter the box about a monthago and several times since! Thanks to the effortsof so many who care; sweet success. Thank you toeach and every one of you! - Susie jensenI do NOT get paidenough…Another Special Thanksto Helen Caporoz who donated threewonderful parrots (2 african greysand a cockatoo) in memory of herhusband Al Caporoz. I would alsolike to thank Marie Archuleta, for herhelp in moving the beautiful cagesthat are the birds home, and BillHowe for supplying such a great newhome for the parrots.