Atka

Horizon Wings

Raptor Rehabilitation & Education
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged
by the way its animals are treated." - Gandhi

REHABILITATION & RELEASE

Horizon Wings typically takes in well over 60 birds of prey per year. They are often victims of the environment like vehicle strikes, severe weather, or are caught in fishing line, barbed wire fencing or, a soccer net are some examples. Our success rate varies, but many times we do not get these injured birds in until it is too late and they pass in our care or are humanely euthanized.

Enjoy this years 2020 Video of Rehabilitations and Releases. Click here.

Eagles

Bald Eagle Release

Falcons

Peregrine Release

Hawks

Hawk Release

Owls

Owl Release
EAGLES
BreakNeck Rescue

Click on the image above to watch the video

BreakNeck Rescue

Eaglet later found in Maine - Photo by Jim Whitney

BreakNeck Rescue

Eaglet later found in Maine - Photo by Jim Whitney

BreakNeck Rescue

Eaglet identified by its' bands - Photo by Jim Whitney

In early June 2020 Horizon Wings got a call about an injured eaglet in Northeastern CT. Watch this video to see the full story of this incredible rescue and release.

8/12 Update: She has been spotted in Maine. She had a bit of tussle according to the photographer with an adult male bald eagle when she got too close to his nest. Otherwise, hopefully she is doing well. So nice to receive a positive band report! Thank you Jim Whitney for the photos, and for taking time to track her band.

Sample Food

Band found on an eagle who was struck by a car April 5th, 2018.

weighing all the food

Mary-Beth holding the eagle for examination by Dr. Ashley Kelley at Kensington Bird And Animal Hospital.

Treats for the birds

Examining the eye to make sure there is no permanent damage due to the accident

Ready to feed

The eagle is now our care inside our flight avairy after spending sometime indoors to recover.

Rehab Peregrine

The eagle successfully flies to one of the lower perches.

Rehab RedShoulders

The eagle will stay inside this flight cage and be fed and monitored until it is ready for release.

Weighing Chrysos

She spreads her wings and flies around.

Weighing Oscar

After 10 days of rehabilitation it is now time for its release.

Weighing Oscar

Once it gets a glimpse of freedom, it charges out of the box.

Weighing Oscar

...and takes off running.

Weighing Oscar

It glides by the spectators across the field.

Weighing Oscar

What an incredible experience for those looking on.

Weighing Oscar

After crossing the field it looks for a tree to perch in.

Weighing Oscar

It lands gracefully in a tree.

Weighing Oscar

And then rests for a while before flying off.

This eagle was struck by a car on Rte. 9 in Berlin, CT on April 5th, 2018. After being seen by the wonderful veterinarians at Kensington Bird and Animal Hospital she came to Horizon Wings. She had head trauma including blood behind her left eye so she had to have a recheck at Kensington after a week. Her eye looked great and no lead was detected in blood work! This was great news for this bird. After spending 10 days in rehab we released this beautiful big female eagle back to the wild.

Sample Food

A young bald eagle at 4 months.

weighing all the food

Jeanne holding this young bald eagle for examination by Dr. Kristin Sinclair at Kensington Bird And Animal Hospital.

Treats for the birds

Getting an x-ray to determine how bad the injury to its wing is.

Treats for the birds

The x-ray shows there is are multiple breaks in the wrist.

Ready to feed

After surgery to remove the tip of the wing.

Rehab Peregrine

After his wing healed we put "Hatch" in with our other Bald Eagle, Atka.

This young bald eagle came into Horizon Wings in July of 2018. He was injured shortly after fledging when he apparently became caught in the fencing surrounding the Kensington Fish Hatchery where he was found. He was rescued by Jeanne Wadsworth and Sandy Vinton, then brought to Kensington Bird and Animal Hospital. In order to save this magnificent bird, the difficult decision was made to remove the tip of his right wing, which had been severely broken when it was caught in the fence. As a result of this injury this eagle could not be releasable back into the wild so he became a permanent resident here at Horizon Wings.

FALCONS
Sample Food

Mary-Beth getting to release this young peregrine.

weighing all the food

The young peregrine was more than ready to go.

Treats for the birds

It quickly took off from Mary-Beth gloves.

Ready to feed

Then the peregrine soared over the valley below.

This Peregrine Falcon came into Horizon Wings in April of 2019 after getting into a territorial dispute and ending up with lacerations on her chest. She was found on the ground in someone's yard and then brought to Kensington Bird and Animal Hospital to be checked out. She was then brought to us where she was rehabbed for 3 weeks. She was released on May 11th.

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Peregrine fledgling.

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Mary-Beth and Brian Hess, DEEP Raptor Biologist, band the chick before replacing at nest site.

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The new band is secure.

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Brian suits up.

pf_bridge_5

The chick is placed in the bag.

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Ready to go!

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DOT backs the lift into place.

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They're on their way!

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Almost to the top!

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The chick has landed!

pf_bridge_9b

See that little speck? That's the chick.

