Graphs Week 8

February 21st

At 7.51 a.m. we discovered in the crow-aviary drowned in the water-bowl our disabled Jackdaw, nickname “Down-syndrome”. He/she was with us from before 2001 and was one of the few animals discovered by ourselves. We have counted again the whole amount of patients and we have now 143 of them !! Two Greek visitors from Kallonís: one from the greengrocer’s shop over there and the other from a terrace in that municipality. Continued was with the cutting of the meat, where yesterday already was started with. The Lapwing was transferred for some hours to an aviary in the open air to enjoy some sunlight and to have the opportunity taking a bath. We have received a phone-call that tomorrow a school from the island of Límnos will come to visit us. We had to trim the beak of the only Buzzard which is releasable. Showed to be 08-154, which had come-in as a climate-victim August 14^th 2008 and which, before we could think about a release in 2009, had damaged the most important flight-feathers and rectrices in that aviary. Is now ready for release next month.

Amount of present patients is now (at least) 143 until February 22^nd ; 6:45 a.m.)

Total amount of visitors this month: 003 (total this year: 0014)

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 014 (total this year 0390 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 001 [wild ones: 01; others 00, (total this year 024: wild ones 017, others 007; total since the start of registration in 1996: 4333).

February 20th

We could remove some dead tissue from the wing of the Pigeon, taken-in the day before yesterday, and the injury covered again with Dermisol-cream. Today in Mytiléne there could be bought some pairs of green thick leather gloves (meanwhile adapted to be carried hanging) whereafter there was bought meat in Kallonís: 24,090 kilo (for 156,59 Euro; total now this year 165,534 kilo for 1081,83 Euro); this will be processed in the coming days. Our friend Mílto, who is demobbed now, came to see if we had some Pigeons for him, because he now had time again for his hobby:

Re-homing:

17 Pigeons were re-homed with the mentioned above Mílto. We hadn’t the time writing down all the ring-colors, but in any case the two juveniles (10-018; January 26^th & 10-019; January 27^th) from last month were present.

February 19th

We succeeded in making two pouches for our “harnesses” in which we can use the Walkie-talkies. They are made from thrown-away army-tents and are fastened with Velcro-strips. The red Buzzard is still not eating on his own: we’re feeding early in the morning a bit and the rest of his portion he’s receiving in a bowl in his cage. But more than a bit playing with the meat isn’t happening !! Further more almost all the owls we have to feed are eating badly; something which one can read in the graphics. Because the customs-officers are striking, already some time no petrol has been cleared due to which in the Dodekanesos and in Thessalonica no super-led free is available anymore; over here by Tuesday a shortage is expected, so we’ll try after each trip to bring the car back “full”. That’s why after 5 p.m. we made a “quickie” to the Shell-station to fill him up.

February 18th

At 8.10 a.m. “Monster” got her injection, whereafter she was “delivered” from some parts mentioned for reproduction a short while later > see further at CAT. At 10 a.m. a man from Mytiléne was at our door with a Pigeon he had found already February 11^th > bird couldn’t fly. See further at PIGEON. At the Post-office we could pick-up a box with all kinds on medicines we can use for our patients, sent to us by the “Animal Medical Care Foundation” in Holland !!

February 17th

In the House-next-door the she-cat “Monster” (09-051; May 13^th ’09) paid a tribute to her name by keeping the whole “congregation” over there awake last night: she is in heat. So this will be keeping her sober tomorrow-morning and taking away the reason for her screaming. As far as we have seen the yesterday transferred Buzzard has done well her first night again in the open air. The Collared Dove, which had a tumor on the back (10-015; January 24^th ’10), could be brought back to the Aviary this morning. And indeed we had to buy a new sewing-machine, but we were very astonished when this new bought machine . . . . wasn’t working at all !! There was such a huge mistake in the “intestines” that trying to sew only resulted in splashing around broken needles !! So back again to Kallonís, where a working machine (after long times waiting in vain) was given to us. And this machine was working well. We have tried it in making a feeding-apron for Irah, which she will use in the Bird-shelter “The Sandpiper” in Holland, where she is a volunteer. She has seen over here the benefits: even proof against the tallons of Goshawks !

February 16th

All animals and birds in and on top of “The Keep” had eaten very well > no crumb was left-over. The female Buzzard (silver) was transferred with a full crop as disabled to the buzzard-aviary at 7.47 a.m. And while a great part of Europe is suffering due to the snow and cold weather, we could enjoy our morning-coffee sitting in the street in the bright sun-shine . . . . !! For the 2^nd time the sewing-machine broke-down, so this time it most probably it will be buying a new one . . . . Even for us there are limits what we can and what we can’t repair.

