|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
August 2009 LOG-BOOK: News about Greece is in blue. August 1st: and again all five outdoor-cats were present at 4.30 a.m. !! Hedgehogs: the male was 866 (+30) and the female was 512 (+45) gram. The latter rose on the scale since she is eating on her own !! The old Dark Barn Owl was 300 (=), the green Little Owl 173 (+3), the redsilver Little Owl 166 (+2) and the Kestrel was 179 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 39 (=), -0903 was 58 (+2), -0904 was 60 (+1) and –0905 was 49 (=) gram. Juvenile Barn Owls: green was 338 (+6) gram. The snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 348 (+7) and the orangered was 393 (-4) gram. At 6.05 a.m. the yellow juvenile Dark Barn Owl was not present anymore in the deserted houslet. At 9.10 a.m. our neighbor Charálambos came with his cock > we had to take-in the bird. So see further at COCK. Quite a lot of Dutch visitors this morning: all together 13 people. Did we thought we smelled fire yesterday, but we couldn’t see anything, today it showed our noses still are working perfectly: Lesvos fireA large fire that broke out yesterday in Agiássos, central Lesvos, had been brought under control by late yesterday before it could spread to residential areas. The fire, which broke out on forestland shortly before 3 p.m., was fanned by strong winds that hindered the efforts of 25 firefighters manning 12 fire engines and aided by three water-dropping aircraft and a helicopter. August 2nd: it’s starting to be almost “common” that all five outdoor-cats at the same moment are present and are begging for food. However, they had to wait today a bit longer, because the deaf Tomcat “Alba” had managed to escape and of course one can continue calling him without any result !! Hedgehogs: the male was 922 (+56) and the female was 512 (=) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 300 (=), the green Little Owl 170 (-3), the redsilver Little Owl 165 (-1) and the Kestrel was 176 (-3) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 40 (+1), -0903 was 55 (-3), -0904 was 58 (-2) and –0905 was 50 (+1) gram. Juvenile Barn Owls: green was 341 (+3) gram. The snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 337 (-11) and the orangered was 396 (+3) gram. The Cock wasn’t feeling so warm anymore this morning. At 12 o’clock we have transferred to “The Keep” both juvenile Little Owls (green and redsilver). The latter showed evidently not (yet) being capable of flying well. What indeed could fly were the observation-aircrafts of the fire-brigade, which the whole morning could be seen and heard in the air . . . . ?? For a huge part of Greece (Lesvos included) there is since 10 a.m. a yellow weather-alert due to high temperatures. And so the thermometer indeed rose till a good 31° Celsius !! Did the redsilver Little Owl show not (yet) being capable of flying at midday, at 5.30 p.m. he was spotted in top of the cage and he can’t have come there by foot !! The orangered Dark Barn Owl will go this evening for the first time to “The Keep” for flying-practices. August 3rd: and again all outdoor-cats were present early this morning. Hedgehogs: the male was 922 (=) and the female was 556 (+44) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 303 (+3) and the Kestrel was 177 (+1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 39 (-1), -0903 was 59 (+4), -0904 was 61 (+3) and –0905 was 49 (-1) gram. Juvenile Barn Owls: green was 337 (-4) gram. The snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 335 (-2) and the orangered was 393 (-3) gram. The latter was seen early this morning in top of the 2nd barn owl-cage and was doing quite well. In the little owl-cage both yesterday transferred birds were seen sitting on the rafters; however if independently is eaten already can only be measured in a couple of days. The Cock is starting pecking for food and is drinking by himself (quite a lot !!). Today meat had to be processed again (26,700 kilo for 109,44 Euro; total now this year 507,080 kilo for 3140,76 Euro) and this happened by Tjarda & Ineke assisted by Ellen & Tiny. At 10 a.m. a phone-call from the vet Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne that she’ll send with the 11 o’clock-coach a pigeon which is sitting stealthily in a corner and isn’t flying > most probably again a juvenile !! The adult bird we had in our hands at 11.47 a.m. > see further at PIGEON. And again the thermometer in the siesta rose till above 32° Celsius !! August 4th: it’s starting becoming drab, but all five outdoor-cats were present again. And this has been different in the past. In the Sick-Bay all were still alive. In the hedgehog-cage there was most probably a lot “relieved” last night because both had diminished: the male was 915 (-7) and the female was 550 (-6) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 311 (+8) and the Kestrel was 176 (-1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 42 (+3), -0903 was 58 (-1), -0904 was 60 (-1) and –0905 was 49 (=) gram. Juvenile Barn Owls: green was 334 (-3) gram. The snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 332 (-3) and the orangered was 401 (+8) gram. The latter can be transferred to the deserted houslet against next weekend, when it’s cooling down a bit more, for release. The Cock still isn’t able standing on his legs !! And still there is a yellow weather-alert due to high temperatures. At 8 a.m. we saw the baby-pigeon begging for food next to his/her father’s head in the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” > however, the father was laying in a strange way on the bottom: head was turned and the pupils were wide open. Baby was placed-back on the nesting-place and the father was taken with us. Was not alive anymore at 8.07 a.m. Had a (closed) blue footring left foot. Showed to have been 09-025, which arrived March 29th from Mória. (see herefor Logbook March 29th and following days). For the Cock we enlarged the amount of antibiotics from 30 IU until 100 IU, because he is giving-up lots of mucus. At 11.16 a.m. two village-laddies with an injured PIGEON > see over there. At 12.10 p.m. the 32° Celsius was reached already !! And in the siesta it rose easily till above 34° Celsius !! We had to give the pigeons colored foot-rings now, because otherwise we don’t know who is who. The juvenile Pigeon (09-140; July 28th) got a green ring left side, while the adult with one broken wing from this month got an orange right side. The Pigeon from this morning has such very feathered legs, we’ll recognize without problems. Plucking the succumbed Pigeon of this morning we discovered that there was a more than overfilled crop, but there was (almost) hardly any meat left on the breast. The further P.M. we have asked the little Dog-Fox to do . . . . !! At 8.32 p.m. a phone-call from a man in Mytiléne who in the past had sent us the Pigeon with the 2 broken legs. Now it was about a Collared Dove. We’ll be informed later. August 5th: all five outdoor-cats were here again. Hedgehogs: the male was 960 (+45) and the female was 579 (+29) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 307 (-4) and the Kestrel was 177 (+1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 41 (-1), -0903 was 60 (+2), -0904 was 59 (-1) and –0905 was 49 (=) gram. Juvenile Barn Owls: green was 338 (+4) gram. The snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 327 (-4) and the orangered was 397 (-4) gram. The little Dog-Fox hadn’t finished yet at 6.30 a.m. the P.M. on the Pigeon from yesterday !! And that he was doing his job properly we could see when we removed the last parts at 9 a.m. !! The Pigeon with one broken wing (so the orange) had quite a full crop and had produced “hunger-droppings” (so vermin-green) > food-bowl was removed and only Ringers was given. The wing-injuries of the Pigeon with the two broken wings are starting becoming cleaner. At 9.56 a.m. the well-known to us little Michail was at our doorstep with in his hands a cardboard box, wherein a freshly knocked-down little Cat > see further at CATLET. A whole Dutch family (3 generations) visited us > 9 people. At midday it was already almost 34° Celsius !! At 12.55 p.m. we saw how in the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” an adult Pigeon tried molesting the now fatherless baby-pigeon > the adult was caught and Released: we have the mentioned above molester with a huge sweep thrown into the air, whereafter he flew away. Discovered is that the green juvenile Dark barn Owl has both elbow-joints now with those strange knots > so can never be released. In the siesta the temperature rose until 35° Celsius !! August 6th: all were present again early this morning. Hedgehogs: the male was 972 (+12) and the female was 602 (+23) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 308 (+1) and the Kestrel was 176 (-1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 41 (=), -0903 was 59 (-1), -0904 was 60 (+1) and –0905 was 49 (=) gram. Juvenile Barn Owls: green was 341 (+3) gram. The snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 333 (+6) and the orangered was 404 (+7) gram. We have measured both juvenile Little Owls in “The Keep” as well: green was 146 (-24) and redsilver 143 (-22) gram. So both aren’t eating yet (sufficiently) > in two days time again measuring and eventually taking measures. The doublered tail-less juvenile