Original post – 07 Dec 2016

by Higher Ground Raptor Centre
located in Southern Highlands, NSW

Website | Instagram | Facebook

This beautiful creature if I’m not mistaken is a Powerful Owl, which is the first to feature here on Os in Ts. It’s the largest owl in Australia. Well, not this… not this exact owl. But in general, the species Ninox strenua is the biggest, with a wingspan of around 1.1-1.4m, so about the average height of an 8 year old. Also in the “Vulnerable” category of Australian wildlife.

And sure enough, as I am writing this, Peggy McDonald the rehabilitator in the photo messaged back to say:

Yes an amazing young PO that presented with severe torticollis and had to learn to move her head again in the right direction. She was amazing!!

I really recommend this ABC interview – The Raptor Whisperer when you’ve got a spare 48 minutes. A brief synopsis:

Peggy is a wildlife carer who specialises in helping wedge-tail eagles, falcons, owls and other raptors recover their ability to fly.

Excellent questions from the host, and Peggy is a delight.

For those wishing to contribute to Peggy’s efforts, please direct your donation to Australian Raptor Care and Conservation Inc. (ARCC). Peggy is a founding member there and asks that donors please indicate ‘rehabilitation’ in the reference area. Link to donate to ARCC for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Small owl huge spirit

Original post – 12 Mar 2021

by Peggy McDonald at Higher Ground Raptor Centre

located in Southern Highlands, NSW Australia

Website | Instagram | Facebook

This little fellow was found “down the hill” in Kangaroo Valley with the radius in both wings broken.

Reported in to Wildlife Rescue South Coast, my licensing body, he was rescued straight away by Kerstin Schweth and taken to the Southern Highlands Veterinary Centre where Dr Chris Watson did x rays and confirmed the breaks.

Conservative treatment of rest and minimal movement was chosen as both breaks were “nice”, away from the joints and the resulting callous on each wing was not going to impact on the ulna.

He has done very nicely and Dr Lorenzo at Camden re-xrayed and confirmed all is well.

He is now in an IC aviary, wings are symmetrical and extend beautifully.

Next step is flying in a lager aviary in another week…. then back home down the hill when he builds up fitness.

This image was taken when he was on pain meds and I had to gently catch and hold him to administer his drugs, fluids and food over the first few days until he was self feeding.

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Normally this is where a link would be included to donate to Higher Ground Raptor Centre, but at time of writing this, it’s a little unclear where and how they’re accepting $$$, and the site hasn’t been updated in some time. They do have a list of projects they were working towards in 2020, so consider getting in touch with HGRC via their contact page to find ways to help.

Meanwhile, founder Peggy McDonald is involved in an adjacent conservation group in New South Wales called Australian Raptor Care and Conservation Inc.:

ARRC Inc. Website | Facebook

And if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to donate, there’s a Stripe page set up there and I’m sure ARRC Inc. will happily accept financial support.

Update: We have confirmation that yes, those wishing to contribute are welcome to direct their donation to ARCC Inc. and donors are asked to please indicate ‘rehabilitation’ in the reference area. Link to donate to ARCC Inc. for those willing and able to help support Australian raptors and Peggy’s mission.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