May 2009

LOG-BOOK:

News about the Mexican Flu is in red and about Greece is in blue

May 1st:  we had all six outdoor-cats present early this morning for breakfast. The long-eared Owl was 275 (=), the Dark Barn Owl 278 (+3), the Goshawk 713 (-8) and the Kestrel 192 (-10) gram. At 7.46 a.m. arrived the semi-stray cat “Bex” (sister of “Torr”, which was neutered April 20th) > see further at CAT. Hereafter by a part of the Dutch crew the roof of the terrapin-cage was constructed, while by others the surgery and the instruments were cleaned, but as well the mess made by dogs, cats and a cockatoo IN the house. At midday the skeleton of the cage was ready.

And in between all those jobs we received as well 5 Greek visitors: a father with daughter from Pétra and a mother with 2 children from Mytiléne, who had delivered us July 7th 2007 a little Spurr-tighed Tortoise (07-131) because they couldn’t take care of it any longer. After the siesta we could see how “Prummel’s” three kittens tried for the first time eating crackers. At 6.37 p.m. we discovered in the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” pecked-dead the one-legged Pigeon (07-093) which had come-in June 15th ’07 > had quite long survived for such a handicapped bird !!

May 2nd:  5 outdoor-cats were present early this morning for their breakfast; only “Pappa” was missing. The Long-eared Owl was 277 (+2), the Dark Barn Owl, which yesterday refused the last feeding, was 278 (=), the Goshawk was 709 (-4) and the Kestrel was 195 (+3) gram. It’s the question if today can be worked outside, because it’s only thunderstorming. And in between the rainfall there was started with the netting of the hedgehog-cage. In the house lots of window-frames were cleaned from plasterwork, present since the placing of those windows in 2007, and never finished due to a lack of time . . . . !! And as well we received 7 Dutch visitors. At 12.40 p.m. the cat “Bex” was taken-back by her care-takers and one will try keeping her in a barn for another couple of days.  

FM calls Turks over violations

Diplomats were yesterday assessing the state of Greek-Turkish relations after Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis telephoned her Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan on Thursday to complain about an increase in violations of Greek air space in the Aegean.

After a sharp spike in transgressions by Turkish fighter jets, numbering 30 in the past three days alone, Bakoyannis decided to call Babacan and express Greek concerns directly. The move followed a complaint lodged in Ankara by the Greek Embassy. According to sources, Babacan told Bakoyannis that her complaints would be forwarded to Turkey’s military authorities, who would determine whether there is any problem to be addressed.

Diplomats in Athens said the Greek move was a response to Ankara’s persistent hostile behavior in the Aegean. The same sources saw Ankara’s belligerence as a reaction to Greece signing a bilateral treaty with Albania for the delineation of the continental shelf in the Ionian Sea and Defense Minister Evangelos Meimarakis’s visit to the USA.

DIRTY MAYORS

Convictions over street sewage

A court in Larissa, central Greece, on Thursday handed down 15-month jail sentences against two former mayors and a current mayor from the region who were found guilty of failing to provide an adequate wastewater disposal system which resulted in some citizens emptying their sewage tanks into the street. The current mayor of Nikaia, Rizos Komitsis, the former mayor of Koilada, Athanassios Bardas, and the former mayor of Gonnoi, Christos Karanastasis were sentenced. The European Commission has threatened Greece with legal action over its lax waste management procedures.

Dead bear

Conservationists on Thursday recovered the body of a brown bear, a protected species, from the side of the Kozani-Kastoria national highway near Neapoli. The bear, a 10-year-old male adult that weighed 220 kilos, had been hit by a car. The motorist was unharmed, though the vehicle sustained heavy damage. Animal rights groups said it was the second brown bear to be killed on the country’s roads in 24 hours.

At 5.30 p.m. “Pappa” was present for a meal and he received a double portion. Left after some time (still) limping > he has something with the left front-paw, but we can’t come close for observation.

May 3rd:  except “Pinky” all outdoor-cats were present early this morning. The Long-eared Owl was 277 (=), the Dark Barn Owl 275 (-3) the Goshawk 698 (-11) and the Kestrel 198 (+3) gram. After one week the Little Owl was 226 (+5) and the Black-headed Gull 308 (+2) gram. Tortoises: as well after one week the home-bred was 117 (+12) and the other 157 (+15) gram. Today was the “extended cleaning-day” for all cages and aviaries, the hedgehog-cage was netted completely (except the entrance) and we could make as well time to have a little cultural excursion with the whole (present-today) Dutch crew: first to the rubbish-dump (negative impulse) and thereafter to the Early-Christian Basilica (positive impulse). On our way backwards we took the road via “Little Switzerland”, where we could enjoy the peaking bump of the teacher “in command” (during difficult photographing !!). At 12.37 p.m. our “boss” from the Dasarcheío (Forestry Commission) was at our doorstep with a box wherein an Eleonora’s Falcon; descending from the island of Ágios Efstrátios. So see further at ELEONORA’S FALCON. Taking back the Goshawk from “The Keep”, we accidentally had a glimpse in the pigeon-cage over there > showed that both baby-pigeons (* April 26th ’09) were severely pecked by the other Pigeons. At once removed from there and taken-in. See further at PIGEON. In the evening “Pinky” came to eat. At 9.02 p.m. we were phoned from the island of Chíos that one had over there a “geráki” (small bird-of-prey) with a hanging wing. Should be a bit smaller than a Partridge. One will inform us later with which ferry and how late the bird will arrive here.

May 4th:  except from “Pinky” all outdoor-cats were present early this morning. All patients were still alive in the Sick-Bay, and both baby-pigeons were nicely warm !! The blue one was 85 gram and the green 100 gram. The Long-eared Owl was 280 (+3), the Dark Barn Owl 275 (=) and the Goshawk 692 (-6) gram. And because we don’t know anymore what to do with him, we have given as the last possibility 2 tablets of “L-Spartakon” (anti-worm). The Kestrel was 200 (+2) and the Eleonora 258 (+10) gram. Later it showed the Goshawk had vomited all the given food; including the given medicines. Today the weekly “meat-cutting day” and with addition of some people from the Dutch crew 13,705 kilo (for 85,25 Euro; total now this year 279,275 kilo for 1754,32 Euro) was processed. At an other place the cage for terrapins received more netting and as well a foot-bridge was constructed to the new entrance of the hedgehog-cage. Meanwhile we have heard that the “geráki” will sail tonight on board of the mv “MYTILINI”  from Chíos and will arrive tomorrow in the main-harbor of this island. The baby-pigeons are eating well and have well filled crops; droppings are produced enough. Someone from our “auxiliary troops” in Mytiléne will be present tomorrow morning in the harbor to pick-up the bird from Chíos; later that morning, when it’s fitting better in our programme, we’ll pick him/her up over there. At 3.23 p.m. we were phoned from Chíos that the bird wasn’t alive anymore > so as a result we have informed our auxiliary forces hereabout. At 5.15 p.m. we have discovered in the nest box in the aviary of the Barn Owls the first egg !!

May 5th:  like (almost) usual only “Pinky” was missing early this morning for breakfast, but he is usually coming during the day. The Long-eared Owl was 282 (+2) and the Dark Barn Owl 270 (-5), but he had refused to eat yesterday-evening. The Goshawk was 680 (-12), the Kestrel 202 (+2) and the Eleonora 303 (+45 !!) gram. Baby-pigeons: the blue was 71 (-14) and the green 90 (-10) gram. The dirty wing-injury of the Eleonora’s Falcon showed this morning quite clear red blood > so a good omen !! At 10.09 a.m. a phone-call from the Norwegian Mr. Hollgeir, that he had discovered at Hotel Malemís in Skála Kallonís an injured Little Bittern > he should come and bring the bird. And a company of three Norwegians brought the bird over here at 10.20 a.m. (they had a guided tour around as well). So see further at LITTLE BITTERN. Thereafter 2 Dutch visitors.      

Air violations

More tension in Aegean as new Turkish FM assumes role

Four Turkish fighter jets flew over the small Aegean island of Farmakonisi at an altitude of just 300 meters yesterday, the Defense Ministry said. It was the latest in a spike of violations of Greek air space by Turkish jets in recent weeks which prompted Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis to complain to Ankara last Friday. Bakoyannis’ complaint was lodged just one day before her Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan was replaced by Ahmet Davutoglu, a respected but controversial diplomat.

At 4 p.m. arrived a Dutch family from Amsterdam, who was guided around and asked a lot of questions. While we were busy answering the questions, there was a phone-call at 4.25 p.m. from Mytiléne about a Pigeon, probably caught by a cat > one should bring the poor one. And the Pigeon was here at 5.05 p.m. > see further at PIGEON. At 6.26 p.m. there was a call from Parákoila about the cat “Bex” (May 1st) > seems having as well (again) problems with the stitches. Will be brought-back tomorrow.

