September 2009, text only

LOG-BOOK:

News about Greece is in blue.

September 1st:  in the Sick-Bay all was still alive at 4.30 a.m. and the outdoor-cats came successively for their breakfast. Hedgehogs: the male was 1317 (-32) and the female was 1098 (+39) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 302 (+1) and the Kestrel was 195 (=) gram. The Hoopoe was 71 (-2) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 44 (=), -0903 was 72 (=), -0904 was 77 (+1) and –0905 was 57 (-3) gram. New baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 16 (+1) and nr. 2 was 13 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 312 (+14), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 317 (+5) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 342 (+1) gram. The Goshawk was 943 (+50) gram. The little Tom-Cat “Deurne” had produced lots of turds last night !! The new Collared Dove from yesterday had “filled-up” himself with water in such a way, he had to be emptied by pressing !! In the fox-cage in “The Keep” our little Dog-Fox is digging in such a way, that we should fill-up the hole with stones and pieces of ruins, otherwise he’ll end-up in between the chickens of neighbor Yiánnis, who most probably shan’t like it !! And meanwhile we have done so, not at all with the complete approval of our Dog-Fox . Half concrete bricks are used, filled with sand and lots of water to fasten. At 9.30 a.m. one came with a “calf-of-a-dog” for a check-up of his ears. The owner herself had taken with her a kind of a muzzle, but that “rubbish-thing” couldn’t find favor in our eyes !! In the past she had visited the Agrotikí Stégi in Kallonís, but there they could hardly keep the dog under control. Over here the three of us hardly succeeded !! But we could clean the ears (ear-mites with all results of those) and even our own muzzle hardly held firm. Ivermectin-cream was used locally and the same product was given for use per os. Further not in the statistics. Around 12.30 p.m. we could “pluck” from the coach volunteer Nik Mohr and bring him to the L.W.H. He was shown around after arrival.

Authorities on Lesvos vow to free migrants

Authorities on the island of Lesvos have reportedly pledged to organize the transfer by ferry to Piraeus of hundreds of migrants from an overcrowded reception center on the eastern Aegean island, following harsh criticism of the facility by the United Nations refugee agency.

Dozens of unaccompanied minors, who staged a hunger strike in August to protest the center’s cramped and dirty conditions, have since been moved to another facility on the island. Authorities are also said to have removed several mothers with young infants from the center.

Activists who have converged on the island to protest the migrants’ fate, and who yesterday briefly scaled the walls of the detention center to stage a protest on the roof, stressed that the daily arrival of dozens of new migrants on the island from neighboring Turkey means that any lull in overcrowding will be temporary.

At 3.45 we took back from “The Keep” both juvenile Little Owls (green & redsilver) as a preparation for their release tonight. A good hour later they enjoyed their “last supper”.

Release:

at 7.05 p.m. both mentioned-above Little Owls (green, 09-071, June 4th; and redsilver, 09-135, July 20th) entered a new life. Tomorrow we’ll have a look who still is there. In any case was green flying a lot better than at an earlier release July 11th. And after the serious elbow-injury of redsilver for this one it’s going to be a “tour-de-force”, but there was flown well.

September 2nd:  we have heard from our former trainee Anouke that our little Tom-Cat “Deurne” is a Turkish Angora !! This could be said already only from the taken pictures. So quite logical the Greeks have “dumped” this little one . . . . !! Hedgehogs: the male was 1363 (+46) and the female was 1106 (+8) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 285 (-17) and the Kestrel was 196 (+1) gram. The Hoopoe was 72 (+1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was (45 +1), -0903 was 74 (+2), -0904 was 78 (+1) and –0905 was 59 (+2) gram. New baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 17 (+1) and nr. 2 was 13 (=) gram. Barn Owls: green was 302 (-10), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 307 (-10) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 342 (=) gram. The Goshawk was 955 (+12) gram. Nothing special to report this morning about Pigeons and Collared Doves. In the deserted houslet only the green Little Owl was seen at 6.35 a.m. By the way, was sitting close to the window. Redsilver wasn’t present anymore. The Pigeon with the 2 broken wings (09-143; August 4th) was transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep”. We couldn’t do anything more. Around 12.30 p.m. arrived our 2nd volunteer: Joep Schenk.

Aid pledged for migrant centers

The Interior Ministry yesterday vowed to boost funding and recruitment at several migrant reception centers on the country’s land and sea borders with Turkey, where overcrowding has created serious tensions prompting protests and hunger strikes by detainees.

Officials from the local authorities on the eastern Aegean islands of Lesvos, Chios and Samos and from the northern prefecture of Evros were told that they would receive 4 million euros between them to cover outstanding operation costs and to hire additional staff.

The pledge was made by the ministry’s general secretary, Patroklos Georgiadis, following a meeting between the local authority officials and other members of the Union of Prefectural Authorities of Greece (ENAE). Georgiadis noted that two of the country’s migrant reception centers – one at the Evros land border and the other on Samos – had been built to humanely accommodate large numbers of migrants. “But nevertheless, as the influx (of immigrants) continues, there are constant social and financial problems,” he said.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and several human rights groups have expressed shock at overcrowding in some Greek reception centers, with the UNHCR last week calling for the closure of a center on Lesvos that had held more than 900 people, including unaccompanied minors, in very cramped conditions. Local authorities on Lesvos said earlier this week that they had secured ferry tickets for hundreds of migrants to come to Piraeus. But it is unclear what the fate of the migrants will be when they arrive at the country’s main port, particularly in view of the ongoing police sweeps around Omonia, in central Athens, where most newly arrived migrants tend to end up. Meanwhile, the centers on the islands are reportedly refilling as quickly as they are being emptied, as fresh boatloads of migrants arriving from neighboring Turkey are admitted to the facilities.

At 4.30 p.m. Joep had his guided tour around as well.

September 3rd: Hedgehogs: the male was 1401 (+38) and the female was 1147 (+41) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 294 (+9) and the Kestrel was 194 (-1) gram. The Hoopoe was 73 (+1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 46 (+1), -0903 was 76 (+2), -0904 was 78 (=) and –0905 was 58 (-1) gram. New baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 17 (=) and nr. 2 was 16 (+3) gram. Barn Owls: green was 302 (=), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 304 (-3) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 343 (+1) gram. The Goshawk was 971 (+16) gram. Although last night and early this morning we could hear well the screaming of the silverred Little Owl around the L.W.H. (was reacting on our voices), in the deserted houslet he wasn’t present. The green one was still present at 6.35 a.m. Thanks to the fact both new volunteers are hard workers, we could at last put in the bed-light in the room of one of them. In the last months there had been neither the time, nor the spirit to do so !!

Migrants flood into Piraeus

As hundreds of illegal immigrants arrived at the port of Piraeus yesterday on ferries from Lesvos, where they had been detained in a horribly cramped reception center, local authorities in Attica highlighted the problems posed by a burgeoning population of migrants.

The mayor of Piraeus, Panayiotis Fasoulas, said that 50 of the migrants – chiefly mothers and children – would be put up at a hostel.

But it was unclear what would become of some 400 additional migrants. “We cannot allow the ghettoization of Piraeus simply because the state has no overall plan for these people,” Fasoulas said.

Late on Tuesday, Athens Prefect Yiannis Sgouros called on the Interior Ministry to reverse a decision to allow the transfer of about 500 migrants from Lesvos to Athens, saying that the capital had become “a landfill of human misery and cannot absorb any more illegal immigrants.”

September 4th:  all outdoor-cats were present again, only their breakfast didn’t happen without problems !! Hedgehogs: the male was 1421 (+20) and the female was 1157 (+10) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 292 (-2) and the Kestrel was 196 (+2) gram. The Hoopoe was 72 (-1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 48 (+2), -0903 was 75 (-1), -0904 was 78 (=) and –0905 was 57 (-1) gram. New baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 17 (=) and nr. 2 was 13 (-3) gram. Barn Owls: green was 297 (-5), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 298 (-6) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 340 (-3) gram. The Goshawk was 981 (+10) gram. In the deserted houslet the green Little Owl was still present at 6.25 a.m. > so today catching, measuring and eventually taking steps. And just when at 9.15 a.m. we had prepared everything to catch the bird, it showed . . . . it hat disappeared !! Has been in our care exactly for 3 months !!

