Birds of Prey NW rescues young osprey in McEuen
Courtesy photo This 8-week-old osprey was rescued Tuesday by Birds of Prey Northwest when citizens reported that she was on the ground near the dog park in McEuen Park in Coeur d’Alene. She was found starving and weak, but Birds of Prey director Janie Veltcamp believes she has a fighting chance even after being blown out of the nest before she was ready to fly.
COEUR d’ALENE — A young osprey in McEuen Park was rescued Tuesday by Birds of Prey Northwest after citizens called to report that the bird was on the ground.
"The bird's been grounded for several days," said Birds of Prey director and raptor biologist Janie Veltcamp. "She got blown out of the nest before she was ready to fly, so we need to do triage for a few days to see if she can recover."
Veltcamp said the female osprey is about 8 weeks old, just two weeks shy of when she is supposed to fledge. She was found starving and emaciated.
"Birds often get blown from the nest before they're ready to fly," Veltcamp said, adding that as far as recovery is concerned, "it takes three days to save a bird's life, and you don't know until the third day."
"Luckily this one has a chance because she was found," Veltcamp said. "She's in good hands."
Veltcamp said she received a call from the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office late Monday night following a citizen report, but "there's little we can do in the dark."
The osprey was rescued around 11 a.m. Tuesday, thanks to a team that helped locate and retrieve the osprey at the base of Tubbs Hill. The rescue was highlighted on the city of Coeur d'Alene's Facebook page.
Veltcamp said when an injured or downed bird is found, call Birds of Prey immediately. Sometimes it only takes a few days for them to recover and be released back into the wild.
"Don't let the bird stay on the ground. Take action," Veltcamp said. "It takes a citizen to take action to get involved and get these birds off the ground."
To report a downed raptor, call Birds of Prey at 208-245-1367.