May 6th:  we had all the outdoor-cats at the same moment for breakfast early this morning, so it was looking for places where they could eat undisturbed. All patients were still alive in the Sick-Bay, but with the baby-pigeons it’s “only that” > the crops were still full and they were covered with shit. As breakfast only some fluid was given. Blue was 61 (-10) and green 81 (-9) gram. The yesterday taken-in scalped juvenile Pigeon was 172 gram. The Long-eared Owl was 282 (=) and the Dark Barn Owl 270 (=) gram. The Little Bittern was 89 )+4) and the Goshawk 676 (-4) gram. The Kestrel was 208 (+6) and the Eleonora 310 (+7) gram. The cat “Bex” came back at 7.28 a.m. > seems to be quite well. For safety-reasons we’ll keep her for another couple of days. We could splint the mandibula of the Little Bittern; the maxilla is impossible to do at this moment. The injury of the Eleonora was so well this morning, we could close and stitch it with one stitch. The last window in the 2nd floor of our house (where the Pigeon is nesting) was cleaned very, very carefully from plaster !! With the 2nd half of the Dutch crew we did the same cultural excursion as we had done with the first half. Meanwhile the netting of the cage for terrapins was finished by those who stayed behind and the beginning of the door was made. We received three Dutch visitors. Both baby-pigeons are “fading away” bit after bit; we only give some fluid at the moment. So after all they were too small to make it without the pigeon-milk of their parents. At 5.56 p.m. we were called by Médie from Kallonís, that she had a baby-tortoise > and there should be another one as well. The first one we have picked-up > see further at SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE. At 7.04 p.m. there were some village-children at our doorstep with a . . . . baby-tortoise > see over here as well at SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE.

May 7th:  it was quite a puzzle this morning during the breakfast of the outdoor-cats !! And just like we had expected both baby-pigeons weren’t alive anymore at 5.30 a.m. The Long-eared Owl was 279 (-3), the Darn Barn Owl 174 (+4) and the Goshawk 676 (=) gram. The Kestrel was 207 (-1), the Eleonora 311 (+1) and the Little Bittern 93 (+4) gram. The scalped Pigeon was 184 (+12) gram. Both new baby-tortoises aren’t yet measured. And while on one side the door of the terrapin-cage was made fitting, and just next to this cage the (rotten-away) pup-tent-material from around the tortoise-pen was removed, we went down to buy thin galvanized iron-laminate. Luckily that one of the Dutch crew was taken with us, because that roll was (minus 130 gram) 70 kilo !! With the two of us we were able to bring it to the spot where it should be measured, and thereafter there was a “macho-Greek” who wanted to impress the female part of our duo and on his own lifted the roll into our car !! Back at base we needed two adult males getting the roll again out of the car. Changing the bandage of the Eleonora the injury was smelling well !! The terrapin-cage was finished completely today and there is continued with the hedgehog-cage. As well galvanized iron was made fitting for the tortoise-pen and partly fastened. At 12.21 p.m. a phone-call from the vet Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne that she should send with the 1.15 p.m.-coach a gull, from which she already had removed some fish-hooks. However, seems to be more wrong with the bird. We received two visitors; one from Houston (Texas-USA) and the other from Reading (GB). The announced gull we had in our possession at 2.12 p.m. > see further at YELLOW-LEGGED GULL. The cat “Bex” was taken-back at 3.42 p.m. and so we had a cage free for the new gull.

May 8th:  all six outdoor-cats were present again and breakfast happened without troubles !! The Long-eared Owl was 283 (+4), the dark Barn Owl 276 (+2) and the Goshawk was 672 (=4) gram. The Little Bittern was 99 (+6), the Kestrel 210 (+3) and the Eleonora 318 (+7) gram. The scalped Pigeon was 185 (+1) gram; is starting eating on his own. Both baby-tortoises had gained 1 gram: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 17 and “competitor’s number” 0902 was 13 gram. At 8.01 a.m. “Mázzel” got an injection and was transported to the Surgery a bit later. See further at HE-DOG. Thereafter there is continued with the laminating of the tortoise-pen. Two wall are finished now. And doing so, mother Marginated Tortoise started laying eggs everywhere in the pen, and crushed them later with her shell !! The Kestrel, which this morning again escaped during the cleaning of his cage, was transferred at 11.30 a.m. to the Falcon-aviary for flying-practices. Will stay there till the evening. The cage for the terrapins has again (for a part) the camouflage-netting.

And about this ship we have been writing ever since April 2007:    

Sea Diamond

Operation to pump fuel out of wreck to start next week

A long-delayed operation to pump thousands of tons of fuel out of the sunken cruise ship Sea Diamond from the seabed off Santorini is to begin next Saturday, it was revealed yesterday. The equipment needed to carry out the operation is due to arrive on the island in the next few days, after authorities signed a contract for the project on Wednesday. In January, Deputy Merchant Marine Minister Panayiotis Kammenos said a study submitted for the recovery of the vessel, which sank in April 2007, essentially had been approved.

The Yellow-legged Gull we have set free for a while in our court-yard. During the shaking and spreading of the wings it was evident to us that indeed the left wing is staying behind compared with the right wing. Taking back the Kestrel at 5.15 p.m. it showed that, although he was sitting in top of the aviary, three flight-feathers from the left wing are broken > so should wait in any case till he has new ones, otherwise he isn’t capable hunting !! At 7.04 p.m. a phone-call from Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne that she had over there a baby Collared Dove, Tomorrow we’ll arrange how to get the bird here. And while we were enjoying the Full Moon at 8.55 p.m., “Poekie” came with something alive in his mouth, which he dropped almost in front of us > showed te be a HOUSE-SPARROW; see over there.

May 9th:  all patients were still alive this morning !! The Long-eared Owl was 277 (-6), the Dark Barn Owl 273 (-3) and the Goshawk 673 (+1) gram. The Little Bittern was 102 (+3), the Kestrel 207 (-3) and the Eleonora 331 (+13) gram. The scalped Pigeon was 181 (-4) gram. Baby-tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 18 (+1) and “competitor’s number” 0902 was 13 (=) gram. The bitten Sparrow showed to have a bibber hole in the thigh than we had thought yesterday-evening > had to close it with 1 U-stitch. However, the right wing needs observation > fracture ?? The Eleonora had a sudden bleeding after taking him out of his cage > had to be stitched with 1 stitch. There was continued with th laminating of the tortoise-pen, but at a sudden moment there had to be stopped feeding the Eleonora, because the one who was drilling holes for blind-rivets had made space for a blind-rivet in the leg of the assistant. The hole was disinfected and closed with 1 U-stitch . . . . !! We could remove the stitches from the head of the scalped Pigeon (with glued to them dead tissue) and the now clean injury was closed with one continuing stitch. And in between all those stitching-activities we were able to make the start with the new foot-bridge to the terrapin-cage. And at the end of the morning as well there was continued with the door of the hedgehog-cage. The Ambulance was completely cleaned (inside and outside) by members of the Dutch crew. The replacement for one Dutch teacher (who had to go back early) arrived and was showed around. The announced Collared Dove will come with the 1.15 p.m.-coach. At 1 p.m. the tortoise-pen was completely laminated

At 2.20 p.m. (the coach was quite late) we had the announced Collared Dove in our possession > however see at PIGEON !! At 5.42 p.m. suddenly the family from Mytiléne, who in the past so very often had “delivered” members of the crow-family, was in our court-yard with a cardboard-box with holes therein > no crow this time, but a juvenile House-Sparrow, which could have been bitten by a cat. So see further at HOUSE SPARROW. At 7.15 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a “chelidonáki” (little Swallow) with wing-problems (??) > will still be brought this evening. At 7.28 p.m. a again a juvenile Sparrow was brought-in. The “Little Swallow” was here at 8.21 p.m. > see further at SWIFT.

May 10th:  the Long-eared Owl was 282 (+5), the Little Owl 232 (+6) and the Dark Barn Owl 273 (=) gram. The Little Bittern was 110 (+8), the Kestrel 202 (-5), the Eleonora 327 (-4) and the Goshawk was 671 (-2) gram. The scalped Pigeon was 186 (+5) and the new brown one 171 (-7) gram. The Black-headed Gull was 317 (+9) and the Swift 31 (+1) gram. The latter one however is quite lethargic. From the Sparrows was the yesterday-evening taken-in orange at 6.15 a.m. not alive anymore. Tortoises: the home-bred was 120 (+3) and the other one 166 (+3) gram. Baby-tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 19 (+1) and “competitor’s number” 0902 was 13 (=) gram. The Sparrow, which had come-in the day before yesterday (blue ring), was transferred to the Aviary at 7.30 a.m. for flying-practices > is quite necessary, because the right wing indeed is causing problems. At the same moment was removed from there the Pigeon, which in the past was the suspect for “demolishing Zebra-finches”, and transferred to the pigeons-cage in “The Keep” > so he can try over there to mate with pigeons in stead of with Zebra-finches in the Aviary !! At 7.50 a.m. someone came with squeaking tires asking for “ánthrakas” (medical coal-powder), because his cat was poisoned. They had already injected Atropine, but hardly any results. Syringe was filled with an ampoule of Apomorfine and given. See further at CAT. Most of the splint around the mandibula of the Little Bittern is removed now > the position is good. The last part tape should disappear after some time and after taking a bath. The Swift was very lethargic at 8.35 a.m. and before 8.50 a.m. gone to heaven without using the wings !!

