New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) recently rescued two raptors: A red-tailed hawk stuck in a well on Long Island and Cooper’s hawk trapped in a screened porch in Columbia County.
On July 22, ECO Dickson received a call from a wildlife rehabilitator reporting an injured hawk stuck in a well in Oyster Bay.
Officer Dickson arrived at the location, observed the red-tailed hawk, retrieved the bird using a blanket, and placed it in the sun to dry.
The hawk had flown into the well, which is about four feet deep, to catch frogs and was unable to spread its wings and fly out. After approximately 30 minutes in the sun, the bird’s feathers were still wet and stuck together.
ECO Dickson contacted another wildlife rehabilitator for assistance and transported the bird to that rehabber’s facility for further examination.
The wildlife rehabilitator inspected the hawk and determined it was likely dehydrated with some sort of coating on its feathers, causing them to remain stuck together.
The rehabber provided the bird with fluids and a bath and is continuing to care for the hawk. DEC checked in with the wildlife rehabilitator and learned the bird is improving and will be released soon.
Th next day, ECO Keegan received a report from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office about a hawk trapped inside a screened in porch in the town of Copake.
Officer Keegan responded to the residence and observed a Cooper’s hawk inside the enclosed porch. The Officer safely captured the bird and took it outside.
ECO Keegan freed the bird after determining it did not appear injured; it flew up to a nearby power wire before flying out of sight.
Read about more recent wildlife rescues.
ECO Dickson with rescued red-tailed hawk (provided by DEC).
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