June 2006

LOG-BOOK:

June 1st:  the Cock, which was bitten by Weasel or Marten, we had on his feet again (for a short while) this morning. This thanks to as well physiotherapies 3 times a day. Both baby-tortoises were 32 and 36 gram. The quite fresh “mother Little Owl” has now as well during the day food in her “delivery room”. We diminished the “World-rat-population” again with 2 (under which a quite huge one). We discovered our first patient of this year, the Greenfinch (06-001, January 1st), dead on the bottom of the Aviary. Forced by a terrible tooth-ache our help Ιοάννα Knoop left us prematurely > she was trusting her own dentist in Athens more than the people over here. By the two kittens from Skála Polichnítos (06-088a & b; May 30th) are the eyes of the female clear now; however the male has quite some problems: left upper-eye-lid has a deformation (after injury ??) and there are some strange kind of tissues grown upon the cornea. So this will be “wait-and-see” how the situation will develop. During a check in the evening-feeding-round it showed, that the 4 baby Little Owls are fed well > nice bellies !! A bit after 9.10 p.m. we received a phone-call from Mytiléne about a “swallow” > will be send by the coach of 11 a.m. tomorrow. We received an alarming e-mail from an Animal-Shelter In Friesland (Northern Netherlands) about our ex-patient “Kleintje” [means: Little One, because she was so huge!] (03-069, May 2003 > disabled due to a mowing-machine). We had been able to re-home her in Rotterdam, but the (as well disabled) people over there weren’t anymore in the condition to take good care of her > now she can hardly walk little distances anymore (and here she was “overrunning” us; even with 3 legs), has gained too much wait and isn’t in a good condition. Meanwhile we have put our “auxiliaries” on this case.

June 2nd:  at our entrance in the feeding-hall at 5.40 a.m. we were attacked by troops of bitty ants, so we had to find a shelter and take appropriate measures ! The floor was black !! For the first time since his intake, we discovered the Cock sitting in stead of laying on his side > so a good omen !! Should we report yesterday-evening something negatives, this morning we received a positive mail. But first a “cut out” from 2005:

September 21st:  In the evening several phone-calls with, and about a Dutch couple, who had the “pleasure” to see their rescued doggie (was thrown-away alive in a plastic bag! The doggie was already micro-chipped and vaccinated) being teared from their hands by an aggressive (and half-drunken) Greek, with the information that it was “his doggie”. The Greek even went to the Police! We have informed the “Animal-Lovers Society of Lesvos” about this case with the plea to take over! Everything seems to be alright now !

The e-mail from today was as follows:                                                                                                                    Hello Joris and Ineke, surfing on your web-site I discovered something (see September 21st ) and I realized that this was about our doggy MYTHOS. We were on holiday and discovered in the mountains between Molyvos and Petra, Mythos in a plastic bag, hanging in a tree. That drunken greek and the date are correct. We have phoned you and you gave us the address and phone-number of the “Animal-Lovers-Society” in Molyvos. We went over there and those people were very helpful. At last the owner of our apartment “Marianthis” has phoned the police as well and they came. Further the owner of the travel-agency got involved and at last we got our right and could take Mythos with us to Holland. This all went perfect and we enormous enjoy his company. Again thanks for your help and information and as well for the good work you’re doing over there in Greece. With regards, Tineke Paardekam

And so it will be put on record.

The on April 22nd taken-in juvenile Pigeon (06-051) was transferred today to the Aviary for practices. A phone-call from the vet Myrsíni Tourvalí that she will send a (probably) Swift with the coach of 3 p.m. The yesterday-evening announced “Swallow” showed to be a Pallid Swift. The “probably Swift” showed to be a juvenile of this kind and came in around 4 p.m.

June 3rd:  all yesterday taken-in patients were still alive and the Cock was standing on his legs. The baby Little Owls are growing well. We received the message that our ex-patient “Kleintje” (now “Nana”) in any case will have a new owner when she is better. The body of the yesterday taken-in adult Pallid Swift is still bended like a bow; no force is present in the left wing. Both legs however are working well. Did we write on May 10th about a Goat with “Alibaba-hoofs” due to being kept on a too soft floor, today the boy came back with the goat and still she wasn’t able to walk properly. But our advice of almost 1 month back to go with the goat to the Agrotikí Stégi in Kallonís (there they have and the tools and the knowledge to treat such hoofs) wasn’t followed of course. Again this advice was given. During the morning the Cock very carefully started to walk again > was tumbling every time to his left side, but the beginning of the recovery is there. Two Dutch visitors in the afternoon. They are going to help us with the modern Dutch names for reptiles & amphibians.

June 4th:  all birds & animals were still alive this morning. The baby-Little Owls still are doing well. We could reduce the W.R.P. (World-Rat-Population) again, but still this won’t wash: they are running on the sealing of as well the Surgery as the Sick-Bay. We transferred the juvenile Pigeon from Mória (06-074; May 17th) to the Aviary. Power-cut from 7.30 till 9 a.m. > working isn’t so nice without !! From 11.15 a.m. we didn’t need to feed the juvenile Swift any more . . . .

Release: we released well the Collared Dove (05-174a; July 21st ’05) which was discovered together with brother/sister in the Agorá in this village.

A short while after midday the electricity “left us again” > luckily we just were ready on the computer, so no work was done for nothing. Tomorrow an English party will visit us; especially for our tortoises and our efforts to breed with those.