All Aviaries had their weekly big cleaning.

Release:

after breakfast the Yellow-legged Gull (09-043; May 7th ’09) was released in the Tsianás-river > was drinking a lot and walking in the direction of the sea.

The parts of the tortoise-pen, which aren’t covered by the laminated iron, were painted today. The door of the hedgehog-cage is finished as well today. The trainee Joren made his first tottering steps on the road of the noble art of stitching. This under the critical eyes of two of his colleagues. The knee of the yesterday perforated lady had to be stitched again today > did evidently not know not to visit a playing-garden with stitches !! The first egg is discovered in the nest-tower of the Little Owls in “The Keep” !! It’s from the same female and the same nest-hole as the previous years !! At the end of the morning there is continued with the foot-bridge to the terrapin-cage. The whole court-yard of the House-next-door is turned upside-down, checked, cleared-away and cleaned. We have heard that the poisoned cat from this morning is doing a bit better now: some walking was done and as well some fluid was drunk. At 6.30 p.m. there was a black-out and electricity was restored 5 minutes later, but at that moment we had lost lots of computer-work (translations into English) !!

May 11th:  it was quite a pushing this morning with the outdoor-cats !! The Long-eared Owl was 283 (+1), the Dark Barn Owl 275 (+2) and the Goshawk was 672 (+1) gram. The Little Bittern was 115 (+5), the Kestrel (with only 2 feedings a day) was 204 (+2) gram and the Eleonora was 323 (-4) gram. The scalped Pigeon was 186 (=) gram and the brown one 180 (+9) gram. Baby-tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 20 (+1) and “competitor’s number” 0902 remains behind with 13 (=) gram. At 6.20 a.m. we had to rescue our only Mediterranean Tortoise (Testudo hermanni) out of the water-bowl in the tortoise-pen, wherein he was laying helpless on his back !! The Pigeon, which was transferred yesterday to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” is doing fine there till now on. The gangway to the terrapin-cage was constructed and placed. The tortoise-pen is new painted on the inside as well now. The carpenter came to place three new windows in the House-next-door, and we assisted by breaking-away the complete window & window-frame on the second  floor (almost tumbled downwards and it’s quite deep . . . !!). The cats had to be locked-in temporarily in the living till the carpenter had to start over there as well. And so they had to be removed to another place, which showed to be for two men an almost impossible job !! Today again “meat-cutting-day” and with the help of some of the Dutch crew 14,955 kilo (for 93,47 Euro; total now this year 294,230 kilo for 1847,79 Euro) had to be processed. We received a cash-addition of 25 Euro to the 905-Euro-cheque the Dutch crew had collected, so the total amount is now 930 Euro !! We received 2 Dutch visitors this morning. After the siesta we received 4 people from Burgess Hill, W. Sussex (GB). We had news from Holland about the genus of our Eleonora’s Falcon: because the length of the tarsus it’s a male, but because the length of the tail it’s a female. Ah, he/she came from close to Lesbos, so . . . . ?!?!

May 12th:  before 6 a.m. all six outdoor-cats had appeared for their breakfast. The Long-eared Owl was 284 (+1), the Dark Barn Owl 273 (-2) and the Goshawk 668 (-4) gram. The Little Bittern was 115 (=), the Kestrel 203 (-1) and the Eleonora 332 (+9) gram. The scalped Pigeon was 189 (+3) and the brown one 182 (+2) gram. Baby-tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 20 (=) and “competitor’s number” 0902 was 13 (=). The latter we don’t trust at all, because is too lethargic !! The wing-injury of the Eleonora is quite dry and is smelling good, we noticed at the bandage-changing. At the rubbish-container some good windows were discovered, with perfect shutters > windows were taken back home to remove the shutters for re-use in the cages. Two Dutch visitors this morning. During the tour-around the 2nd egg was discovered in de cage of the Little Owls. The owner of the poisoned cat came back this morning with his darling, because still no droppings had been produced. Clyster with 2,5 cc olive-oil was given and the belly was massaged. Showed how to repeat this himself. At 4.30 p.m. all 4 windows had lost their shutters and the windows were places safely for a remove to the rubbish-dump. The useful metal parts were gathered and stored. We have collected all necessarily material for the yearly “10.000-km-service” of our “Humpy” (98-017; February 13th 1998), which will take place tomorrow. Assistance will be given by the complete Dutch crew.

May 13th:  it was a bit of a fight early this morning, because of the five present outdoor-cats (which all had slept without problems in our court-yard) three wanted te enjoy breakfast at the same spot. But as well they as we have survived. The Long-eared Owl was 278 (-6), the Dark Barn Owl 275 (+2) and the Goshawk 675 (+7!!) gram. The Little Bittern was 120 (+5), the Kestrel 204 (+1) and the Eleonora 349 (+17 !!) gram. The last one is now almost at the lower limit concerning the body-weight. The scalped Pigeon was 192 (+3) and the brown one 187 (+5) gram Baby-tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 20 (=) and “competitor’s number” 0902 was 14 (+1) gram. Outdoor-cat number 6 appeared against 7 a.m. on the call-roll. The Kestrel was transferred to the falcon-aviary and will stay there till next Saturday and we’ll check the body-weight again. The whole Dutch crew was here before eight o’clock and after we had told the programme of this morning trainee Joren became Senior in Command for one half of the crew (including the teachers) and the other half went to do the yearly “10.000-km-service”. With the help of a third person we at last succeeded in giving “Humpy” his injection at 8.03 a.m. After he was asleep, the anal-glands were emptied, ears were cleaned, nails were cut, he was trimmed and his teeth were cleaned from dental plaque. We had to remove 6 elements: 2 incisors, 2 pre-molars and 2 molars. We had just finished when he started being conscious again so this has meant 45 minutes with 5 people bloody-hard work !! Further not in the statistics, because it’s a yearly-repeating “festival”. After breakfast Joren gave it a try for the “skilled-stitcher-degree”, which he obtained without any problems.

Meanwhile a phone-call came from Mytiléne at 9.45 a.m. that the vet Myrsíni Tourvalí should send with the 11 o’clock-coach a young Sparrow. Two Dutch visitors came. And while we were down waiting for the Sparrow, there was a complete black-out from 11.40 a.m. until 12.05 p.m. The Sparrow we had in our hands at 12.05 p.m. > see further at HOUSE SPARROW. The juvenile brown Pigeon is eating completely on its own and needs no force-feedings anymore. 

Call to protect dolphins in Med

Conservation group World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Hellas yesterday called on authorities to take the necessary measures to protect the so-called common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). The population of the species is seriously dwindling in the Mediterranean due to overfishing, chiefly with trawler vessels, whose large nets often entrap the mammal.

According to data made public yesterday by WWF, the number of these dolphins off the coasts of Lefkada and Kalamos in the Ionian Sea has dwindled from some 150 to just 15 over the past decade. Marine biologists have said that this rapid decline – particularly in the western and eastern Mediterranean, parts of which are theoretically protected under the European Union’s Natura program – cannot be attributed purely to the migration of the dolphins.

At 6.45 p.m. exactly the same three children, who last year August 6th had discovered the thrown-away little kitten “RiSta” (08-152) in the neighborhood of the school, at our doorstep with again a thrown-away kitten. And although we’re “overcrowded” with cats, we have taken-in this one > the eyes were open and the little one  ± 4 weeks old . . . . we couldn’t put it down !! So see further at KITTEN.

May 14th:  and again it was pushing early this morning with the outdoor-cats !! The Long-eared Owl was 283 (+5), the Dark Barn Owl 274 (-1) and the Goshawk 678 (+3) gram. The Little Bittern was 123 (+3) and the Eleonora 370 (+21 !!) > that one can have lesser feedings now. The scalped Pigeon (which isn’t yet eating on his own, although he is older than the brown one) was 192 (=) and the brown Pigeon 194 (+7) gram. Baby-tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 22 (+2) and “competitor’s number” 0902 was 14 (=) gram. A quite sleepy Joren (who had overslept himself) could report that the little kitten “Jorén” had been drinking on it’s own from a little bowl and as well is doing it’s sanitary stops and is telling so . . . . only many, many times last night !! Yeah-yeah, the first unstable steps on the road of being a foster parent are always difficult and heavy !! For today we have the neutering of the cat “VlekOor” in our programme: she is in heat and as well she as we are becoming completely crazy from her “howling”. But we haven’t real Tom-cats anymore which could “serve” her > they all have already donated their jewels to the Barn Owls, so . . . . With lots of troubles she could be caught and was catching back evidently: except from a penetrated knee there now is the same person who has a right arm where a plastic surgeon should lick his lips seeing it . . . . In spite of that Anouke assisted with the surgery which happened spotless (for the cat). See further at CAT. The crow-aviary was painted on the outside, which had to be done quite balancing > evidently there were “talents for the circus” present. The roof of “The Keep”, which was quite damaged during the works, was repaired. There came two Greek boys with their, freshly knocked-down, Tom-Cat > see over there. We received two visitors from Belgium and two from Holland. We could remove the stitches from the head of the scalped Pigeon > is perfect closed now. At 4.48 p.m. three well-known to us children arrived with an injured Swift; the boy had seen how an “Aetós” (Eagle) had caught the smaller bird. However, Eagles are too slow for that and Swifts too quick, but in any case it should have been a bigger bird-of-prey. So see further at SWIFT.