Release:

at 10.10 a.m. we could release very well at the Mylopótamos-river the almost adult Hoopoe (09-158; August 21st) which had entered the L.W.H. with a fractured under-bill. Was flying-away waving.

After midday we received 2 Greek visitors from Moscháto (Piraeus). We were corrected from Holland by our reptile-expert, Jelle Hofstra, that the Terrapin we had taken-in and released last month is not the Stripe-necked Terrapin, but a member of the American Terrapin-family, and to be exact from the species Trachemys. We’ll try to find out which species exactly it was. And this in spite of the story of the bearer that she had received this terrapin from some-one who had discovered the “toddler” in a stream on our island !! At 1.23 p.m. a phone-call from a Police-officer in Mytiléne who had found an injured Hedgehog > however, he was on duty till late this evening and couldn’t bring the poor one. We have called in our “auxiliary forces” in Mytiléne and they are taking care now that as well the injured is picked up and that it will be sent by the 6.45 p.m.-coach. At 2.20 p.m. we were woken-up by the phone-call that they had the Hedgehog, that he was bleeding from the mouth and what they could do further-more. This was told and confirmed that it could be sent by the 6.45-coach. And because the little Tom-Cat “Deurne” is inside our house permanently since this morning, we had again a cage empty which could be prepared for the new patient: after all a hedgehog needs another “furniture” than a little cat. At 5.10 p.m. a phone-call from Polly (para-vet) from our “auxiliary forces”, that the Hedgehog is in a very bad condition. Sending at this moment should only be good for performing quick a P.M. She’ll first try to boost it up a bit by giving fluid sub-cutaniously. Is the little one still alive tomorrow-morning, they’ll come and bring it.

September 5th:  Hedgehogs: the male was 1396 (-25) and the female was 1138 (-19) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 294 (+2) and the Kestrel was 198 (+2) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 47 (-1), -0903 was 74 (-1), -0904 was 77 (-1) and –0905 was 60 (+3) gram. New baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 16 (-1) and nr. 2 was 16 (+3) gram. Barn Owls: green was 297 (=), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 302 (+3) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 331 (-9) gram. The Goshawk was 982 (+1) gram. The three males of the present crew of the L.W.H. have tried to empty the really immense tumor on the left buttock of our oldest dog “Prótos”.  According to the Austrian vet, who had visited us a time ago, there was fluid inside; most probably an atherome-cyst. The incisions-place was frozen and opened: it showed to be a lipoom (a benigne fat-tumor), which of course properly speaking should be removed. Only: due to the seize this should be done under a total anesthetic and thát the old “Prótos” can’t stand anymore. Incision closed with quite thick stitches. Further not in the statistics. And while we were busy doing so, one tried to reach us from Mytiléne about the Hedgehog, but we were unable to answer the phone. Later we heard the little one hadn’t made it. Meanwhile Joep has started with learning how to feed birds of prey; starting with little ones. We have transferred the female Hedgehog to the cage which was prepared for the injured one > she must try it on het own tonight for the first time.

September 6th:  Hedgehogs: the male was 1416 (+20) and the female was 1190 (+52) gram. She had eaten quite well; only the offered fruit was hardly or not touched. The old Dark Barn Owl was 288 (-6) and the Kestrel was 198 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 46 (-1), -0903 was 73 (-1), -0904 was 74 (-3) and –0905 was 60 (=) gram. New baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 17 (+1) and nr. 2 was 17 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 307 (+10), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 294 (-7) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 333 (+2) gram. The Goshawk was 986 (+4) gram. The Pigeon (09-157; August 20th) which was tumbling constantly, and which we had transferred in vain to the Aviary August 26th, has been transferred to the Aviary again at 8.20 a.m. hoping this time it will be more successful. From the right wing of the Collared Dove (09-153; August 15th) we could remove all the dead tissue (under which as well pieces of bone) from the right wrist. When the hole is closed, a transfer to the Aviary can be done. Because the Marsh Warbler was more and more restless and “flyerish”, we have decided to

Release:

at 10.37 a.m. was released well at the Early-Christian Basilica the Marsh Warbler (09-163) which had entered the L.W.H. August 29th after a “fight” with a military truck, due to which there was brain-damage. Was flying very well.

Thereafter we made a short visit with both volunteers to the Kremásti-bridge. At 12.30 p.m., during a coincidental visit to the tortoise-pen, was discovered floating under water a baby-tortoise > as an arrow removed and “emptied-by-shaking”. Showed to be a just-hatched SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE. So see over there. At 12.34 p.m. a phone-call from the Airport that one had found over there a little Bat > will be sent by the 1.15 p.m.-coach. And that little one we had in our hands at 1.53 p.m. > see further at PIPISTRELLE BAT.

September 7th:  at 5.10 a.m. the Pipistrelle Bat was found laying on the bottom; had crept out of the warm fur and hadn’t survived the night !! Hedgehogs: the male was 1431 (+15) and the female was 1201 (+11) gram. She had eaten very well; only the offered Royal Canin was hardly or not touched. There seemed to be eaten a bit from the given figs. The old Dark Barn Owl was 287 (-1) and the Kestrel was 197 (-1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 46 (=), -0903 was 74 (+1), -0904 was 76 (+2) and –0905 was 56 (-4) gram. New baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 17 (=), nr. 2 was 16 (-1) and nr. 3 was 20 (-1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 303 (-4), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 301 (+7) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 335 (+2) gram. The Goshawk was 980 (-6) gram. Our eldest dog “Prótos”, who till yesterday had been eating still quite well                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            (especially when we consider the condition of his teeth), is refusing since this morning to eat. In a week time he should have been 15 years. Now we’ll let him “extinguish” quietly and we’ll only interfere is pain is showed. But it won’t take so long anymore !! We have removed the hanging cast from the wing of the Collared Dove > the hole is closing nicely. As well the hanging cast was removed from the wing of the Goshawk: there still is a strange “bulb” on the wing; most probably from a shot-pellet of which we still not yet have discovered the inshot-hole > we’ll keep having an eye on that. Today meat had to be processed again (20,100 kilo for 129,09 Euro; total now this year 593,260 kilo for 3670,47 Euro) and this happened for the first time with assistance of Nik and Joep. And in spite of our serious warnings not bringing-in an own contribution to the amount of meat for the birds-of-prey, at the end one “cutter” was walking around with several plasters around as well several fingers . . . . We received 2 Frisian visitors. And the following shows how “lunatic-like” hunters in Greece can be, when someone is barring their hunting:  

Hunter kills forest ranger

A 56-year-old man from Amaliada in the Peloponnese was in detention yesterday after he allegedly shot two forest rangers, killing one and seriously injuring the second, when they warned him against hunting in a local forest.

The suspect is alleged to have opened fire on the two rangers who came across him in a forest in the area of Peristeri and told him that hunting was forbidden.

One of the rangers, aged 31, was killed instantly while the other guard, who is 27 years old, was taken to a military hospital in Pátras with serious injuries.

A subsequent search by police at the home of the suspect turned up five guns.

A 37-year-old farmer from Kalyvia, near Agrínio, central Greece, was last year sentenced to life imprisonment for shooting dead five hunters in December 2006. His father was convicted as an accomplice in the attack triggered by a dispute over the victims’ right to hunt in the area.

At 3.52 p.m. the 2nd baby SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE was discovered > so see over there. This one was still walking around and hadn’t yet discovered the water-basin. Hereafter two Dutch visitors. At 6.15 p.m. Nik came and called us that he had discovered another baby-tortoise > showed to be a MARGINATED TORTOISE > so see over there.