Pigeon (09-134; July 20th), which was transferred to the Aviary July 27th is growing new tail-feathers there now !! At Pigeon with the 2 broken wings the injury of the left wing is clean, dry and closed now; the right side isn’t yet so far. The 2 laddies who brought him, came with 2 friends to see “their” Pigeon and wanted to see the other animals as well. Later in the morning a Greek family from Athens with two severe visual handicapped children > we have taken all the time we needed, because it became mainly feeling the animals/birds i.s.o. seeing them !! In the mouth of the little Dog-Fox we had to extract the eye-tooth left-under (milk-tooth) > had remained on it’s place while the new one was already present for a time. This happened without damage to our own hands and without as well bad feelings afterwards for the fox. Thanks to some present clouds it didn’t become warmer as 32° Celsius today. After the siesta we had the yearly visit of a Dutch Physiotherapist with his family and except of lots of elastic bandages for the surgery which was donated, as well both sons Frank and Ruben had saved from their pocket-money 55 Euro for the animals. By the Physiotherapist the green Dark Barn Owl was diagnosed having a “ganglion” in both wings, what confirmed our suspicion. We only didn’t know this could appear in birds as well, because the (humane) cause herefor is mostly a fall or a punch. August 7th: all outdoor-cats were present again early this morning. Hedgehogs: the male was 996 (+24) and the female was 604 (+2) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 303 (-5) and the Kestrel was 170 (-6) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 41 (=), -0903 was 57 (-2), -0904 was 59 (-1) and –0905 was 50 (+1) gram. Juvenile Barn Owls: green was 330 (-11) gram. The snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 335 (+2) and the orangered was 400 (-4) gram. We have fed a bit both juvenile Little Owls in “The Keep” (green and redsilver) early this morning. We could remove the dressings from both wings of the Pigeon with the two broken wings: left wing is OK, but from the right wing tendons are broken and dead. At 9.06 a.m. arrived per super-heavy motorbike a man who in the past had brought us a Pigeon > from that one we had to amputate the wing. Now again he had a Pigeon in his possession > so see further at PIGEON. We received 3 Dutch visitors. While we were asleep (siesta) at 2.15 p.m. a phone-call from an English-speaking woman who asked if we put asleep thrown-away kittens > they seemed to be in a terrible condition. After we answered positively she told us she should pass-by tomorrow. Later she phoned again and it will probably be Tuesday or Wednesday she’ll come. As well she tried to persuade us taking-over her mother’s Cockatiel (or Quarrion or Weero), her mother can’t take care of anymore. At 5.15 p.m. the orangered Dark Barn Owl (09-130; July 15th) was extendedly fed for the last time as a preparation for the Release: at 7.22 p.m. the Dark Barn Owl mentioned above was set free. In the beginning there was evidently a problem with the comprehending of this “huge space” !!
August 8th: all five were present again early this morning. Hedgehogs: the male was 1017 (+21) and the female was 636 (+32) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 301 (-2) and the Kestrel was 175 (+5) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 40 (-1), -0903 was 59 (+2), -0904 was 61 (+2) and –0905 was 51 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 334 (+4) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 327 (-8) gram. The orangered Dark Barn Owl could be spotted on the rafters of the deserted houslet at 6.10 a.m. The juvenile Jackdaw (09-102; June 19th) was seen while eating on his own > so the registration can be stopped till the release and as well he can stay outside. But first a new tail should grow. And although the younger (over here to be exact; the one with the silver ring) Hooded Crow quite regularly can be seen in top of the crow-aviary, none of the two is eating independently, which can be noticed during the force-feeding. We received 1 Dutch visitor and one of us could share youth-memories with her. August 9th: and again all were there !! Hedgehogs: the male was 1047 (+30) and the female was 656 (+20) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 303 (+2) and the Kestrel was 178 (+3) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 40 (=), -0903 was 62 (+3), -0904 was 60 (-1) and –0905 was 51 (=) gram. Barn Owls: green was 336 (+2) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 341 (+14) gram. The orangered Dark Barn Owl could still be spotted on the rafters of the deserted houslet at 6.10 a.m. From the first Pigeon of this month (the one with the orange ring) we could remove the hanging cast. We could clean completely the wing-injury and it could be closed with 2 stitches. Looks like a shot-hole of a plastic ball from an air-pistol !! The hanging cast as well is removed now. We received a quite “momentous” Greek visitor from Piraeus. And just before the beginning of our siesta 3 Dutch visitors. After 5 p.m. still 3 Greek visitors from Athens. Wildfires on LesvosThe last week there were wildfires in the village of Pigí (Municipality of Loutrópolis Thermís) and in the Municipality of Kallonís (in Filiá > 0,2 strémmata, and in Arísvi > 1 strémma ) (NB: 1 strémma = 0,1 Ha). August 10th: only four of the five outdoor-cats were present early this morning; “Papa” was lacking. Hedgehogs: the male was 1044 (-3) and the female was 679 (+23) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 304 (+1) and the Kestrel was 174 (-4) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 41 (+1), -0903 was 62 (=), -0904 was 60 (=) and –0905 was 51 (=) gram. Barn Owls: green was 314 (-22) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 344 (+3) gram. The orangered Dark Barn Owl was still sitting in between the rafters of the deserted houslet at 6.10 a.m. “Papa” came later in the morning for his “brunch”. Today again meat-cutting-day and Tjarda & Ineke, assisted by Tiny have processed 15,745 kilo (for 101,93 Euro; total now this year 522,825 kilo for 3206,69 Euro). And again we had visitors close from where the parental house from one of us is. That the mentality in respect of animals is changing indeed in favor of the animals, is proved by the following: we were phoned about a doggie which should bleed in the mouth. Told that if they didn’t trust the situation, they should pass-by. And so they did : doggie . . . . was SHEDDING !! In the past they didn’t even have noticed this, not to mention taking action !! When after the siesta at 3.20 p.m. we wanted to take the doggies out, we were “enjoyed” by the presence in our court-yard of an about 2 meter long snake, which by the presence of three outdoor-cats around him had become quite aggressive. And watching the tumbled-down flower-pots, before there had passed quite a lot of words between them . . . . !! With a Sergeant-Major’s voice the doggies were drilled into a corner, a net was taken and placed quickly over the snake. Hereafter Ineke could take the doggies out and your scribe could take a camera for proving this fact. Showed to be Large Whip Snake (Coluber caspius) which can measure until 2,5 meter and which, although not poisonous, can be quite aggressive when caught !! And thát the cats had tried . . . . !! The net was dropped at the deserted houslet and there was tried to take a picture. However, the snake acted like the name is saying and disappeared like a whip-lash. So tomorrow-morning, during the check of the orangered Dark Barn Owl, we have to be extra careful over there !! When in the evening, during one of the seldom moments we have the chance to do so, we were eating with friends of us in the Agorá of our village (under the Plane-tree), there was roaming around over there a little kitten which was defying the coming traffic with innocence and contempt of death. Tried to catch it, but without success. But when one of us had to leave the party early due to spinal-bone- and stomach-problems, with an acrobatic jump the kitten could be snapped-away just before the wheels of an approaching car. So taken with us and taken-in. See further at KITTEN. August 11th: quite restless night due to the visit to the specialist for internal diseases. All five outdoor-cats were present again. The new little kitten had spent the night quietly in the Library and was eating afterwards like a lion. Hedgehogs: the male was 1051 (+7) and the female was 687 (+8) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 294 (-10) and the Kestrel was 177 (+3) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 43 (+2), -0903 was 61 (-1), -0904 was 61 (+1) and –0905 was 52 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 325 (-22) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 344 (=) gram. The orangered Dark Barn Owl was still present at 6.15 a.m. in the deserted houslet; maybe he wants to live over there. At 9.07 a.m. a phone-call from the Agrotikí Stégi in Kallonís, that they had over there an owl > was picked-up later that morning and was in our possession at 10.21 a.m. See further at DARK BARN OWL. At 9.59 a.m. a phone-call from the Agrotikí Trápeza, as well in Kallonís, that they had over there a little bird > pas picked-up in the same trip. Was in our hands at 10.27 > see further at GREENFINCH. During the visit to the specialist and after a gastroscopie the result was that in any case there are some ulcers in the stomach and in the duodenum . . . . !! “Thanks to” a taken-in laxative (because of an endoscopies tomorrow) the whole siesta was passed “bubbling” > from above and below “bingo” . . . . !! And this continued till 10 p.m. !! August 12th: after a night spent more outside the bed than inside, early this morning still staggering started with all that should be done. All outdoor-cats were present again. In the Sick-Bay all were alive (and wonder of wonders as well the juvenile Greenfinch !!). Hedgehogs: the male was 1109 (+58) and the female was 706 (+19) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 297 (+3) and the Kestrel was 177 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 42 (-1), -0903 was 63 (+2), -0904 was 60 (-1) and –0905 was 49 (-3) gram. Barn Owls: green was 321 (-4), the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 341 (-3) and the new Dark Barn Owl was 215 (+21) gram. Luckily Tjarda came early to take-over, so the two of us could leave for Mytiléne after the most necessarily feedings were done. And because the examinations were soo painful, was as well standing on the own legs quite difficult and was the whole world taken for a bag-pipe (due to the given medicines) that indeed going home by car alone should have been impossible. At 12.45 p.m. the orangered Dark Barn Owl was still present in the deserted houslet > so tomorrow he should be caught and measured. There came 2 Danish (from Hersholm) and 3 Greek (from Piraeus) visitors around midday. August 13th: quite a better night than the nights before !! All outdoor-cats were present again. Hedgehogs: the male was 1079 (-30) and the female was 751 (+45) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 303 (+6) and the Kestrel was 174 (-3) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 41 (-1), -0903 was 61 (-2), -0904 was 57 (-3) and –0905 was 52 (+3) gram. Barn Owls: green was 320 (-1), the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 344 (+3) and the new Dark Barn Owl was 227 (+12) gram. At 6.20 a.m. the orangered Dark Barn Owl was still present in the deserted houslet. Was caught at 8.45 a.m. and measured: was only 328 gram (was August 8th before transferring to the houslet still 400 gram !!) > so fed and transferred to “The Keep”. The juvenile Greenfinch is, wonder of wonders, still doing fine and is eating on his own !! First we received a visit from 2 Greek brothers from Mytiléne (one of them a fire-brigade-member and has brought us in the past an Barn Owl), thereafter by heavy motorbike from Kallonís a very juvenile Pigeon was delivered (> so see further at PIGEON) and thereafter Dutch visitors. And hereafter came the Athenian lady, who had tried some days ago to dump her mother’s Cockatiel over here (see August 7th), with her son. In the window-frame of the 2nd floor of our house the Pigeon, which had had over there already twice a nest. Started again. Unfortunately we had to remove the eggs (and gave them to our Cub) and destroy the nest. Those nests are damaging too much the windows, etc. At 1.54 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a little Pigeon. We’ll receive a call when and with which coach the little one will be sent. And this happened at 6.50 p.m. with the message that the little one was put on the 6.45 p.m.-coach; in a cardboard-box next to the driver. We had the box in our hands at 7.27 p.m. > see further at PIGEON. The Greenfinch is now completely eating on his own. August 14th: and again all outdoor-cats were present early this morning. In the Sick-Bay as well all were alive. Hedgehogs: the male was 1125 (+46) and the female was 762 (+11) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 303 (=) and the Kestrel was 178 (+4) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 43 (+2), -0903 was 63 (+2), -0904 was 60 (+3) and –0905 was 52 (=) gram. Barn Owls: green was 311 (-9), orangered 346 (+18), the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 341 (-3) and the new Dark Barn Owl was 238 (+11) gram. Because our little Dog-Fox started to be quite bitty, constantly re-arranged the whole Sick-Bay and destroyed a lot, he was transferred to the fox-cage in “The Keep” at 7.42 a.m. At 7.50 a.m. the juvenile Greenfinch was transferred to the Aviary for wildering and flying-lessons. We have given the last two juvenile pigeons from yesterday a colored foot-ring: the one which was brought yesterday-morning from Kallonís received a red ring right foot, while the one which was picked-up in the evening from the Mytiléne-coach got a silver ring right foot. What we have discovered only now is that the one with the red ring has an injury under the right eye. The lower eye-lid is as well injured. Typical a pecking-injury from other pigeons. First we’ll wait and see how it’s healing before taking action with needle and thread. The baker in Kallonís, who yesterday had forgotten baking our special bread, came himself today and brought it with a 1000 excuses > he had a guided tour around and was astonished by seeing a Barn Owl > such a bird he never had seen before . . . . !! At the beginning of the siesta two Greek people at our doorstep, who wanted to see all. Unfortunately we had to response negative, but they were told they could come back at four o’clock. And so they did: two very friendly people from Ilioúpolis (Athens). At 8.25 p.m. two people at our doorstep, who had with them in a rusty margarine-tin a bird they had found on their field in the neighborhood of the Salines > showed to be a NIGHTJAR. So see over there. August 15th: at 4.30 a.m. all was alive and the Nightjar was breathing quietly. Except “Papa” all outdoor-cats were present. When at 5.23 a.m. we were ready preparing the food and wanted to feed the Nightjar, the breathing had stopped !! Hedgehogs: the male was 1103 (-22) and the female was 781 (+19) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 305 (+2) and the Kestrel was 175 (-3) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 41 (-2), -0903 was 64 (+1), -0904 was 64 (+4) and –0905 was 54 (+2) gram. Barn Owls: green was 311 (=), orangered 356 (+10), the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 339 (-2) and the new Dark Barn Owl was 252 (+14) gram. The little Dog-Fox had spent his first night in his new cage well and hadn’t even been “messing-around” with his food-bowl !! The juvenile green Pigeon (09=140; July 28th) received an extra silver ring and was transferred at 7.35 a.m. to the Aviary for wildering and flying-practices. At 8.27 a.m. followed the orange Pigeon (09-142; August 3rd) which had a broken wing. This one as well can start practicing now. At 11.11 a.m. two children at our door with a cardboard box in which they had loving placed four thrown-away alive kittens > see further at KITTEN. After being absent for 24 hours, “Papa” was present again at 5 p.m. Did we leave the silver juvenile Hooded Crow (09-129; July 14th) already some days ago in the crow-aviary day-and-night, from this evening the elder from the two (09-067; May 31st !!) will stay in there as well. There is eaten soo well, that this one is eating himself too. He is only indeed a “nest-misfit”, because the younger is flying already for some time (only needs to have a new tail), this one not even can leave the floor for half a meter. At 8.16 p.m. the same two Albanian children, who had brought this morning the 4 little kittens, were at our doorstep with an injured COLLARED DOVE > see over there. They wanted to know as well how the little kittens were doing . . . . so we made a good story !! August 16th: all five outdoor-cars were present again and in the Sick-Bay all patients were still alive. Hedgehogs: the male was 1131 (+28) and the female was 795 (+14) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 304 (-1) and the Kestrel was 176 (+1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 42 (+1), -0903 was 66 (+2), -0904 was 61 (-3) and –0905 was 52 (-2) gram. Barn Owls: green was 310 (-1), orangered 361 (+15), the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 347 (+8) and the new Dark Barn Owl was 255 (+3) gram. In spite of being only the two of us, we succeeded in being ready with the weekly cleaning of aviaries and “The Keep” in time for the coming visitors: 5 from Holland. We have discovered, after the bird himself had removed the bandage, that the Collared Dove from yesterday has a fracture (close to the wrist) of the radius. August 17th: we indeed had to pay the toll for our cleaning-activities from yesterday, because we hardly had some sleep last night . . . . !! All five outdoor-cats were again here early this morning. Hedgehogs: the male was 1122 (-9) and the female was 807 (+12) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 300 (-4) and the Kestrel was 177 (+1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 41 (-1), -0903 was 63 (-3), -0904 was 64 (+3) and –0905 was 53 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 308 (-2), orangered 359 (-2), the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 339 (-8) and the new Dark Barn Owl was 273 (+18) gram. The injury in the hand-part of the 3rd Pigeon of this month is closing well. Today again meat-cutting-day and Ineke, Tjarda & Janice have processed 15,465 kilo (for 102,13 Euro; total now this year 538,290 kilo for 3308,82 Euro). At 9.48 a.