Raptor Center of Southeast Michigan

By Dave Spratt

I must admit I did not have “hawk wrangling” on my 2020 bingo card. But there we were: me in heavy gloves, a canvas shirt and goggles, with meat on a string in one hand and a large towel in the other; my wife Sarah standing ready with a large box and camera; and our third party, a juvenile

Red-Tailed Hawk (RTHA) shrieking loudly for food.

I’m not going to lie: Mistakes were made. When the hawk first showed up two days earlier, it was apparent that it had imprinted on humans. Even still, we did what any normal person might do with a large, angry raptor screaming in their face would do. We fed it. Twice. Bad move. The bird spent the whole weekend ragging us for food – sometimes through the window.

It shrieked from dawn to dusk. It landed on my back. It pounced on my sandaled foot (that left a mark). When we ignored it, it went for the neighbors.

A few phone calls to a falconry group and some rehabilitators got us in touch with Dody Wyman and Alysha Albrecht, the amazing team at the River Raisin Raptor Center. They asked if we could handle the hawk, then told us how.

And that’s how we ended up with a plan, a towel, a box and meat-on-a-string. As we knew it would, the hawk went for the meat and was easily scooped up with the towel and boxed. From there, I delivered it to the RRRC team. Sadly, the bird was too aggressive and too forward to rehabilitate, and had to be euthanized. Also not on my 2020 bingo card: Learning to NEVER feed a wild hawk. Ever. Got it!

A note from Dody, founder of River Raisin Raptor Center

Please welcome Dave & Sarah Spratt as our newest volunteers. Now fully sub-permitted under my permits, they rarely turn down an opportunity to go pick up injured or sick raptors and get them to either Alysha or me depending on who is available and closer. He found us just in time since River Raisin Raptor Center has gotten busy! He is showing quite a passion for these birds and eager to learn more.

Alysha and I spend a fair amount of time texting back and forth to discuss the best treatment plan for each bird. Dave has been included in many of these discussions and we really appreciate his desire to learn.

Speaking of getting busy – if anyone has small or medium sized dog/cat carriers they no longer are using, please think about donating them to us. We’re running low!

Special thanks from me to you all for such wonderful continued support. Please stay safe as we all weather this pandemic.