September 2008

LOG-BOOK:

News about the environment etc. in blue

September 1^st:  autumn has begun and so we noticed last night pretty well: lightnings, thunders and rain and we had to leave our bed several times securing windows etc. !! The Pallid Swift was 31 (=), the juvenile Collared Dove 117 (+3) and the one-eyed juvenile 125 (+6) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 292 (-1), the green Dark Barn Owl 321 (-1) and the orange 309 (=) gram. The Little Owl was 199 (-2) and the Hoopoe 93 (+3) gram. The eye of the yesterday re-taken juvenile Buzzard was again closed this morning, but could be opened easily for treatment. At 9.07 a.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a STORK which was injured on a wing > se we went and picked it up > see further at LITTLE BITTERN !! Meanwhile there was started processing meat: 14,285 kilo (for 97,21 Euro). Total now this year 511,739 kilo for 3293,31 Euro. At 11.41 a.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about as well a rabbit as about a Collared Dove > one wanted to bring both. And both animals were here at 12.35 > see at COLLARED DOVE and at BUCK RABBIT.

Storms cause heavy flooding

Storms and heavy rainfall hit much of the country over the weekend, causing serious flooding in places.

The eastern port of Volos was one of the worst hit areas, with rainwater turning streets into virtual torrents and damaging ground-floor homes and stores. The fire service received hundreds of telephone calls to pump out water from flooded basements.

The prefecture of Magnesia was also badly affected. Angry residents complained to television journalists that municipal authorities had failed to clear street drains in anticipation of the first rains. Also in Magnesia, strong winds uprooted several trees.

At the port of Lavrion the stormy weather wrecked electricity cables, causing power cuts for several hours.

Bolts of lightning caused fires on the island of Skópelos in the Sporades, at Troizina in the Peloponnese, and in the coastal resort of Lagonissi, southeastern Attica. In Troizina three firemen sent to extinguish the fires sparked by the lightning sustained minor injuries when their fire engine skidded on the road, slippery due to the heavy rain.

The weekend also saw developments regarding accountability for huge floods in the coastal Athenian suburbs of Neo Faliron, Rendi and Moschato in the summer of 2002. A total of 41 people – officials of the Environment and Public Works Ministry and employees of two major construction firms – face criminal charges for the damage wreaked by floods caused when heavy rainfall broke the banks of the Kifissos River. The suspects are charged with causing the damage due to the allegedly shoddy construction of Kifissos Avenue. This poor standard of construction, compounded by large quantities of rubble and other debris dumped along the banks of the river, is believed to have caused the flooding.

The issue went to court following a lawsuit filed by a lawyer, who was almost swept away by floodwater in the deluge six years ago, and by several other residents of the suburbs.

The whole day we had weather-alert yellow due to the stormy winds !! At 8 p.m. the Little Bittern was already almost “gone”; because of the already seen injuries it won’t surprise us when there are more internal injuries (is swallowing very difficult and is constantly vomiting the given food). Was sleeping quietly at 11 p.m.

September 2^nd:  wonder of wonders all patients were still alive early this morning !! The Pallid swift was 32 (+1), the juvenile Collared Dove 118 (+1) and the one-eyed one 129 (+4) gram. Long-eared Owl 290 (-2), the green Dark Barn Owl 323 (+2) and the orange 303 (-6) gram. The Little Bittern was 128 (-1), the Hoopoe 85 (-8) and the Little Owl 199 (=) gram. Did the yesterday taken-in Buck Rabbit hardly eat after intake, this morning with pleasure was eaten from the given lettuce and bread. His “roaming around” in the Sick-Bay however caused panic for as well the White Stork as for both Dark Barn Owls; the Long-legged Buzzard however, which has the cage next to the Buck, isn’t blinking at all. During the feeding it was rain and lightnings . . .  !!  At 8.55 a.m. the Little Bittern was discovered not alive anymore.

Arsonists arrested

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a fire that burned 55 hectares of forest in Thesprotia, northwestern Greece, two weeks ago. Another man has been taken into custody for allegedly starting a fire that destroyed some 20 hectares of farmland in Grevena, northern Greece on Saturday.

Around 4 p.m. 4 Dutch visitors. After 6 p.m. a puppy was chipped etc. for transport into Germany (from the Shelter in Skála Eressoú, but they are on the rocks/red at the bank, so . . . . !!). Further not in the statistics. For an as well from there leaving other dog a huge bench from here was given > so those costs as well they don’t have to make.

September 3^rd:  no victims this morning !! The Pallid Swift was 31 (-1), the juvenile Collared Dove 120 (+2) and the one-eyed one 133 (+4) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 285 (-5), the green Dark Barn Owl 324 (+1) and the orange one 301 (-2) gram. The Hoopoe was 89 (+4) and the Little Owl 197 (-2) gram. At 7.37 a.m. the Rock Dove (08-156; august 19^th ’08) was transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” after having received a blue ring right foot. Although hardly could be flown, the first what was done over there was taking a bath. Bringing garbage to the container, a cat was spotted in an unnatural pose half under/half behind a car > taken with us. See further at CAT. At 10.35 a.m. the old, disabled Hooded Crow (08-083; June 6^th ’08) was discovered dead at the door of the cage. During the morning 8 visitors: 4 Belgian people (who are living in the village Kleío), a Dutch/Greek couple from Skála Kallonís and 2 Dutch people. 

Mediterranean much warmer

Marine scientists studying the impact of climate change on the Mediterranean Sea have called for measures to curb pollution contributing to global warming, noting that the sea’s temperature has risen two degrees in the past 25 years and is at risk of rising further if action is not taken.

“This is a large increase for this period of time,” according to Evangelos Papathanassiou, research director at the Hellenic Center for Marine Research.

Temperature rises are not so sharp in the depths of the sea, according to Papathanassiou, who is more concerned about the quality of water along the coast where pollution levels are high.

Papathanassiou and other marine scientists have been studying the temperature of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea aboard the Aigaio oceanographic vessel. The Aigaio went on an initial exploratory voyage in March and is currently conducting a second study off the coast of Sicily. The scientists say the Adriatic Sea has seen an even larger temperature hike of around four degrees Celsius.

Stranded migrants Smugglers abandon ‘cargo’

Coast guard officers said that they had to rescue more than 60 illegal immigrants yesterday who had been left stranded on rocky outcrops near Lesvos in what appears to be a new tactic adopted by Turkish people- smugglers. Officers said that they helped 36 people off one islet and 31 off another in an operation that was conducted with the help of an Italian coast guard vessel. Officers said the migrants had been dumped without any food or water, probably by smugglers who feared being caught if they went any nearer to Lesvos to unload the immigrants.