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about an unknown bird; the seize of a pigeon, which wasn’t flying. Will be sent by the 11 o’clock-coach. And the bird we had in our hands at 11.47 a.m. > see further at . . . . PIGEON !! At 1.15 p.m. (so the beginning of our siesta) two English people were at our doorstep. It seemed last year we got excited about a dog from here, which we could rescue and re-home in Holland. Although no tour around could be given anymore, they left a tangible gesture of gratitude. We have discovered that as well in the heel-joints of the green Dark Barn Owl ganglia are developing (see herefor as well August 6th). At 7 p.m. both English people, who are living part of the year in Lafiónas and the rest in Worcester (GB) and who had been at our doorstep at the beginning of the siesta, were at our door again and they had a tour around. During the conversation we remembered slowly what had happened last year. At 7.27 p.m. the vet Myrsíni Tourvalí from Mytiléne phoned about a Sparrow which she, or a friend or her, had already for some time: if it could be lodged over here ?? Of course reacted positively and we’ll be informed later. August 18th: it’s almost beginning to be boring, but all outdoor-cats were present again this morning and as well in the Sick-Bay all were still alive. Hedgehogs: the male was 1162 (+40) and the female was 852 (+45) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 298 (-2) and the Kestrel was 178 (+1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 41 (=), -0903 was 65 (+2), -0904 was 65 (+1) and –0905 was 52 (-1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 308 (=), orangered 365 (+6), the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 348 (+9) and the new Dark Barn Owl was 278 (+5) gram. We have recovered the yellow footring, which was lost by the brother/sister of our green Dark Barn Owl, just before she was released. This ring will be given to the new Dark Barn Owl and from now on she will be mentioned as the “yellow” one. At 9.38 a.m. a phone-call from the assistant of vet Myrsíni Tourvalí that they are sending with the 11 o’clock-coach a little bird, the seize of a sparrow but nót a Sparrow. And that birdie we had in our possession at 11.43 a.m. > so see further at . . . . indeed, a HOUSE SPARROW !! Meanwhile we received 2 Dutch visitors. Later phone-calls made it clear to us that this was indeed the birdie we were phoned-about yesterday evening. The red juvenile Pigeon was discovered not alive anymore at 3.30 p.m. The crop of this little one didn’t empty really and he/she was too young to perform a surgery to cleanse the crop. Checking carefully it had as well a twisted right leg > so strictly speaking a nest-misfit !! Our little Dog-Fox has taken the responsibility for the last ceremonies . . . . Just before 5 p.m. a Belgian visitor from Brussels. August 19th: all were outside present again early this morning and so as well in the Sick-Bay. Hedgehogs: the male was 1169 (+7) and the female was 850 (-2) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 295 (-3) and the Kestrel was 178 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 41 (=), -0903 was 64 (-1), -0904 was 69 (+4) and –0905 was 53 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 303 (-5), orangered 366 (+1), the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 343 (-5) and the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 275 (-3) gram. The last one has spent the whole night, together with the orangered, in “The Keep”. Showed not or hardly being capable flying (reason ??), but the cause of the stark loss of weight at intake is evidently clear !! The House Sparrow with the brain-damage is eating quite well on it’s own. Got a red ring right foot and a tallow ring left foot. We have the shot (with an airgun) juvenile Pigeon (number 3 of this month) transferred to the Aviary for flying-practices. The other remnant juvenile Pigeon (the 5th of this month) as well from the beginning can’t empty the crop completely and is becoming more and more drowsy and lethargic. This one as well is too young to perform a surgery. August 20th: at 4.25 a.m. our “Humpy” saw a huge rat in our court-yard and kept it on it’s place, giving us all the time of the world making an end to a promising future with a well-aimed shot and a bang on the head> Measured at the end of this sinister “happening” 31 cm from nose until tails-end !! Except “Papa” all other outdoor-cats were present again. In the Sick-Bay all were still alive; even the juvenile Pigeon !! We received the message from Holland that our Nightjar is not the nominate-species, but the subspecies meridionalis > so we’ll change this. So see at SOUTHERN NIGHTJAR. Now only is the question if all the Nightjars in the past were as well this sub-species. Hedgehogs: the male was 1202 (+33) and the female was 887 (+37) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 296 (+1) and the Kestrel was 181 (+3) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 42 (+1), -0903 was 66 (+2), -0904 was 67 (-2) and –0905 was 52 (-1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 311 (+8), orangered 369 (+3), the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 350 (+7) and the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 288 (+13) gram. Did we write August 4th & 5th about the baby-pigeon in “The Keep”, of which first the father died and which later was molested by another Pigeon (which was removed on the spot), this morning at 6.10 a.m. during the removal of the feeding-bowls of the nocturnals we discovered it drowned in the water-basin. Our little Dog-Fox, which is becoming more and more less tame and is biting quite well now, has taken care of the mortal remains. Did we see yesterday the juvenile Greenfinch (09-148; August 11th) taking an extended sun-bath, at 7.45 a.m. we discovered him/her pecked-dead on the bottom of the Aviary !! Today is the start of the hunting-season, so we can go taking a firm stand . . . . !! From the 2nd Pigeon of this month, the one with both wings fractured, we could remove the hanging cast of the left wing; however the right wing is still a mess and won’t close properly. At 11.22 a.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a Pigeon they had in their possession already for 2 – 3 days and which should have wing- & leg-problems > will be brought. And while we were waiting for the Pigeon (the bearers needed more than 1 hour coming from Mytiléne to us (and after all we had to go downwards to pick-up the bird, because “madame” didn’t dare to enter into the village in her brand-new car . . . . !!), there came a young lad with a COCKATIEL > see over there. And while we still were busy with this bird the Pigeon arrived > see at PIGEON. August 21st: all were present again, although the breakfast didn’t pass off without a fight !! In the Sick-Bay all were still alive as well. Hedgehogs: the male was 1235 (+33) and the female was 904 (+17) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 292 (-4) and the Kestrel was 180 (-1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 43 (+1), -0903 was 66 (=), -0904 was 68 (+1) and –0905 was 53 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 308 (-3), orangered 370 (+1), the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 351 (+1) and the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 287 (-1) gram. We started feeding the remnant juvenile Pigeon (of which at last the crop is empty !!) with “Fírama-special” (vitaminized maize-flower in pressed grains) in the hope this will be digested better. At 10.05 a.m. a phone-call about a Hoopoe, which will be brought. And so it was our Secretary María Kallipolíti who was at 10.22 a.m. with the bird at our place > see further at EURASIAN HOOPOE. We received 5 Dutch visitors this morning. Release: at 7.18 p.m. we have for the 2nd time transferred the orangered Dark Barn Owl to the deserted houslet hoping this time a good release will the result. August 22nd: all were still alive in the Sick-Bay early this morning and successively all outdoor-cats came for their breakfast. Hedgehogs: the male was 1203 (-32) and the female was 910 (+6) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 301 (+9) and the Kestrel was 182 (+2) gram. The Hoopoe was 82 (+2) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 44 (+1), -0903 was 66 (=), -0904 was 70 (+2) and –0905 was 54 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 315 (+7) and the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 293 (+6) gram. The snow-white Pale Barn Owl had spent the whole night in “The Keep” and was 346 (-5) gram. The orangered Dark Barn Owl wasn’t present anymore in the deserted houslet at 6.25 a.m. > case closed. We at last found out what’s the trouble with the Cock of neighbor Charálambos: the bird has an inborn (??) defect in the right leg and to be exact in the muscles of the thigh. This leg can’t be stretched because the muscles are too short and the skin doesn’t allow movements. When he still was young, he could manage, but growing older this worsened. In spite of physiotherapies we can’t stretch the leg. Meanwhile he is eating and drinking quite well. We’ll inform the neighbor and tell him the bird still can be fattened like he is now. At the end of the morning 4 Dutch visitors.
