C-52: Bird Handler's Blog

C52 in 2006

2007-11-08T12:22:00.000-08:00

Veterinarian Visits

According to veterinarian and avian diplomate Dr. Sammy Vaughn, Bald Eagle C52 is doing GREAT. Stonefield Associates and Dr. Vaughn’s team attend to all the health needs of DNR, Patoka’s birds of prey. On October 3^rd, eagle had his talons trimmed. You see, an animal in captivity presents some challenges that may not be widely evident in the natural habitat of that animal. Bald eagle, due to the inability to fly and utilize a variety of perches and uses of his talons, has a tendency sometimes to grow long talons and not to wear off in the natural manner. This wild bald eagle does NOT act well to visiting the vet, being held on a table, while his talons are trimmed or being subjected to other check-up procedure. It is yet another day in the life of a captive bald eagle. When returning to Patoka, the 2 naturalists returned C52 back to his night shelter, offered him a pool of water. Yes, he took a bath, took the food offered and was back in his familiar space.

Indiana State Fair 2006

Eagle traveled with Patoka’s two naturalists to the Indiana State Fair on Wednesday, August 9^th for a 4p.m. program. This special presentation featured both the eagle and barred owl of Patoka, as well as the NEW features of the backyard ampitheater and pool of the DNR building, Indianapolis Fairgrounds. Bald Eagle C52 did jump or bate off the glove a number of times during the program, due in great part to unfamiliar surroundings and sounds. Many fair goers enjoyed a close-up look at a wild bald eagle. (photo of c52 at fair)

Programs at Patoka

Due to the new backyard viewing area build in 2004, Bald Eagle C52 and Barred Owl continue to delight many visitors as they stroll through the Patoka Lake Visitor Center backyard gardens. Check out the renovated gardens and two amazing birds. Conner Brosmer enjoys visiting the birds at Patoka. (photo of Conner)

Patoka Lake Visitor Center is undergoing renovation to the roof and indoors of the main building. If you are planning a visit, please stop by and take a look. Bald Eagle and Barred Owl will be in the backyard viewing area except for holidays and Sundays through the winter.

Maintenance is an ongoing project at Patoka. Keeping areas clean and tidy, feeding schedule, care and handling all are daily tasks for DNR employees and occasional volunteers. Here volunteer David Crecelius blows the Autumn leaves off the raptor shelters. Barred Owl enjoys her shelter darkened by the leaf cover as a “nocturnal” creature by nature. Eagle prefers the daylight as he is a “diurnal” bird, active during the day, resting at night.

Spring and Summer 2005 at Patoka

2005-08-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

Spring and Summer 2005 at Patoka has been very busy with programs and projects. Many folks have enjoyed a close-up view of DNR, Patoka's resident birds, learning about these fascinating raptors or birds of prey, Bald Eagle C52 and Barred Owl. With their precision tools, talons and beak, both the owl and eagle are very well equipped to grip their food with their talons and tear the meat in pieces with their strong beaks.

April 17th, Sunday, Patoka's resident red-tail Hawk died. Just one month away from turning 21 years old, quite old for a hawk. This amazing red-tail hawk was a vital part of our nature programs for many years from the mid 1980s, with a close-up look at the red tail feathers, the blue-black beak and many colors of feathers, habits and biology of this wild bird.

Owl is healthy at a weight of 1 pound 10 ounces, an average weight for a female barred owl.

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Barred Owl is on the glove of handler, interpretive naturalist Tammy Emmons. Owl is doing well after her recent visit to the veterinarian, Dr. Sam Vaughn. Dr. Vaughn indicated that Owl may be an older bird as her beak is growing at a fairly fast pace. Owl now has three handlers who care for her and see that she is in her viewing area on most days at the Visitor Center.

On June 1st, a decision was made for Bald Eagle C52 to remain in his shelter for 2-3 months in order for feathers to correctly grow on his "elbow" areas of both wings. Eagle continues to see DNR staff who care for him, but he will not be out for public viewing until mid-August. To find out more about our Owl & Eagle programs, please call the Patoka Lake Visitor Center, 812.685.2447.

Bald Eagle C52 taking a bath. Yes, bald eagles and other birds take baths to clean and groom or preen. Patoka's resident bald eagle takes a bath approximately every week. He will step into his pool and dip his head in the water. It is indeed a sight to see. Reports of a bald eagle taking a bath are rare but have occurred on at least 2 occasions here at Patoka Reservoir in the last 10 years.

February was a busy month for the Patoka raptors

2005-03-06T10:29:00.000-08:00

February was a busy month for the Patoka raptors. Approximately 200 people enjoyed a close-up of Bald Eagle C52, Red-tailed Hawk, and Barred Owl at Lake Monroe's annual Eagle Watch event on Saturday, February 5th. Raptor programs presented at Patoka have been well received with indoor and outdoor opportunities to see the resident raptors and hear their story. Care continues with cleaning of shelters, inventory of food, maintenance & upkeep of shelters and structures.

Media coverage regarding Patoka's raptors has increased awareness and initiated partnerships for the care of Patoka's Bald Eagle C52, Hawk and Owl. DNR, Patoka Lake staff receive calls and inquiries about Bald Eagle, his current condition and programs with increased awareness and interest in three birds of prey.

On Sunday, January 27th, Dr. Sam Vaughn, avian veterinarian, traveled over an hour from east Louisville to Patoka for a check-up of Eagle C52. He and his assistant examined Eagle, took blood sample, and observed the raptor shelter. With the continuing dedication of Dr. Sam Vaughn and his staff, detailed attention guarantees the best health for this marvelous bird of prey.