June 5th:  the day started “well” by discovering that the freezer in the food-hall had breathed its last  . . . . . > lots of good food we had to throw-away !! At 5.30 a.m. we discovered that the Pallid Swift had stopped breathing. At 6.30 we were on our way with a dead freezer to the rubbish-dump (and came back with a nice “bush” for the tortoise-pen), after we first had to re-organize a lot. What as well should be changed was the whole planning for today: phone the dentist to call off the appointment, ditto with the “meat-cutting-gang” and of course the butcher as well !! Looking in our archives we discovered we bought this freezer the end of December 1996; especially to store fish for our first Pelican (96-159). At almost 9.30 a.m. a phone-call from the “Elin-petrol-station” about an abandoned donkey > other phone-numbers were given. Just hereafter a phone-call from Mytiléne about a paralyzed huge dog > told that unfortunately we couldn’t do anything and as well other options were given. The two announced English visitors (from the island of Wight) came to see the tortoises, and they left us very enthusiastic. The new freezer was brought (prize 261 Euro, but we paid only 220 Euro. As well 2 Dutch visitors.

June 6th:  all was still alive and nothing had gone to pieces !! Both baby-tortoises were 34 and 38 gram. At 6.45 a.m. a phone-call from Mólivos about a puppy (the eyes still closed) > will be brought. See further by PUPPY. There was departed early for Mytiléne to pick-up both new trainees. At 11 a.m. a phone-call from Vafiós about a cat > one is on their way to here. At 12.20 o’clock both new trainees, Dymphy & Jorieke, had arrived. The little half-stray cat “Foúrno”, we reported about in the past, has changed her attitude 180 degrees: is coming and sitting on our lap, is purring etc. Is the delivery coming ?? In the evening a phone-call from Mytiléne about a Peacock > will come tomorrow-morning.

June 7th:  the W.R.P. has diminished again > one had taken a swim (without a license) in the huge water-bowl of the Eagle Owl. The announced Peacock didn’t arrive; maybe this afternoon ?? Six Dutch visitors came this morning. At 2.30 p.m. (of course in the siesta) with squealing tires a juvenile House Martin was brought-in (and if we were sure it wasn’t ill > they meant: hadn’t bird-flu . . . . !! At 7.50 p.m. a phone-call from Agiássos about a dog(gie) > should be kicked by children or (deliberately !!) overrun by a bike > will come tomorrow for examination.

June 8th:  entering the Sick-bay at 5.40 a.m. we were saluted by a, in triumph, crowing Cock > so a good omen! The juvenile House Martin we discovered very cold, very stiff and very dead on the bottom of its cage. In any case one had the kindness to inform us that the announced Peacock shouldn’t arrive (any more), because meanwhile he has exchanged the temporarily with the eternal . . . . The baby-Little-Owls were looking today like t

In the morning-hours 2 British visitors from Byfleet, Surrey, and 2 Dutch visitors. In the evening we have been waiting for hours and hours for the announced dog, and after tens and tens of phone-calls at last reached the “callers” > it seemed that meanwhile the dog had improved, but giving us a phone-call to cancel the appointment isn’t even appearing in those Greek heads . . . .

June 9th:  thanks to the “glue-traps” the W.R.P. has diminished again; we are doing our utmost best to get rid of this plague, because everything is gnawed into pieces ! We started today making the following cats & tom-cats “ready for transport”: “BlueEye” (03-128; June 2003), “JoMei” (04-184c; August 2003), “Résta” (04-231d; October 2004) and her sister “Tari” (04-231c; as well October 2004) and “Dourak” (04-234; as well October 2004); all five were vaccinated against Rabies. The planning is that they are all leaving the 16th for Holland and all five will stay together. At 1 p.m. a phone-call from the Agrotikí Stégi in Kallonís about a gull, which should be ill > is picked-up. See further by YELLOW-LEGGED GULL. At 7.25 p.m. a (juvenile ??) House Martin was brought-in. At 8.20 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne > people had destroyed a nest of “swallows” and “if it made sense to bring the babies”?? They were brought-in > 3; and still very, very small !!

June 10th:  the W.R.P. was diminished again with 2. The three late yesterday-evening brought-in baby House Martins were all still alive at 6.30 a.m. The yesterday at 7.25 p.m. brought-in House Martin isn’t going to “make it” > is at the last gasp. At 7.30 a.m. a woman was before our door with an (only a few days old) Turkey-chicken > eyes were “glued together” and yesterday another one had died with the same symptoms > luckily it’s “own bred” (and not bought from gypsies > so there is hope !). Taken-in and antibiotics were given. The House Martin we discovered dead at 9.45 a.m. At 9.50 a.m. a phone-call from the Shelter in Skála Eressoú that they had found a birdie. When we asked what kind of birdie it was, the answer was “a Street-birdie” > will be brought and we are very anxious to know this (for us new) species. At 10.30 a.m. a dog was reported, hit by a car > was brought-in > see further by BITCH. At 10.35 a.m. a phone-call from Dimítris (who was a Vet in the Agrotikí Stégi) that he had found/received a small baby-owl > will as well be brought. Hereafter 2 Dutch visitors. At 12.35 the “Street-birdie” arrived and, to be honest, we indeed didn’t know what species it was. Photo’s were send to Holland (Mr Ben Steinfort) to receive a decisive answer. See further by STREET-BIRDIE. At 1.50 p.m. we received a phone-call from Mytiléne that the baby-owl still was there > will be send by coach now (??). At 3.10 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne (??) about a swallow they had discovered on the ground (probably a Swift) > as good as possible advices were given how to throw it back into the air again. In vain we waited for the coach with the baby-owl > didn’t arrive . . . . !! At 7.50 p.m. a phone-call from the Airport of Mytiléne: there was an injured gull over there > we were too tired to turn out again; so asked to send the bird (if still alive) tomorrow by coach. And to finish the day properly: at 8.30 p.m. a juvenile Swallow was brought-in with probably a brain-injury. So this was a day . . . . !!