Migrants revolt at Lesvos center
Dozens of child migrants yesterday were transferred from a horribly overcrowded detention center on Lesvos to special hostels around the country following a vehement protest at the facility on the eastern Aegean island on Thursday. Some 60 unaccompanied minors are said to have been sent to other facilities after taking part in a protest on Thursday that involved hundreds of adult and child residents hanging from the bars of their rooms at the center, shouting in protest and calling for their release to a less cramped center. Another 60 or so children at the site are to be transferred to hostels over the course of the week, according to local sources. But it was not clear what the fate would be of hundreds more adult migrants at the facility in Paganí, which was built to house 250 but is currently said to be accommodating more than 900 people. Many residents at the facility are continuing with a hunger strike they started earlier this week, according to rights activists who have vowed to step up their action and are planning a large-scale demonstration on the island at the end of next week. Meanwhile authorities on Lesvos have reportedly appealed for the government’s support in running the overcrowded reception center, claiming that they have run out of money. In a letter sent to Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Finance Minister Yiannis Papathanassiou, Vice Prefect Stavros Psaropoulos notes that local authorities owe some 2 million euros to suppliers of food and equipment for the center. “If the situation does not change, we will have to close down the center,” he said. At 7.14 p.m. the last little juvenile Pigeon laid his courageous fighting head in our hands and went from there into another dimension. He and we have fought till the bitter end, but it was unavailing. We have discovered that the Hoopoe has a fractured lower bill (in any case the right side; maybe the left side as well). So tomorrow we’ll try to splint. August 23rd: and again all outdoor-cats were present this morning, only “Papa” was removed seriously by “Earl Grey”. In the Sick-Bay no further victims. The Pigeon, which arrived as the last one and constantly is laying on his back, is eating independently. Hedgehogs: the male was 1227 (+24) and the female was 936 (+26) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 299 (-2) and the Kestrel was 182 (=) gram. The Hoopoe was 79 (-3) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 42 (-2), -0903 was 67 (+1), -0904 was 67 (-3) and –0905 was 56 (+2) gram. Barn Owls: green was 305 (-10) and the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 288 (-5) gram. The snow-white Pale Barn Owl had again spent the whole night in “The Keep” and was 351 (+5) gram. When we wanted to remove the empty water-bowl and place the food-bowl in the cage of the Dog-Fox he was gnawing seriously . . . !! Meanwhile we have received the message from Holland that for 99.9% sure all till now on taken-in Nightjars are members of the sub-species “meridionalis”. So we’ll update our archives. Checking the fractured bill of the Hoopoe we discovered that there is a closed fracture on the left side and an open fracture on the right side. However, both fractures are so close to the corners of the mouth that splinting is impossible. So should heal with rest. The Pigeon, which constantly was laying on its back was seen, during the cleaning of the cages, sitting normally on a (flat) roost !! Referring to the serious wildfires in and around Athens there came a message on the TV to be extra alert due to the present strong winds and this was especially for Ikaría, Chíos and Lésvos !! And to show we have for more interest than only for animals, we made a visit to neighbor Yiánnis, who had his posterity (3 generations) from Athens staying at his place, to ask if the houses in Athens were safe for the fires. Showed to be those people were despairing watching the TV where at that moment the wildfires had reached already their houses until 500 meters . . . . The only thing one can do at such a moment is leaving very stealthily . . . . The whole day all TV-channels were super-actual. Constantly live in the air and not even one advertising-spot was seen !! At 3.15 p.m. already a total of 120.000 strémmata (12.000 hectares) was coaled. There are villages/communities who are evacuated completely now the roads still can be used, to prevent a replay of 2007. As well an army-hospital had to be evacuated because those who stayed there were in risk dying in another way for their fatherland than the way they were trained for !! Late in the evening we heard from Yiánnis’ son-in-law that the fire had stopped just in front of their homes. At that moment 150.000 strémmata was destroyed . . . . That is almost the seize of our whole island !! August 24th: except “Papa” all outdoor-cats were present early this morning. “The “tumbling-pigeon” was even seen standing straight. Hedgehogs: the male was 1227 (=) and the female was 954 (+18) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 303 (+4) and the Kestrel was 184 (+2) gram. The Hoopoe was 77 (-2) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 45 (+3), -0903 was 66 (-1), -0904 was 67 (=) and –0905 was 53 (-3) gram. Barn Owls: green was 314 (+9) and the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 300 (+12) gram. The snow-white Pale Barn Owl had again spent the whole night in “The Keep” and was 348 (-3) gram. Because the “tumbling-pigeon” is now hardly to distinguish from the other pigeons, we have given colored foot-rings: orange right and silver left foot. At 9.29 a.m. the notary of our village phoned, that she had heard the crying of thrown-away kittens. We have informed her what our policy is in such cases, but as well she should bring the little ones because we’re not going to take them !! Today again meat-cutting-day (the last time for Tjarda) and by Janice, Tjarda & Ineke 18,610 kilo (for 119,38 Euro; total now this year 556,900 kilo for 3428,10 Euro) was processed. We received Dutch/Surinam visitors (so at last there could be spoken “Srenang tongo” again) and thereafter German visitors from München. Neighbor Charálambos came and took his Cock back for fattening.
Fires rage through city suburbs
Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes and dozens of properties destroyed yesterday as a spate of forest fires tore through the northeastern suburbs of Athens, fueled by near gale-force winds, and continued to burn into the night. Authorities declared a state of emergency after a fire that started on Friday night in Grammatiko spread elsewhere. The area is at the center of a dispute between locals and the government due to the planned construction there of a landfill. It was unclear whether a large blaze ravaging properties at the foot of Mount Pendeli yesterday was a continuation of the Grammatiko fire or a new blaze set by land-grabbing arsonists. Hundreds of firefighters were dispatched to fight the fierce flames but the ever-changing winds made their job difficult. Cyprus, Italy and other European Union countries sent water-dropping aircraft and helicopters to aid the efforts of Greek planes. Thick clouds of smoke hung above the towns and villages affected by the fires, hampering the efforts of the fire brigade and locals, many of whom complained of waiting for hours for water-dropping aircraft to arrive. Some of the worst-affected towns and settlements were Stamata, Dionysos, Drafi and Aghios Stefanos where dozens of homes were burned. In Aghios Stefanos local authority officials used loudspeakers to appeal to residents to leave the suburb, home to around 20,000 people. Many fled. But others defied authorities. Televised images of desperate locals beating at smoldering bushes with branches were reminiscent of the hopeless efforts of residents to save their homes in catastrophic forest fires two years ago. By late yesterday an estimated 12,000 hectares of forestland had been razed though there had been no reports of deaths, unlike in 2007 when more than 70 people were killed. Another smaller fire that broke out yesterday afternoon in Chasia, near Ano Liosia, northwest of Athens, was attributed to a domestic spat that turned violent. A 41-year-old Albanian was arrested after allegedly setting fire to his 27-year-old wife who ran out into a clump of bushes outside her home, thus starting the fire. The blaze was quickly controlled while the woman was transferred to hospital with severe burns. PM holds crisis meeting with key ministers as opposition leaders tour charred areasPrime Minister Costas Karamanlis chaired an emergency summit with his ministers for the interior, defense and the environment yesterday afternoon to assess how authorities should tackle the weekend’s catastrophic forest fires. Earlier yesterday Karamanlis twice visited the fire service’s main control center for briefings on the brigade’s formidable task. Speaking after the second of these meetings, Karamanlis said the government’s chief priority was the “protection of human life and property.” Opposition party leaders were quick to visit charred areas. PASOK leader George Papandreou noted that “now is not the time to assess the cause and reason for the fires but to stand by our fellow citizens in trouble.” The leader of Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS), Giorgos Karatzaferis, was less diplomatic. “Nobody learned anything from the big fires of 2007,” he remarked. At 4.05 p.m. a, vaguely known to us, lad from the village came at our doorstep with 4, thrown-away in the rubbish, puppies > see further at PUPPY. Hereafter we could read on the Internet the following: At this moment 170.000 strémmata (and that bigger than the seize of Lesvos) is destroyed and the fire is still not yet curbed !! And at 7 p.m. the carbonized area had grown until 187.700 strémmata (18.660 hectares). At the News on TV at 8.25 p.m. we heard it meanwhile had reached the 212.710 strémmata . . . . August 25th: Hedgehogs: the male was 1281 (+54) and the female was 989 (+35) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 304 (+1) and the Kestrel was 183 (-1) gram. The Hoopoe was 77 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 44 (-1), -0903 was 68 (+2), -0904 was 68 (+1) and –0905 was 55 (+2) gram. Barn Owls: green was 311 (-3) and the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 303 (+3) gram. The snow-white Pale Barn Owl is doing better and better in “The Keep” and was 351 (+3) gram. The orangesilver Pigeon is hardly seen laying on its back. We could hear on the Greek TV this morning that only in the last three days in the whole of Greece a total of 313.000 strémmata (= 313 square KM > almost one quart of the whole Dutch province of Utrecht) is destroyed by wildfires. The bill of the Hoopoe is becoming better and better; there is no dislocation anymore and feeding is going more and more easy. Firefighters tame Attica blazes