September 8th:  last night at 3.05 a.m. it started thundering . . . ., but lots of rain didn’t fell down. Hedgehogs: the male was 1437 (+6) and the female was 1210 (+9) gram. She had eaten well; only the offered fruit hardly was touched. The old Dark Barn Owl was 302 (+15) and the Kestrel was 196 (-1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 48 (+2), -0903 was 76 (+2), -0904 was 77 (+1) and –0905 was 61 (+5) gram. New baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 18 (+1), nr. 2 was 15 (-1), nr. 3 was 19 (-1), nr. 4 was 17 (=) and nr. 5 was 12 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 305 (+2), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 301 (=) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 332 (-3) gram. The Goshawk was 973 (-7) gram. “Prótos” hasn’t eaten or drunk now for two days; he is laying on his own spot in the kitchen, isn’t reacting anymore on stimulations but is breathing quietly. We received the first rescuers of the little Tom-Cat “Deurne”: a Belgian couple from Deurne (B), accompanied by two Dutch visitors. And while we were telling them all kind of things, a heavy motor-bike came entering the street, with which an injured Pigeon was brought from Mytiléne. So see further at PIGEON. The same bearer had a while ago with the same bike brought-in another Pigeon. Meanwhile we have started preparing the hedgehog-cage for at least one of our patients. At 6 p.m. the breathing of “Prótos” had changed into quick and superficially and at 8.03 p.m. he had passed-over into another dimension.

Prótos

We remember here with sadness and gratitude the almost 15 full years he had spent with us.

Born September 14th 1994 in Loutrópolis Thermís out of “Little Whiskey”, which was a daughter of “Whiskey” & “Kafé” (all three patients of the L.W.H. and all three poisoned).

He never learned making water like a real He-Dog and was super-friendly for every cat in his environment, which is an exception for a cross-breed Visla.

His last years were characterized by a continually diminishing of his sight and sense of hearing, but till  almost the end he came for his beer-foam every evening. When he had no appetite for that anymore, we knew the end was close.

We are glad we could allow him to live his life himself till the last drop; without pain and without fearing for interferences from our side, because even clipping his nails made him panicking.

Thanks a lot Proot, for all those years companionship and loyalty !!

September 9th:  strange waking up without . . . .  The thunderstorm, of which we hardly had rain over here, has caused across the sea in Turkey at least 9 deaths > so we were lucky again !! Hedgehogs: the male was 1466 (+29) and the female was 1241 (+31) gram. From the offered fruit (fig) only a bit was eaten. The old Dark Barn Owl was 303 (+1) and the Kestrel was 195 (-1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 49 (+1), -0903 was 75 (-1), -0904 was 78 (+1) and –0905 was 61 (=) gram. New baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 17 (-1), nr. 2 was 17 (+2), nr. 3 was 19 (=), nr. 4 was 17 (=) and nr. 5 was 14 (+2) gram. Barn Owls: green was 306 (+1), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 297 (-4) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 331 (-1) gram. The Goshawk was 1000 (+27) gram.

At 8.20 a.m. we placed the last stones on the final resting-place of “Prótos”: at the end of the Gulf of Kallonís, next to the bridge in the direction of Achladerí. Digging was impossible over there, but it’s close to a spot we often went for a walk with the doggies in the past. His feeding-bowl was placed next to him . . . .

The Pigeon of yesterday, with the leg-fracture, has recuperated in such a way we could “hang” him/her letting the fracture heal without load. We received 2 Dutch visitors.

Beach construction ‘killing’ baby turtles

A construction boom in the Gulf of Kyparissia, in the Peloponnese, has caused the deaths of dozens of newborn loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) in the area, which is theoretically protected by the European Union, conservationists say.

The lights on a new road linking the beach of Agiannaki to the central road and in new homes springing up in the area disorient the baby turtles, which usually follow the reflection of the moon on the sea, according to a spokesperson for the turtle protection society, Archelon. “These baby turtles, of which we have found dozens dead, are confused by the lights and head toward them instead of the sea,” said Niki Diogou of Archelon. A majority of the turtles were found squashed on the road. Some 50,000 of the endangered species are born in the Gulf of Kyparissia every year but only about 1,000 survive into adulthood.

September 10th: Hedgehogs: the male was 1500 (+34) and the female was 1243 (+2) gram. From the offered fruit (fig & grape) nothing was eaten. The old Dark Barn Owl was 308 (+5) and the Kestrel was 195 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 50 (+1), -0903 was 77 (+2), -0904 was 78 (=) and –0905 was 63 (+2) gram. New baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 19 (+2), nr. 2 was 18 (+1), nr. 3 was 21 (+2), nr. 4 was 18 (+1) and nr. 5 was 14 (=) gram. Barn Owls: green was 304 (-2), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 294 (-3) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 327 (-4) gram. The Goshawk was 1008 (+27) gram; she will be transferred today to the buzzard-aviary for flying-practices. The Pigeon with the broken leg was discovered quite cold and very lethargic > tapes were removed and tried to warm her up a bit. Wasn’t alive anymore at 6.55 a.m. The Goshawk was transferred to the buzzard-aviary at 6.57 a.m. We have performed a P.M. on the passed-away Pigeon > see over there. The Collared Dove with the open fracture of the wrist was as an invalid, with colored foot-rings, transferred to the Aviary.

Releases:

we have diminished the amount of Pigeons in the Aviary with 2: Pigeon 09-040 (May 5th) and Pigeon 09-134 (July 20th) were flying away very well after being thrown into the air.

We receiver 2 Dutch visitors. At 1.10 p.m. a phone-call from the silver-smith out of Kallonís (who is living in our village) about their cat, which has problems with a leg > will pass-by around 4.30 p.m. We received another 2 Dutch visitors. And while we were “busy” with them, the announced cat arrived. Showed having a huge hemorrhage in the muscles of the left thigh, which caused the problems (kicked ??). No fractures could be detected. The owners were reassured and the cat was given back. Further not in the statistics. The Goshawk has spent the whole day on the bottom of the aviary, but there has been no quarrel.

September 11th:  Hedgehogs: the male was 1501 (+1) and the female was 1240 (-3) gram. From the offered fig nothing was eaten. The old Dark Barn Owl was 299 (-9) and the Kestrel was 195 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 49 (-1), -0903 was 77 (=), -0904 was 80 (+2) and –0905 was 62 (-1) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 18 (-1), nr. 2 was 18 (=), nr. 3 was 20 (-1), nr. 4 was 16 (-2) and nr. 5 was 14 (=) gram. Barn Owls: green was 307 (+3), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 294 (=) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 327 (=) gram. When it was light enough the juvenile Goshawk could be seen sitting on the roost in top of the aviary; now only watching if she’ll eat on her own. Both volunteers have been busy preparing the outside of the new-made windows in the House-next-door for finishing with concrete. We received 2 Dutch visitors.    

Weather woes

Heavy rainstorms expected to hit western Crete and Messinia last night are forecast to continue throughout the day today in Crete, around Kythera, the southern Cyclades, Dodecanese as well as many parts of the mainland, the northern Sporades and Evia. Showers are expected too in northern and eastern Attica. Later in the day the bad weather is expected to spread to the eastern Aegean, meteorologists said.

September 12th:  and it’s raining continuously since yesterday-evening, but luckily no downpours !! Hedgehogs: the male was 1483 (-18) and the female was 1261 (+21) gram. From the offered pieces of banana a bit was eaten. The old Dark Barn Owl was 302 (+3) and the Kestrel was 198 (+3) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 48 (-1), -0903 was 78 (+1), -0904 was 79 (-1) and –0905 was 62 (=) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 18 (=), nr. 2 was 19 (+1), nr. 3 was 20 (=), nr. 4 was 19 (+3) and nr. 5 was 15 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 306 (-1), the yellow Dark Barn Owl was 285 (-9) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 328 (+1) gram. At 6.15 a.m. it started raining harder . . . . And a bit later that became “downpouring” and the “Table-Mount” was hardly visible anymore. In spite of that some of us had to leave for Mytiléne for most necessarily shopping for the animals !! And due to this bad weather we had to take back from the Aviary the Hawfinch (06-038; March 21st ’06) > he could be caught simple by hand !! In the course of the morning the weather improved a bit, but we still have an orange weather-alert !! And this was downgraded at 12.45 p.m. into yellow, while no warning was given anymore for our region for tomorrow. The heavy weather has played tricks as well for the doublered Pigeon, released September 10th > was discovered at 4.15 p.m. in the gutter of the Aviary and could be caught easily by hand. Wanted in again and we have fulfilled this wish. Was quite thin, but was spotted eating at the bottom of the Aviary at 5.30 p.m. Towards 7 p.m. two people from Athens who wanted information about volunteering next year > had a small tour around and were allowed to be present at the

Release:

at 7 p.m. was released in the deserted houslet the yellow Dark Barn Owl (09-147; August 11th). Tomorrow we’ll check if she still is present or not.