June 11th:  the little Turkey-chicken isn’t well at all: very cold and hardly “living”. The Swallow was still alive and the Black-headed Bunting ditto. And as well the 3 little “swallows” were living. In the cage of the Little Owls in “The Keep” we discovered the Little Owl, as well re-taken-in March 18th ’06, and again stuck in the netting > again a wing-injury, but this time not bitten by rats > again taken-in. The Swallow had his head later in the morning straight again > so a good omen. The W.R.P. has diminished again with 1 !! We have heard today that for our little tom-cat “Ajax” (06-052; April 23rd) a home is found in Holland. At 12.20 o’clock we received a phone-call from Mytiléne: the gull was placed on the coach > picked-up. The little Turkey-chicken died in our hands at 1.57 p.m. Around 6 p.m. the whole crew, plus visitors plus our neighbor have been looking for the “mating-dance” of two Coluber jugularis caspicus (snakes); a quite impressing view !! Let’s only hope they stay out of our aviaries and cages . . . . !!

June 12th:  at 4.40 a.m. they woke us up for an overrun doggie in . . . . . Mytiléne !! We have given them the phone-numbers of as well the State-Vet and of the “Animal-lovers Society of Lesvos” in the same town ! At 5.50 a.m. we discovered the juvenile Black-headed Bunting dead in its cage > had been quite lethargic yesterday the whole day. The new Yellow-legged Gull was still alive and the same was the case with all Swallows. All five cats, which are going to Holland (see June 9th) were micro-chipped today. We didn’t get off with a whole skin . . . . ! In the afternoon a “party” from Hotel “Votsala” in Thermís: 8 people, under which the hotel-owner from Mytiléne, and further 7 people from the UK: 2 from London, 2 from Basingstoke, 1 from Amesbury, 1 from Cornwall and a colleague from the Isle of Wight. At almost 7.15 p.m. a phone-call from Agiássos about  . . . . the dog which one hadn’t appeared (see June 7th & 8th  > so almost a week ago !!) > they wanted to bring the dog now the day after tomorrow (!!) > there should be a dislocation of the leg! But because when the phoned the first time it was already a 10 days old injury, there is now nothing there can be done anymore > the whole joint is “gone”. Told them a visit wouldn’t help anymore and was unnecessary. At 9.55 p.m. a phone-call from Skála Eressoú about a Ferret or other marten-like mammal > will be brought tomorrow (??)

June 13th:  both baby-tortoises were 36 and 40 gram. The W.R.P. has diminished again with one > no swimming-license ! At 7.36 a.m. we were able to release very well the juvenile Swallow (from the 10th) > was flying like a F-16 !! At 7.45 a.m. (exactly on the minute the time of intake on May 30th ) the Cock went back to the owner > should make place for the expected marten-like mammal. Both kittens now are transferred to the bench where the Cock was lodged, and the old kitten-cage is prepared for this beast of prey (finer netting). From the injury of the Yellow-legged Gull again lots of maggots could be removed; however the injury isn’t stinking so much anymore. We had (unfortunately) to remove from the tortoise-pen the huge water-basin: our old “shower-basin” wasn’t (anymore) holding water. So was transported to the rubbish-dump and we came back with lots of (still ok) cutlery, but as well with an antique earthenware goblet > was thrown-away ! At 1.40 p.m. the marten arrived, and what we had expected, tallied: a juvenile House Marten. The bringer (a Dutch woman, who had rented a car especially for bringing this animal !!) we showed around. At 4.40 p.m. a phone-call from a well-known fireman, that he had found an injured Swallow > he came and brought the bird. In the evening a phone-call from the Shelter in Sámos (kept by a Dutchman) that they had English Vets at the moment to sterilize & castrate, but that the stock of Ketamine (anesthetic-fluid) was very small. There is coming something from England, but that will take some time. If we couldn’t . . . . . So we’re going to try something tomorrow and send it as an express-parcel. Later this evening we contacted the Wildlife Hospital in Opglabbeek (Belgium) about the best date for releasing the Marten: so August.

June 14th:  everyone was still alive this morning, although the situation of the smallest of the 3 swallows is delicate > was indeed very small. Died later this morning. We could send two bottles of Ketamine to the shelter in Sámos. Two Dutch visitors. At 12.25 o’clock a phone-call from Mólivos about an, over there discovered little owl (unable to fly yet) > was send with the coach of 1 p.m. and picked-up by us > was a juvenile Scop’s Owl. At 2 p.m. a phone-call from a Vet in Mytiléne: she is sending a swallow with the coach of 3 p.m. And that birdie we had in our hands at 3.44 p.m. > a juvenile Swift. Today we received from our reptile-specialist in Holland an e-mail about the two “dancing snakes” from 3 days back: not a couple, but two males impressing a female. As well we heard that “hibernating-in-the-egg” of tortoises is called a “Dia-interval”. Did we discover yesterday already an empty egg-shell in the Barn Owl-cage in “The Keep”, tonight we dared carefully to look inside: 2 squeaking chicks, and there are still more eggs inside !! At 6.30 p.m. 3 visitors: 1 Dutch rep. from Parákoila and 2 Dutch tourists: the latter two are taking next Friday the 5 cats to Holland. Hereafter a Greek man with his (quite) young hound: was severe injured in the face by an elderly dog > advices were given and as well advices about the 5th too on the rear-legs > are going to cause problems in future. Not in the statistics. Later this evening a phone-call about a dog, which is going to have the same flight as our 5 cats (is rescued from starvation) > advices were given about the procedures and the rescuers will pass-by tomorrow for the last “finishing touches”.