Weary firefighters battled raging forest fires along a strip of suburbs northeast of Athens for a fourth day yesterday, managing to bring most of the blazes under control and curb the destruction of forestland and homes. Aided by a drop in near gale-force winds, firefighters managed to control several fronts that had been threatening the communities of Pikermi and Nea Makri in northeastern Attica and to douse a new fire at Porto Germeno, western Attica. The rescue effort at Nea Makri involved the evacuation of nuns from the Saint Ephraim Monastery. At nightfall, as Greek and foreign water-dropping aircraft returned to their respective bases, fire service contingents remained on standby on the ground to tackle a possible rekindling of the flames. The firefighters’ task yesterday was considerably easier than over the weekend as winds that had neared gale force gradually eased off. Meteorologists advised caution however, warning that winds are expected to again pick up from today. Government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros defended the authorities’ handling of the fires, insisting that the firefighting effort had been “well coordinated” and countering accusations of a delayed response. “From the very first moment we had dispatched personnel on a large scale,” he said. Antonaros also disputed local authorities’ claims of scores of homes being burned and thousands of residents being displaced, claiming that evacuations had been precautionary and “limited” and that most residents had subsequently returned to their homes. There was no official figure for the total area of forestland burned in the fires but estimates put it at between 17,000 and 22,000 hectares. There were no serious injuries or deaths reported, unlike in the case of the forest fires of 2007 when the death toll exceeded 70. As speculation mounted yesterday about the cause of the fires, widely believed to be the work of land-grabbing arsonists, environmental experts said the impact of the blazes was the same regardless of the cause and would compromise the quality of life of Athenians for years to come. “We have lost a precious air filter,” said Dimitris Karavellas, the head of WWF Hellas. Conservatives attempt to deflect criticismFollowing charges of foot-dragging, a lack of organization and even allowing northeastern Attica to be burned so it could be developed, the government yesterday stressed that the effort to put out the wildfires had been adequate. Government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said 15 water-bombing airplanes, eight helicopters, 150 fire engines and some 1,500 firefighters had taken part in operations. Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis also tried to focus attention on the firefighting efforts by visiting the base for water-dropping planes in Elefsina, west of Athens. Privately, though, some officials suggested that an investigation may be launched into the possible failings of Nikos Koukis, the community leader in Grammatiko, where the wildfire began on Friday. Koukis is in dispute with the government over plans to construct a landfill there. Rights rap for Lesvos center An international human rights group based in New York yesterday called on authorities in Greece to create special centers for unaccompanied child immigrants arriving in the country, following reports of dozens of minors going on hunger strike last week to demand their release from a horribly overcrowded detention center on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos. Human Rights Watch called for the creation of “open centers where [child migrants] can receive care, counseling, legal aid... and enjoy decent living standards,” noting that unaccompanied minors had staged a similar hunger strike on the island of Leros last year. “That children as young as 12 were again on hunger strike in Greek detention is a gross indictment of the government’s failure to care for them,” said HRW spokesperson Simone Troller. She acknowledged the “serious challenges” faced by Greece due to its location at the European Union’s southeastern border, “but that does not excuse its failure to protect those who are most vulnerable,” she added. At 12.40 p.m. the owner of the Cockatiel was again here with her bird: eye was extreme swollen and seems to be pushed-outwards. A process behind the eye ?? The eye itself was still clear. A punction in the swollen area gave only blood and a clear fluid. Bird was taken-in now and 15 I.U. Baytril i.m. / day was ordered. As well Cavasan-ophthalmic cream. It’s quite a risk. And because he hadn’t eaten for some days, we have prepared some “Lori-food” which is fed by syringe. After two feedings herewith there was a beginning of drinking water (with Lincocin-drops) and eating of sunflower-seeds. August 26th: all outdoor cats were present again and in the Sick-Bay everyone was as well present alive. Hedgehogs: the male was 1300 (+19) and the female was 1003 (+14) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 300 (-4) and the Kestrel was 187 (+4) gram. The Hoopoe was 74 (-3) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 43 (-1), -0903 was 69 (+1), -0904 was 72 (+4) and –0905 was 58 (+3) gram. Barn Owls: green was 310 (-1), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 307 (+4) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 349 (-2) gram. The orangesilver Pigeon is doing fantastic now and as well the Cockatiel is quite lively. At 8.09 a.m. arrived the snow-white (with blue eyes !) Tom-Cat “Vamvakíta” (“Little Cotton-Wool”), which we have had in the past a.o. due to poisoning. As well he had spent here in the past two weeks. Now he came to enlarge the food for the birds-of-prey. So see further at TOM-CAT. And before he difficultly “went sound asleep”, the orangesilver Pigeon was transferred to the Aviary for flying-practices. Towards 9 o’clock the Cockatiel was stealthily and languid. The eye was again very swollen. A punction gave only some fluid, but some yellow shimmered. The opening was enlarged carefully and there was lots of cheese-like puss. This was tried to remove carefully. At 9.15 a.m. there was no breathing anymore. A “kiss-of-life” remained without result. At a further P.M.-examination it showed the “cheese” had penetrated till behind the eye-bulb and most possible had entered the brain. We received 2 Dutch visitors. When we for the owners of the Cockatiel tried to catch some Zebra-finches (they didn’t want to see an empty cage), a Collared Dove flew into our hands, which we could destine for Release: at 11.24 a.m. we could release well the doublegreen Collared Dove (09-028), which hat entered the L.W.H. April 6th with a broken right wing from Mytiléne > was flying well !! “Vamvakíta” was taken-back in good condition at 12.30 p.m., only 8 gram lighter !! Hereafter we were phoned by someone in Mytiléne if we could trim the bill of his Rosella. He had phoned already several Vets on the island, but no-one dared to do so. According to him “they don’t dare to hold a parrot in their hands, not to speak about knowing (and daring) to trim the bill . . . .” (end of the quotation). The man knew we can and dare to do it. First he wanted to pass-by this evening around 8, but we could persuade him not to do so. After all he was quite sensitive for our labor-time during the day, starting at 4.20 a.m. !! Will pas-by Saturday-afternoon around 4. August 27th: Hedgehogs: the male was 1304 (+4) and the female was 1005 (+2) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 301 (+1) and the Kestrel was 188 (+1) gram. The Hoopoe was 74 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 43 (=), -0903 was 71 (+2), -0904 was 71 (-1) and –0905 was 58 (=) gram. Barn Owls: green was 308 (-2), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 306 (-1) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 348 (-1) gram. We must check today the orangesilver Pigeon, which was transferred yesterday to the Aviary, because he was sitting yesterday-evening a bit pitiful and forlorn under some Yucca’s. And that bird showed having a complete empty crop at 7.35 a.m. > so taken-back !! We could remove again lots of dead tissue from both wings of the 2nd Pigeon of this month (09-143). The left wing seems “empty” now, but the right one still has lots of. At 10.49 a.m. a phone-call from Alifantá about a Pigeon or Collared Dove, which should be injured on the back. Bird is discovered in Mytiléne, but she hadn’t the opportunity sending the bird by coach. Will now be brought in the afternoon. First Aid should already been given (??). We first received two visitors from Twickenham (Middlesex – GB) and thereafter two from Holland. After the siesta 4 visitors from Regensburg (Germany). We have in vain tried till late in the evening to reach the woman of the injured Pigeon / Collared Dove. August 28th: for the first time since days “Papa” was again present this morning. In the Sickbay we discovered the Sparrow with the brain-damage not-alive anymore at 5.30 a.m.; observing his position he is “given out” quietly, because he was