At 7.50 p.m. a phone-call from Polichnítos about a (probably) Little Bittern, which should be severe injured on one wing. Early tomorrow we’ll contact them again and, if still alive, we’ll pick it up.

September 13th:  all were still alive in the Sick-Bay early this morning. Hedgehogs: the male was 1506 (+23) and the female was 1262 (+1) gram. From the offered fruit hardly was eaten. The old Dark Barn Owl was 294 (-8) and the Kestrel was 198 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 47 (-1), -0903 was 78 (=), -0904 was 82 (+3) and –0905 was 58 (-4) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 20 (+2), nr. 2 was 20 (+1), nr. 3 was 21 (+1), nr. 4 was 19 (=) and nr. 5 was 15 (=) gram. Barn Owls: green was 305 (-1) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 328 (+1) gram. The yellow Dark Barn Owl wasn’t seen anymore at 6.40 a.m. > case closed. The yesterday taken back-in Hawfinch could return to the Aviary at 6.50 a.m. Since 7.50 a.m. we’re in vain trying to reach the man from the Little Bittern in Polichnítos > he was asked not to close his mobile phone so we could reach him before we should leave from here, but . . . . ?? Towards 9 o’clock at last we could make contact and it showed to be the bird was at someone else, who indeed had his GSM on stand-by, but of whom we had no number !! At 9 a.m. we left and we had the bird in our hands at 9.30 a.m. > see further (indeed) at LITTLE BITTERN. Since 1 p.m. again an orange weather-alert (for today & tomorrow) is valid for our region due to expected thunderstorms and downpours.

September 14th:  and it’s still dry here, in spite of the weather-alerts !! In the Sick-Bay all were still alive. Hedgehogs: the male was 1566 (+60) and the female was 1316 (+54) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 294 (=) and the Kestrel was 200 (+2) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 47 (=), -0903 was 77 (-1), -0904 was 82 (=) and –0905 was 65 (+7) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 20 (=), nr. 2 was 19 (-1), nr. 3 was 22 (+1), nr. 4 was 20 (+1) and nr. 5 was 16 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 308 (+3) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 331 (+3) gram. The Little Bittern was 77 (+6) gram.

Release:

from the “stock” (born out of disabled parents) of young Pigeons in the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” we could release at 9.40 a.m. four birds > those had never been counted in the patient-accounts.

Today again meat-cutting-day and 17,665 kilo (for 115,659 Euro; total now this year 610,915 kilo for 3786,16 Euro) had to be processed. Via the village-loudspeaker-system was announced that tomorrow there will be a power-cut from 10 till 12 a.m. We received 2 Dutch visitors. And when we read the text below, we have been lucky again till now on qua weather-circumstances:

Floods cause Evia death, damage

A state of emergency was declared in some parts of the island of Evia, northeast of Athens, on Saturday after flash flooding caused by heavy rain led to one person drowning, hundreds being trapped and widespread damage to homes and businesses.

The Civil Protection Authority declared a state of emergency in more than a dozen municipalities on Evia after unseasonably heavy showers early on Saturday led to flooding in various parts of the island. The municipalities of Dirfis and Lilandion appear to have been the worst affected.

Firefighters, emergency workers and a team of frogmen with seven rescue boats were sent to the worst affected parts of Evia to help residents escape the floodwaters.

A Swedish man had to be rescued by helicopter after becoming trapped in a mobile home in the Oxylithos area in the municipality of Kymi.

A 39-year-old policeman serving in Aliveri drowned after his vehicle was swept away by onrushing floodwater as he attempted to cross a bridge in Stomio on his way to begin his shift. Firefighters were able to recover the body of officer Nikolaos Triandáfillou, a father of two.

Last night, about 350 people remained stranded in the village of Mistros as the bridges connecting them to the road network had been destroyed.

The extent of the damage to the island was not clear but, in addition to homes and businesses, sections of several roads had been washed away. Inspectors from the Evia Prefecture were attempting to assess the damage yesterday as the flooding subsided.

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old Pakistani man went missing in the sea off the island of Salamina, near Athens, on Saturday when the small boat he was sailing, along with three other countrymen, capsized in rough seas. The men had been working at a mussel farm on the island.

At 6.51 p.m. a phone-call from some Norwegian tourists in Metóchi, who had spotted in the afternoon in the neighborhood of the birdwatchers-tower on the main-road to Mytiléne in the reeds a huge bird (of prey ??) which wasn’t flying away. We went to there, but nothing could be detected. When they had phoned us from the spot, we should have had a better chance (and the bird as well !!).

September 15th:  last night it started raining, but very softly. Hedgehogs: the male was 1515 (-51) and the female was 1300 (-16) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 298 (+4) and the Kestrel was 199 (-1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 51 (+4), -0903 was 79 (+2), -0904 was 79 (-3) and –0905 was 63 (-2) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 19 (-1), nr. 2 was 19 (=), nr. 3 was 22 (=), nr. 4 was 20 (=) and nr. 5 was 15 (-1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 312 (+4) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 326 (-5) gram. The Little Bittern was 83 (+6) gram. Because both volunteers absolutely aren’t making progress in working-speed and finishing the work that should be done, we from our side have started finishing the new-placed windows from outside with concrete, One of us (with a damaged back-bone) had done a complete window-frame on the first floor (standing on a ladder) within one hour and a half, while the other two men had needed more than 3 hours for one side of another window-frame at the same level !! At 9.58 a.m. indeed electricity disappeared, but (luckily) returned already at 11.02 a.m.

Arson charges for Attica fires

An Athens prosecutor yesterday brought arson charges against a 59-year-old landowner from Grammatiko, northeastern Attica, who is alleged to have started a catastrophic forest fire last month that burnt hundreds of hectares of farmland.

The 59-year-old has denied that the fire broke out on a plot of land belonging to him, claiming the blaze started in another area. In his testimony before an investigating magistrate last week, he claimed that 20 of his fellow villagers could support his alibi. But an investigation into the causes of the blaze reportedly indicates that the fire broke out on his patch of land after an attempt to burn a wasps’ nest there got out of control. The 59-year-old, who owns a large plot in the area of Sesi, near the site of a planned landfill in Grammatiko, is alleged to have participated in a residents’ initiative opposing the construction of the facility. He faces a five-year prison sentence if convicted.

We received 2 Greek visitors from Palaió Falíro (Greater-Athens). On the stroke of the siesta 2 Dutch visitors. After the siesta a “mixed-single-couple”: 1 from Holland and the other from Bovec (Slovenia). Taking the doggies out at 9.20 p.m. we could rescue from dog-teeth and smashing car-tires two beetles, which were roaming around in the streets > taken with us and for the night lodged in the terrarium. Tomorrow we’ll have a look what species they are.

September 16th:  Hedgehogs: the male was 1573 (+58) and the female was 1321 (+21) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 302 (+4) and the Kestrel was 202 (+3) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 50 (-1), -0903 was 79 (=), -0904 was 78 (-1) and –0905 was 65 (+2) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 20 (+1), nr. 2 was 19 (=), nr. 3 was 21 (-1), nr. 4 was 21 (+1) and nr. 5 was 16 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 315 (+3) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 327 (+1) gram. The Little Bittern was 76 (-7) gram, but he showed to have vomited twice last night. The yesterday-evening rescued beetles showed to be two males of the Dor beetle (Geotrupes stercorarius), of which one was missing a part of the left front leg. Those creatures are making strange sounds (a kind of growling) when fastened.

Releases:

at 7.40 a.m. we could release well the (ex-) juvenile Pigeon (09-140), which had entered the L.W.H. July 28th, full of horse-flies. Was flying well and let’s hope he won’t return like the doublered Pigeon !! At 8.50 a.m. we could release from the “stock” of Pigeons in the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” a brown Pigeon, born over there out of disabled parents. A 2nd bird was no success, because wasn’t able to fly.