May 15th:  and again it was hissing and blowing early this morning, but everything happened without great problems. In the Sick-Bay all were still alive at 5.30 a.m. The Long-eared Owl was 128 (+5), the Dark Barn Owl 277 (+3) and the Goshawk 693 (+15) gram. The Little Bittern was 128 (+5) and the Eleonora 371 (+10) gram, but this one has had one feeding less yesterday. The scalped Pigeon was 198 (+6) and the brown one 205 (+11) gram. Baby-tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 22 (=) and “competitor’s number” 0902 was 15 (+1) gram. “VlekOor” is laying in the window  of our living if nothing has happened yesterday. With a festal breakfast in Skála Kallonís at the harbor-front we have said farewell to the Dutch crew, who is leaving early tomorrow-morning for Holland again.

Karpathos quake

A quake measuring 4.7 Richter struck the Dodecanese island of Karpathos just after noon yesterday but did not cause any damage, according to the Athens Geodynamic Institute. The tremor was recorded at 12.13 p.m. and its epicenter was in the sea northwest of the island.

Circus with animals may not come to town

Authorities are considering a ban on circuses featuring performing animals, it emerged yesterday, after a video showing a circus trainer battering an elephant with a pole was posted on the Internet.

Agricultural Development Minister Sotiris Chatzigakis yesterday described the incident as “bordering on barbarity” and “out of tune with our culture,” noting that the use of animals for entertainment was an outdated practice. (note from the L.W.H.: notice well please what indeed seems to be “in tune with our culture” when one is seeing the picture below this article, taken on our island !!)

The video, which provoked widespread public outrage after being posted on YouTube, shows a man repeatedly hitting a pachyderm on the head with a hooked pole and tugging at its ear. The video, which shows trucks with the bright orange logo of the Italian Circo Massimo troupe, is said to have been made before a performance by the troupe in the northern town of Florina earlier this month.

In tune with our culture ???

This fox was shot and still warm when she was discovered hanging in this way . . . .

As well she had cubs, because she had quite a lot of milk . . . .

At 1.50 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a little Sparrow > they wanted to bring the little one. And at 2.55 again a call that they were at the Town-Hall but couldn’t find us > so we “descended” and picked-up the bird. See further at HOUSE SPARROW. Starting at 1.40 p.m. the Swift became progressively worse and wasn’t alive anymore at 4 p.m. At 6.05 p.m. still a phone-call from the vet Myrsíni Tourvalí from Mytiléne that she had a little Sparrow which she should try to deliver us still this evening. And that baby-one we picked-up at the Shell-petrol-station at 7.08 p.m. > see as well further at HOUSE SPARROW. At 9 p.m. Médie from Kallonís phoned that she had again a baby-tortoise for us > will be picked-up tomorrow-morning.

May 16th:  it was quiet with the outdoor-cats this morning and all patients in the Sick-Bay were still alive. The Long-eared Owl was 283 (+2), the Dark Barn Owl 279 (+2) and the Goshawk 698 (+5) gram. The Little Bittern was 131 (+3) and the Eleonora 371 (=) gram. The scalped Pigeon was 203 (+5) and the brown one 211 (+6) gram. Baby-tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 23 (+1) and “competitor’s number” 0902 was 16 (+1) gram. The little tortoise from Kallonís we had in our hands at 8 a.m. > see further at SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE. The quite young Sparrow from last night wasn’t alive anymore at 10.16 a.m.

Release: 

at 10.22 a.m. we have released quite well at the Mylopótamos-river the Little Bittern > was looking around and disappeared stepping in a solemn manner into the bushes.

The sub-adult Kestrel was caught for a while and measured. Showed to have lost 28 gram since May 13th > so isn’t eating on his own in the aviary. Will be caught in the evening and fed, and fed and brought out in the morning. It’s starting to be so warm in the Sick-Bay that beginning today we had to use the Airco over there !! The juvenile Sparrow (nr 4), which was sent May 13th from Mytiléne and which was soo lethargic, was discovered not alive anymore at 3.31 p.m. At 4.40 p.m. a phone-call from Arianá that someone had discovered a little “Búfos”  (Eagle Owl) > low-flying in that direction and at 4.52 p.m. we had the bird in our possession > see further at LONG-EARED OWL. We have heard that the poisoned Cat (see May 10th and following days) is doing a lot better. The knocked-down Tom-Cat (see May 14th) has had no internal bleedings, we heard hereafter. At 9.07 p.m. a phone-call from the same people who had bought Sparrow nr 2: they have another one which will be sent by coach tomorrow.

May 17th:  all 6 outdoor-cats wanted to have breakfast at 4.45 a.m. at the same moment . . . . !! And while we were measuring and feeding there came a black-out (over the whole island we heard later !!) at 5.50 a.m. So it was a try working with a little miners-lamp on the head and getting everything done in time. The adult Long-eared Owl was 274 (-9), the baby Long-eared Owl 285 (+5), the Little Owl 230 (-2) and the Dark Barn Owl 279 (=) gram. The Kestrel was 183 (+7), the Eleonora 372 (+1) and the Goshawk 701 (+3) gram. The scalped Pigeon was 205 (+2) and the brown one 223 (+12) gram. The Black-headed Gull was 304 (-13) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 124 (+4), the other 179 (+13), “competitor’s number” 0901 was 24 (+1), “competitor’s number” 0902 was 16 (=) and “competitor’s number” 0903 was 19 (+1) gram. Electricity came back scanty measure at 8.50 a.m., but not enough for 2 computers at the same moment !! One hour later power was restored completely. At the end of the morning two British visitors, who are living in Loutráki (close to Chania – Crete). We were informed from Mytiléne by the people who are sending the Sparrow, that the coach is delayed for half an hour > so will be a short siesta !! The Sparrow we had in our hands at 1.07 p.m. > see further at HOUSE SPARROW. We have seen flying around in the Aviary Sparrow nr 1 (blue ring) > so the wing-injury has healed well !!

May 18th:  the adult Long-eared Owl was 271 (-3) and the juvenile, but this one had produced an immense pellet, was 281 (-4) gram. The Dark Barn Owl was 281 (+2) and the Goshawk 695 (-6) gram. The Kestrel was 183 (=) and the Eleonora 373 (+1) gram. The scalped Pigeon was 208 (+3) and the brown one 234 (+11) gram. Baby-tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 24 (=), “competitor’s number” 0902 was 18 (+2) and “competitor’s number” 0903 was 19 (=) gram. The wing-injury of the Eleonora isn’t at all like it should be: there is quite a lot of dead tissue and the fracture isn’t glued together. But we’ll continue with the Dermisol, only now it will be the Dermisol-solvens !! Today again meat-cutting on the programme and Ineke & Joren had to process 13,415 kilo (for 82,52 Euro; total now this year 307,645 kilo for 1930,31 Euro). We could stop the registration of the blue Sparrow (09-044; May 8th ’09); at the first occasion this one can be caught and released.

Sunken ship cleanup begins off Santorini

Authorities on Santorini on Saturday launched the first phase of a long-delayed operation to pump out dozens of tons of fuel from the wreck of a cruise ship that sank off the popular Aegean island in April 2007 and has been at the bottom of the sea ever since. The 6-million-euro operation, to be carried out in three phases, is to be funded by Louis Hellenic Cruises which owns the sunken “Sea Diamond”.

The project – being overseen by Merchant Marine Minister Anastassis Papaligouras, who arrived on the island on Saturday – is expected to take three weeks to complete. The first phase will involve the installation of suction pipes to remove the fuel from the wreck. Then all openings in the wreck will be plugged shut to avoid the leakage of any fuel remnants. It is unclear when the wreck itself will be lifted from the seabed.

Corinth quake

A mild earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale was recorded near the Gulf of Corinth early yesterday but no damage or injuries were reported. According to geophysicists at Thessaloniki’s Aristotle University, the quake’s epicenter was located southwest of the village of Domvraina in Viotia prefecture.

We could remove all the stitches from “Mázzel’s” body. After the siesta 4 Dutch visitors. Due to a thunderstorm, coming straight into our direction, we had to close late in the evening all the blinds of our houses but disturbed some sleeping over there young Pigeons > we hope they have made it. One seems to have spent the night on the rafters above the Central-heating-kettle (with lots of cats below him !!)