Sunday, March 6th. It is a sunny Sunday and Eagle is on his perch in the backyard garden of Patoka Lake Visitor Center. He looks up to view the turkey vultures and songbirds flying overhead.

Photos from January Eagle Watch

2005-02-15T08:28:00.000-08:00

Here is a photo of a bald eagle & a photo of a redtail hawk taken by the Jeff Hochgesang family of Jasper, IN on January 15th at Patoka's eagle watch programs.

Eagle Watch provided a great outdoor experience for 80 participants who viewed our resident raptors as well as travelling around Patoka to look for eagles in the wild places.

Also, here is a copy of artwork by an 8 year old student named Savannah and her interpretation of the eagle and raptor handler. It is always exciting and rewarding to receive letters of appreciation for the interpretive programs.

Lake Monroe's Eagle Watch

2005-02-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

Bald Eagle C52 will be traveling Saturday February 5th to Four Winds Resort for Lake Monroe's Eagle Watch Program. Eagle, Redtail Hawk, and Barred Owl will be featured in a raptor presentation at 7 p.m. as part of the three day event celebrating the natural heritage of Indiana's naturescape.

For more information regarding the exciting programs and special events at Patoka, call 812.685.2447

Week of 1/23

2005-01-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

Bald Eagle C52 is in his NEW viewing area of the Visitor Center backyard garden. This enclosure offers more opportunities for visitors to enjoy a close-up look at Bald Eagle C52 & Redtail Hawk. On Tuesday, 1/25, 19 pre-schoolers and adults attended a program about Patoka's birds of prey. Eagle weighs 8lbs. 10 oz. a very good weight for a male bald eagle. On Wednesday, 1/26, 12 girl scouts and 2 leaders enjoyed Bald Eagle C52 and Redtail Hawk in programs as we talked about endangered species, bald eagle nests at Patoka and resident raptor C52.

For more information regarding viewing opportunities call Patoka Lake Visitor Center 812.685.2447

Eagle Watch!

2005-01-05T13:53:00.000-08:00

Eagle Watch, an annual special event is scheduled for Patoka on January 15th of 2005. Bald Eagle C52 will be featured in this program as well as many other programs planned for the 2005 season. Since January 1989, when Bald Eagle C52 arrived at Patoka as the resident raptor, approximately 50,000 people have viewed him in his backyard viewing area at the Patoka Lake Visitor Center or offsite programs.

This one bird has traveled to the Indiana State Fair for annual programs, Lake Monroe’s Eagle Watch in February of each year, US F&W 100th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge and area schools. Bald Eagle continues to be an amazing asset to the Interpretive Services at Patoka

Eagle continues to eat well

2004-12-07T13:53:00.000-08:00

Eagle continues to eat well. Putting more weight on his left foot. On glove, handling well, bating or jumping from time to time but back around and on glove with no problem.

Blood test: ok

2004-12-04T13:52:00.000-08:00

Dr. Vaughn called the Visitor Center. Blood tests show Eagle is quite normal. No indications for further immediate care at this time

Blood test

2004-12-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

Dr. Sam Vaughn took blood for testing. Conclusion at this point is Eagle is doing quite well.

Doing well

2004-11-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

Eagle eating well, moving around shelter, on and off the low and high perches. Taking baths when offered pool of water.

Checkup

2004-11-15T16:06:00.000-08:00

Eagle is transported to Dr. Sam Vaughn’s Stonefield Associates for a checkup. Another anesthetic and diagnostic observations and tests determine that Eagle does not have to be medicated as of today. New jesses are put on Eagle. Eagle returns home with increased optimism for his full recovery. Took the door off recovery area in order for Eagle to come and go, as he wants in the confines of his shelter. New high perches (3’ off ground) & approach of sassafras is installed in shelter. Eagle immediately takes to the high perch.

Back to Patoka

2004-11-09T13:48:00.000-08:00

Traveled to Louisville. Back to Patoka around 3:30p.m Eagle was very quick to jump from his transport to his new recovery area.

Improvements to eagle shelter

2004-11-08T13:58:00.000-08:00

Tom Riley & Maria Abel-Crecelius build a small recovery enclosure & low perch in Eagle’s shelter. This structure was to assure his confinement for observation and quick attention if necessary. Purchases were made of 2 large mat and other supplies to complete the recovery shelter.

Surgery today

2004-11-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

Surgery was performed early morning on Patoka’s bald eagle. Two toes were amputated from the left foot to stop the infection from spreading. At that time, this bird’s status was critical. For the next 9 days, bird is in a recovery area with water & food offered daily, as well as much care and attention from Dr. Sam Vaughn and his staff. On the 5th day, eagle is perching on a 2X4 perch at the vets.

Problems with left foot

2004-10-31T13:06:00.000-08:00

Bald Eagle C52 was transported to Louisville after the raptor handler, Maria observed some problems with 2 toes on the left foot. It was apparent quick attention was necessary. From October 31st through November 9th, 10 days, Bald Eagle was housed at Stonefield Associates in serious condition.

Injured foot

2004-10-12T10:04:00.000-07:00

Resident Bald Eagle C52 injured his left foot while in his shelter. Through the course of the next 2½ weeks, Eagle was transported on 3 occasions to Dr. Sam Vaughn, DVM, for extensive medical attention, tests and medications. Unfortunately, the infection did not respond to treatment.

eating well

2004-10-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

Eagle eating well except for the medications. A topical antibiotic has to be sprayed or squirted through the screening of his recovery area.

C52's return

2004-10-06T14:30:00.000-07:00

Received word from Dr. Vaughn that C52 would be able to return to Patoka. Eagle’s shelter was cleaned in preparation for the bird’s return.