And in this way one can see a lot of the world:

Tardy Cat

A problem with the high speed Flying Cat 3, which was sailing from Piraeus to Sífnos, Folegándros and Ámorgos on Monday night led to 110 passengers arriving at their destinations only yesterday. The vessel was forced to dock in Mílos after encountering a problem. The passengers heading for Ámorgos were put on a ferry going to Piraeus, where they caught another vessel to Náxos so they could take a third craft to their final destination. Those heading for Folegándros had to take a ferry to Sífnos before taking another vessel to Folegándros yesterday.

Just before our siesta 2 visitors from Brechen (Germany). After the siesta we have “emptied” the Little Bittern > showed to have died from internal bleedings. We received the message from Tjarda that around her houslet lots of cats were poisoned > the taken-in by us cat “is living” just between our house and her house, so . . !?!? Late in the evening this cat was still alive and was quiet.

September 4^th:  all were still alive at 4.50 a.m. !! The cat is reacting a bit, but the pupils are still wide-open. So we’re continuing with giving fluid subcutaneously. The Pallid Swift was 30 (-1), the juvenile Collared Dove 121 (+1) and the one-eyed 134 (+1) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 277 (-8), the green Dark Barn Owl 328 (+4) and the orange 301 (=) gram. The Little Owl was 198 (+1) and the Hoopoe 80 (-9) gram. At 7.35 a.m. the juvenile Buzzard (08-154, we had taken-back from the buzzard-aviary due to eye-problems August 31^st) was transferred again to that aviary. The eyes from the poisoned cat are starting becoming more normal; as well very carefully there is licked from some food !! In the court-yard from the House-next-door a very huge and strange insect was discovered by Ineke, which disappeared in the drain-pipe when we wanted to rescue it. Removed from there and, after being photographed, released at a safe place.

And with a wink at William Shakespeare: “There is something rotten in the state of Ferry-land”

Ferry problem

The 400 passengers that had been due to board a ferry departing from the Aegean island of Myconos for Rafina yesterday were obliged to wait several hours for alternative vessels to take them to their destination. The “Theologos P.” had to remain moored off Myconos for at least one day in order for the necessary repairs to be carried out.

Meanwhile the poisoned cat has eaten some small pieces of soft food (we had to force-feed her, but who cares !!). At 2.32 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a “geráki” with a broken wing > one is planning to come and bring the bird towards the evening. At 5.40 p.m. the poisoned cat has eaten for the first time herself some soft food. And because our politics are, that a taken-in animal (in principal) won’t be “kicked on the street” again, this cat is allowed to stay and will receive the name “VlekOor”. By the way: setting free this animal will mean that she will go back to where she came from, to be poisoned again . . . . !! At 6.17 p.m. the announced “geráki” arrived here > see further at GOSHAWK. At 9 p.m. there was a knocking at our door: 2 people from Pámfila, who brought a Pigeon they picked-up from the streets in Mytiléne > see further at PIGEON.

September 5^th:  all patients were still alive this morning, and the cat “VlekOor” had been walking around. She has eaten well by the way !! The Pallid Swift was 27 (-3), the juvenile Collared Dove 117 (-4) and the one-eyed one 140 (+6) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 282 (+5), the green Dark Barn Owl 331 (+3) and the orange 302 (+1) gram. The Hoopoe was 76 (-4) and the Little Owl 197 (-1) gram. At 6.32 a.m. the Lesser Kestrel (08-135; July 20^th ’08) was discovered laying on her back in the falcon-aviary > was still alive, but . . . . ??

Re-homing:

At 7.10 a.m. the one-eyed tortoise-shell cat “Snipper” (07-200; October 13^th ’07) went on her way to Holland, where she will be re-homed. She was taken by Ineke.

The Lesser Kestrel, which we had transferred to the falcon-aviary August 21^st with a bodyweight of 177 gram, was this morning only 96 gram !! We have cleaned both eyes from sand and dirt (as good as possible). Will be fed very tiny parts with fluid every hour. Was discovered not alive anymore at 9.55 a.m. !! The cat “VlekOor” had at 10.45 a.m. something which looked like an epileptic insult > still the result of the poisoning ?? Luckily she calmed down within the 5 minutes. At 1.17 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a pigeon with a broken wing > will be sent tomorrow by coach. In the siesta Anouke has discovered that one of the four kittens (the one with the black nose), which are coming together with their one-eyed mother to be fed over here, is teared to pieces (by a fox ??); probably by the same beast-of-prey which has diminished the chicken-population of our neighbor Yiánnis !! The Collared Dove, which had come-in August 20^th (08-157; and where according to the Vet no fractures were present . . !), was transferred with two foot-rings to the Aviary at 3.57 p.m. Is flying well now !! At 4.28 p.m. a phone-call about a kitten with eye problems > one will pass-by. And at 4.40 p.m. a Cuban woman was here together with Tjarda, with an ± 4 weeks old kitten in a towel (one of the five Tjarda is rearing after the mother was poisoned (see September 3^rd), with quite a huge beginning of a mucus around the right eye > because this is quite contagious, the whole nest should be treated with Ivomec. Further not in the statistics. At 7.42 p.m. a not-flourishing juvenile white Pigeon from the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” was discovered > taken-in. See further at PIGEON.

September 6^th:  no victims this morning. The Pallid Swift was 28 (+1), the juvenile Collared Dove 124 (+7) and the one-eyed one 146 (+6) gram. The Long-eared Owl had vomited a lot yesterday and was 274 (-8), the green Dark Barn Owl 328 (-3) and the orange 298 (-4) gram. The Hoopoe was 71 (-5) and the Little Owl 195 (-2) gram. The Cat “VlekOor” had produced her first droppings here. From the “outdoor-cats” was a.o. the one-eyed cat with her three remaining kittens present for breakfast. We started treating the yesterday-evening taken-in white Pigeon with Baytril (against a possible pneumonial infection) and with Ivomec (against parasites, like worms). At 8.57 a.m. a phone-call from our green-grocer in Kallonís, that they had over there a little birdie > so we picked it up. See further at COLLARED DOVE. Received a blue ring; the one-eyed received a red rind and the eldest juvenile a green. We received 2 Dutch visitors: the ex-trainee Martijn (in 2003) and his girl-friend. Just before the siesta Tjarda passed-by with the same little kitten she had showed us yesterday because of the mucus > wasn’t so much alive anymore. As good as possible advices were given. For today and tomorrow we have again a yellow weather-alert, due to high temperatures !!