February 15th

After the sewing-machine stopped working Saturday-afternoon during the “construction” of a bag for special tools, we could repair the problem yesterday and as well could finish the bag almost completely. We received the message that “Emily” will be taken-back today in the morning; for examination a Tom-Cat (in the past castrated over here) will be brought as well > seems to have problems with making water. Waiting for the arrival from Skála Eressoú the branches of the grape on both locations are trimmed on both locations (so Joren balancing high on a ladder) and is continued with the bag for special tools till both ladies arrived at 10.30 a.m. So “Emily” was taken-back (with “directions for use”) and we could concentrate on the ex-Tom-Cat “Garfield”, which was neutered over here some years ago. He carried his name with honor, because we have seldom seen such a huge and fat cat (12 kilo !!). (N 1) The belly hardly could be palpated, so in any case the advice was given he should diminish (however, will be difficult with 70 cats roaming around !!). A cleaning-fluid for the penis was given and told how to handle. Further not in the statistics. At 5.55 p.m. the bag for special tools was ready for use.

Graphs Week 7

February 14th

The Hedgehogs had eaten again very well> almost nothing was left-over. Within a good hour the female Buzzard had swallowed the whole bowl with given meat; however the red Buzzard still isn’t eating yet himself. Except the weekly cleaning of Aviaries and cages, we could fin some time for searching for pictures which will be used for a new film which can be seen in the coming time on our website, and the rest (11 kilo !!) of the meat could be cut, measured and packed.

Amount of present patients is now (at least) 169 until February 6^th; 4 p.m.)

Total amount of visitors this month: 001 (total this year: 0012)

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 014 (total this year 0390 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 001 [wild ones: 01; others 00, (total this year 024: wild ones 017, others 007; total since the start of registration in 1996: 4333).

February 13th

Evidently the new lock on the cage of the Dog-Fox worked !! We had to protect the leg of the female Buzzard with a piece of sport-tape, because the new ring had damaged the skin a bit. Prophylactically this was done as well at the red Buzzard. Because coming Monday everything is closed due to the beginning of the Lent, today already meat is bought; this will be processed the coming days in portions by Irah, Ineke & Joren. And it was 26,740 kilo (for 176,48 Euro; total now this year 141,444 kilo for 925,24 Euro). As well we could continue with the perfectioning of our equipment. The female Buzzard showed having eaten well on her own at the end of the day.

February 12th

After a very restless night the hail-stones clattered around our ears when we wanted to take the doggies out at 4.35 a.m. > they were back-in as quick as a devil. The Dog-Fox hadn’t had the opportunity to remove all “securities” and so he still was in. The Hedgehogs had eaten super well !! For 8,50 Euro (without petrol) we could secure our night’s rest, and as well those of the patients in the Sick-Bay, by buying some screw-eyes with metric speed and nuts and fixing them on the doors and the central-post of the cage of the Dog-Fox and the one next to it. Will be locked with a padlock (N 3). Meanwhile we have started perfectioning our equipment, which will be used for big rescue-operations: all must be carried “on the body”, so the hands stay free for climbing and all those kinds of activities. We’ll carry (2 persons): 40 meter mountaineers-rope (breaking-strength 400 kg), metal anchor-pin, geo-hammer, binoculars, GPS, multi-tool, 2 extended army-knives, 2 pair of thick leather gloves, bite-proof transport-bag, 2 walkie-talkies, 2 waterbottles and 2 flash-lights.

February 11th

We have been lucky last night, because the Dog-Fox had bitten the iron wire (which was closing his cage better) into pieces. Luckily he hadn’t been able to open the door of his cage !! Heavy thunderstorms early this morning, so the disabled birds will stay-in temporarily till the weather improves. In spite of the bad weather the Hedgehogs had eaten well. We had to take-back from the Aviary our Hawfinch (06-038; March 21^st ’06): was sitting flabbergasted on the bottom and the left eye is immense swollen. We have started the treatment with Cavasan-cream. By eight o’clock the weather had improved in a way we could take the disabled birds out; however we’re ready taking them back-in again as soon as the weather worsens. Our two Buzzards were ringed with the yesterday re-discovered aluminium rings; the “red” Buzzard received (of course) a red ring, while the female got a silver one. Doing so we discovered that the mentioned last one has as well skin-problems in the left leg !! Both birds got a bowl with meat in their cage and so won’t be fed at midday. At 4 p.m. it showed none of the two had eaten > so tomorrow lesser feeding and again a bowl with food in the cage. The door of the cage of the Dog-Fox was fastened this time with an extra iron wire. And already at 9 p.m. we had to safeguard the cage again; one of the two iron wires was cut and disappeared . . . . what we’ll find early tomorrow ?? At 10.30 p.m. all was still OK.

February 10th

The juvenile Pigeons, yesterday transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” were both present alive and kicking early this morning. We have looked in vain for more than one hour for a plastic bag with aluminium bird-rings (worth almost 250 GBP), which hadn’t disappeared but from which the present location was unknown > at last discovered and sorted. Now we can ring the birds, which have lost meanwhile their plastic foot-ring, witch a colored ring with an number before they will be released. On a long ago succumbed Pigeon (which had been frozen till yesterday special for these occasions) we have demonstrated the opening, emptying and again stitching of the crop, whereafter there was a diligent practicing to have a perfect command of this. As well the “binding” of the bird before treatment was showed. All this was performed more than sufficient, so Irah received the certificate “trained stitcher”. We have seen this morning, the first time since she is here, the Spurr-tighed Tortoise “Stoffel” eating on her own !! At 12.02 p.m. a phone-call from María Karapolíti about a Tomcat with ear-problems; she will pass-by with him today or tomorrow.