May 19th:  the disturbed Pigeon wasn’t discovered anymore this morning and nor loose feathers . . . . !! All six outdoor-cats were present this morning and all were hungry. The old Long-eared Owl was 270 (-1), the young one 284 (=) and the Dark Barn Owl 276 (-5) gram. The Kestrel was 181 (-2), the Eleonora 379 (+6) and the Goshawk 707 (+12) gram. Pigeons: the scalped one was 212 (+4) and the brown one 242 (+8) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 24 (=), “competitor’s number” 0902 was 18 (=) and “competitor’s number” 0903 was 21 (+2) gram. The juvenile Sparrows all three are doing fine. We don’t know if it’s due to the weather-change, but all birds of prey aren’t eating well at this moment; as well the “self-eaters” in “The Keep” and in the aviaries. Because the storage for working-clothes for trainees and volunteers started to be a bit not large enough, we have bought this morning materials to build such a wardrobe in the hall of the 2nd floor in the House-next-door. Over there we should be able to store all different kinds and seizes in separate units. Quite a lot of Dutch visitors this morning: 7,5 in total.  

Again Corinth quake

A mild earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale was recorded near the Gulf of Corinth early yesterday but no damage or injuries were reported. The quake followed a slightly stronger tremor, measuring 4.5 Richter, which struck the same area Sunday lunchtime. Seismologists said there was no cause for concern.

Lightning fire

A team of 28 firefighters were battling to extinguish a blaze that broke out yesterday evening near Mount Athos, home to a large monastic community, after a bolt of lightning struck the slopes. Two aircraft were involved in efforts to extinguish the blaze which was not threatening any monasteries late yesterday.

First swine flu case in Greece

Health Ministry officials are to hold an emergency meeting this morning after tests on a 19-year-old Greek student who recently returned to Athens from the US confirmed that he has been infected with swine flu.

Deputy Health Minister Giorgos Papageorgiou confirmed late yesterday that the student, who returned to Athens on Saturday after nearly five months in the US, had tested positive for the potentially lethal H1N1 flu strain. But the official sought to play down the development. “There is no reason for concern... The patient is in good condition. His fever and general condition are not worrying us,” Papageorgiou said.

The 19-year-old, who underwent tests for H1N1 at Athens’s Sismanogleio Hospital, was to undergo another set of tests at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, an organization for scientific and public health research, a ministry spokesperson said.

Around 5 p.m. still 2 Dutch visitors. Thereafter, in consultation with trainee Joren decided not starting building in the hall of the 2nd floor, but in stead of that in the huge cupboard-wall in the living.

May 20th:  the cat “VlekOor” is languid and shows pain in the belly > we’ll check that later today. It was quite busy with the outdoor-cats early this morning !! The old Long-eared Owl was 269 (-1), the young one 288 (+4) and the Dark Barn Owl 276 (=) gram. The Kestrel was 179 (-2), the Eleonora 379 (=) and the Goshawk 711 (+4) gram. Pigeons: the scalped one was 213 (+1) and the brown one 243 (+1) gram. Baby-tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 25 (+1), -0902 was 16 (-2) and –0903 was 19 (-2) gram. The three Sparrows are doing fine. Under a light total-anesthetic (because she pertinently refused to show her belly !!) we have removed at 6.40 a.m. some quite pussy stitches from “VlekOor’s” belly. We hope the problem is solved herewith. We have placed the juvenile Long-eared Owl for some hours together with his adult companion in “The Keep” for some practices of the wings > a good picture could be taken of both.

We have started with the cupboard in the living of the House-next-door. At 11.03 a.m. a phone-call from Karen in Mólivos that she is sending with the 3.30 p.m.-coach from there a baby-tortoise. And at 11.10 a.m. Joren came back (on his day-off) with a discovered . . . . baby-tortoise > see further at SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE.

  

Ferry damaged

A passenger ferry sailing into port at the Aegean island of Lemnos yesterday morning sustained a 30-centimeter gash while it was docking but none of the 165 passengers aboard were injured. The ferry was due for repair once strong winds in the area eased.

Fire out

A fire that broke out on the slopes of Mount Athos, home to a large monastic community, after a bolt of lightning struck the day before yesterday afternoon, was extinguished early yesterday. Firemen remained on standby to avert a possible rekindling yesterday, as winds remained strong. There was no damage to the monasteries.

Flu risk is played down

Student diagnosed with H1N1 ‘stable’ as tests carried out on 16 friends, relatives

Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos yesterday said that Greece’s first case of swine flu did not pose any threat to public health, as tests were carried out on 16 friends and relatives of the 19-year-old Greek student who was diagnosed with the virus over the weekend.

The minister stressed that the country was well prepared to deal with the virus, noting that several hospitals in Athens, Thessaloniki and other major cities had been put on standby and that specialist medical teams had been set up at major airports to detect other suspect cases.

By late yesterday, tests on the relatives and friends of the 19-year-old had not revealed any indication that they had contracted the H1N1 virus. The 19-year-old was said to be in stable condition in Athens’s Sismanogleio Hospital.

Speaking to Kathimerini yesterday, Sotiris Tsiodras, an expert on infectious diseases, said the chances of other passengers who had been on the same flight as the teenager being infected were “virtually nil” as the 19-year-old had manifested symptoms of the disease nearly two hours after landing and the virus has an average incubation period of three or four days.

The minister himself reportedly was “advised” by health experts after it emerged that he had been on the same flight from New York to Athens last Saturday as the 19-year-old man.

Three nurses at the Sismanogleio who had been involved in admitting the student to the hospital were given anti-viral drugs yesterday. Avramopoulos called for an investigation into the circumstances of the admission after the union representing the nurses lodged a complaint.

Meanwhile, the City of Athens said it had launched an awareness campaign to inform some 140,000 migrants residing in the center of the capital about preventive measures aimed at curbing the spread of the potentially lethal virus. Multilingual information leaflets will be distributed and billboards put up. Athens International Radio 104.4 will broadcast informative spots in 15 languages.

Just before siesta-time 2 Dutch visitors. After the siesta another 2 Dutch visitors. And while they were showed-around the baby-tortoise from Mólivos was picked-up from the coach > was in our possession at 4.17 p.m. See over here as well at SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE. At 21 o’clock two fellow-villagers with lots of noise in our court-yard with an injured cat. They tried to dump their cat over here and to disappear at once. Quite a lot of heavy verbal metal had to be used (because after some time we started being a bit vexed !!) to keep this couple ánd inside ánd “with their attention to the lesson”. Trainee Joren was a bit upset, because sóó he had never seen one of us. But afterwards he understood. See further at CAT.

May 21st:  the old Long-eared Owl was 267 (-2) and the young one 281 (-7; had 1 feeding less and had been “out” in the morning). The Dark Barn Owl was 267 (-9), the Kestrel 179 (=) and the Eleonora 383 (+4) gram. Pigeons: the scalped one was 222 (+9) and the brown one 250 (+7) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 25 (=), -0902 was 17 (+1), -0903 was 21 (+2), -0904 was 25 (-1) and –0905 was 20 (-1) gram. The Sparrows still are doing fine. We received a phone-call from Loutrópolis Thermís that we may expect next Tuesday the whole Primary School from our former village (so about 100 children plus adherents !!). At 11.25 a.m. the wardrobe was made > only the shelves should be fastened. Totally 4 shelves, measuring 42,5 x 120 cm, were created = 3,57 square meter !! And at 1.10 p.m. the shelves were fastened as well and we could start with the rearrangement and moving-over.  

Zakynthos quake

A mild undersea quake, measuring 4.2 on the Richter sale, was recorded off the southern coast of Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea shortly after 6 a.m. yesterday. The quake resulted in no damage or injuries and was no cause for concern, seismologists said.

Thássos fires

Four forest fires that broke out on the island of Thássos on Monday, all as a result of lightning bolts, were still smoldering yesterday afternoon as strong winds continued to blow in the area. Local fire service units said all the fires were expected to be totally extinguished before nightfall, adding that no residential areas had come under threat.

Residents of Lemnos...

Residents of Lemnos, in the northeastern Aegean, hold up a banner during a protest in Athens’s central Syntagma Square yesterday, calling for a more frequent ferry service for their island. Lemnos is one of several remote islands with poor coastal shipping connections.

After the siesta 5 visitors from Holland (but one came from the USA). From those visitors two phoned us at 10.38 p.m. about a puppy in Skála Kallonís, which was injured in a leg: “If we could come and take the poor one immediately . . . . !?!?” We had to refer them because we have no intake-possibilities anymore herefor !! In the afternoon they were praising our work and efforts, but now they were heavily disappointed !!

May 22nd:  all six outdoor-cats were present early this morning and all remained quietly !! The old Long-eared Owl was 266 (-1), the young one was 283 (+2) and the Dark Barn Owl was 273 (+6) gram. The Kestrel was 185 (+6), the Eleonora 386 (+3) and the Goshawk was 713 (+7) gram. Pigeons: the scalped one was 224 (+2) and the brown one was 256 (+6) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 25 (=), -0902 was 16 (-1), -0903 was 22 (+1), -0904 was 25 (=) and –0905 was 23 (+3) gram. At 9 a.m. we had the wardrobe as good as totally filled. Later this morning continued with making this cupboard-wall more functional.