On Tuesday June 11th we received a call from Brian Hess, Raptor Biologist with the DEEP. A Peregrine chick had come down off the Charter Oak bridge into the river and luckily was rescued by 2 fishermen in the area. He was brought to DEEP headquarters in Hartford where he was dried off, and warmed up before transport to Horizon Wings. He stayed with us for a week until the status of his parents in the area was confirmed, along with attaining access to the bridge was in place. He ate well and improved on his flying skills during this time. With the help of the CT DOT and the DEEP this chick was put back under the bridge. An adult Peregrine watched from a nearby electrical tower as this took place.
He is being monitored by Chris Vann from the DEEP on a daily basis and has moved across the river on the bridge. A parent is still in the area. The chick has been observed preening, rousing and screaming, and appears to be doing well thus far. Thank you to all involved in the rescue and re-nesting of this chick! Thank you Jeanne Wadsworth for the great pictures! Thank you Dr. Ann Bourke of NE Bird Clinic for being on hand to do a physical on intake. Thank you to Dr. Maureen Murray of Tufts for then x-raying the chick to make sure there were no fractures as suspected on his first exam. It is always important to make absolutely sure there are no hidden injuries, not detected on a physical before re-nesting. Blood work was not deemed necessary.

HAWKS
Coopers Hawk Nestling

Click on the image above to watch the video

This nestling came in to Horizon Wings still too young to be out of its nest. It was found by someone’s dogs. It had quite the fly strike on it, so along with sub Q fluids to treat its dehydration we had to work to rid it of the fly eggs and small maggots. Once it recuperated, it was returned to its nesting area. Watch the video to see the full story of its rescue and release.

RTH Release1

This red tailed hawk just as it is released.

RTH Release2

It swoops right around us heading into the woods.

RTH Release3

Then safely lands in a tree close by.

Treats for the birds

Then turns around and looks at us.

This red-tailed hawk came into rehab in March 2019 after it was attacked by a dog. This bird was on the ground due to an older wing injury and was scoping out the chicken coop looking for an easy meal when the homeowners let their dog out not knowing the hawk was there. The hawk was lucky and ended up with a cut on its foot from the dog. The dog also had scratches on its face. This bird spent many weeks at Tufts Wildlife Clinic getting treatment for the wing injury that had grounded it and also getting conditioned in their large flight aviary. 2 months later we are able to release it back in its territory for a second chance at life. Thank you so much Tufts for caring for this bird. We love a happy ending.

RSH Release1

Mary-Beth and volunteer Bill looking on as the Red-Shouldered Hawk is released.

RSH Release2

It quickly slips out of the box.

RSH Release3

Then gets lift up over the stone wall.

RSH Release4

Then takes off into the woods. Within moments it is joined by not one but two other Red-Shouldered Hawks in the area.
Perhaps one is it’s mate.

This Red-Shoulderd hawk came into rehab at Horizon Wings in early February 2020. It had been found down on the ground in someone's front yard. We believe it had been hit by a car resulting in a severe concussion. After over three weeks of rehabilation including some time in our flight aviary to build up its muscles we released it back where it was found. At the release it was rejoined by what we believe to be it's mate and perhaps another that had moved into the area..

OWLS
Pomfret Baby Barred

Click on the image above to watch the video

This Barred owlet fledged right into the road where he was found stunned and dehydrated. After a few days R & R with us he was returned to the site and reunited with his parents. Thank you Dr North for taking the time to rescue this owlet from the middle of the road. Thank you Dr. Bourke for the exam and fluid administration.
Watch this video to see this youngsters release.

Sample Food

The Great Horned youngster in our flight aviary to be fed for a night.

Sample Food

Mary-Beth and some Horizon Wings volunteers locate the nest.

weighing all the food

After several tries Mary-Beth finally gets the young owl safely up on a branch close to the nest.

Ready to feed

We get one last peek, before we leave it alone to be taken care of by its parents.

This young Great-Horned Owlet was found on the road and rescued by a woman driving by. She brought it to Bolton Veterinary Hospital where it was checked out for any injuries (there were none). We had it overnight and went back to where it was found so we could put it back with its parents to finish raising it. We were able to find evidence of owls in the area by finding pellets, bones, and poop. When we looked up a very tall pine tree we discovered the nest. Success! We were able to get this little one back up in the tree and hopefully it stays away from the road.

Sample Food

The barred owl was covered in soot, so it needed several baths to remove it.

Sample Food

Mary-Beth opened the carrier and the owl took off.

weighing all the food

Flying several feet above the ground until...

Treats for the birds

...it flew up and landed in a nearby tree.

Ready to feed

The owners of the house put in a chimney cap to prevent owls in the future from going in again.

On April 8th Andover ACO Scott received a call about a Barred Owl stuck in a chimney. Scott and Stacie (a volunteer at Horizon Wings), responded and were able to rescue the owl. She was brought to Jeanne where she received supportive care until she could be seen by a veterinarian. This bird was lucky as the fireplace was not in use during the time of her entrapment. She suffered some surface scratches to her eyes and was a bit thin, but after 10 days in rehab and a final vet check she was declared good to go! The homeowners capped their chimney and informed us they heard a Barred Owl calling each evening. Perhaps her mate? She was released back into the woods where she was found and will hopefully reunite with her mate. Many thanks to all involved in this rescue: the caring homeowners, Scott, Stacie,and Jeanne. At times it takes a village for a successful rescue!

SITE DESIGN BY Sandy Vinton