September 7^th:  still a yellow weather-alert !! The cat “VlekOor” is eating like a lion, but due to that she is producing too thin droppings. In spite of that she is transferred to the Library for socializing (and to take away” a “threat” for other animals in the Sick-Bay). The Pallid Swift was 28 (=). Juvenile Collared Doves: red 150 (+4), blue 108 (-6) and green 129 (+5) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 280 (+6), the orange Dark Barn Owl 295 (-3) and the green one 329 (+1) gram. The latter wants very much using the wings, so will be transferred to the barn owl-aviary in “The Keep” today. The Hoopoe was 74 (+3) and the Little Owl 193 (-2) gram. One of the (few) Greek members of our Society came (because he had to be for a congress in our village and the first lecture was in French, which he didn’t understand) and brought his yearly donation himself > was guided around as well. We received the message from Tjarda that (after she had taken-in another one; a brother) the little white kitten was doing well now again. We have unpacked the wing-injury of the Goshawk and a ned bandage was given > injury doesn’t smell badly !! We were called by the German visitors (September 3^rd) from Brechen (= to break) that they had been “broken” when they came back in the hotel and discovered that the mother-cat they were taken care of, had passed away. What now to do with the 5 kittens ?? As good as possible advices were given; a.o. about transport into Germany. At 5.10 p.m. the green Dark Barn Owl (08-150; August 4^th ’08) was, after being fed well for the last time, transferred to the barn owl-cage in “The Keep”.

September 8^th:  the cat “VlekOor” has spent her first night inside without any problems and she knows already very well how to use the litter-box. We still have a yellow weather-alert due to the heat !! The Pallid swift was 28 (=) gram. Juvenile Collared Doves: red 160 (+10), green 128 (-1) and blue 114 (+6) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 282 (+2) and the remaining orange Dark Barn Owl 287 (+2) gram. The Hoopoe was 75 (+1) and the Little Owl 200 (+7) gram. The yesterday-evening transferred green Dark Barn Owl was discovered in a good health above in the barn-owl-cage in “The Keep”; however, we doubt however if there has been eating already.

Release:

At 9.15 a.m. we have released in the Salines the juvenile White Stork (08-158; August 21^st ’08) which was discovered floating in the sea.

Minor tremor

An earthquake measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale hit Thessaloniki in the early hours of Friday morning but did not cause any damage or injuries. The quake’s epicenter was 7 kilometers east of the city center and at a shallow depth.

While we were busy taking the Chicken back from the pen on top of the roof of “The Keep” we were around twelve o’clock startled by the shrilly sounds of a whole flock of Bee-eaters, which had gathered in the sky above our houses before leaving for Africa.

We had noticed at the intake of the cat “VlekOor” that the claws of the rear-legs were worn off till into the bone, but now she has in at least two toes quite an abscess. Giving a bit of “air” over there wasn’t quite appreciated . . . . !! At 6.01 p.m. three children with their knocked-down young dog > see further at HE-DOG.

September 9^th:  all were still alive this morning. The Pallid Swift was 29 (+1) gram. Juvenile Collared Doves: red 160 (=), green 129 (+1) and blue 122 (+8) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 275 (-7) and the orange Dark Barn Owl 297 (=) gram. The Hoopoe was 71 (-4) and the Little Owl 198 (-2) gram. In “The Keep” the green Dark Barn Owl was sitting on the bottom of the cage and was already quite wild at catching > fed a bit. Transferring the Long-eared Owl to the day-cage, it showed that standing on the legs wasn’t possible (due to ??) > was tumbling > taken back and placed again in the night-cage, where sitting on the roost wasn’t a problem . . . . ?? We could remove from  the wing of the Collared Dove, which had come-in September 1^st after being bitten by a cat, as well the hanging cast as the bandage. Now observation. The hanging cast is removed as well from the wing of the Pigeon, which had come-in September 4^th. The wing-injury of the Goshawk isn’t smelling like we should have expected after 5 days !!

 Greek ire at Turkey’s ‘help’ for migrants

Greece has lodged an official complaint with Turkey because it believes that coast guard patrol boats from the neighboring country have effectively been escorting vessels carrying illegal immigrants into Greek waters. The Foreign Ministry filed the complaint on Saturday but sources said there was another incident yesterday when a fishing boat carrying 19 migrants was ushered toward Lesvos.

Greek authorities believe that Turkey is turning a blind eye to human trafficking, which has led to an increase in the number of migrants and smugglers being intercepted by the coast guard.

Since the start of the year, patrol boats have picked up almost 8900 immigrants and 153 traffickers. During the whole of last year, 9240 migrants and 196 smugglers were detained.

We were phoned again from Tavári about the there still present White Stork (see August 29^th) > seems to roam around on the beach and not flying away. Told this could last till October before migration will be finished. At 1.05 p.m. a phone-call from some-one who said het had placed on the 1 o’clock coach a bird (“no pigeon !! But I don’t know what kind of bird it is exactly”) > maybe the same guy who had phoned September 5^th in the afternoon and nothing send by coach afterwards ?? And so it showed to be > see at TURTLE DOVE. And what about the knocked-down doggie ?? Of course the children with the dog . . . . didn’t show-up !!

September 10^th:  the Pallid Swift was 31 (+2) gram. Juvenile Collared Doves: red 161 (+1), green 130 (+1) and blue 129 (+7) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 282 (+7) and the orange Dark Barn Owl 194 (-3) gram. The Hoopoe was 70 (-1), the Little Owl 201 (+3) and the juvenile Goshawk had gained 88 gram since the intake and was 692 gram. In “The Keep” we have caught the green Dark Barn Owl and measured: was 316 gram and was transferred to there with 329 gram > so is tolerable. Was fed a bit. In the evening the village-youth came with the knocked-down doggie: he himself had removed the agrafes, but the injuries were clean. The leg was swollen, but started already becoming cleaner. Continued with the treatment with Dermisol-cream.

September 11^th:  the Pallid Swift was 29 (-2) gram. Juvenile Collared Doves: red (171 (+10) so this one should have a regime, green 128 (-2) and blue 135 (+6) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 282 (=) and the orange Dark Barn Owl 295 (+1) gram. The Hoopoe was 69 (-1), the Little Owl 201 (=) and the juvenile Goshawk 680 (-12); with this one we’re checking how must he should be fed in a day > that’s why the loss of weight. In the framework of the training the trainee Anouke was taught stitching today (today still on foam-rubber). A dead rat was already taken from the fridge to be used tomorrow as a further practice-object. At 1.20 p.m. a phone-call from the vet-practice of Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne that they had there a pigeon with a damaged wing; because there are no coaches anymore today agreed that we’ll pick-up ourselves the bird tomorrow-morning over there. At 4.57 p.m. a phone-call about a bird (unknown what kind of) which should be coming over here > agreed to contact the Vet Myrsíni Tourvalí and deliver the bird over there. So can be picked-up together with the pigeon. We received 2 Dutch visitors. The juvenile Buzzard we had to take back again from the buzzard-aviary, because the eye was quite turbid > so Cavasan-cream will be used again. The children came again with the doggie and the leg-injury is almost so clean that we can think about stitching. At 6.05 p.m. a phone-call from Myrsíni Tourvalí that the two birds at that moment were leaving Mytiléne and about one hour later should be at the petrol-station. And we had them in our possession at 6.55 p.m.: were handed-over as a PIGEON (see over there) and as a COMMON SNIPE (see at . . . . LITTLE BITTERN !!)