sitting in the same position when he fell asleep at 7.40 p.m. last night. Hedgehogs: the male was 1326 (+22) and the female was 1020 (+15) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 293 (-8) and the Kestrel was 186 (-2) gram. The Hoopoe was 74 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 44 (+1), -0903 was 70 (-1), -0904 was 75 (+4) and –0905 was 57 (-1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 313 (+5), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 312 (+6) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl, but that one was soaking wet (taken a bath ?? or fallen in the water-basin ??) was 363 (+15) gram. At 7.30 a.m. at last we could reach the woman of the injured Pigeon / Collared Dove > the bird had died meanwhile . . . . !! But informing us, forget it !! Luckily we have as well some positive to mention: when at 7.50 a.m. we went to feed and water the Tortoises outside, we discovered in the water-basin a (half-drowned) baby MARGINATED TORTOISE !! So “Home-bred”. See further over there. Pilot is first victim of 2009 fires The pilot of a small water-dropping plane yesterday became the first casualty of this year’s wildfires after his aircraft crashed on the island of Cephalonia, prompting questions about the age and condition of the country’s water-bombing fleet. Authorities named the pilot of the Polish-made PZL M-18 Dromader aircraft as 55-year-old Stergios Kotoulas. The experienced pilot and father of two crashed shortly after noon as he was helping to put out a wildfire in the Kataleio area of the Ionian island. A preliminary assessment of the crash site indicated that the plane struck overhead power cables before hitting the ground. It was revealed that the airplane was 26 years old and had more than 4,700 hours of flight time. The production of PZL’s, which are less than 10 meters in length and are also used for crop-dusting, began in the late 1970’s. The PZL’s, as well as US-made Grumman Trackers, converted to carry water instead of torpedo’s, and Canadian-made Canadair CL-215’s, some of which have engines that are more than 40 years old, have been the subject of some controversy recently as many believe that they are too old and even obsolete to be used to combat wildfires. Kathimerini has discovered that in April 2005, the man in charge of the fire service’s airplanes wrote to his superiors, as well as air force chiefs, to ask them to form a committee to examine whether PZL’s in particular should still be used. In the last 26 years, six PZL pilots have been killed and another six injured in accidents. However, this call went unheeded and last year 37.5 million euros were set aside for the maintenance of the small airplanes. Government sources insisted that the prospect of renewing some of Greece’s firefighting fleet is currently being discussed along with the idea of passing control of these aircraft to the air force rather than the fire service as it has better facilities to service the planes. At the end of the morning still a visit of a Greek family from Mytiléne. August 29th: Hedgehogs: the male was 1312 (-14) and the female was 1047 (+27) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 291 (-2) and the Kestrel was 192 (+6) gram. The Hoopoe was 74 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 44 (=), -0903 was 72 (+2), -0904 was 72 (-3) and –0905 was 56 (-1) gram. The new baby was unchanged 13 gram. Barn Owls: green was 301 (-12), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 308 (-4) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl, which was complete dry now, was 350 (-13) gram. At the 2nd Pigeon of this month (the one with the 2 broken wings) we have removed the hanging cast as well as the dressing. Now watch and see what’s left from the wing-function. “Release”: Tjarda passed-by to say goodbye and farewell before she is departing for Portugal again. She had been here for almost one year and a half and has assisted and helped us un many difficult moments. As well she was a nice company in the more restful moments. Now she is taking up her “hike” again and we wish her herein lots of success, internal rest and perseverance !! At 10.55 a.m. a phone-call from Plomári about a dark-brown bird, the seize of a Pheasant, which was injured. So probably a Buzzard or a Honey-Buzzard. After 5 p.m. one will leave from there to bring the bird. At 11.07 a.m. again a phone-call that they should bring the bird now !! At 11.10 a.m. a phone-call from a military camp in the neighborhood of the Airport, that they had over there a bird something was wrong with. Maybe a Thrush (they thought). As well this bird will be brought. After we had show to Yiánnis (the one from the almost burnt-down houses in Athens) the new baby-tortoise, he wanted to know where we had lodged the parents. And while we this morning already several times had looked if there could be another baby, he saw one floating (and of course again under water !!). With this one we hade to shake the water out in a way a nurse is doing with a thermometer, but we got it “working again” > so see further at MARGINATED TORTOISE. The bird from Plomári arrived with Starfighter-speed, because was here already at 12.13 p.m. And we were wrong with our guess, because it was none of the two mentioned, but a GOAHAWK > so see over there. Via the Village-loudspeaker-system we were informed that coming Monday we’ll have a black-out from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The bird from Mytiléne just arrived at 1.45 p.m., and for sure it was no Thrush, but a member of the Warbler-family. We must find out which one exactly it is. See further at MARSH WARBLER. At 2.25 p.m. we were disturbed in our sleep by a Dutch couple: they wanted to hand-over to us a puppy they had discovered somewhere in some bushes > transferred to the new Animal-Lovers Society in Mytiléne, because we can’t take-in the little one. At 4.03 arrived the announced Rosella > see further at EASTERN ROSELLA. In the evening at 10 o’clock all patients were still alive. August 30th: and as well early this morning all patients were still alive !! Hedgehogs: the male was 1317 (+5) and the female was 1059 (+12) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 299 (+8) and the Kestrel was 192 (=) gram. The Hoopoe was 72 (-2) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 43 (-1), -0903 was 72 (=), -0904 was 74 (+2) and –0905 was 58 (+2) gram. New baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 15 (+2) and nr. 2 was 13 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 307 (+6), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 312 (+4) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 348 (-2) gram. The Goshawk was 867 (+24) gram. Because she was sometimes was dragging with her left leg, we’ve inspected this leg again: there is as well a shot-hole in the calf !! Did we were afraid yesterday for a lasting damage of the right eye, now the eye is wonderful clear and the pupil-reflex is working as well. The splint we hare removed from the left wing, but the hanging cast remained. The digestion of this bird is OK > no internal bleedings could be detected in the droppings. The Marsh Warbler is recuperating. At 10.19 a.m. a phone-call from Hotel Pansélinos in Eftaloú about a little Cat something should we wrong with. And because the Vet who should be present over there, wasn’t there of course, they’ll pass-by to here our opinion. And they were here at 11.20 a.m. : 3 people from Belgium. The people were showed-around and the little Tom-Cat was taken-in > see further at TOM CAT. At 10.06 p.m. still a phone-call from our Secretary María Kallipolíti about a bunch of alive thrown-away puppies > she’ll pass-by with them tomorrow. The new little Tom-Cat is quiet, but the breathing still is difficult: even with every time lifted shoulders !! August 31st: at 4.30 a.m. all was still alive in the Sick-Bay and all outdoor-cats successively came for their breakfast. Hedgehogs: the male was 1349 (32) and the female was 1059 (=) gram, but she refuses to eat at midday already for two days. The old Dark Barn Owl was 301 (+2) and the Kestrel was 195 (+3) gram. The Hoopoe was 73 (+1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 44 (+1), -0903 was 72 (=), -0904 was 76 (+2) and –0905 was 60 (+2) gram. New baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 15 (=) and nr. 2 was 12 (-1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 298 (-9), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 312 (=) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 341 (-7) gram. The Goshawk was 893 (+26) gram. The little Tom-Cay (which will be named “Deurne” if he survives) is breathing more quietly and is as well starting to eat by himself. He has meanwhile urinated, but turds we haven’t seen yet. Pigeon nr. 6 from this month (09-154) was transferred to the Aviary for flying-practices at 7.47 a.m. At 8.28 a.m. a phone-call from Ineke in Kallonís that she hat taken-in at the greengrocers over there a COLLARED DOVE > so see over there. At 8.44 a.m. María Kallipolíti was at the door with two huge bags, wherein the announced puppies > so see at PUPPY. At 8.58 a.m., as announced, electricity disappeared. And even without good lights meat had to be processed again today (16,260 kilo for 113,18 Euro; total now this year 573,160 kilo for 3541,38 Euro), and this happened by Ineke, partly assisted by Janice. At 10.50 a.m. we were phoned from Mytiléne about the terrapin we were called about in the past > one is coming and bringing the reptile this morning. At 11.41 a.m. electricity appeared again. The terrapin arrived at 12.05 p.m. > see further at STRIPE-NECKED TERRAPIN. The little “Deurne” could, after a good tappotage, cough a good amount of phlegm. And at 5.25 p.m. the first turd was produced: normal of color, smell and consistence. Total amount of visitors this month: 110 (total this year: 983) Kinds of animals who are mentioned like this were for the first time in treatment in the L.W.H. Amount of