Rehab & Release
SOAR provides care for well over 300 birds each year that have been injured or orphaned, primarily from western Iowa.
Feathered Rockets
Three hatch-year 2021 kestrels were released 25 July 2021! Kay described them as “little rockets.” To date, 20 hatch-year ’21 kestrels have been released!
Progress
Several bald eagles have showed their increased strength and stamina! These bald eagles have moved from 10×20′ flight rooms to the 20×60′ flight pen. Here the eagles have more room to stretch out and increase the length (in distance and time) in their flights. The two hatch-year 2021 bald eagles will also be socializing with
Attitude
These two hatch-year 2021 great horned owls showed us how well they learned horned owl defensive posture and attitude. These two were released on 15 July 2021. Kay reported they both flew strong!
Hatch-year ’21 bald eagle update
Two Polk County (IA) hatch-year 2021 (HY21) bald eagles needed rescue in mid-June – one from Urbandale and the other from Saylor Township. Both of the HY21 female eagles have moved to a 10×20 flight pen to continue their weight and strength training. Kay reports both of these youngsters have an improved appetite and that
Coopers released, Coopers admitted
At the end of June / first part of July, a Cooper’s hawk admitted from Shenandoah, Iowa was released. This Coops was an older hatch-year 2021 bird. In the same time frame, two more hatch-year 2021 Cooper’s hawks were admitted.
Urbandale HY21 bald eagle
A bald eagle nest in Urbandale, Iowa, is closely monitored (and has a livestream camera) by human neighbors. SOAR was alerted by nearby homeowners that one of the two eaglets may need assistance. On 10 June 2021, SOAR volunteer Deb traveled to the location and reported that both eaglets were fully feathered. One was perching
Two babies, two different counties
These two broad-winged hawks are now unintended siblings! One broad-winged hawk is from Prairie City and has puncture wounds on its little rump. The other broad-winged hawk nestling was found on the ground in Story County and no one could locate the nest. Youngsters at this developmental age should still be in a nest and
“Homeless” hatch-year kestrels
These two hatch-year 2021 American kestrels were found in Woodbury County after their nest tree was removed. There was no where safe for the nestlings.
Growing owls
The baby owl population is growing – figuratively and literally! Hatch-year 2021 owls are still being admitted. Earlier hatch-year owl admits are growing and needing more space. These “teenage” barred owls are just starting to take short flights and will be moved to a larger flight area soon. These hatch-year 2021 screech owls were
Barreds released
Two adult barred owls were released on 31 May 2021. Birds are released back in to appropriate habitat for that species. Barred owl habitat is river bottom timber. Barred owls will move along the river corridor to find an open spot to claim.