September 12^th:  in the Sick-Bay no victims. The Pallid Swift was 30 (+1) gram. Juvenile Collared Doves: red 173 (+2), green 131 (+3) and blue 140 (+5) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 282 (=), the Little Owl 203 (+2) and the Dark Barn Owl 295 (=) gram . The Hoopoe was 66 (-3) and the Little bittern 119 (=) gram. Juvenile Goshawk 679 (-1) gram. In the barn owl-aviary in “The Keep” we discovered the young green Dark Barn Owl dead on the bottom > showed to be attacked by the other(s) . . . . !! 

Forest fires

Two helicopters yesterday aided the efforts being made by 45 firefighters to extinguish a large blaze that has been burning on the slopes of Mount Beles in Kilkis, northern Greece, since Sunday. The extent of the damage that had been wreaked by late last night was unclear. Firefighters also were seeking to control two fires in the prefecture of Pella and another in Florina, in the Prespes area, also in northern Greece.

Lake Koroneia...

A shrub pokes defiantly out of the dried-out base of Lake Koroneia yesterday. Last week authorities heralded an attempt to revive the lake, east of Thessaloniki, by channeling 22 million cubic meters of water from nearby Lake Volvi. In August, scientists confirmed that Koroneia, once a key habitat for wildlife that included rare birds, had dried up after years of pollution and over-irrigation, leaving just sludge behind, as efforts to save it have repeatedly stalled.

By 5 p.m. 2 Dutch visitors.

September 13^th:  all were still alive early this morning !! The Pallid Swift was 31 (+1) gram. Juvenile Collared Doves: red 173 (=), blue 141 (+1) and green 129 (-2) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 278 (-4) and the Dark Barn Owl 296 (+1) gram. The Hoopoe was 67 (+1), the Little Owl 205 (+2) and the Little Bittern 115 (-4) gram, but this one hat vomited a lot yesterday. The juvenile Goshawk was 695 (+16) gram. At the end of the morning 2 Dutch visitors. Towards the evening we were able to remove quite a lot of dead tissue from the left foot of the adult Long-legged Buzzard.

September 14^th:  the Pallid Swift was 31 (=) gram. Juvenile Collared Doves: red 174 (+1), green 129 (=) and blue 145 (+4) gram. The Long-eared owl was 277 (-1) and the Dark Barn Owl 300 (+4) gram. The Little Owl was 207 (+2), the Hoopoe 67 (=) and the Little Bittern 107 (-8) gram. The last one must be released today, because is constantly vomiting all the given food, whatever we try !! The juvenile Goshawk was 700 (+5) gram.

Release:

At 8.30 a.m. we have released in the Tsianás-river (the “east-river”) the Little Bittern (08-176; September 11^th ’08). Was first looking around and thereafter flying majestetically to the other side of the river.

We had to stitch the injury in the wing of the Goshawk > was still not yet closed and as well the fracture tot healed. During the morning 3 German visitors: 2 from Hamburg and 1 from Athens. The Pigeon, which had come-in September 11^th and which was missing lots of flight-feathers, progressively declined at 7.40 p.m. and was not anymore in the living world at 9.47 p.m. No P.M. was done.

15 september:  the Pallid Swift was 29 (-2) and the Hoopoe 65 (-2) gram. Juvenile Collared Doves: green 132 (+3) red 180 (+6) and blue 145 (=) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 278 (+1), the Dark Barn Ow3l 304 (+4) and the Little Owl 207 (=) gram. The juvenile Goshawk was 705 (+5) gram. The one-eyed juvenile Collared Dove (red; 08-161, August 23^rd ’08) was transferred to the Aviary for flying-practice at 7.45 a.m. Today again meat-processing=day and by the three ladies 14,380 kilo (for 97,53 Euro) was processed. Total now this year 526,119 kilo for 3390,84 Euro. Two dogs arrived for an injection: the first for the vaccination and the 2^nd for the contraceptive injection > further not in the statistics. At the end of the morning 2 German visitors from Stadt Beckum. At 6.30 p.m. a phone-call from the vet in Mytiléne, where our Tom-Cat “BroBa” was treated, that he had some-one there with a shot COLLARED DOVE > should be brought by the discoverer. And he was here at 7.14 p.m. > so see at . . . . PIGEON !!

September 16^th:  the Pallid Swift was 29 (=) and the Hoopoe 58 (-7) gram. Juvenile Collared Doves: blue 149 (+4) and green 129 (-3) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 274 (-4), the Little Owl 206 (-1) and the Dark Barn Owl 300 (-4) gram. The juvenile Goshawk was 710 (+5) gram. The Hoopoe was transferred to the Aviary at 8.05 a.m. We have made with the trainee Anouke, within the framework of her cultural education, the well known excursion in which we have walked through a good 22 centuries.  

Afidnes fire

Four water-dropping aircraft were dispatched to assist of team of 45 firefighters dousing a large blaze that broke out in the area of Afidnes, on the slopes of Mount Parnitha north of Athens, yesterday afternoon. It was unclear how the fire started. The site of Afidnes has been earmarked for the construction of an industrial park, a move that has fanned some controversy.

The whole day the Hoopoe has been busy rooting up the bottom of the Aviary and at the end of the day it showed to be that flying wasn’t so bad after all > will be released tomorrow.

September 17^th:  the Hoopoe was sitting in triumph against the netting of the Aviary at 4.50 this morning !! The Pallid swift was 29 (=) gram. Juvenile Turtle Doves: green 133 (+4) and blue 147 (-2) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 274 (=), the Little Owl 207 (+1) and the Dark Barn Owl 308 *+8 !!) gram. The juvenile Goshawk was 717 (+7) gram.

Release:

At 8.12 a.m. we could release very well at the Mylopótamos (“Mill-river”) the Hoopoe (08-162; August 27^th ’08), which looked straight in the camera before flying away and disappearing in the bushes.

We used the opportunity as well making a cultural visit to the Early-christian Basilica and a bit lesser cultural visit to the landfill. At 11 o’clock we were phoned from the Shell-Petrol-station that a Canary-bird was delivered over there for us > so we picked him up. See at CANARY-BIRD. Hereafter we received a visit from the grandmother of our trainee Anouke, who arrived already for the 17^th birthday of her granddaughter. Since 11 a.m. we have a yellow weather-alert here because of thunderstorms and we could hear that as well !!

Mild quake

A mild undersea quake, measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale, occurred off the western coast of the island of Milos just before 6 a.m. yesterday. There were no reports of damage or injuries.

At 7.30 p.m. three Dutch visitors.