When we, busy with “arrear-care”, wanted to store some empty canary-cages on the garret of the Sick-Bay, we could see why the emergency-lights in as well the Food-Hall as in the Sick-Bay didn’t work anymore: rats had let “disappear” completely a good half meter of electricity-cable !! Replacing is quite difficult because all is complete enclosed over there. At 1.55 p.m. someone called who was looking for us, because he had a patient > showed to be already almost at the doorstep. So at 1.58 p.m. we accepted a shot BUZZARD > see over there. Because one of us suddenly had the “darkbrown suspicion” that this bird maybe could be the one we had been looking for in vain yesterday, we contacted the bearer in the evening > indeed: BINGO !!The man has a field a little bit more eastwards than the place which was reported to us, and this not-flying bird had walked in that direction. Enigma solved.

September 17th:  all were still alive this morning. Hedgehogs: the male was 1586 (+13) and the female was 1348 (+27) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 298 (-4) and the Kestrel was 203 (+1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 49 (-1), -0903 was 79 (=), -0904 was 80 (+2) and –0905 was 61 (-4) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 20 (=), nr. 2 was 19 (=), nr. 3 was 22 (+1), nr. 4 was 22 (+1) and nr. 5 was 17 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 316 (+1) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 323 (-4) gram. The Little Bittern was 79 (+3) gram and the new Buzzard was 493 (+17) gram. In the latter we have found another two shot-holes: one in the thorax left side, just beside the keel on the sternum and the 2nd in the skin in between shoulder and wrist > so the bird was shot flying. The Little Bittern got a new splint to improve the position of the wing. We have transferred the juvenile Collared Dove (09-166; August 31st) with colored foot-rings to the Aviary for flying-practices. Doing so, we could catch 2 Pigeons for

Release:

good released was the ex-juvenile Pigeon (09-082; June 10th). The 2nd Pigeon we caught (09-142; August 3rd) had come-in with a wing-fracture and showed not (yet) being capable flying well > transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” as an invalid.

At 11.58 a.m. a phone-call from vet Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne that she’ll send by the 1.15 p.m.-coach a pigeon (??). The juvenile Collared Dove, this morning transferred to the Aviary, we had to take back at 1.05 p.m. > was severe injured on the head by other birds (had been begging ??). The announced pigeon we had in our hands at 2.02 p.m. > see further at PIGEON. At 7.17 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a Pigeon with a broken wing > because the person who has the bird in his possession now isn’t capable the coming days putting the bird on the coach, we’re busy mobilizing our “auxiliary troops” over there to get the bird as soon as possible on board the first possible coach. In the evening we were phoned from Holland about two puppies which were left behind to die on the beach in the hamlet of Pedí (a bit south of Mandamádos). Because those people were determined to rescue the puppies and lodge them with them in Holland, we’re trying tomorrow to launch our volunteers to find the pups (meanwhile we have received good pictures) and get them over here, so they (if we can persuade good friends of us being “Foster-Parents” again) should can leave for Holland already next Tuesday. All this took lots of time with phone-calls and e-mails.

September 18th:  the pecked little Collared Dove was still alive this morning. Hedgehogs: the male was 1617 (+31) and the female was 1300 (-48) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 295 (-3) and the Kestrel was 201 (-2) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 50 (+1), -0903 was 80 (+1), -0904 was 81 (+1) and –0905 was 64 (+3) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 21 (+1), nr. 2 was 19 (=), nr. 3 was 22 (=), nr. 4 was 23 (+1) and nr. 5 was 16 (-1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 308 (-8) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 319 (-4) gram. The Little Bittern was 87 (+8) gram and the Buzzard was 536 (+43) gram. We have agreed that after the breakfast the rescue-operation for the two puppies will start. We have tried to release Pigeon 09-154, which had come-in August 17th and which was transferred to the Aviary August 31st; was first flying to the tortoise-pen and afterwards linea recta again into our court-yard to sit very forlorn on top of the Aviary . . . . !! So must be caught again to wilder more in “The Keep”. Both volunteers had spotted the first of 11 puppies at 11.27 a.m., but that one couldn’t yet be touched. We received 2 Dutch visitors. At 11.50 a.m. we had the announced PIGEON in our hands > see over there. Thereafter on the road again direction Pedí, where no-one was at the agreed spot. Showed they could be reached via the beach of Ágios Stéfanos and that meant and quite a distance extra by car, and quite a long trip over the beach by foot. Meanwhile Nik was friends with the pup and that one could be taken back in our arms to the car. On our way back to base Nik phoned that meanwhile two other puppies had approached, but that “mothers” was in the neighborhood as well. They should see if they could take one other pup with them as well. For the first doggie see at PUPPY. When we took-out our dogs at 3.30 p.m. it showed that our female Goshawk had demolished and partly eaten her male one of the same kind (08-169; September 4th ’08). At once the female was caught and transferred to “The Keep”, with the cadaver. Towards 5 p.m. another 2 Dutch visitors. From sent to us pictures of the “doggies” on the Pedí-beach we could absolutely not decide that “mothers” didn’t agree what should happen with her pups, and that the “gentlemen” had put their own pleasure above the rescue of in any case one other puppy, because they arrived empty-handed . . . . !! That put the lid on !!

September 19th:  Hedgehogs: the male was 1604 (-13) and the female was 1354 (+54) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 295 (=) and the Kestrel was 204 (+3) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 50 (=), -0903 was 83 (+3), -0904 was 84 (+3) and –0905 was 65 (+1) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 21 (=), nr. 2 was 20 (+1), nr. 3 was 23 (+1), nr. 4 was 24 (+1) and nr. 5 was 17 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 308 (=) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 320 (+1) gram. The Little Bittern was 92 (+5) gram and the Buzzard was 560 (+24) gram. We have been to Kallonís for the first vaccination and micro-chip for “JoeNik”.   

Spike in dead sea mammals

Conservation experts yesterday highlighted a worrying increase in the number of marine mammals that have washed up dead on the country’s islands and coastlines over the past week or so.

The most serious incident reported by the Institute of Marine and Environmental Research of the Aegean Sea, also known as Archipelagos, was the discovery of a young female Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) on the northern coast of Samos. The mammal’s body bore no sign of injury, according to experts, who noted that early fall usually brings an increase in the migration of Sperm whales into the area between the islands of the eastern Aegean and Turkey.

Archipelagos researchers also reported finding two dead dolphins, one in Alimos, southern Athens, and another on Samos. The cause of their deaths was also unclear. A dead Loggerhead turtle (Caretta-caretta), found on the coast of Ikaría, had been knifed, conservationists said.

September 20th:  all were still alive in the Sick-Bay early this morning. Hedgehogs: the male was 1607 (+3) and the female was 1331 (-23) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 293 (-2) and the Kestrel was 205 (+1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 51 (+1), -0903 was 82 (-1), -0904 was 80 (-4) and –0905 was 66 (+1) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 21 (=), nr. 2 was 20 (=), nr. 3 was 22 (-1), nr. 4 was 24 (=) and nr. 5 was 16 (-1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 310 (+2) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 318 (-2) gram. The Little Bittern was 98 (+6) gram and the Buzzard was 582 (+22) gram. Meanwhile we have started preparing the big terrarium for the lodging this winter of the two toddler-tortoises of last year: the cross-breed Mediterranean Tortoise x Spurr-tighed Tortoise (08-182; September 21st) and the Spurr-tighed Tortoise (08-185; September 22nd). We received 6 Dutch visitors.

