April
23, 2004 - back in the nest
Two days
ago we saw Tricia Wilson nursing an owl
chick back to health. Today, two gentlemen from PG&E
have volunteered to help us return the chick to its nest box.
The benefactors are Ray Friend, Substation Maintenance Supervisor
(left), and Earle Donnelly, Electric Crew Foreman. They've backed
their truck up to the big barn.
Earle takes the lift up to the nest box on a trial run.
While he's up there he has a look in the nest to count the chicks
for us. We had been able to see only two from the ground, and
are surprised to learn there were four chicks already in the
nest.
Trish gets
the owl chick from its carrying case and prepares it for the
journey. Since we were concerned that the chick might have been
expelled from the nest by its siblings (and that they might
do it again) Trish marks the bird with a green marking pen so
we could identify it later (if need be)...
...as Ray
and Earle watch with interest.
Trish puts
the chick in a plastic bucket, covers it with a cloth, and hands
it off to Earle.
Up up and
away.
Earle pours
in the chick. Success!
Nothing
left to do now but the video interview, conducted by ESF Assistant
Land Manager Ken Collins. The owl chick has remained in the
nest for several days now.