September 18^th:  the Pallid Swift was 28 (-1) gram. Juvenile Collared Doves: green 128 (-5) and blue 156 (+9) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 276 (+2), the Little Owl 209 (+2) and the Dark Barn Owl 396 (-2) gram. Unfortunately we have forgotten measuring the Goshawk this morning. At 8.20 a.m. the Pigeon (08-170; September 4^th ’08, which had a broken wing and leg-problems) was transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” for flying-practices. The blue juvenile Collared Dove (08-172; September 6^th ’08) was transferred three minutes later to the Aviary; as well fro flying-practices. We received a phone-call from the vet Myrsíni Tourvalí, that she had “shipped” yesterday that Canary-bird via-via to us > so the bird isn’t coming from Mólivos, but from Mytiléne, and she hadn’t known how to treat those chalky legs . . . . . !! In the morning 2 Dutch visitors, of whom one had her birthday and had wished (and got) as a birthday-present a visit to the L.W.H.

Beware pet shops with exotic animals

Wildlife protection experts yesterday warned of a sharp rise in the illegal trade of wild animals – including many endangered species – following the confiscation of eight African chameleons from a pet shop in central Athens.

The chameleons, a rare and protected breed, had been removed from a colony in Messinia, in the Peloponnese, the only one of its kind in Europe. They were being tended to yesterday and are soon to be released back into the wild.

“Unfortunately the illegal trade in wild birds and animals is an extremely advanced form of producing illicit profit,” Maria Ganoti of the Hellenic Wildlife Care Association (ANIMA) told Kathimerini. According to Ganoti, thousands of protected creatures – birds in particular – are being caught and sold. “Often buyers do not know they are taking part in an illegal transaction,” she said.

Wonderful Lesvos

A museum on the island of Lesvos that showcases a fossilized forest millions of years old is a candidate for the list of the seven modern wonders of the world, to be compiled next summer in an online poll. The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest attracts thousands of visitors each year. The vote to select the seven wonders is to take place next July.

At 3.35 p.m. two people from the new animal lovers-society “Kivotós” (“The Ark”) in Mytiléne were at our door (sent by the vet Myrsíni Tourvalí) with an injured PIGEON > see over there. Both ladies were showed around as well.

September 19^th:  all was still alive this morning !! The Pallid Swift was 28 (=) and the juvenile green Collared Dove 130 (+2) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 274 (-2), the Little Owl 206 (-3) and the Dark Barn Owl 306 (=) gram. The Juvenile Goshawk was 720 (+12 since the 17^th). The chalky legs of the Canary-bird are already a lot cleaner and the foot-ring can slip again > so no need to be removed. In the morning 4 Dutch visitors. At 12.08 p.m. a phone-call from Plakádos about some owls, which were threatening the inhabitants of a house (the same building as two years ago ??) > we’ll do that tomorrow.

September 20^th:  for today our islands have a yellow weather-alert due to thunderstorms, but for tomorrow the expectation has changed already into ORANGE !! The Pallid Swift was 29 (+1) and the juvenile Collared Dove 140 (+10 !!) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 271 (-3), the Little Owl 212 (+6) and the Dark Barn Owl 301 (-5) gram. The juvenile Goshawk was 736 (+7) gram. Our shot-blind Rook (02-018; January 20^th ’02) is since yesterday not the one he was before: is sitting languidly on his roost and is hardly coming down to eat. At 11.03 a.m. we had the first of the Dark Barn Owls in our hands and the second was close to escaping > luckily could be caught after “blood running cold creeping on the back” in the dust of at least a hundred years on top of quite a shaky garret of a house which was close to collapse . . . .  !!

So that were two juveniles (ready to leave the nest) and their mother was this morning discovered in the streets and was sitting in a little crate in another courtyard > not so much alive anymore !! See further at DARK BARN OWL. Meanwhile a solution was found for the Chicken > will be taken tomorrow by some-one who isn’t slaughtering !! At 3.15 p.m. we were phoned by the former chief of the police in our village, that he had found 2 tortoises and if they could be brought > answered positively > see further at SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE. The only remnant juvenile Collared Dove (the green one; 08-153, August 14^th ’08), with which from the beginning it had been between the devil and the deep blue sea, decided during the last feeding-round that it was tome passing-over into another dimension . . . The only thing we have noticed from the yellow weather-alert, was quite a lot of rain in the evening-hours.

September 21^st:  no further victims this morning. The Pallid swift was 28 (-1) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 266 (-5), the Little Owl 210 (-2) and the adult Dark Barn Owl 306 (+5) gram. Juvenile Dark Barn Owls: blue 247 (+12) and purple 240 (-4) gram. The juvenile Goshawk was 742 (+6) gram. For today orange weather-alert, but we hope that this as well will be nothing !!

Hatched:

At 7.42 a.m. was discovered, completely spoiled by the rain, in the tortoise-pen a just hatched baby TORTOISE > taken with us and placed in the Terrarium. See further at SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE x MEDITERRANEAN TORTOISE.

At 8.29 a.m. a phone-call from some German tourists in Mólivos, who had discovered a cat with an injured leg. They had been trying to help the poor one with antibiotics-cream, but they’ll pass by before 11 o’clock to hear our opinion. We have told them we (unfortunately) can’t take-in the animal. And they were here at 10.35 a.m. > see further at TOM-CAT. At 11.02 we were phoned from Mytiléne about a little birdie which had hit the window and now had a broken leg. While we were still busy checking what possibilities there were on a Sunday sending the poor one by coach . . . . . the birdie decided to lift into the heavens without using the wings. We closed the registration of the knocked-down dog (08-173; September 8^th ’08), because the children didn’t come back since September 11^th. We discovered a pellet in the cage of both juvenile Dark Barn Owls > quite logic now while one had diminished, because this dried one had a weight of sowieso 7 gram !! We received 2 Dutch visitors. At 1.50 p.m. a phone-call from Eressós about a shot (?) bird-of-prey > we took a ride and picker it up (107 km vv over zigzag mountain-roads and back on base within the 2 hours with the bleeding bird). See at KESTREL.

September 22^nd:  all were still present alive in the Sick-Bay this morning. The Pallid Swift was 30 (+2) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 267 (+1), the Little Owl 212 (+2), the adult Dark Barn Owl 309 (+3), the blue juvenile Dark Barn Owl 270 (+23) and the purple one 264 (+24) gram. The yesterday taken-in Kestrel was 134 (+3) gram and the Goshawk couldn’t be measured due to hyper-activity !! We have discovered dead in the Aviary the female Blackbird, which had come-in shot still at the old location (so before July 1^st 2001) > was missing 1 eye and as well 1 leg. We had to put down the white Pigeon, we had taken back from the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” September 5^th > bill was growing more and more like a Cross-bill, so a livable life couldn’t be expected anymore. Today meat had to be processed again and the three ladies did 15,130 kilo (for 100,35 Euro). Total now this year 541,249 kilo for 3491,19 Euro. Because the female Eagle Owl has already for a longer time quite a culinary interest for the inhabitant of the cage next to her (the Scop’s Owl) and she had been busy destroying the netting in between, we have been busy for some days (in between all the other work) de-rusting of iron to make a better closure for the side of the Eagle Owls. The normal netting will remain at the side of the Scop’s. 