September 21st:  the pecked juvenile Collared Dove was discovered on its back floundering with its legs at 5.30 a.m. !! Hedgehogs: the male was 1615 (+8) and the female was 1367 (+36) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 291 (-2) and the Kestrel was 204 (-1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 51 (=), -0903 was 82 (=), -0904 was 80 (=) and –0905 was 62 (-4) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 22 (+1), nr. 2 was 22 (+2), nr. 3 was 23 (+1), nr. 4 was 23 (-1) and nr. 5 was 17 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 307 (-3) and the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 314 (-4) gram. The Little Bittern was 98 (=) gram and the Buzzard was 600 (+18) gram. Today meat had to be processed again and as an improvement for the work the extra-help of Janice was needed to do 19,730 kilo (for 125,33 Euro; total now this year 630,645 kilo for 3911,49 Euro). The Pigeon which was released September 17th from out of the Aviary (09-082) was sitting since yesterday constantly on top of the Aviary and wanted to be inside > we could catch him/her with bare hands and was transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep”. At 10.49 a.m. a phone-call from Eressoú about a brown bird with speckles, greater than a sparrow with a big bill and large legs (??) which they had over there and with which something was wrong. Because the phone-credit over there was finished, we’re going to contact them later today. At 11.50 a.m. we heard that they were planning to bring the bird till the Shell-station, but they were very scared because one had no drivers-license and the other no good car . . . . !! From the barn owl-cage in “The Keep” we have taken-back the only Dark Barn Owl living over there, after he was discovered again laying on the floor. Is a resident for years already and is becoming more and more disabled. Is now lodged with the other Barn Owls in the Sick-Bay. At 2.42 p.m. arrived a five-headed female (of course, we should almost say) delegation from Skála Eressoú with the announced bird in their hands > see further at LITTLE BITTERN. The snow-white Pale Barn Owl from the Sick-Bay we have transferred (hoping for the best) at 5.40 p.m. to the barn owl-cage in “The Keep”.

September 22nd:  all were still alive in the Sick-Bay at 4.30 a.m. Hedgehogs: the male was 1650 (+6) and the female was 1414 (+47) gram; the latter had eaten well from the offered grapes. The old Dark Barn Owl was 292 (+1) and the Kestrel was 204 (=) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 51 (=), -0903 was 82 (=), -0904 was 82 +2) and –0905 was 67 (+5) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 22 (=), nr. 2 was 21 (-1), nr. 3 was 23 (=), nr. 4 was 23 (=) and nr. 5 was 17 (=) gram. Barn Owls: green was 302 (-5) and the yesterday taken-back Dark Barn Owl was 350 gram. Little Bitterns: the male was 84 (-14), but he had vomited last night and the female was 127 (-3) gram. The Buzzard was 616 (+16) gram. At 6.30 a.m. the snow-white Pale Barn Owl definitively wasn’t seen “complete demolished”, but spotted he was either. So let’s see this as a good omen. At 8 a.m. the little “JoeNik” received a tranquilizing injection to be transferred hereafter at 8.30 a.m. in the hands of his “Foster-parents” who will take care of him during the flight. We received 2 Dutch visitors. There is progress in the use of the legs of the female Little Bittern. At the end of the morning another 2 Dutch visitors. And just now there is an improvement in the female Little Bittern, she is giving back all the given food > is definitively no good omen !! Towards 4.30 p.m. another 4 Dutch visitors. At 7.50 p.m. we received the message that the whole transport of “JoeNik” had been problem-less and that he was doing fine (including dozens of pictures !!).

September 23rd:  no victims early this morning. Hedgehogs: the male was 1656 (+6) and the female was 1397 (-17) gram; the latter had eaten quite well from the offered grapes. The old Dark Barn Owl was 293 (+1) and the Kestrel was 202 (-2) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 51 (=), -0903 was 84 (+2), -0904 was 87 (+5) and –0905 was 67 (=) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 22 (=), nr. 2 was 22 (+1), nr. 3 was 22 (-1), nr. 4 was 22 (-1) and nr. 5 was 18 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 303 (+1) and the Dark Barn Owl was 374 gram; the latter had eaten well herself and maybe stimulated the others to do so as well. Little Bitterns: the male was 84 (=) and the female was 124 (-3) gram; very tiny bits of food aren’t vomited anymore now. The Buzzard was 642 (+26) gram. In “The Keep” the snow-white Pale Barn Owl is still present, but we have our doubts about eating independently seeing the food-bowl. We have transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” the doublered Pigeon (09-124), which was released September 10th and had returned already the 12th, at 7.43 a.m. The disabled Pigeon (09-176), which had come in the 18th, was transferred as well to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” at 8 a.m. > didn’t receive a footring, because is never releasable. The night-lightning in the food-hall, the Sick-Bay and the IC/nocturnals was repaired > to do so we had to cut a roof-part in two pieces, because due to later placed tiles in couldn’t be removed.

Hunting-rules season 2009 - 2010

During the hunting-season 2009 – 2010 it is allowed to hunt during the following periods:

a)      hares (& rabbits > is all the same here) from September 15th 2009 up to and including January 20th during Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays

b)      partridges in the Northern-Aegean September 16th, 20th and 27th and October 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th. In the rest of Greece till the end of November.

c)       it’s only allowed to shoot 3 i.s.o. 4 boars (in the Peleponnesos 2 i.s.o. 1)

d)      it’s forbidden to hunt deer

e)      hunters are obliged wearing fluorescing clothes

f)        it’s the intention that in burned areas hunting is completely forbidden   

Drowned bear

A female brown bear, aged around 20, was found drowned in a water tank in Trikoukia near the northern town of Grevena, conservationists said yesterday. According to the Callisto group, which monitors protected wildlife in Greece, the bear probably fell into the tank while trying to drink water. The scratch marks on the inside walls of the tank are believed to have been made by the bear in its attempt to climb out of the tank. Representatives of Callisto noted that bears and other animals often fall into tanks and called for them to be covered with barbed wire.

In spite of the fact that every (temporarily) inhabitant of the House-next-door at arrival receives a paper in which everything is written what is allowed and what not (a.o. is smoking in the bedrooms not allowed because of risk of fire) both “gentlemen” show evidently fat lot they care. Everywhere lights remain on, while one can only be on one place at the same moment !! As well the living over there, which was totally transformed into a kind of “Cattery” by placing everywhere towels (as sleeping-place) and doing so objects which were present over there had been removed. As well in the whole house extra litter-boxes had been placed. Our request to undo all those changes (otherwise we have the problems when they have left) was totally ignored. They say “yes”, but nothing is happening !! We totally have had it with them !!

September 24th:  Hedgehogs: the male was 1698 (+42) and the female was 1413 (+16) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 292 (-1) and the Kestrel was 200 (-2) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 51 (=), -0903 was 84 (=), -0904 was 83 (-4) and –0905 was 67 (=) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 22 (=), nr. 2 was 22 (=), nr. 3 was 22 (=), nr. 4 was 22 (=) and nr. 5 was 19 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 304 (+1) and the Dark Barn Owl was 384 (+10) gram. Little Bitterns: the male was 85 (+1) and the female was 126 (-8) gram; very tiny bits of food sometimes aren’t vomited anymore now. The Buzzard was 655 (+13) gram. In the barn-owl-cage in “The Keep” the snow-white Pale Barn Owl has evidently become friends with one of the other inmates > they were discovered close to each other in the same nest-box !! The disabled Pigeon, we transferred yesterday to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” is doing quite well; was spotted early this morning in top of a wooden roost (branch). The Pigeon with the “forelock” (Or-5-ri), which had entered the L.W.H. August 17th and which was transferred to the Aviary August 31st, was transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” at 7.37 a.m. We have removed the tape and the splints around the wings of the male Little Bittern: the position of the left wing is good now; now only the function !!

Both volunteers was told that it seemed a better idea for us if they should spend their last days on the island at an other place !! However, this seemed to cause severe pecuniary problems for in any case one of them, so at last we have decided that they assist only in the morning-hours till breakfast, and thereafter find their luck somewhere else. “With unwilling dogs it’s a lousy hare-hunt” !!

Both Little Bitterns we have placed for two hours outside > maybe the sunshine will improve the healing a bit. At 10.17 a.m. a phone-call from a police-officer from the station in Kallonís, that on the track along the Gulf of Kallonís, from Achladerí into the direction of Skála Vasilikón after about 1 KM there should be a juvenile Pelican > so we went for a ride. It was only almost 4 KM, but we discovered at the water’s edge a juvenile DALMATIAN PELICAN in a very bad condition. Was covered with feather-lice, so we knew after a short while what itching meant . . . . !! At 10.53 a.m. a phone-call from Pétra about a gull > will be brought. And that bird was here at 1.10 p.m. > see further at YELLOW-LEGGED GULL. At 1.15 p.m. the Dalmatian Pelican was discovered not-alive anymore > tomorrow a P.M. will be performed. After the siesta we noticed the female Little Bittern had severe diarrhoea !! And she faded away more and more, to be discovered not-alive anymore at 9.25 p.m.