June 15th:  everyone was still alive this morning. The newly taken-in juvenile Scop’s Owl had gained weight from 70 to 72 gram. The young Little Owls are growing very fast ! This morning we were able to take the first picture of the baby Barn Owl

The spot in the cage of the Little Owl, where our one-legged Little Owl had already twice problems, is made more secure by using an extra layer of finer netting. At 8.35 a.m. a juvenile Sparrow was brought-in. Around midday we were phoned by the people who wanted to take the dog to Holland > “action cancelled” because the dog is staying where he/she is and someone is going to take care of him/her; even in winter !! As well a phone-call from Mólivos about some thrown-away kittens > referred to the “Animal-Lovers Society of Lesvos”, of which the people are in Molivos now !! We received an e-mail from Pakistan from a Vet from the ZOO in Lahore: if we were able to give a decisive answer about the disappearing of 3 kinds of Vultures in Pakistan > specialists over there thought it was because of the use of the (human) medicine Voltaren (diclofenac sodium) !! After consulting several Vets in Holland we were able to exclude this possibility. So the disappearing of those 3 kinds must have other reasons.

June 16th:  it was quite early this morning, because we already had to leave before 7.30 a.m. for the Airport with the 5 cats !! The juvenile Scop’s Owl had gained weight with 6 gram ! At 9 a.m. we had the 5 cats on the conveyor-belt (27,5 kilo overweight > nothing had to be paid !!). In the morning 2 visitors from Switzerland. We were able to mail to Pakistan our conclusions: too less carrions anymore and (probably) a too huge amount of used pesticides. At 3.55 p.m. we received a phone-call from Holland: all 5 cats had arrived safe and sound. And because we ourselves had micro-chipped (in stead of paying 20 Euro only for the signature & stamp of a Greek Vet for every cat !), this was a difference of 100 Euro ! One had accepted our papers ! At 7.05 p.m. a phone-call about thrown-away puppies in Achladerí > they were here at 8.05 p.m. > we had to put them down.

June 17th:  both baby-tortoises were 40 and 44 gram; the juvenile Scop’s Owl was 80 gram. The injury of the Yellow-legged Gull is starting to be more and more clean > hardly any dead tissue is present anymore. The bitten Pigeon is approaching his/her last day over here > is almost cured. The Little Owl with the wing-injury (see June 11th ) is back to the Little Owl-aviary in “The Keep”. The Swift (see June 14th) is released well at 10.10 a.m. Late in the afternoon 4 Dutch visitors. We discovered the 2nd of the 3 baby House Martins dead at 7.40 p.m. > had been the whole day very cold. At 8.09 p.m. 2 kittens were brought-in by 4 children > they had discovered that the mother had died.  (see further by KITTENS)

June 18th:  we only had to interrupt our sleep once for “bottle-feeding” last night ! The juvenile Scop’s Owl had gained weight till 85 gram. We could release well the Swallow. The Pigeon, bitten by a weasel or a marten  May 30th (see over there) can go back to its owner > holes are closed. Is picked-up after five p.m. We have discovered that the two Kittens from yesterday are not related: there is a difference in age of at least one week (concerning the seize, development of the teeth but even more the eye-color: the tom-cat is changing already into grayish-yellow, but the cat isn’t at all so far yet).

June 19th:  thanks to the bitch “Gímli” (she is “mothering” the little kittens and even allows them to suckle !!) we had an undisturbed night. The juvenile Scop’s Owl had, in spite of one feeding-round less, gained weight with 3 gram: 88 gram now. The splint is removed from the leg, and besides a small dislocation, there is a good function of the leg. We received a phone-call from Mytiléne about a Guinea Pig which had given birth and had renounced one of the new-born babies > advices were given. Tomorrow one will start to repair one of the corners of our house (is cracked from the ground till the roof-tiles, and there is a risk of a collapse !). The last baby House Martin isn’t going to make it as well > is cold and isn’t opening the eyes anymore. Since yesterday we were without warm water, but today we were able to find & to solve the problem: rats had bitten through a cable in the Central-Heating Boiler.  Two Dutch visitors. The building contractor told us at midday what the final prize should be for the work (and we had a bit of a fright !): seven thousand Euro  all in !! At 1 p.m. we had a power-cut (and that while it was + 31 degrees centigrade in the shadow > no fan was working anymore) and this lasted till after 2 p.m. At 7.55 p.m. someone came from Skála Polichnítos with a, fallen from the nest (??) very young House Martin > fed a little bit and told how to put back the small one. Not in the statistics.