May 23rd:  and again all outdoor-cats were present to eat !! The old Long-eared Owl was 264 (-2), the young one was 286 (+3) and the Dark Barn Owl 279 (+6) gram. The Kestrel was 179 (-6), the Eleonora 385 (-1) and the Goshawk was 720 (+7) gram. Pigeons: the scalped one was 229 (+5) and the brown one was 256 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 26 (+1), -0902 was 18 (+2), -0903 was 23 (+1), -0904 was 28 (+3) and –0905 was 23 (=) gram.

A bird of prey...

A bird of prey (Griffon Vulture) is released near the Cretan port of Iraklion yesterday by members of animal protection groups from the southern Aegean island that have been taking in injured wild birds and treating them. The bird’s wing has been tagged so that its movements can be tracked.

The belly-injury of “VlekOor” is still festering quite a lot and it seems of all used stitches are ulcerating out !! At 10.13 p.m. we could rescue a female Rhinoceros-beetle from being crushed in between the teeth of our doggies: taken with us to show tomorrow to trainee Joren and placed in the terrarium. Not in the statistics.

May 24th:  the old Long-eared Owl was 262 (-2), the young one 289 (+3), the Little Owl 224 (-6) and the Dark Barn Owl 273 (-6) gram. The Goshawk was 723 (+3), the Kestrel 174 (-5) and the Eleonora 384 (-1) gram. The Black-headed Gull was 306 (+2) gram. Pigeons: the scalped one was 233 (+4) and the brown one 256 (=). So the latter is on it’s weight and can be released today. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 24 (-2), -0902 was 17 (-1), -0903 was 23 (=), -0904 was 27 (-1) and –0905 was 23 (=) gram. The Sparrows all are doing fine. The planned release of the brown Pigeon wasn’t successful: made quite a strange somersault in the air and landed (luckily on its feet) in the tortoise-pen. So transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” for flying-practices. The orange Sparrow is eating almost completely on its own; the red-and-silver sometimes and the double-green not yet at all. A for us unknown caterpillar with thorns, which was enjoying the green plants in our court-yard, turned out to be the larva from the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui). At 11.16 a.m. a phone-call from Raloú in Lisvóri that they had a donkey over there which had eye-problems already for three days and now the eye was complete closed. They had tinkered at the animal with almost everything, but without results. There was answered negative on our careful question if they had looked in between the eye-lids and the eye-bulb if there was a “corpus alienum” (strange object) present, because this was impossible: the donkey had only fallen down some days ago. They were told how, in spite of all, to do so and for what they should search: a seed from the “Wall Barley” (Hordeum murinum) for instance. Within the 10 minutes a phone-call again: had been BINGO !! They were told how further now to treat the eye; not in the statistics.

May 25th:  all six outdoor-cats were present again early this morning !! No patient was “in the minus” today: the old Long-eared Owl was 266 (+4), the young one was 293 (+4) and the Dark Barn Owl was 278 (+5) gram. The Goshawk was 727 (+4), the Kestrel 179 (+5) and the Eleonora 385 (+1) gram. The scalped Pigeon was 234 (+1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 27 (+3), -0902 was 17 (=), -0903 was 26 (+3), -0904 was 28 (+1) and –0905 was 25 (+2) gram. The three Sparrows still are doing fine. We have stopped the registration of both little Tortoises of last year (the home-bred: 08-182; Sept. 21st and the other: 08-185; Sept. 22nd); when they are old enough they can be released as well. The brown Pigeon was seen in top of the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” > must have come there flying !! Today meat had to be processed again (12,830 kilo for 78,69 Euro; total now this year 320,475 kilo for 2009.= Euro) and Tjarda, who just had returned from Portugal, should come and strengthen the team here together with her friend Janine. However, after a phone-call from Plakádos about owls which were disturbing the sleep of people during the night (the same ruined house we were last year September 20th as well) we had to change plans and go and collect the birds > so we went for a ride. See further at DARK BARN OWL. At 12.50 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a young (probably) sparrow > we will be informed later. One hour and a half later we heard that one will come and bring the birdie herself after half past three.

Thessaloniki quake

An earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale struck 70 kilometers north of Thessaloniki at 5.29 p.m. yesterday. Earlier, residents in the area felt smaller tremors. No injuries or damage were reported.

The little sparrow was here at 4.10 p.m. > see further at SPARROW. At 5.30 p.m. we could see how the scalped Pigeon from beginning this year (09-014; February 11th), which was lodged in the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” for sometimes, was pecking as an idiot on the head of the Pigeon which in the past had entered the L.W.H. with two broken legs (09-024; March 29th). The ex-scalped, now himself a scalper, was caught and

Release:

The mentioned above Cock-Pigeon was released at 5.34 p.m. in front of our house. First landed a bit difficult, but after some “gymnastics” by Joren he flew to our roof.

May 26th:  all six outdoor-cats were present again early this morning. And it was quite a lot more measuring and feedings with 7 extra mouths !! The old Long-eared Owl was 268 (+2), the young one 293 (=) and the Dark Barn Owl 275 (-3) gram. The Goshawk was 728 (+1), the Kestrel 179 (=) and the Eleonora 384 (-1) gram. The scalped Pigeon was 240 (+6) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 27 (=), -0902 was 17 (=), -0903 was 25 (-1), -0904 was 28 (=) and –0905 was 26 (+1) gram. Nothing special with the Sparrows. The juvenile Barn Owls had all produced pellets and this could bee seen well in the measurements: doubleorange was 355 (-33), green 338 (-35), red 324 (-37), orange 307 (-28), purple 253 (-24), blue 216 (-16) and yellow 104 (-10) gram. The announced school (however, not from Thermís but from Mytiléne > so a misunderstanding !!) arrived at 10.40 a.m. > 135 people (pupils, teachers and relatives). Herewith we’re now already widely above the total amount of last year (was 491 and now 620 !!). And next Friday-morning another school is coming !! At 1.10 p.m. a phone-call from Plomári about a Goose (fem), which had a broken wing for more than one month. Hadn’t glued together. The consulted vet, Giórgos Palaiológos (and that’s one of the better vets on the island !!), had advised going to us for the (most probably necessary) amputation of the wing > he himself didn’t dare doing so !! The owner will most probably pass-by early tomorrow-morning. At 5.23 p.m. a phone-call from a Belgian rep in/from Mólivos about a “second (and hearing the story “last”) opinion for a cat with a tumor. She’ll pass by one of the coming days. We have discovered that the blood-circulation in the right leg of the Black-headed Gull isn’t like it should be and the membranes are dying-off. So checking well and if it worsens, . . . . .

May 27th:  the old Long-eared Owl was 264 (-4), the young one was 297 (+4) and the old Dark Barn Owl was 276 (+1) gram. The Goshawk was 738 (+10), the Kestrel 183 (+4), the Eleonora 396 (+12) and the scalped Pigeon was 245 (+5) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 27 (=), -0902 was 17 (=), -0903 was 21 (-4), -0904 was 30 (+2) and –0905 was 26 (=) gram. The Sparrows are still doing fine and are eating partly independently. Juvenile Barn Owls: doubleorange was 363 (+8), green 342 (+4), red 321 (-3), orange 315 (+8), purple 269 (+16), blue 231 (+15) and yellow 112 (+8) gram. The total slump is hitting at the Black-headed Gull: no bathing after feedings anymore and he/she is sitting with hanging wings in the day-cage . . . !! We started with Baytril (antibiotics) for the Eleonora: she isn’t sitting on the roost anymore and has very thick feet . . . . !! At 10.15 a.m. the owner of the goose (for which we were waiting till that moment) phoned with a thousand excuses: he has a restaurant in Plomári and because it should be late yesterday-night he had given the bird in a box with food and water to a person who should go this morning early to Kallonís. Well, that guy hadn’t left home so the goose still was in that box over there . . . . !! The owner has taken-back the bird and will come tomorrow-morning himself . . . . (we hope !!) So it is (and we fear this will remain so) . . . . Greece here !! At 10.27 the Black-headed Gull was discovered helpless laying on it’s back in the day-cage > taken back . . . . !! At the 12-o’clock-feeding there was hardly swallowed and most of it was vomited again; however some water was drunk !! After the siesta still 2 Dutch visitors.      

May 28th:  the Black-headed Gull was still alive this morning !! The Old Long-eared Owl was 265 (+1), the young one 297 (=) and the old Dark Barn Owl 273 (-3) gram. The Goshawk was 734 (-4), the Kestrel 181 (-2) and the Eleonora 399 (+3) gram. The Pigeon was 242 gram. The three House Sparrows are still doing fine. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 25 (-1), -0902 was 18 (+1), -0903 was 24 (+3), -0904 was 31 (+1) and –0905 was 28 (+2) gram. Juvenile Barn Owls: doubleorange was 365 (+2), green 353 (+11), red 316 (-5), orange 320 (+5), purple 271 (+2), blue 245 (+14) and yellow 121 (+9) gram. The Goose was here at 7.30 a.m. > see further at GREYLAG GOOSE (dom). Hereafter we made with the trainee Joren first the already planned cultural excursion to the Roman Aqueduct, the Castle of Mytiléne etc. etc. At our return we fist have examined the Goose and taken some pictures. At 2 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne that in the Kavétsou nr 12 a gull was sitting on a platform and wasn’t flying away; according to the caller there could be eye-problems. Our “auxiliary forces” over there were informed and at 2.22 p.m. a phone-call from Polly that she had the bird. According to her the left eye was smaller than the right one. We’ll arrange that the bird will come over here. Meanwhile we know it’s an adult Yellow-legged Gull and that it will come tomorrow with the 11-o’clock-coach.