September 25th:  no further victims early this morning. Hedgehogs: the male was 1664 (-34) and the female was 1433 (+20) gram. The old Dark Barn Owl was 288 (-4) and the Kestrel was 201 (+1) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 52 (+1), -0903 was 82 (-2), -0904 was 85 (+2) and –0905 was 65 (-2) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 23 (+1), nr. 2 was 22 (=), nr. 3 was 21 (-1), nr. 4 was 22 (=) and nr. 5 was 18 (-1) gram. Barn Owls: green was 307 (+3) and the Dark Barn Owl was 383 (-1) gram. Little Bittern: the male was 83 (-2) gram. The Buzzard was 664 (+9) gram. The juvenile Yellow-legged Gull is a real “lousy biter” and has eaten meanwhile independently > so as soon as possible a release !! And again we could transfer a pigeon from the Aviary to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” > was 09-157, which had entered the L.W.H. August 20th and which was transferred to the Aviary September 6th. We performed a P.M. on the yesterday succumbed Dalmatian Pelican > see over there.

Release:

we have released in the Salines at 9.51 a.m. the juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, which had come-in yesterday > was first drinking a lot and was walking/swimming (the water wasn’t so deep over there) away.

From Holland we were told by Ben Steinfort that what we had booked as a female Little Bittern, in reality was a juvenile male. So we’ll change now everything. At 6.42 p.m. still a phone-call from the vet Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne that she had a pigeon, which was injured (no fractures) in one wing, which she is planning to send tomorrow by coach > we will be informed with which one.

September 26th:  Hedgehogs: the male was 1696 (+32) and the female 1443 (+10) gram. The Kestrel was 204 (+3) and the Buzzard was 677 (+13) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 51 (-1), -0903 was 84 (+2), -0904 was 88 (+3) and –0905 was 67 (+2) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 23 (=), nr. 2 was 22 (=), nr. 3 was 22 (+1), nr. 4 was 23 (+1) and nr. 5 was 19 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: the old Dark Barn Owl was 295 (+7), green was 306 (-1) and the brown Dark Barn Owl was 384 (+1) gram. The Little Bittern was 81 (-2) gram. In the frame-work of “making space” in the freezer in the House-next-door, we had defrosted yesterday the trampled-to-death Sucking-pig (08-204; November 11th ’08), on which body several trainees had practiced stitching, and given last night to the Dog-Fox > was not so much left-over this morning !! At 7.37 a.m. we have again transferred a Pigeon from the Aviary to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” > is 09-068, which had entered the L.W.H. May 30th ’09. The left wing is still hanging a bit, but flying is well till good. Inquiry has learned that there is only one coach today from Mytiléne, and that’s the one from 1.15 p.m., and this one is always super-late . . . . !! So no siesta for one of us !! And the announced pigeon we had in our hands at 2.02 p.m. > was only nó Pigeon, but a Collared Dove, which díd had a fracture and besides injured on the chest, which wasn’t seen by the vet > so see further at COLLARED DOVE.

September 27th:  no victims early this morning. There was hardly eaten by the Hedge-hogs: the male was 1614 (-82) and the female 1421 (-22) gram. The Kestrel was 201 (-3) and the Buzzard was 688 (+11) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 51 (=), -0903 was 82 (-2), -0904 was 87 (-1) and –0905 was 66 (-1) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 23 (=), nr. 2 was 23 (+1), nr. 3 was 22 (=), nr. 4 was 22 (-1) and nr. 5 was 18 (-1) gram. Barn Owls: the old Dark Barn Owl was 301 (+6), green was 309 (+3) and the brown Dark Barn Owl was 380 (-4) gram. The Little Bittern was 81 (=) gram. The last two Pigeons in the Aviary could be caught and transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep”: they were 09-068, which had entered May 30th as a juvenile, and 09-145, which had entered August 7th with a fracture of the left wing. With lots of measurements we were able to place the big terrarium in the Sick-Bay. Now only electricity must be put in. However, the disabled Little Owl “Pállas” had to change place together with her cage. Meanwhile we have drawn and sawn all parts for the 2nd  Hedgehog-houslet (for in the cage on top of the roof of “The Keep”) > now only the assembling. And due to tourists, who came for information about the taking with them of a cat, we couldn’t continue herewith.

September 28th:  all were still alive this morning. There was evidently eaten better by the Hedge-hogs: the male was 1681 (+67) and the female 1453 (+32) gram. The Kestrel was 202 (+1) and the Buzzard was 708 (+20) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 52 (+1), -0903 was 84 (+2), -0904 was 84 (-3) and –0905 was 66 (=) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 22 (-1), nr. 2 was 22 (-1), nr. 3 was 23 (+1), nr. 4 was 21 (-1) and nr. 5 was 19 (+1) gram. Barn Owls: the old Dark Barn Owl was 296 (-5), green was 308 (-1) and the brown Dark Barn Owl was 387 (+7) gram. The Little Bittern was 76 (-5) gram; we don’t get this little one “on weight”, whatever we try !! Since we have vaccinated all kittens September 23rd, “Elán” is not like she was before; is languid and hardly wants to eat. Is feverish, so we started with antibiotics. Today again “meat-cutting-day” (for both “gentlemen” the last one) and with the extra-help of Janice 19,450 kilo (for 106,84 Euro; total now this year 650,095 kilo for 4018,33 Euro) was processed. At 10.35 a.m. the 2nd Hedgehog-houslet was assembled, placed and “furnished”.

Now only the winter-covering must be placed. We had the opportunity to catch and measure the snow-white Pale Barn Owl > showed to have diminished since September 21st the amount of 76 gram !! So hadn’t eaten at all. Placed together again with the other Barn Owls in the Sick-Bay and fed a bit. At 12.05 p.m. a phone-call from the Agrotikí Stégi in Kallonís that they had over there a “Kitríni” (in any case a yellow birdie) > so we went and picked it up. See further at ICTERINE WARBLER. We received 2 Dutch visitors. Meanwhile a wind-screen at the entrance of the 2nd hedgehog-houslet is placed as well. At 6.50 p.m. two people all the way from Mytiléne came with a shot pigeon, they had found at Karátepe > see further at ROCK DOVE.

September 29th:  all were still alive in the Sick-Bay early this morning. Hedgehogs: the male was 1706 (+25) and the female 1453 (=) gram. The Kestrel was 200 (-2) and the Buzzard was 715 (+8) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 51 (-1), -0903 was 84 (=), -0904 was 84 (=) and –0905 was 67 (+1) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 23 (+1), nr. 2 was 22 (=), nr. 3 was 22 (-1), nr. 4 was 21 (=) and nr. 5 was 18 (-1) gram. Barn Owls: the old Dark Barn Owl was 304 (+8), green was 312 (+4), the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 244 (+6) and the brown Dark Barn Owl was 381 (-6) gram. The Little Bittern was 77 (+1) gram.

At 6.50 a.m. both “gentlemen” left for the coach to the airport; leaving us with a mountainous electricity-bill, because the past month heaps of electricity is squandered over there due to senselessly burning lights and gratuitously working fans !! And we weren’t allowed to say anything, because they continued doing what they wanted, or we could get lots of screaming into the bargain !!

Because the Icterine Warbler from yesterday should can be the Booted Warbler (Acrocephalus caligatus) as well (and that one we have to report), we have tried to make some pictures for Ben Steinfort in Holland from the wing, because that part is crucial. Doing so the birdie escaped, was flying some times before the staggered eyes of the Buzzard in front of his cage, and disappeared through the cage of the Little Owl (who if possible was looking even more staggered), against the window. Over there we could catch him/her, take some pictures and after being fed there came a

Release:

at 8.10 a.m. we could release well the birdie mentioned above > was flying straight in the direction of Kallonís !

At 9.15 a.m. we had the 2nd hedge-hog houslet given a kind of rooflet to keep the food dry, was the winter-covering (dry weeds) placed and we just wanted transferring both Hedgehogs, when at 9.21 a.m. there came a phone-call from Douglas in Skála Kallonís, that just in front of his office a kitten was knocked-down > so we picked it up > see further at KITTEN. And at 9.55 a.m. we had transferred both Eastern Hedgehogs to their respective houslets. We received the message from Ben Steinfort that our Icterine Warbler indeed probably can be the Booted Warbler; he only needed some measurements from the bill to be 100% sure, but meanwhile this has become impossible. And because for such a “rarity” we must be 110% sure to report, we’ll leave it like it was. At 11 p.m. the knocked-down kitten was still alive !!