June 20th:  the juvenile Scop’s Owl was 90 gram. Because the parents didn’t feed (enough ??), we took away the two baby Barn Owls from the nest. They were covered with manure. Now trying by hand. The last of the baby House Martins had survived the night, but hereafter the end came. The Yellow-legged Gull with the amputated wing is transferred to the rubbish-dump in Kallonís: over there is food plenty for gulls, but there is even water (with terrapins !!). At 9 a.m. the first beat with the pick-axe was given in the wall of our house and one quarter of an hour later the “picker” tumbled from the scaffolding: “there were creepy creatures inside !!”  Our self climbed the scaffolding and in the right corner were 3 bunches of fluff; in the left corner some feathers were visible under the rubble. With somewhat risk the animals were taken-out (above our head the rubble & bricks almost fell down and meanwhile as well a leg of the scaffolding broke !!) and we had 5juvenile Brown Barn Owls in our hands.

In the kitchen an immense hole had appeared in the old fire-place, so we had to make that “cat tight” . Meanwhile 4 visitors from Padua (Italy) > showed to be colleagues from a wildlife hospital in that city.

Retrospect:

Did we write on June 20th 2005 the following: On the road we received a phone-call about an old DOG from Mólivos > must probably put down. The local Vet is on principle refusing to do so (in no case !!). One Greek visitor. At 4 p.m. the owners of the DOG were at the Town Hall and at the same moment an injured LITTLE OWL should be picked-up at the Agrotikí Stégi in Kallonís. BITCH (Canis familiaris): the first was a 14-year old one from Mólivos; indeed an “Old-timer” > we were able to put her asleep on the lap of her owners with all of us present.

Today came the two former owners of the above mentioned dog, on the day of her death, to say thanks again.

After the siesta we discovered the smallest of the baby Barn Owls suffocated in vomited food. The other won’t make it much longer. We looked in our archives how the development of those little ones should have been: evidently they were “misfits” or the parents weren’t able to do their “job” properly > in every aspect they were behind !!

June 21st:  the baby Barn Owl is still alive !! The Scop’s Owl had diminished with 2 gram, but had since yesterday only 3 feeding-rounds a day. Only one of our “chimney-Barn-Owls” had gained weight and the other four had diminished. But that’s due to a lot of huge “pellets” they had produced: after a whole night of drying it still was 68 gram !! At 8.30 a.m. we discovered that the baby Barn Owl wasn’t alive anymore. During the morning 2 Dutch visitors. A phone-call from Plomári about a member of the Crow-family with a problem > will be brought at 8 p.m. at the Shell Petrol-station. Just before the siesta again 6 Dutch visitors with their Greek guide. At 3.30 p.m. a phone-call from Plomári that they were departing for us at that moment. At 4.30 p.m. we received him/her: a juvenile Hooded Crow. The “discoverers” came as well to see everything and promised more “patients” in the future. At 8.04 p.m. a phone-call from Strátos (from the Agrotikí Stégi) that he had discovered on his field a Hoopoe, which wasn’t able to fly > is picked-up by Ineke. Showed to be a juvenile.

June 22nd: we have quite a lot of patients to weigh early in the morning: 8 !! The Scop’s Owl had lost again 1 gram > doesn’t matter (yet) so much ! All five “chimney-Barn-Owls” had eaten on their own and had gained weight (only the one which had gained weight yesterday was diminished a bit). Of course the weight of as well the Hoopoe as the Hooded Crow was the same as their intake-weight. While since yesterday a huge past of the day a compressor is throbbing and is poisoning the air, because huge holes of 1 meter deep must be drilled close to the foundations, we are trying as good as possible to do the normal jobs and to feed the new patients: so not so easy !! Around midday two Dutch visitors. As well relatives from one of the trainees came to see everything. After the siesta we transferred the juvenile Sparrow (see June 15th) to the Aviary for flying-practices. We transferred June 2nd an (ex-) juvenile Pigeon (06-051; April 22nd) to the Aviary for flying-practices > today we had to remove him/her from there, due to misbehavior against smaller birds > went to the Pigeon-Cage in “The Keep”. For safety-reasons we did the same with the (ex-) juvenile Pigeon (06-074; May 17th). At 8.40 p.m. a phone-call from Eftaloú about a dog with (probably) a sharp grass-seed in the nose > we will be informed further about that tomorrow.

June 23rd:  the juvenile Sparrow, which was transferred yesterday to the Aviary, is flying well. Now have a look if he/she is eating. The juvenile Hooded Crow has gained weight with 38 gram since yesterday-morning and will go to the “Crow-aviary” in the court-yard of the House-next-door. The Scop’s Owl was back again at 90 gram. The Hoopoe had gained weight with 2 gram and was 50 now. The “chimney-barn owls” are eating well; the body-weights are fluctuating a bit, but it’s all meeting the requirements. The W.R.P. has diminished again with one: evidently the Eagle Owl isn’t such a good bathing-teacher after all ! Around 11.30 a.m. we had to take back the juvenile Hooded Crow > seems to have a left-leg-disorder (trauma ??). Again and again there were small power-cuts, through which hours of computer-work were “gone”. At last it lasted even for more than one hour !! We received 4 Greek visitors, busy making a book with pictures over our village and we were one of the subjects. (Hollywood > here we come !!)  At 12.18 o’clock a phone-call from Mytiléne about a swallow> one should send it with the 1.15 p.m.-coach > was here at 2.10 p.m. > a juvenile House Martin (with a piece of bread in the box !). Hereafter with a 5.5 mm pellet diminished the W.R.P. again with one.

