New York State Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) made several wildlife rescues recently including a Red-Tailed Hawk on Long Island, two rabbits in Erie County, and an Red-Necked Grebe in Columbia County.
Erie County Rabbits Rescued
On March 25, ECOs Michael Wozniak and Investigator Kevin Holzle responded to Kenmore Mercy Hospital in the Village of Kenmore in Erie County, regarding a report of two rabbits trapped in a 10-foot window well.
The Officers safely captured both rabbits and released them back into the woods behind the hospital without incident.
Injured Hawk Rescue at Belmont Lake State Park
On March 30, ECO Brendan Dickson responded to reports of an injured Red-tailed hawk next to an administrative building at Belmont Lake State Park in Babylon in Suffolk County on Long Island. The hawk’s right wing was lowered, and it appeared unable to fly.
Officer Dickson, with assistance from State Park Police, created a perimeter around the hawk to keep hikers and dog walkers at a safe distance to prevent any further stress on the bird.
He then contacted a local wildlife rehabilitator who responded to the location, assessed the hawk, and determined its right wing was swollen and the bird appeared malnourished.
The rehabilitator identified the hawk as a male Red-Tailed Hawk that nests in the park every year and safely captured the raptor, placed it in a carrier, and transported it to a rehab facility for care.
DEC checked in with the wildlife rehabilitator on the hawk’s condition and learned the bird was taken to a veterinarian, did not have a broken wing but some swelling, and is feeding on its own.
The hawk is expected to make a full recovery and be released back at Belmont Lake State Park once it’s healthy.
Columbia County Bird Rescue
ECOs J
ordan Doroski and James Keegan recently responded to the Town of New Lebanon, in Columbia County, for a report of a distressed bird laying in the snow.
Officer Keegan arrived and identified the bird as a Red-Necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena).
Red-Necked Grebes are migratory aquatic birds which generally winters in calm waters off the coast, although some winter on large lakes. Grebes require at least 100 feet of open water to take flight.
Officer Keegan placed the Grebe into an animal carrier and both Officers transported it to Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center in Hunter, Greene County.
The wildlife rehabilitator at the facility notified DEC that the bird was hungry and dehydrated but improved immediately after being fed. The bird was released four days after its arrival.
You can watch the video of the Red-Necked Grebe feeding at the rehab facility here.
Read about more recent wildlife rescues.
Photos, from above: Injured Red-Tailed Hawk discovered at Belmont Lake State Park; and the rescued Red-Necked Grebe (both provided by DEC).
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