Re-homing:

At 12.40 p.m. as well the Chicken (08-132; July 16^th ’08) as the Buck-Rabbit (08-167; September 1^st ’08) were transferred into the hands of our Secretary María Karapolíti, who will together with her friend take care of both of them.

At 11.58 a.m. a phone-call from Pétra, that Karen over there was “enjoyed”  with a baby tortoise > she’ll bring it around 1.30 p.m. at the Agrotikí Stégi, We received 6 Dutch visitors. At 1.23 p.m. we had the bay in our hands and when we compared this one with the one hatched at the L.W.H. we could seethe differences: this one is a 100% Spurr-tighed Tortoise, while the other one is a cross-breed Spurr-tighed Tortoise (mother) x Mediterranean Tortoise (father). We’ll take a picture from the back-side of both of them. At 2.45 p.m. a phone-call from the owner of the Canary-bird with the question when he could come and pick-up his bird. Asked as well if we pleas-please could remove the foot-ring > is happened without breaking or amputating the leg !! At 7.30 p.m. a huge Dutch car stopped before our door with 3 Dutch people, having discovered at the hot springs in Eftaloú a nice black puppy with eye-problems > see further at PUPPY. The bearers were allowed to see still some birds.

September 23^rd: our trainee Anouke had her 17^th birthday today !! The Pallid Swift was 28 (-2) gram. The Long-eared Owl was 268 (+1), the Little Owl 209 (-3), the adult Dark Barn Owl 307 (-2), the juvenile blue one 267 (-3) and the purple one 264 (=) gram. The Kestrel was 150 (+16) and the Goshawk 758 (+16) gram.

Re-homing:

At 7.23 a.m. were transferred into the hands of our friends Maxine & Kees both Tom-cats  “Skoúro” (08-037b; April 8^th ’08) and “FiveMay” (08-055; May 5^th ’08) to start their journey to Holland, where they are re-homed.

The Pigeon, bitten by a dog (08-179; September 18^th ’08) was transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” with a green ring left foot. Meanwhile both baby Tortoises were seen eating !! We received 2 Dutch visitors.

A burst of rain...

Several cars were destroyed yesterday on Santorini following heavy rain that caused the vehicles to be swept away. A burst of rain yesterday evening also caused problems in Athens as some roads flooded. The bad weather also caused a concert at the Panathenaic Stadium, in aid of forests and organized by Skai, to be postponed. It will start at 9 p.m. today instead.

Dead sheep

Five sheep have been found dead near a waste-processing plant on Crete, prompting fears that a toxic liquid has seeped into the surrounding area. The sheep were discovered after a local livestock breeder reported that 30 of his animals were missing. It was not clear what happened to the remaining sheep. A similar incident occurred last year at the plant in Akrotiri.

After the siesta we received a phone-call from Holland that both Tom-cats had arrived without any problem. The Canary-bird was taken-back by the grateful owner at 4.35 p.m. At 5.30 p.m. an Albanian woman from Skála Kallonís was at our door with her 2 nine months old doggies: one of the two was during the letting-out knocked-down by a moped and now had a fracture of the left thigh-bone (femur) with an immense hemorrhage in the muscles over there. She had already visited a (female) vet in Kallonís, but that one had a) prescribed Ponstan against the pain (is lethal for a dog !!) in stead of Aspirin for children, and b) told that the doggie should have twice a surgery in Mytiléne (metal-work placed and later removed) and that thát should cost at least 600 Euro per surgery (friend of a colleague in Mytiléne ?? Go shares ??  The same vet by the way had today “prepared” a cat for transport to Germany (the Tom-cat which was seen by us September 21^st) but had “forgotten” to give the cat the 1^st vaccination > so is impossible to enter Germany !!). We could set the woman’s mind at ease: at this age such a fracture is healing quite quick only with rest without paying huge amounts for unnecessary surgeries. As well feeding-advices were given and 1 ampoule of Konakion was injected to stop the bleeding in the muscles. She’ll pass-by again in two weeks time with the doggie. Further not in the statistics.

September 24^th:  the Long-eared Owl was 268 (=), the Little Owl 210 (+1), the adult Dark Barn Owl 309 (+2), the blue juvenile one 284 (+17) and the purple one 274 (+10) gram. The Kestrel was 163 (+13) gram. The Goshawk wasn’t measured because the Buzzard had been a bit “wild” and our hands were one massacre . . . !! At last we were able to examine the injury of the shot Kestrel: there is quite a lot of exudate and the injury isn’t quite clean as well. Is only inshot-hole, but during exploring no pellet could be detected. Dermisol-cream was put on. At 7.48 p.m. we were phoned by our friend Jeroen from Pétra, who had seen knocking-down before his eyes a huge pup > he took a cab and came with the dog to the L.W.H. Was here at 8 p.m. See further at PUPPY.

September 25^th:  the Long-eared Owl was 269 (+1) the Little Owl 209 (-1), the adult Brown Barn Owl 307 (-2), the juvenile blue one 286 (+2) and the purple one as well 286 (+12) gram. The Kestrel was 165 (+2) and the Goshawk 760 (+2) gram. Both baby Tortoises had eaten yesterday about 10 square cm of a lettuce-leaf. Today we have filled-up the tank of our car, because:

Gas stations running dry as strike goes on

Customs officers, government to meet today

A gas station in Athens informs drivers that it has run out of unleaded fuel. A rolling strike by customs officers has caused severe gas shortages around the country. Gas stations in Attica are expected to pump their last remaining fuel reserves today. It is expected that it will take a few days for stocks to be replenished if the strike is called off.

Dirty business

Environmental inspectors recommended yesterday that 22 businesses in various parts of the country should face a total of 1.41 million euros in fines for polluting the environment. The worst offender was Aluminium of Greece, which was fined 300,000 euros for not disposing of its waste properly.

There came a phone-call from Mólivos about the dog of last night: seems to be a bit better and is trying standing-up, but still without success. Since this afternoon we have again a yellow weather-alert, due to expected thunderstorms !!