June 24th:  everyone was still alive this morning ! The Hooded Crow, the Hoopoe and the Scop’s Owl remained the same. The Brown Barn Owls had all gained weight. We have discovered that by the juvenile House Martin from yesterday the right leg isn’t functioning like it should do.

In spite of quite a lot of “blood-red eyes” (it’s the festival of the Bull over here, and that will last for some days!) the work on the walls of the house was continued. At 12.50 o’clock a phone-call from the assistant of Vet Myrsíni Tourvalí, that she had found on the ground a swallow > will be send by the coach of 1.15 p.m. And at 2 p.m. the coach was here: a juvenile Swift. At the same time a phone-call from Metóchia about some dogs: their owner is in jail and the dogs are without any care > “transferred” to the “Animal lovers Society of Lesvos”.

June 25th:  the juvenile Hooded Crow had diminished a bit and was now 366 gram. The same was the case with the Hoopoe and was 46 gram (but had vomited yesterday). The Scop’s Owl remained the same: 90 gram. All five Barn Owls are doing well and are all around the 350 gram. We performed our monthly inspection of the health-condition of our invalid White Pelican (05-013; January 2005 from Plomári) in Skála Kallonís: is looking well and is behaving herself! At home-coming we discovered the juvenile House Martin laying on the back > isn’t well ! Tried to release the juvenile Swift: didn’t succeed (wasn’t flying well). With both trainees a “cultural excursion” was made towards the ruins of the Early-Christian Basilica > hardly possible to reach it, because the sandy road was literally barred by approaching horsemen and pick-up-trucks to match. At arrival home we heard that the juvenile House Martin had died.

June 26th:  the juvenile Hooded Crow remained 366 gram; the Hoopoe had gained with 4 gram (50 gram now) and the Scop’s Owl was unchanged 90 gram (however, isn’t eating on its own). The Barn Owls are doing well (except for one > is forced-fed). The baby-tortoises were 44 and 48 gram. And again the W.R.P. was diminished with one > a good bathing-teacher is the Eagle Owl ! Around 11 o’clock a phone-call from Mytiléne about a gull with something on his leg(s) > the woman who called wanted to try to catch the bird by herself and (eventually) to treat him > advices were given. She should call back about the results. At 1.30 p.m. a phone-call from Polichnítos about a small owl (10 cm) they had in their possession for already three weeks > we’re going to pick it up tomorrow. At 2.20 p.m. again a phone-call from Mytiléne and again about a gull (wasn’t the same bird) > seems having to do something with fish-hooks > they will bring the bird. And the bird arrived at 3.35 p.m. > a Yellow-legged Gull in 2nd- Summer dress. After some questions it showed that both phone-calls were about the same bird. Around 6 p.m.  a juvenile House Sparrow (??) was brought-in. At 8.30 p.m. a phone-call from Mória about a pigeon > is picked-up by Ineke (on her way back from the Airport). Showed to be a Collared Dove with a broken wing. At 9.35 arrived the new trainee Selma with in her hands the Collared Dove.

June 27th:  the Hooded Crow hat gained weight with 2 gram, the Hoopoe remained on 50 gram, but the Scop’s Owl had grown to 94 gram. The Barn Owls all remained within the norms. The yesterday-evening taken-in new patients were all still alive. The Collared Dove from yesterday-evening showed as well to have an injury on the shoulder > closed with 1 agrafe. The juvenile Sparrow wasn’t well at all > ?? Discovered dead at 9.15 a.m. At 11.30 a.m. a juvenile House Martin was brought-in. During the lunch a phone-call from mytilene about an injured doggie > was already homeopathically treated, but the care-taker wanted to have a “second opinion”. She will pass-by on Friday-morning. At 1.35 p.m. we were “rejoiced” (by 2 Dutch tourists) with an injured young Doggie > see further by DOG. At 3 p.m. exactly (and such a punctuality for a Greek !!) we could accept the young owl > a juvenile Little Owl; a little bit older than the 4 born over here. We could make arrangements that the injured Doggie will be brought to Mytiléne today for further treatment.

June 28th:  the Hooded Crow had gained weight till 386 gram. The Hoopoe had remained the same and the Scop’s had lost only 4 gram (but with one feeding-round less). The new Little Owl had eaten well and gained weight in one night with 34 gram ! From the Barn Owls one is diminishing (and is force-fed extra); the others are doing well. We could hand-over the doggie from yesterday in the care of a Vet from the “Animal-lovers Society Lesvos” in Mytiléne at 10.15 a.m. One continued working on the wood-work and the iron-work of the house > liters of consumed alcohol were perspired !! At 2.56 p.m. a phone-call from the Port-police in Mólivos: on a beach in Eftaloú (close to the thermal bath) there should be 3 ill gulls. Over here everyone was wakened earlier and we departed as soon as possible. At the thermal bath no one new anything and with our GSM we couldn’t reach anybody (no antenna in the neighborhood). At last we found out where exactly it was. After descending small stairs we reached a bar and over there the first gull tried entering waggling the beach > been able to catch this one (was complete powerless). The second we discovered about 500 meter further-on on the flood-mark; seems to be dead because was already half covered by pebbles > however was still alive. The third was floating in the sea and then help was offered by an acquaintance > hobbling over the pebbles with quite a heavy bench in our hands, alongside “strange men’ which suddenly had to cover their “pencil-stub” with a special kind of hat (it was a nudistbeach) we reached the floating gull. Seemed dead an was so as well. The acquaintance undressed himself and went into the water to pick-up the dead animal > because swimming with a dead gull is quite difficult, the body was, like in “water-polo” brought ashore. So back with 2 gulls IN the bench and a dead one ABOVE > walking over the pebbles in the heat was even more difficult now. At last reached the car and back to base. Examination showed the gulls had eaten poisoned bite > the Port-police is informed about this. After 7 p.m. the man who had helped, passed-by to ask some questions: was terrified that the bird had died from Bird flu > we could reassure him. At 8.20 p.m. an injured Collared Dove from Kallonís was brought-in.

