Stories in this Regional News Roundup are excerpted from weekly newspapers from around the region. This is the first and only part this week.
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MCCALL — A great horned owl named Merlin showed off its new digs this past weekend at an open house hosted by the Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary east of McCall.
Merlin is one of two resident birds who now lives in the in the “flight barn,” which the sanctuary will use to help birds of prey recuperate and build up strength with short, controlled flights so they can be released back into the wild when healthy.
“The flight barn provides a place for their physical therapy and rehabilitation in a safe, open space, to build strength and stamina,” said Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager Alyssa Lakota.
The flight barn includes two bays, each 10 feet wide by 50 feet long. One bay will be used for short physical therapy flights birds must complete before being released to the wild.
“When raptors are in rehabilitation or growing up, their muscles either deteriorate or they have not yet been fully developed. We need to ensure they are fully flighted before release, as this is crucial for them to hunt successfully,” Lakota said.
The barn’s other bay will house birds staying at the sanctuary, including the center’s two resident educational birds — Oa’Ya, a red-tailed hawk, and Merlin. Both birds have serious injuries that mean they cannot fly or be released into the wild. Instead, they are cared for by the center and employed as part of the center’s education programming.
The structure was designed specifically to meet the standards of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association for the recuperation, handling and housing of injured or orphaned wildlife. It is the only facility of its kind in southwest Idaho that meets the association’s standards.
The nonprofit wildlife organization provides veterinary care and rehabilitation for sick, injured or orphaned wild animals. The facility is about seven miles east of McCall on a remote 35-acre property at 1981 Lick Creek Road.
The center receives about 85 calls per month, requesting care for injured or orphaned wild animals.
Injuries vary from one animal to the next, and each new patient is a bit of a surprise, from small birds that have struck windows or cars to orphaned animals.
“There are fawn-knappings, cub knappings or other animals accidentally taken from their parents when finders believe them to be injured, when they may simply be learning to fly or waiting for their parents return to feed them,” Lakota said. “Most need time to heal, time to grow, pain meds, antibiotics, food, water and rest.”
Last year, the center rehabilitated and released 13 injured birds of prey and 32 mammals ranging from skunks to black bears. In total, the center released 61 animals back into the wild.
In addition to the new flight barn, amenities include another barn for rehabilitating fawns, two bear enclosures, enclosures for small animals, raptors and songbirds, a quarantine shed for sick animals, a veterinary clinc and two cabins.
Staff include a registered veterinary technician, who oversees most animal care, and an animal rehabilitation assistant. There is one volunteer who helps two days per week, with the center searching for a second.
Several volunteers have come together for larger projects over the years, including the construction of the flight barn.
“It is a labor of love. Wildlife matters,” Lakota said. “They are major contributors to maintaining balance in a very fragile ecosystem that is gradually worsening. Not to mention how exciting it is to witness wildlife in their natural habitat.”
— Max Silverson, The Star-News (McCall), Thursday
Kiosk upkeep underway; future lawn mower events at airport
KOOSKIA — The Clearwater Valley Grass Assassins, who sponsored several popular lawn mower races this year on airport property, sought to clarify a usage agreement with the Kooskia City Council.
Gary Payton, a spokesperson for CVGA, asked for a written agreement for future events at the Kooskia City Council meeting Sept. 13. Because the airport is under the Idaho Department of Transportation authority and closing the airport requires a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen by the FAA) if the runway is impeded. Although the council is in support of future events to be held on the site, an agreement was not reached at the meeting, and CVGA was asked to provide a proposal at the next council meeting in October.
Council members present were Mayor Don Coffman, members Tina Ulmer, Annette Payton, Alana Curtis and Greg Gibler. Also in attendance were city clerk Teresa Lytle, city attorney Kirk MacGregor and maintenance superintendent Carlos Martinez.
Other agenda items included a question by Mark Trenary regarding plans for land his family donated to the city. Water, sprinklers and landfill will be required for its development, said Martinez.
Also discussed was the law enforcement agreement between the city and the sheriff’s office, which expires at the end of September. At $25,000 a year, it was deemed a “good deal” by MacGregor. There are currently six to seven deputies in the area.
Upkeep and tree removal plans at the kiosk area are underway and will begin in October. The decorative rocks will be reconstructed and the bench boards will be replaced.
— Lyn Krzeminski, The Clearwater Progress (Kamiah), Thursday
