Rehab & Release
SOAR provides care for well over 300 birds each year that have been injured or orphaned, primarily from western Iowa.
Colfax Bridge Eagle Released
By SOAR | May 10, 2022 | Notes, Patient Snapshots
Early May was a happy dance day for the adult bald eagle “Colfax Bridge.” This eagle took wild flight once again along the North Raccoon River, in east central Carroll County! She soared out of
Early April Admits
By SOAR | April 15, 2022 | Notes, Patient Snapshots
I’m sure our readers know our dislike of barbed wire… this short-eared owl was rescued in Story County after being found caught in barbed wire. Our hope is that any injury to this owl’s left
Released 9 April 2022
By SOAR | April 11, 2022 | Notes
SOAR is thankful for the good weather this past weekend to release some very ready patients! Two barred owls were released along the Raccoon River. Here is the “thank you stare” from one. The Merlin
Recent research on adverse effects of lead
By SOAR | April 6, 2022 | Notes, Other Research
This study looks back on how past lead exposures can still impact adults of today. Researchers note that, “We estimate that over 170 million Americans alive today were exposed to high-lead levels in early childhood,
Rough-leggeds to flight pen
By SOAR | March 24, 2022 | Notes, Patient Snapshots
The two January 2022 rough-legged hawks admitted, have been moved to a 10×20 flight room in the hawk building! Kay reports they are doing well. Read about their injures here. You can see the
Out the door!
By SOAR | March 20, 2022 | Notes
Recovering from injury and gaining back muscle strength is hard work! To give these ready-to-go birds their best chance, releases happen when the seasonal temps are moderate and no storms are in the near forecast.
60-Ft flight pen update – end of February 2022
By SOAR | February 28, 2022 | Notes, Patient Snapshots
You’ve no doubt heard the saying, “Change is the only constant.” The 60-foot flight pen residents change as bald eagles come from the intensive care / smaller flight pens or have progressed to needing time
Groundbreaking study
By SOAR | February 18, 2022 | Notes, Other Research
The first study of lead poisoning of wildlife at a nationwide scale This multi-year study finds high levels of lead in bald and golden eagles in 38 states. From the study, researchers noted that adult
Rough-legged hawk x 2
By SOAR | February 18, 2022 | Patient Snapshots
Late January say two rough-legged hawks admitted. These hawks are on winter vacation from their extreme north breeding area. Learn more from Cornell Lab of Ornithology! Where do these hawks get their “rough-legged” part of
Bald Eagle Patient Updates
By SOAR | February 18, 2022 | Patient Snapshots
Here are your 17 February 2022 updates on a few bald eagle patients! Ms Pox is ready to go. She and other juvenile eagles will be soft-released together at SOAR when the weather is consistently