September 26^th:  the Long-eared Owl was 269 (=), the Little Owl 208 (-1), the adult Brown Barn Owl 306 (-1), the juvenile blue one 286 (=) and the ditto purple one 289 (+3) gram. The Kestrel was 176 (+11) and the Goshawk 766 (+6) gram. The baby Spurr-tighed Tortoise was 16 (+2) gram, but the other 9 (-4) gram . . . . !! We still have a yellow weather-alert !! We received a message about the knocked-down dog of 2 days ago: one had visited a vet in Kallonís and he had made X-rays > no fractures could be detected. So his diagnosis was: cerebral and with this our diagnosis was confirmed !! (only over here the costs were zero !!). The caretaker will continue with giving fluid subcutaneously. We had a power-cut from 9.55 a.m. till 12.39 p.m. !! That opportunity we used to paint twice all the derusted iron for the repair of the cage of the Eagle Owls. Meanwhile we have our doubts if the baby tortoise, we booked as a cross-breed, indeed is a cross-breed: the double part above the tail meanwhile has changed into a single part, so . . . . ??

September 27^th:  the Long-eared Owl was 272 (+3), the Little Owl 207 (-1), the adult Brown Barn Owl 307 (+1), the juvenile blue one 198 (+12) and the ditto purple one 296 (+11) gram. The Kestrel was 179 (+3) and the Goshawk 770 (+4) gram. The 100% baby Spurr-tighed Tortoise was 16 (=) and the “home-bred” 14 (+5) gram. Although we measured twice yesterday, we are now placing as well question-marks to that result . . . . !! At 10.50 a.m. the repair was done of the separation-wall in between the cage of the Eagle Owls and the cage of the Scop’s Owl.

 Strike of Greek custom-officers over after four days

The Greek custom-officers are working again after a four-day long strike. Due to the strike there were miles-long tailbacks at the borders. Hundreds of lorry-drivers and tourists were stuck at the border with Macedonia. As well a gas-shortage in Greece was caused. The strike was ended after a prohibition by the court in Athens. The 3500 custom-officers were protesting against the abolition of a bonus to their salary.

After the siesta 4 Dutch visitors.

September 28^th:  it was quite early this morning, because our trainee Anouke had to catch the first plane to Athens. She left at 5.23 a.m. after a good trainee-period, in which not only in the animal-care-field much was learned. The Long-eared owl was 271 (-1), the Little Owl 207 (=), the adult Brown Barn Owl 303 (-4), the purple juvenile one 311 (+16) and the blue ditto one 299 (+1) gram. The Kestrel was 180 (+1) and the Goshawk 777 (+7) gram. Both baby-tortoises had remained unchanged. The Collared Dove, which was caught by a cat (08-166; September 1^st ’08) was transferred to the Aviary for flying-practices. Received red rings left & right foot. We have placed the three Dark Barn Owls now together in one big cage: the adult one (orange) and both juveniles (blue and purple). At 10.16 a.m. a phone-call from one of our board-members, Micháil Kapiotás, that in the neighborhood of the airport an bird, looking like a thrush, was discovered in a bad condition. He is going to see if he can catch the bird and in principal he’ll pass by to bring it. We received the message that the bird was caught. Meanwhile we have started to fasten the yesterday placed metal strips with blind rivets. The bird was here at 12.48 p.m. > see further at CORN CRAKE. This bird was reported to the Greek Ornithological Society, because it’s a rare species. By the way, there was another one, but that one was dead already. At 3.30 p.m. we received 2 Greek visitors from Kallonís. Late in the evening the Corn Crake was still alive.

September 29^th:  all patients were still alive at 4.50 a.m. !! The Long-eared Owl was 272 (+1) and the Little Owl 207 (=) gram. Dark Barn Owls: orange 304 (+1), blue 314 (+15) and purple 311 (=) gram. The Kestrel was 186 (+6) and the Goshawk 785 (+8) gram. The baby tortoises were unchanged 14 and 16 gram. Today again meat-cutting-day and the “sniveling Tjarda” even had left het sick-bed to assist with the processing of 18,335 kilo (for 123,78 Euro). Total now this year 559,584 kilo for 3614,97 Euro. In the morning-hours 1 Greek visitor from Agrínio (close to Pátras). At 5.35 p.m. a phone-call from the assistant of the vet Tourvalí in Mytiléne, that some-one had “dumped” over there (translation is literally !!) a tortoise with quite a damaged shell. Advices were given how to tape the injuries temporarily till transport by coach is possible tomorrow. In the evening the State-vet from Pétra, who was at that moment present in the practice of colleague Tourvalí, called with the question what she could do to the injuries of the tortoise: we have begged her to stay away from the creature and to let the assistant doe what was told her. In that case the poor one has at least a bit more chance to survive . . . . !! When she asked with what we would repair the fractures and we answered that most probably it should be glass-fiber and Polyestrene, it showed to be she never had heard about Polyestrene . . . !!

September 30^th:  all were still alive early this morning and no-one was in the “minus” !! The Long-eared Owl was 275 (+3) and the Little Owl 209 (+2) gram. Dark Barn Owls: orange 307 (+3), blue 316 (+2) and purple 327 (+16) gram. The Kestrel was 190 (+4) and the Goshawk 785 (=) gram. Baby tortoises: the “home-bred” was 16 (+2) and the discovered one 16 (=) gram. We have received from England the so long expected metal foot-rings, with which we even can ring the greater birds-of prey. Changing the bandage of the Kestrel it showed the injury is almost closed. The wing-injury of the Goshawk is still not yet like we want to see it. And in which a small nation can be “great”:

Planes circle island as traffic controller sleeps

Two aircraft were forced to circle over Lesvos for half an hour yesterday morning after the air-traffic controller who was supposed to be on duty at the island’s airport overslept.

Transport Minister Kóstas Chatzidákis said he had ordered an investigation into the incident, which affected a domestic flight from Athens and a charter flight from Slovakia, and said that those responsible would be punished.

The two flights, which had been due to land at 6.30 a.m., eventually landed at 7.10 a.m. after one of the controller’s colleagues was called in to bring in the aircraft.

The air-traffic controller is alleged to have told his supervisor that his mobile phone alarm was not working and had failed to wake him up in time for his usual 5.30 a.m. start.

At 11.52 a.m. we had the tortoise in our possession > evidently a case of “taken into the air by a Short-toed Snake Eagle to drop it on the rocks” > see further at SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE. At 5.45 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about an injured Pigeon, already for 2 days in the possession of some-one. But tomorrow we have no car, because that one will be in the garage for service, so . . . . arranging, arranging and again arranging that the bird will come over here.

Total amount of visitors this month:  060                     (total this year: 468)

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 378 (total this year 3105 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 28 [wild ones: 21; others 07], (total this year 207: wild ones 158, others 049; total since the start of registration in 1996: 4018) of which:

LITTLE BITTERN (Ixobrychus minutus): 2 from Mytiléne; the 1^st was announced as a STORK !! Broken right wing (humerus) with 2 injuries. At a further examination it looked if the left leg is without force, but no fractures could be detected.

At a later examination we noticed a fracture of the left femur: should heal with rest, because over there no splint can be made. Antibiotics (Baytril) were injected. (see as well September 2^nd & 3^rd). The 2^nd was announced as a COMMON SNIPE, but indeed it really was a Little Bittern. Body-weight at intake was 119 (should have been 140-160) gram.