September 30th:  at 4.25 a.m. the knocked-down kitten was still alive and was a bit more lively. However, the kitten “Elán” had passed-away the past night quietly in her sleep. That’s the 2nd time in all those years we’re doing this work that a vaccinated kitten is dieing at last due to that it was vaccinated for !! The Kestrel was 197 (-3) and the Buzzard was 722 (+7) gram. Barn Owls: the old Dark Barn Owl was 300 (-4), green was 313 (+1), the snow-white Pale Barn Owl was 228 (-16) and the brown Dark Barn Owl was 382 (+1) gram. The Little Bittern was 92 (+15) gram. Tortoises: “competitor’s number” 0901 was 52 (+1), -0903 was 84 (=), -0904 was 87 (+3) and –0905 was 67 (=) gram. Baby-tortoises: nr. 1 was 24 (+1), nr. 2 was 23 (+1), nr. 3 was 22 (=), nr. 4 was 22 (+1) and nr. 5 was 19 (+1) gram. How the Hedgehogs have done, we only know when it’s light enough. By a mistake from our side the Barn Owls in “The Keep” had received the food for the Dog-Fox and vice-versa. That didn’t matter for the Fox, but Barn Owls don’t eat grapes and pears after all !! In the hedgehog-cage there was eaten well from one bowl and the 2nd houslet was unoccupied > the male had “squattered” the old houslet and chased the female until she was stuck here behind > so we’ll keep our eyes open for tonight !!

And while we’re now only the two of us, we were ready with the morning-works at the same time as when we should have had the “assistance” of both “gentlemen” who left yesterday > is a good example of working-speed and all those things more !!

The hanging cast is removed from the wing of the Collared Dove; as well the agrafe on the chest. The shot Rock Dove lost as well her hanging cast; as well all clogged feathers were freed and the remnant of a (shot into pieces) blood-feather was removed. The first tiny bits of soft food could be given to the knocked-down little Tom-Cat !! At 3.30 p.m. for the first time he had eaten a bit by himself !! However, till now on no droppings of water could be detected. Hereafter 2 Dutch visitors.

Total amount of visitors this month:  054                   (total this year: 1037)

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 299 (total this year 1184 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 17 [wild ones: 15; others 02, (total this year 215: wild ones 155, others 060; total since the start of registration in 1996: 4262) of which:

SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE (Testudo graeca ibera): 2 from the tortoise-pen of the L.W.H.; the 1st hatched September 6th ’09. Had to be “emptied” from swollen water. Body-weight at intake was 21 gram. Received a huge 3 on the back of the shell.

The 2nd was walking around normally and hadn’t yet found the water-basin. Body-weight was 17 gram. Received 4 on the back of the shell.

PIPISTRELLE BAT (Pipistrellus pipistrellus): 1 from Kratigós. Is not yet full-grown (not yet capable of eating meal-worms) and was 3 gram. No injuries could be detected. Is fed for the time being with bat-milk.

And that happened every two hours !! Was late in the evening quite cold, so was wrapped for the night in a warm fur. (see as well September 7th).

MARGINATED TORTOISE (Testudo marginata): 1 quite small from the tortoise-pen in the L.W.H.; was 11 gram. Hatched September 7th ’09. Has a deformation of the shell.

So is a brother/sister of nrs 1 & 2. Received number 5.

PIGEON (Columba livia dom.): 3; the first was a quite young specimen from Mytiléne. Has a high fracture of the Tibia right leg, which can’t be splinted. Had as well fresh blood with the droppings. So first observation before we start treating him/her hanging. Was stinking of old olive-oil as well. (see as well September 9th & 10th). P.M.: after opening of the belly lots of free fluid was visible (Ascites). Intestines were blown up with air; cloaca more as over-filled. Right liver-lobe with bleedings, left lobe with yellow dots. Left lung with hemorrhages at the edges, right lung with a huge clog. Heart normal. A little ovary was visible. Cause of death: Ascites (due to trauma ??) which obstructed breathing. The 2nd came as well from that town, was as well juvenile and quite thin. A bit injured on the right shoulder, but at the first opinion no cat-bite. Is a bit lethargic. Wasn’t alive anymore at 4.24 p.m. the same day. Number 3 came as well from Mytiléne, was an adult and had some old (deformed) fractures of the left wing (humerus and radius & Ulna). So is disabled for ever. (see as well September 23rd).

LITTLE BITTERN (Ixobrychus minutus): 2; the first was a male from Polichnítos. Old high fracture of the humerus with an immense dislocation which partly already had become deformed !! With lots of troubles the wing could be placed in the right position and both wings were taped together to avoid a return to the old situation. Bird was only 71 gram i.s.o. 140 – 160 gram !!

(see as well September 17th & 24th). The 2nd was a female (showed later to have been a juvenile male !!) and came from Skála Eressoú (from the river close to “Kámpos”) is better on weight than the first (130 i.s.o. 140 – 160 gram), but both legs are partly paralyzed. Reason ?? We already started with physiotherapies.

(see as well September 22nd & 24th).

BUZZARD (Buteo buteo): 1 adult male, discovered in the olive-fields somewhere in our municipality. Showed to be shot already days ago (several shot-injuries were “palpable”) and the left wing had a totally dislocated fracture of radius & ulna, close to the wrist. Was only 476 gram > should be 550 – 850 gram. First trying to get him on weight again.

At a 2nd examination the intake-day after the siesta a penetrating shot was diagnosed in the tibiotarso of the left leg, an inshot-hole in the thy-muscle of the right leg (rear-side), and three penetrating shot-holes in the left wing: 1 at the radius/ulna, the 2nd in the wrist and the 3rd in the hand-part. (see as well September 17th).

PUPPY (Canis familiaris): 1 little he-doggie from the beach at Pedí. Is about 8 – 10 weeks old. Received for the time being the name “JoeNik”.

(see as well September 22nd).

Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus): 1 juvenile from the beach in between Achladerí and Skála Vasilikón. Was covered with feather-lice and in the throat as well lots of blood-sucking parasites > they were all removed and the bird (and we ourselves) treated with PINEX-spray. Condition of the bird is bad: is gasping for breath and is dozing off constantly.

Produced thin urine/faeces with the color of old blood.

P.M.:  skin was cut over the thorax > no injuries could be found. Belly was very diminished > was opened. Free liquid around the liver. Liver and bladder on sight no disorders. Intestines collapsed; hardly filled. Lungs intact, but much too pale. Heart was at the right side very enlarged. In the trachea no blood-sucking parasites could be detected > so had been located only in the throat. So the final cause of death is unknown > let’s hope it hadn’t been the Bird-flue . . . . !!

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (Larus michaellis): 1 juvenile (*2009) from Pétra. Nothing seems to be wrong with it and is quite aggressive > so observation. (see as well September 25th).

COLLARED DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto): 1 adult from/via Mytiléne. Was announced by the sending vet as “a Pigeon, only injured on one wing; nó fractures”. Was indeed injured on the skin of the right wing, but there was a fracture of the right elbow as well. On the right side of the thorax was a huge, dirty scab which could be removed, whereafter the injury could be closed with one agrafe. (see as well September 30th).

Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina):  1 from Kallonís. Is quite vivid > only hit a window ??

(see as well September 29th).

ROCK DOVE (Columba livia): 1 adult (female ??), discovered at Karátepe. Was shot through the left wing > nó fractures !! Hanging cast was given and injury covered with Dermisol-cream, because it’s stinking quite a lot. As well antibiotics. (see as well September 30th).

KITTEN (Felis catus): 1 ca 4 months old male from Skála Kallonís > was knocked-down. Blood was coming from the nose and probably brain-damage. If in the abdomen something is wrong, we have to wait and see. His mother had come to look for her child, but most probably she didn’t believe in it anymore and had left. After some hours the diagnosis “brain-damage” could be confirmed for 100% > during lifting-up the body is bended in an arrow. In any case (very tiny bits) of fluid is drunk, given by a syringe. 

     

 

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