June 29th:  at 3.30 a.m. the poisoned yellow-legged Gulls were still alive !! The Hooded Crow was 382 gram, the Hoopoe remained 50 gram and the Scop’s Owl (with only 2 feeding-rounds a day) was 92 gram. The Little Owl had gained weight till 170 gram. The Barn Owls are  a bit fluctuating: we had to force-feed two of them. In the morning-hours we organized for the 3 trainees a “cultural excursion”. The juvenile Swallow (from the 27th ) started early in the morning to keep the head wry and showed evidently that it wasn’t so well after all. One Dutch visitor. The Swallow was discovered dead at 1.45 p.m.

June 30th:  the Yellow-legged Gull, which had been half-buried under pebbles, was discovered dead last night at 0.43 o’clock. The juvenile Hooded Crow was 388 gram, the Hoopoe 48 gram, the Little Owl 170 gram and the Scop’s Owl 91 gram. The youngest 3 Barn Owls had gained weight well, while the eldest two had diminished > force-fed by hand. The only remaining Yellow-legged Gull is released well in the Salt Pans at 6.23 a.m. > was flying well immediately. The juvenile Little Owl is, well ringed, transferred to the Little Owl-aviary in “The Keep”. At 10.09 a.m. a juvenile street-pigeon was brought-in; yesterday-evening discovered in Mytiléne. Two Dutch visitors, who want to do something for a special doggie in Eftaloú > they will come back next Sunday-morning with the doggie. We received a phone-call from the “Animal-lovers Society of Lesvos”, that the doggie we handed-over June 28th into their care has Leishmania, and because there is no owner (so: no one who wants to pay for the treatment) he will be put down. The Yellow-legged Gull, which had the fish-hooks in the leg, is not OK > is spreading a special smell around. Reason ?? Isn’t eating anymore on its own. Discovered where the smell is coming from: the left leg > is gangrene ! After the siesta 2 Dutch visitors. At 7.55 p.m. a phone-call from the Shell-Petrol-station: someone had left over there a box with a bird in it > is picked-up: a juvenile House Martin. 

Total amount of visitors this month:  073                      (total this year: 372)

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 530 (total this year 1506 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 54 [wild ones: 39; others 15], (total this year 160 > : wild ones 088, others 072; total since the start of registration in 1996: 3403),  of which:

PALLID SWIFT (Apus pallidus): 1; an (so to see) adult from Mytiléne > observation (the body is bended like a bow > hit something and now brain-damage ?). Discovered dead very, very early in the morning of the 5th.

SWIFT (Apus apus): 3; the first was a juvenile and came as well from Mytiléne > so feeding-time again. The 4th he/she refused the given food and was discovered dead at 11.15 a.m.  The 2nd came from the same place and was a big juvenile > probably landed, due to the hard wind, on the ground (there were pieces of bread with sesame-seeds in the box . . . . !!) . Is released well the 17th. The 3rd was as well a big juvenile and came as well from Mytiléne > probably the same reason as number 2.

PUPPY (Canis familiaris): 9; the first was an, about 5-6 weeks old male from Mólivos > had indeed both eyes closed, but that was due to a penetrated sharp grass-seed > removed. The skin was full of maggots and he had puppy-scabies > cleaned, advices and medication was given. The numbers 2 – 9 were born the day of in-take and thrown-away alive in Achladerí (5-3) > we had to put them down.

TOM-CAT (Felis catus): 1 adult from Vafiós > severe ear-problems due to lots of cerumen. The cat was crazy due to this; was only shaking with the head and screaming. Was cleaned and ear-cleaner was given to the owners. (this was the ex-Tom-cat “Soda”, which was neutered by us in the past).