May 29th:  still all alive in the Sick-Bay !! The old Long-eared Owl was 265 (=), the young one 297 (=) and the old Dark Barn Owl 276 (+3) gram. The Goshawk was 739 (+5), the Kestrel 187 (+6) and the Eleonora 394 (-5) gram. The Pigeon was 248 (+6) gram. Nothing special about the Sparrows. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 26 (+1), -0902 was 17 (-1), -0903 was 26 (+3), -0904 was 31 (=) and –0905 was 27 (-1) gram. Juvenile Barn Owls: doubleorange was 390 (+25), green 369 (+16), red 342 (+32), orange 340 (+20), purple 287 (+16), blue 249 (+4) and yellow 130 (+9) gram.

Release:

at 7.42 a.m. we have released well the brown Pigeon (09-045; May 9th ’09), which was without good result released before May 24th.

We could amputate the wing of the Graylag Goose > see over there. At 10.15 a.m. a Primary School from Mytiléne came to visit us: 24 children and 4 adults. The gull we had in our possession at 12.10 p.m., but we had to drive first in vain to Kallonís > showed the bird was delivered already at the kiosk in our village !! And that coach we had met twice !! But see further at YELLOW-LEGGED GULL. Meanwhile 4 Dutch visitors.

Sea Diamond fuel retrievers hit a snag

The launch of an operation this week to pump out dozens of tons of fuel from the wreck of a cruise ship that sank off Santorini in April 2007 immediately hit a hurdle as the fuel in the tanks of the rusting vessel has solidified.

“It has the consistency of toothpaste,” said Matthaios Saliveros of the coast guard team overseeing the operation. A hole was cut into the side of the Sea Diamond but suction pipes were unable to remove the substance from the tanks, Saliveros said. The aim is to remove the majority of an estimated 120 tons of fuel from the tanks by mid-June. Some 300 tons of leaked fuel had been collected from the sea in the months after the sinking.

Merchant Marine Minister Anastassis Papaligouras, who visited the island yesterday to oversee the operation, noted that scientists were studying the area to determine whether it is advisable, and feasible, to lift the wreck off the seabed.

Kythera quake

A moderate undersea quake, measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale, occurred off the southern coast of the island of Kythera, south of the Peloponnese, just before dawn yesterday. There were no reports of any damage or injuries.

There was announced that next Sunday there will be a black-out from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. !! At 2.32 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a bird > one will come and bring it. And the lady was here at 3.45 p.m. > see further at HOODED CROW. Had the Black-headed Gull (08-216; December 28th ’08) been sitting quietly in the sun at 3.30 p.m., at 5.08 p.m. he wasn’t alive anymore.

May 30th:  all outdoor-cats were present early this morning and in the Sick-Bay all were still alive !! The old Long-eared Owl was 268 (+3), the young one 302 (+5) and the old Dark Barn Owl was 273 (-3) gram. The Goshawk was 746 (+7), the Kestrel 181 (-6) and the Eleonora was 391 (-3) gram. The Pigeon was 245 (-3) and the juvenile Hooded Crow was 258 (+23) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 29 (+3), -0902 was 17 (=), -0903 was 26 (=), -0904 was 32 (+1) and –0905 was 27 (=) gram. Juvenile Barn Owls: doubleorange was 389 (-1), green 376 (+7), red 341 (-1), orange 339 (-1), purple 301 (+14), blue 260 (+11) and yellow 144 (+14) gram. The Yellow-legged Gull is eating with some problems and the Goose is allowed outside behind our house. The first one of those went at 8.45 to the cage outside. With the Goose we had, at changing the bandage at 8 o’clock quite a problem: a venal bleeding out of a weak spot in the skin !! Forceps was used and with a stitch hereunder the bleeding could be stopped. Again a compression bandage was used and when after half an hour this wasn’t leaking, she was force-fed first with the help of a funnel and thereafter for the morning-hours “lodged” on the field of our neighbor Yiánnis behind our house. At 8.55 a.m. a phone-call from the vet-practice of Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne that they had a pigeon which wasn’t good > will be sent by the 1-o’clock-coach. The Goose was sitting after an hour on the field quite forlorn against the netting and didn’t know how quick she could reach our court-yard again > a kind of agoraphobia ?? We have discovered that the wing of the Eleonora behind the fracture is dying-off  > so should be amputated as well. At 11.30 a.m. a woman from our village with her canary-bird with scaly legs. She was showed how to remove this and how to prevent. She herself didn’t dare to do so, because “last year he has bitten me . . . . !!” Further not in the statistics. Thereafter an former teacher of the school in the village with questions about the health of his dog > as good as possible answered and asked to bring the dog tomorrow-morning to bee seen. Because of the evidently greater use of soft food (e.g. juvenile Barn Owls) 2520 gram minced meat (16,25 Euro) was bought; total now this year 322,995 kilo for 2025,25 Euro. The Pigeon from Mytiléne we had in our hands at 2.10 p.m. > see further at PIGEON.

May 31st:  the old Long-eared Owl was 272 (+4), the young one 304 (+2), the Little Owl 229 (+5) and the old Dark Barn Owl was 269 (-4) gram. The Goshawk was 748 (+2), the Kestrel 181 (=) and the Eleonora was 394 (+3) gram. The scalped Pigeon was 249 (+4) and the new one 206 (+8) gram. The juvenile Hooded Crow was 280 (+22) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 30 (+1), -0902 was 18 (+1), -0903 was 24 (-2), -0904 was 33 (+1) and –0905 was 27 (=) gram. Juvenile Barn Owls: doubleorange was 394 (+5), green 373 (-3), red 362 (+21), orange 359 (+20), purple 312 (+11), blue 275 (+15) and yellow 152 (+8) gram. Electricity disappeared already at 7.44 a.m. . . . . !! The wing-limb of the Greylag Goose remained dry during changing of the bandages; however is quite blue ! The former teacher came half an hour after the agreed time (and we just had our breakfast) > was told he could come back another time but than exactly on the agreed hour !! Electricity was restored scanty measure at 12.45 p.m. but not enough for all the apparatus’ we have. Only at 1.30 p.m. all was working again (as well coolers and freezers and the airco) and such with 30° in the shed !! The left wing of the yesterday taken-in Pigeon is hanging somewhat and, what’s worse, the crop isn’t emptying (enough). If this still is the case tomorrow, the crop must be opened and “cleansed” !! We received news (the owner came “sans rancune” bringing newspapers for the cages) about the 3rd Cat from this month (09-062; May 20th late in the evening): is doing better although she still is walking a bit difficult.

 

Total amount of visitors this month:  234                      (total this year: 654)

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 216 (total this year 0377 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 41 [wild ones: 33; others 08], (total this year 083: wild ones 051, others 032; total since the start of registration in 1996: 4130) of which:

CAT (Felis catus): 3; the first was a  quite pregnant semi-stray from Parákoila. Had 5 little kittens “on board”. A complete ovariohysterectomy was performed, during which Joren was assisting. The other half of the Dutch crew took pictures and asked questions. (see as well May 2nd, 5th, 6th & 7th). The 2nd was “VlekOor” (08-168; September 3rd ’08 which had entered poisoned at that moment). After she had already taken revenge prophylactically for what should happen to her, she was without any problems released from two overripe ovariae. (see as well May 20th). The 3rd came from a piece of land somewhere in our village, where this still quite young cat should have destroyed mice and rats. However, was held by a “marten-kind-of-animal” as a rival and treated in that way: immense fresh bite-/tear-injury in the left side of the throat and in both front-legs older, already pussy injuries. Throat-injury was stitched widely and front-legs only treated with antibiotic-spray. Further antibiotics per os were given to the owners. (see as well May 31st). 

ELEONORA’S FALCON (Falco eleonorae) 1 adult from the island of Ágios Efstrátios. Open fracture right humerus with quite a lot of dead tissue > Dermisol-cream, splint & hanging cast were given. Tip of the upper-bill is missing as well. Bodyweight was only 248 gram ( should have been 350 – 450 gram !!). From Ágios Efstrátios there is only once a week a ferry (via Limnos) in our direction and (so coincidence doesn’t exist) our “boss” from the Dasarcheío was on board. Ferry was mooring in Sígri and she had speeded-up at once in our direction.

(see as well May 5th and following days).

