Raptor Center of Southeast Michigan

By Alysha Albrecht

This summer proved to be the “release of the red-tailed hawks”. In early April a very light-colored and stunning first-year red-tailed hawk came to us with a wing injury. An x-ray showed a fracture in the ulna with shards and no other breaks. We began a regimented recovery plan with rest and physical therapy. Leroy, the hawk, was released in mid-May on Dody & Jack’s property away from the hussle and bussle of where he was found in Livonia. The finder and her son were able to watch Leroy give us all a goodbye by flying to a high tree and relaxing there for a while since he wasn’t rushed to get back to the weekday grind.

Fast forward to mid-July when the young red-tailed hawks have fledged the nest, I received a call about a hawk stuck in a soccer net. The finder was able to cut the netting and bring the bird to me. Together we cut the rest of the netting off and thankfully the bird didn’t have any injuries. After close observation, Dody and I thought it best to get this bird back into the wild ASAP, so it could learn how to hunt from its parents. We had a beautiful release with a lovely group of people from Resurrection Parish in Canton. After we released the bird, we were soon blessed with a flight of a parent flying high overhead and calling to the youngster. It was so exciting to see them reunited! If you have netting, keep it tight, so the larger birds can bounce off or smaller birds can fly right through it and not get stuck!

Then late into July, Dody was able to return an adult red-tailed hawk back to Delhi Metro Park where it was found on the ground with a bad eye and head injury. The bird needed special eye drops and thankfully its vision came back! These are the stories that make raptor rehabilitation so special. On behalf of these birds, we thank the finders who take the time to stop and help these birds so that we can use our expertise to give them a safe space to heal and recover. This is why we cheer and celebrate as we release each red-tailed hawk back to the wild where it belongs! If you are able, please consider donating to help us continue our work.

We, and the birds, thank you in advance!