Rehab & Release
SOAR provides care for well over 300 birds each year that have been injured or orphaned, primarily from western Iowa.
Three in Three
**Updates – Early December 2021 did not start out well. Three adult bald eagles admitted in three days. One bald eagle from Allamakee County was exhibiting symptoms of lead poisoning. This eagle was NOT in good shape, and died en route to SOAR. Thanks to all involved in this eagle’s rescue, care, and transport –
SOAR receives Avangrid Foundation Grant
The Avangrid Foundation, the primary philanthropic arm of leading sustainable energy company AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), announced January 6, 2022, a total of $100,000 in grants to 13 wildlife rehabilitation centers as part of its Wildlife Rehabilitation Program. The grants support operational capabilities and expand outreach to communities within the service area of the AVANGRID
Adult bald eagle admitted **Update
A mid-December update: this eagle is in the 100′ flight pen, but is not yet showing effortless flight. The worry is that the old fracture in the left wing is not allowing for full extension of that wing. This eagle will continue to be monitored. On 7 August 2021, a concerned citizen in Crawford County
Bald Eagles Released
An adult and a hatch-year 2021 bald eagles completed their recovery and were released at SOAR on 22 December 2021! The adult bald eagle rescued in Des Moines near Halloween that had elevated lead levels. This female was given supportive care and time to build back her strength. The youngster was transferred to SOAR from
Recent Owl Admits
SOAR admitted a snowy owl on 20 December and a great horned owl on 22 December 2021. These owls have good and bad similarities. Both owls were rescued by two different county’s conservation staff members. Yeah, we so appreciate our many county conservation partners here in Iowa. If you’re not from Iowa, you can click
Snowy admit
I know we talk about giving raptors space, especially those migrating to spend the winter in Iowa. If you haven’t read our story about giving raptors space, check out this post. That said, sometimes there is reason to approach. This snowy owl admitted on 6 December 2021 is one of those cases. Here’s the backstory
SOAR Year-end 2021
As 2021 draws to a close, we cannot thank you enough for being by our side! Both 2020 and 2021 have been unique times to manage a non-profit that includes animals AND people. Thank you for giving us grace and understanding for our lack of public presence even as our need for support has not
2022 Building Project
Construction of flight / exercise areas for small raptors The core piece of SOAR’s mission is to provide raptor rehabilitation. The final step in a bird’s recovery efforts is to spend time in an appropriate-sized flight enclosure for flight conditioning and strength training. SOAR needs to build two new flight enclosures for our smallest raptors
Give them space
We should all observe good raptor viewing etiquette, not only during the nesting season, but also during migration and the winter months when many raptors will gather together in good hunting areas. SOAR is hearing reports of snowy owls visiting Iowa again this winter. Rough-legged hawks and saw-whet owls have returned to Iowa as well.
Updates – Halloween admits from NW Iowa
Two admits on 31 October 2021 have moved from intensive care to flight pens! Both of these raptors were rescued in Woodbury County, Iowa. The hatch-year female peregrine falcon is making flights to the high perch in her flight pen. The 31 October 2021 rough-legged hawk is also reaching high perches and is making