PIGEON (Columba livia dom.): 5, the first two were babies; * April 26th ’09 in the pigeon-cage in “The Keep”. Severely pecked on the heads and bodies. The first one (green) was half scalped > 3 stitches were necessary to close the head. As well a hole on the back > 1 U-stitch to close that hole. The other one (blue) had a hole in the right elbow > 1 stitch to close the injury, and some holes in the head > 2 stitches. Now we hope we can feed them and keep them warm, because they were very cold !! (see as well May 6th & 7th). Number 3 was a juvenile, came from Mytiléne and could have been caught by a cat. Was quite scalped !! With assistance of the 8-year old Zita from Amsterdam, who quite well kept the bird locked-up in between her hands, with lots of stitches the head was stitched together again. Antibiotics were injected. (see as well May 9th & 14th). Number 4 came from Mytiléne and was announced by the Vet over there as a “Collared Dove”, but it was a normal (although brown) juvenile Pigeon. Was not injured, but had lots of feather-lice > PINEX-spray was used. (see as well May 24th & 29th).The 5th came as well from Mytiléne and according to the assistant of vet Myrsíni Tourvalí “shouldn’t be well”. Was however only a juvenile and had quite a lot of feather-lice > PINEX-spray was used. (see as well May 31st).  

LITTLE BITTERN (Ixobrychus minutus): 1 adult male, discovered next to a wall of Hotel Malemís in Skála Kallonís. Had most evidently hit that wall > mandibula had a fracture half-way with a deformation and the maxilla had a fracture close to the head. Was much too light: 85 i.s.o. 140 – 160 gram. First trying pepping him up a bit before we’re going to do something with those fractures.

(see as well May 6th, 10th & 16th).

SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE (Testudo graeca ibera): 5; the first was a quite small juvenile; discovered in Kallonís. Has hatched after a Dia-pause (so the egg was laid last year and the little one has hibernated in the egg) was 16 gram. The umbilical-cord wasn’t visible anymore > so is already some days on his own. Received “competitor’s number” 0901. The 2nd came from our village and was rescued by children out of the mouth of a dog. Is a lot smaller than number 1. Only minor shell-injuries, but seems walking in circles . . . . !! As well over here there was a Dia-pause. Was 12 gram. Received “competitor’s number” 0902. Number 3 came as well from Kallonís (after a Dia-pause) and is evidently related to number 1 seeing the shell-design. Was at intake 18 gram. Received “competitor’s number” 0903. Number 4 was rescued from rushing traffic by “Joren Walker”, who close to the connection from the Mylopótamos-river with the Gulf, the little one took with him. He came home with it; completely sweetened and “a bit dead”. By the way, it had been 7 km in speed-march-tempo !! The tortoise, of course as well a “Dia-pause-case, was 26 gram and received “competitor’s number” 0904. Number 5 was again a “Dia-pauselet” and was discovered in Mólivos. Was 21 gram and received “competitor’s number” 0905.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (Larus michaellis): 2; the first was an adult from/via Mytiléne. Some fish-hooks were already removed by the vet Myrsíni Tourvalí. The bird has an old injury in the left wing (under-arm), close to the wrist. So further observation. (see as well May 10th). Number 2 came as well from the same town and was an adult as well. The right eye is completely collapsed (due to ?? Sharp object ??)

 HE-DOG (Canis familiaris): 1 from the L.W.H.; “Mázzel” (was 08-196; October 11th ’08). Donated in the normal way one crown-jewel to the Barn Owls and the other, which due to the accident of last year had stayed behind inside, via an incision in the belly. Had half an hour after the surgery a bleeding in the scrotum, which could be stopped with one stitch. Assistance was given by trainee Joren, while the crew from Holland was watching everything. (see as well May 18th).

HOUSE-SPARROW (Passer domesticus): 8; the first was an adult female from our village, which by (now) outdoor Tom-cat “Poekie” late at night was dropped almost at our feet. In any case a bite-injury in the right flank. Antibiotics were injected. Was still alive at 11 p.m. (see as well May 10th & 17th). The 2nd was a juvenile and came all the way from Mytiléne. Should be possible as well bitten by a cat > antibiotics were injected. The little boy who brought the bird was a supporter of football-club Olympiakós, so the bird received a red and a silver ring (club-colors are red and white). (see as well May 24th). The 3rd came from our village and was even smaller than number 2. Was ringed with an orange ring. Was early next morning not alive anymore. Number 4 was as well a juvenile and came from Mytiléne. Was quite lethargic at arrival. Is showing pain when we try to catch it for a feeding. (see as well May 16th). The 5th as well came from Mytiléne and was quite small. In spite if that quite vivid. Received orange ring left foot. (see as well May 24th). Number 6 hardly had feathers and we wonder why the Vet in Mytiléne was sending this one in. Hardly any chance, but we’ll give it a try. Green ring right foot. (see as well May 16th). Number 7 came as well from Mytiléne and was also a juvenile. Received green ring right & left foot. (see as well May 24th). Number 8 was, if possible, even smaller than number 6. Was according to the bearer “quite lively”, but Athenian women have about those things evidently other ideas as we . . . . !! Was after some minutes not present any more in this world.

SWIFT (Apus apus): 2; the first was an adult from Mytiléne. Was missing from the right wing all big flight-feathers > reason ?? (see as well May 10th). The 2nd came from our village and was caught by a huge bird-of-prey; the bearer had seen it happening. So observation and feeding. At 7.45 p.m., at the last feeding, we discovered a closed fracture of the left tibia but as well that the bird was hanging bended against the netting > so brain-damage as well. The prognosis is a lot worse now. (see as well May 15th).

CAT (Felis catus): 1 (genus unknown: we haven’t checked in all panic !!) from our village. At 7.50 a.m. the owner came with squeaking tires asking for “ánthrakas” (coal), because all pharmacies still were closed and his cat was poisoned !! Because it was already 3 hours ago since his wife had injected (too much) Atropine, one ampoule of Apomorphine was given in a syringe to inject at home. At 10.55 a.m. a phone-call they should pass-by with the cat > they had contacted a Vet in ATHENS (on the whole island no vet could be reached !!) who had advised to start with transfusion. Over here from 11.03 a.m. subcutaneously Ringers-solution was given and showed how to do it themselves. A 60-cc syringe was given and as well a bottle of Ringers. It showed that this cat some years ago as well was treated here. By the way, from this owner Saturday one week ago a Golden Retriever was poisoned which couldn’t be rescued . . . . !! (see as well May 11th, 12th & 16th).

KITTEN (Felis catus): 1 ± 4 weeks old little Tom-Cat (?? > difficult to see) from our village; discovered close to the school. Is quite dirty, but is trying to wash himself . . . . !! Will be lodged in the House-next-door at Joren’s and has received (almost) the same name: “Jorén”. Only after days we could be sure about the gender: it’s a GIRL !!

TOM CAT (Felis catus): 1 adult from our village. Was knocked down and at the first sight it looked like a transverse myelitis. During a further examination we could reduce this to the left side of the pelvis and the connection tail-pelvis. So should heal with rest. Advices were given how to treat further the animal and asked to keep us informed. (see as well May 16th).  

LONG-EARED OWL (Asio otus): 1 owlet, discovered in Arianá. Was announced as “Little Eagle Owl” and that’s correct, because the Greek name of this bird is (translated) Dwarf Eagle Owl. Is still one bunch of fluffy feathers which is clicking heavily and which can blow itself up quite impressively when he/she feels threatened. Body-weight at intake was 280 gram.

DARK BARN OWL (Tyto alba guttata): 7 juveniles from Plakádos. At arrival “mothers” (indeed a PALE BARN OWL) was still present, but she fled quickly. Owlets could be caught easily (not such an “assault-training” as last year !!). Were quite covered with flees > Pinex-spray was used. All seven were ringed and measured: doubleorange was 388 gram, green 373 gram, red 361 gram, orange 335 gram, purple 277 gram, blue 232 gram and yellow 114 gram.

Without our operation one should have poisoned them, because they claimed that « the children couldn’t study in the evening-hours > . . . . but they themselves had seven colors in their underpants . . . . !! They were wondering if those birds were beard . . . . !! Huge astonishment they hatched from eggs !!

GREYLAG GOOSE (Anser anser dom.): 1 female from Plomári. Should have had a wing-fracture but after the first look it seems to be more like an immense “wild-grow” (tumor). Should be amputated in any case.

After further examinations it showed that indeed there had been an open fracture of the radius and/or ulna, and that the healing-process was the cause of the wild-grow. We’re going to try amputating the wing at the elbow May 29th, which will happen under a complete aesthetic. The procedure is meanwhile discussed with trainee Joren. During the surgery it showed that the tissue-wildgrow and was malign and had passed already upwards from the elbow. We have removed as much as possible, but in the end the bird will die from it. But in any case she is able for the rest of her life walking and eating now normally. All together 781 gram wing was removed, of which at least 700 gram was on the account of the tumor !!

HOODED CROW (Corvus cornix sharpii): 1 juvenile from Mytiléne. Had been already for some days in the possession of someone over there who only had offered some water > was famished. A woman we know had seen the opportunity to filch the bird and to bring it over here.

 

 

 

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