(see as well September 14^th)

COLLARED DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto): 2; the first was an adult from Mytiléne > quite heavily bitten by a cat (it seems a part of the left wing is missing). A splint, bandages and antibiotics (Lincospectin) were given. (see as well September 9^th & 28^th).  The 2^nd was a juvenile and came from Kallonís. Received blue ring left foot. (see as well September 18^th).  

BUCK RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus dom): 1 Angora, which was discovered in the streets in Mytiléne > at the first look no injuries, only very upset.

(see September 22^nd)

CAT (Felis catus): 1, to us not unknown tortoise-shell from the neighborhood of the L.W.H. Was laying in an unnatural pose half under, half behind a car. Could be caught without any problem (and that was unnatural for this cat). First treated against a possible poisoning. Further observation. Later on the intake-day started with giving fluid subcutaneously and placing under the warm lamp. Doesn’t seem to be poisoned afterwards; knocked down ?? (see further September 3^rd & 4^th).

GOSHAWK (Accipiter gentilis): 1 juvenile male, discovered in Stavrós (in the mountains between Vaterá and Plomári). Open fracture right wing (humerus) > splinted and antibiotics were injected. Bodyweight at intake was (together with the splint) 604 gram, and that’s within the norms.

(see as well September 14^th)

PIGEON (Columba livia dom.): 5; the first 2 were juveniles; the first from Mytiléne. Fracture right wing (humerus) and problems with the left knee. Was covered with blood-sucking flies  . . . . !! Hanging cast was given, PINEX-spray was used and further observation. (see as well September 9^th & 18^th). The 2^nd came from the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” > was already some days a bit lethargic, but at intake now quite a lot. Has problems with breathing; nothing strange could be detected in the larynx > observation. (see as well September 22^nd). The 3^rd was missing from the right wing all flight-feathers (and further some others feathers all over the body) and was as well covered with blood-sucking flies > PINEX-spray was used and those vermin were crushed with lots of pleasure between our finger-nails. Was quite a bit thin. (see as well September 14^th). The 4^th came as well from Mytiléne and was shot: inshot-hole right side of the thorax close to the spine. Outshot-hole close to the spine; legs were lamed. Was covered with blood-sucking horse-flies. Lincospectin was injected and PINEX-spray used against the parasites. Died 10 minutes after arrival. Number 5 came from Mytiléne and was caught by a dog: superficial skin-injuries on the breast (treated with Hansaplast-bandage-spray), but as well observation brain-damage (because of the movements of the head). (see September 23^rd )

HE-DOG (Canis familiaris): 1 quite young creature from our village. Had been knocked-down (according to the bringing children this morning, but observing the injuries more earlier). Left front-leg open from the toes till the arm-pit > treated with Dermisol-cream and in the arm-pit three agrafes were used. On the chest right side a huge hole > closed with several agrafes, but in such a way that (eventually coming pus) can come out. Told the children to come back the next day for bandage-changing. (see a.o. September 21^st).

TURTLE DOVE (Streptopelia turtur): 1 juvenile from Mytiléne. Was already 4 days in the possession, who only had placed some bread in the box. Bird was still alive (a bit) at the acceptance from the coach, but died on the way to the L.W.H. Showed to be bone-thin and, seeing the droppings, absolutely starved to death !! This was our 4000^th registered patient since the beginning of the registration in 1996.

CANARY-BIRD (Serinus canaria dom): 1 two years old male, from Mólivos (??). We don’t know who was the sender, nor why the bird was sent to us. (see for origin etc. September 18^th). In any case has a leg-problem (chalky legs) > started with the treatment for this disease. (see September 22^nd & 23^rd )

DARK BARN OWL (Tyto alba guttata): 3 from Plakádos; mother and 2 children. Mother was discovered “almost gone” in a little crate: was discovered early in the morning in the streets. Body-weight was only 214 gram (i.s.o. 330 – 460 gram > so had been feeding the owlets first !!) and was at arrival in the L.W.H. not alive anymore.

Both almost ready to leave the nest juveniles were respectively 235 gram (blue ring)

and 244 gram (purple ring) ( N 8).

SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE (Testudo graeca ibera): 4; the first two were quite big adult females; at least one month ago discovered “somewhere” in the streets and since then lodged in the court-yard of Police-Warrant-Officer Achilléas. Had been “fed” with . . . . Mulberry-leaves . . . . !! The 3^rd was “delivered” by Karen from Mólivos, who had received the little one from some Dutch tourists. Was at intake 14 gram.

Number 4 was dumped at the vet-practice of Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne > so seeing the injury taken into the air by a Short-toed Snake eagle and dropped on a rock (or a building ??). Huge hole in the shell (back-side) and one of the bone-pieces was missing.

With lots of troubles and pain (NOT for the tortoise) the hole was closed again. It’s a female of a good 30 years.

MEDITERRANEAN x SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE: 1; was discovered in the tortoise-pen in the L.W.H. completely spoiled by the rain > had hatched after 8.30 a.m. September 20^th. Was at intake 13 gram.

Was first booked as a Spurr-tighed Tortoise, but after comparing with the one above (nr 3), we could see the differences.

TOM-CAT (Felis catus): 1 ± 10 months old stray one from Mólivos. Had several injuries of which the greater part was healed meanwhile quite well. Now only an infiltrate was present above an already closing injury just above the elbow left front-leg. With some pressing pus could be removed. Told the bearers to leave the injury, so the cat could clean it himself > he’ll stop when it’s hurting and nobody is bitten. (see as well September 23^rd.)

KESTREL (Falco t. tinnunculus): 1 (juvenile ??) from Eressós; most probably shot seeing the kind of injury: left wing close to the elbow. Hanging cast was given and Baytril injected.

(see as well September 24^th)

PUPPY (Canis familiaris): 2; the first was a not yet 4 months old “Labrador-like calf” from close to the “hotsprings” in Eftaloú, which evidently had problems with the right eye. With lots of sweet words we were capable taking him on our lap and a huge grass-seed could be removed from the eye. He started at one licking every-one. Left hereafter quite enjoyed. The 2^nd was a bit older and was knocked-down by a scooter > a full punch at the larynx. Inside the cab it was quite a bloody situation, but this was caused mainly by a tongue-bite. Pupils were small and light-stiff. The only thing we could do was injecting Metacam (against the pain) and Konakion (to stop the bleeding). A whole bottle of Lactated Ringers was handed-over and as well a huge syringe with needle for giving fluid subcutaneously. Further its wait and see. Taking-in was impossible, because he was quite a seize. (see as well September 25^th & 26^th).

CORN CRAKE (Crex crex): 1, discovered injured in between Akrotíri and the Theofilos-Museum. Crop-injury > closed with several agrafes. The general condition isn’t all too well.