kilometers (Animal-Ambulance) for bringing-in/releasing animals this month 072 (total this year 0885 kilometers) Total amount of intakes this month: 34 [wild ones: 19; others 15, (total this year 198: wild ones 140, others 058; total since the start of registration in 1996: 4245) of which: COCK (Gallus gallus dom.): 1 from our neighbor. He had already visited us with the animal July 30th due to “Bumble-foot” of the right leg. Showed having the same problem in the other foot as well. The whole condition isn’t like it should be, so we started with 30 IU Baytril i.m. As soon as the condition is improving (eating again on his own), we are starting with “cleansing” leg after leg. (see as well August 22nd & 24th). PIGEON (Columba livia dom.): 7; the first was an adult from/via Mytiléne. That he “was sitting stealthily in a corner and wasn’t flying” is correct: huge fracture left humerus with immense hemorrhages; wasn’t detected by the vet. Hanging cast was given. Had as well Horse-flies > Pinex-spray was used. The very swollen eye-lids left side were treated with Cavasan-cream. Received orange ring right side (see as well August 5th, 9th & 15th). The 2nd came via the hands of two village-laddies, who had received the bird from an “old man”. Adult bird, but both wings with fractures of the underarm close to the wrist. Open (dirty) fractures. Hanging cast was given for both wings and the injuries covered with a dressing with Dermisol-cram. As well antibiotics were given. (see as well August 5th - 7th, 20th, 27th & 29th). The 3rd came again from Mytiléne and had an old, open fracture of the carpalia left wing (hand-part). Hanging cast was given and the injury treated with Dermisol-cream. Received silver ring right foot. (see as well August 9th, 17th & 19th). Number 4 came from Kallonís, was fallen/kicked out of the nest and quite young. Had a full crop at arrival. Is black-and-white. Received red ring right leg. (See as well August 18th). The 5th came from Mytiléne, was very juvenile and as well covered with horse-flies > so PINEX-spray was used and thereafter they dropped dead on our hands. Is quite a spotted little one. Got silver ring right leg. (See as well August 19th & 22nd). Number 6 came as well from Mytiléne, was a juvenile and announced as an “unknown kind of bird”. This one as well had lots of Horse-flies > PINEX-spray. Received orange ring right leg. Seems developing a kind of crest on the back of the head !! (see as well August 31st). The 7th came from Mytiléne, wasn’t juvenile (but as well not yet full-grown) and was laying upside-down in the box. Was already in the possession of the bearers for some days. Showed having a rubber band around the body . . . . ?? Was done by the bearers to be sure the Pigeon shouldn’t tumble . . . . !! That doing so the blood-circulation was quite obstructed was something which hadn’t appeared in the brains of those women !! No further injuries could be detected. So observation, because indeed he/she is tumbling. (see as well August 26th & 27th). CATLET (Felis catus): 1 juvenile from our village. Was freshly knocked-down. Had quite a huge injury right leg (foot) which we closed with 4 stitches. What was worse, was the belly: quite swollen and “wobbling”. So the suspect of a blunt abdomal trauma is quite huge. 1 ampoule of Konakion was injected, but the chances are almost nihil. The owner of the catlet (Nasja’s mother) was informed hereabout. When in the evening we informed after the situation of the little one, they told us it had passed away around 3 p.m. . . . . KITTEN (Felis catus): 5; the first was a little male, about the same age as the little “Elán”. Rescued from the wheels of a speeding car in our village. Evidently “lost his way” or dumped somewhere, what’s about the same. Is red ginger with white on legs and throat.
The next four (2-2) had been discovered by some children from our village in a rubbish-bin, in a plastic bag with as well some cotton-wool with alcohol. They were about 4-5 days old (umbilical-cord had disappeared already). They were quite beautiful kittens, but unfortunately we had to give them back to Mother Earth . . . . DARK BARN OWL (Tyto a. guttata): 1 adult female from Kallonís. Was at intake only 194 gram !! No injuries could be detected. So observation and trying to get her on weight again (should be 330 – 460 !!)
Received yellow ring right foot. GREENFINCH (Chloris chloris) 1 juvenile from Kallonís > so trying to rear it if we’re lucky because he is breathing difficultly and is shimmering like a coffee-machine !! Shows to have blood back in the throat !! (see as well August 14th & 20th). Southern Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus meridionalis): 1 adult male, found in a field in the neighborhood of the Salines (Ágia Paraskeví or Kallonís ??) Bird was bone- and bone-thin: was only 33 gram i.s.o. 75 – 100 gram !! Had quite a lot of Horse-flies, and that’s strange for an insect-eater !! No injuries could be detected. A tiny bit of food was given and Ringers. Was still breathing quietly at 11 p.m.
(see as well August 15th). COLLARED DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto): 2; the first was an adult from our village. Quite severe injury on the wrist of the right wing (cat ??). Hanging cast was given and injury treated with Dermisol-cream. Further prophylactically 15 I.U. Lincocin i.m. was injected (3 days). (see as well August 17th). The 2nd was a relative juvenile, which 2 days before intake over here was discovered in Kallonís by the greengrocer’s wife. Probably hit something. So observation. HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus): 1 juvenile from Athens !! Has all the symptoms of a severe brain-damage (head turned to the ground, turning in circles, etc. etc. > this is nót diagnosed by the Vet !!). Had been for almost a fortnight in the possession of people in Athens, who had taken the bird with them to our island. At last arrived over here. In spite of disorderly behavior for 100% sure a SPARROW, although something else was reported !! (see as well August 28th). Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus): 1 adult male from our village. Was injured by another bird quite badly on the head, due to which there was an immense swelling of the right eye. Eye-ointment was used and showed how to do this themselves. We will be informed about the results. (see as well August 25th & 26th). EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops): 1 almost full-grown juvenile (only the great flight-feathers still had some covering at the base) from our village. Is strictly speaking too tame. So feeding and observation.
Was at intake (after the first feeding) 80 gram. Weight should be 55 – 80 gram, so well on weight. (see as well August 22nd). PUPPY (Canis familiaris): 9; the first 4 were today born hounds (3-1), which were thrown-away alive in the rubbish. We have kissed them all farewell, in spite of being very dirty, and wished them a good journey before . . . . But we have given them all a fare-well-flower. The next 5 were at least 1 week old (3 – 2) and had been fed well. Were dumped alive in 2 huge bags and had been howling from hunger the whole night . . . . As well these five were kissed farewell before . . . . TOM-CAT (Felis catus): 2; the 1st came from our village; “Vamvakíta”. To get him more quiet and homelike, he was allowed to make a contribution to the food for the birds-of-prey, and so he was delivered from two in the future not necessarily anymore, parts. The 2nd came from Eftaloú, about half a year old and had severe breathing-problems. Was as well bone-thin and was covered with seeds of the “petherés” (a kind of sticking-plant, but literally translated “mothers-in-law”). Started with 50 IU Lincocin i.m. for 1 week. Further carefully started with the removal of the “petherés”.
MARGINATED TORTOISE (Testudo marginata): 2, the first had hatched August 27th ’09. Measured 13 gram. Was as good as drowned in the waterbasin in the tortoise-pen in the L.W.H.
with a 2-Euro-coin as comparison.
Together with the little Spurr-tighed Tortoises. Received a huge 1 on the back of the shell. The 2nd was discovered by the Athenian Yiánnis > we had to emptying it from water by shaking, so many water was inside. Hatched August 29th. Bodyweight was only 12 gram. Received a huge 2 on the back of the shell.
GOSHAWK (Accipiter gentilis): 1 juvenile female from around Plomári. Was shot: 1 pellet had penetrated the left wing and the 2nd pellet had hit the head under the right eye (corresponding ear had blood inside. Wing was splinted, 7 days 30 IU Baytril i.m. and further observation. Bodyweight at intake was 843 gram and it should be for an adult female 800 – 1350 gram.
Condition isn’t superb. After the siesta on the intake-day still 2 shot-holes were discovered on the left side of the thorax. (see as well August 30th). MARSH WARBLER (Acrocephalus palustris): 1 from a military camp in the neighborhood of the Airport. Seems to have brain-damage, but no fractures. Observation and trying to find which bird exactly it is. And so we know meanwhile.
EASTERN ROSELLA (Platycercus eximinus): 1 male from Mytiléne. Mal-growth of as well the upper- as the under-bill. The whole could be fixed perfectly, but the bird will come back in future, because this is a defect which isn’t curable.
STRIPE-NECKED TERRAPIN (Mauremys rivulata): 1 at least 2 years old creature. Had been kept al the time in a lousy little basin. Now first wildering in the terrapin-aviary and getting used to sunlight, and a release later.
But because he/she, after first have taken a good swim and sun-bath, was trying again desperately to find a way out just like this was done in that little “shit-basin”, we have at 4.30 p.m. decided for an immediate release. After an immense clamber-trip (the firth in the Tsianás-river was completely dry, so he had to go more down-stream) we could give back the little one at 4.52 p.m. the so long missed freedom.
|
|
All content Copyright © 2002-2009 Lesbian Wildlife Hospital
|