HOUSE MARTIN (Delichon urbica): 7; the first was a juvenile from Skála Kallonís > they were as scared as hell for the bird-flu, but in spite of that they had brought the little one !! Discovered dead next morning. The 2nd  came from our village and was (probably) as well a juvenile; only somewhat bigger than the first one > let’s hope we’re more successful this time. The next 3 came from a destroyed nest in Mytiléne > very small, so hardly any hope they will make it. The 6th was a juvenile as well and came from Mytiléne. The day after intake discovered that the toes of the right foot don’t function at all > so we’re trying with massage to bring back “some life” in them; if there isn’t any improvement, it will be “end of training-period”. He saved his face > see June 25th. Number 7 came from ?? and was delivered at the Shell-Petrol-station > as well a juvenile.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (Larus cachinnans michael.): 6; the 1st was an adult, taken-in via the Agrotikí Stégi in Kallonís > should be ill, but showed more symptoms of a quite old poisoning: food-remnants in the pharynx and a purple/blue color of the mucous membrane of the palate > food-remnants showed te be beetles. Apomorphine & Atropine were injected > very soon there was vomited  (stinking meat-remnants and a whole rain-worm). The whole condition was quite bad > died one hour after intake. The 2nd was discovered by the Police at the Airport of Mytiléne > was missing from the left wing the complete hand-part (older injury with lots of maggots) > first treated against the maggots. The day after intake lots of maggots could be removed and as well some dead tissue. The injury is now treated with Dermisol-solvens and the bird is under antibiotics now as well. Is released the 20th on the rubbish-dump in Kallonís. The 3rd was discovered in Mytiléne, where he/she had been on a terrace already for days (someone had placed a water-bowl for the bird!). In the left leg had been several fish-hooks (were removed by the bringer > how ?? How many damage is done by this ??) and on the right leg as well one too has problems. No fractures, but the bird can’t stand on the legs. The next three came from a nudistbeach east from Eftaloú > were poisoned. One was plucked dead out of the waves, the other two were rescued out-of the pebbles on the flood line.  All three birds had a purple/blue color of the mucous membrane of the palate. The 2nd Gull we had discovered, has died in the night from 29th – 30th. The last one is released well the 30th in the early morning-hours > was flying well immediately.

TURKEY-CHICKEN (Gallopavo gallopavo): 1 (only some days old) from Ágia Paraskeví > eyes were totally “glued together”. Cleaned and antibiotics were given (2 I.U. Lincospectine i.m.) (see as well June 11th)

BITCH (Canis familiaris): 1, about 2 years old animal from our village > was hit by a car. Rear-part seemed to be lamed. However, tests showed good reflexes in both rear-legs and in the tail > so a pelvis-injury. We have removed hundreds of ticks from her skin. Went back with good advices how to treat her to where she came from.

Street-birdie (Avis viatica):  1 (for us still unknown) specimen from Skála Eressoú. We’re waiting for the decisive answer from Holland to know exactly what kind it is. And probably it is a juvenile Black-headed Bunting (Emberzia melanocephala), according to Mr Ben Steinfort.

(see as well June 12th )

SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica): 3; the first was a juvenile from our village > flown against something ?? Is holding the head turned around. Released very well the 13th. Number 2, an adult, was found by a fireman in the village of  Dípi (Gulf of Géras)  > injury of the right wing, but no fractures. Released well the 18th. Number 3 was a juvenile and came from Kallonís. (see as well June 29th).

LITTLE OWL (Athene noctua indigena): 2; the first was an adult from the Little Owl-Aviary in “The Keep” > wing-injury (see as well March 18th ’06). Went back to the Aviary for Little Owls in “The Keep” on the 17th. The 2nd was a juvenile and already for 3 weeks in the possession of a professional soldier from Skála Polichnítos > was (in spite of being only fed with minced meat) in quite a good condition.

Was transferred to the Little Owl-aviary in “The Keep”

HOUSE MARTEN (Martes foina): 1 juvenile male from Skála Eressoú > was discovered over there by children. Is limping with the right rear-leg, but no fractures could be diagnosed. Lots of ticks were removed.

SCOP’S OWL (Otus scops): 1 juvenile from Mólivos; a “hatchling”. So feeding-time again.

The day after intake he/she showed to have a fracture of the left leg > splinted. And after 12 days of care for the first time in a bigger aviary: logical why only a few people can have an eye on this species.

SPARROW (Passer xx ??): 2, the first was a juvenile, from out of our street. Is probably a House Sparrow, but a Spanish Sparrow is as well possible. Went the 22nd to the Aviary for flying-practices. The 2nd (juvenile) came as well from our village, and as well over here we can’t say yet what kind of sparrow it is. Was discovered dead the day after intake.

KITTENS (Felis catus): 2 (1-1) about three weeks old “crumbs” from Ágia Paraskeví. According to the children who brought them in, they had found that the mother had died (cause of death ??). So we are going to try it again. (see as well June 18th).

BARN OWL (Tyto a. alba): 2 very, very small ones from the Barn Owl-cage in “The Keep”; * June 13th & 14th . Due to neglect of the parents decided to bring them up by hand. (see June 20th & 21st)

BROWN BARN OWL (Tyto a. guttata): 5 juveniles from the chimney of the L.W.H.

HOODED CROW (Corvus corone cornix sharpii): 1 juvenile from Plomári > someone has cut lots of big feathers at the right wing. Discovered the 23rd that there is a disorder of the left leg as well.

HOOPOE (Upupa epops): 1 juvenile from the fields around  Kallonís > not injured. 

The day after intake we discovered that the bird is missing on the right wing the huge feathers of the upper-arm-part. Showed the 28th that flying is possible !

COLLARED DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto): 2; the first came from Mória; open fracture left wing > splinted. The 2nd came from Kallonís, had a wing-injury left and probably as well cerebral injured.

DOG (Canis familiarius): 1 about 6 month old male, discovered by tourists in the neighborhood of Skála Vasilikón > severe glaucoma of the right eye and is limping with the right rear-leg. We’re going to try  to “retail” him to the “Animal-lovers Society of Lesvos”, because we’re so overcrowded that he is lodged in the surgery.

Was transferred in the care of the “Animal-lovers society Lesvos” in Mytiléne the 28th. (see as well June 30th !!)

STREET-PIGEON (Columba livia dom.): 1 juvenile from Mytiléne > is probably a “nest-misfit”, because the right wing isn’t like it should be. 

 

 

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