February 9th

With a “tinned” Dog-Fox it was early this morning quite a better feeling than yesterday. At 7.53 a.m. we have transferred the two juvenile Pigeons (10-018; January 26^th from Mytiléne, and 10-019, January 27^th from Kallonís), with respectively a double green ring and a double red ring, to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep”. The first the doublered did, was . . . . taking an extensive bath. It seems if the tendons of the right leg of the female Buzzard are lasting damaged. She has now a kind of “club-foot” which is an obstruction for a release next month. From the wing of the red Buzzard we could remove a scab with thereunder dead tissue; the created clean hole was “pointed” with Dermisol-cream. In the right eye a “corpus alienum” remains present, which is partly in front of the pupil; this however shouldn’t be an obstruction for release next month. Was the Spurr-tighed Tortoise “Stoffel” (09-194; October 24^th) 1787 gram on January 1^st; this morning she was 1846 gram. Irah has had the chance to practice her stitching on an animal: a dead rat, which was used herefor before. Tomorrow she’ll practice stitching the crop of birds. At 3.30 p.m. we discovered some feathers in the cage of the Lapwing: showed to be the hand-part of the right wing which had died-off and had come loose today.

Greek News

Evia quake

An earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale struck the Psachna area of Evia shortly after noon yesterday. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

February 8th

Starting the preparing of the food at 5.15 a.m. we heard “strange sounds” coming from the Sick-Bay: very carefully there was peeped around the door and the mess showed to be complete. The Dog-Fox was standing on top of the terrarium on the Tortoises, had bitten through some electricity-cables (with the full 220 V connected), due to which the terrarium was without heating and light, the cage of the disabled Little Owl “Pállas” was standing upside down on the floor (was thrown a good meter downwards > waterbowl was broken) and “Pállas” was sitting quietly (but looked flabbergasted) on a roost, bags with litterbox-sand were scratched-open, the garbage-sack was half empty and the contents were spread over the whole floor, food-supplements were everywhere on the floor, a thick feeding-apron (made from a new army-kitbag) was teared to pieces and so on. The worst was the thick leather gloves couldn’t be discovered in the whole mess . . . . !! But in spite of that we succeeded getting the Dog-Fox back into his cage and at that moment it showed he first had tried to enter the cage of the disabled Long-legged Buzzard “Granny” > the made opening was in any case big enough to let him pass-through. Wonder above wonders there were no victims !! Joren had to wake up early to help cleaning and reorganizing the whole mess to make it “workable” again and Irah as well, because she had to take-over Joren’s jobs. So it was a morning not to forget !! The removable separations-wall in between the cage of the Dog-Fox and the cage of “Granny” must completely be replaced by one, which will be covered with iron. Our disabled birds we only could take them out at 7.30 a.m., because at that moment it started to be a bit dry. Today again meat-cutting-day and the same “crew” as Monday a week ago has processed 20,050 kilo (for 133,32 Euro; total now 114,704 kilo for 748,76 Euro). Meanwhile at the other side materials were bought to lodge our “breaker” a bit more safe > for 7 Euro (without petrol) this was done. At 10.30 a.m. an “emergency-call” from Joren: “FOX IS FREE !!” Almost an even large mess as early this morning and our little “Pállas” was sitting and watching in his again fallen-down cage. So the Dog-Fox had to be caught again, while “Emily” was sleeping quietly on top of the terrarium and he was sitting at half a meter distance !! Forced by the rain we had to take-in our disabled birds again at 11 o’clock. At 12.15 p.m. our Dog-Fox was again locked-in behind iron.

Graphs Week 6

February 7th

And it’s raining continuously since yesterday-evening 7 o’clock and today it will be heavy weather > so the disabled birds will stay in !! In spite of the rain the Hedgehogs had eaten well. Today we got assistance with the weekly cleaning of cages and aviaries from Eléktra from Stípsi. She had offered us a.o. this assistance during her visit February 2^nd (see over there). The “hot spot” on the wing of the red Buzzard was treated with Dermisol-cream, and so as well the leg of the other Buzzard (fem). In the afternoon Joren has discovered that the tumor on the back of the Collared Dove (10-015; January 24^th ’10) is coming back > so we’ll have to perform again a surgery.

Amount of present patients is now (at least) 169 until February 6^th; 4 p.m.)

Total amount of visitors this month: 001 (total this year: 0012)

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 014 (total this year 0390 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 001 [wild ones: 01; others 00, (total this year 024: wild ones 017, others 007; total since the start of registration in 1996: 4333).

February 6th

In any case the Dog-Fox didn’t break-out last night !! The Hedgehogs had eaten well and as well did the Barn Owls in “The Keep” > nothing was left-over. Because the stretching-tendons of the “good” foot of the Yellow-legged Gull (10-017; January 24^th ’10) definitively are “gone”, there was decided to put down the bird, which was done at 7.40 a.m. Irah was taught again in the “noble art of injury-stitching”. At 4 p.m. we discovered in the crow-aviary in the court-yard of the House-next-door, sitting very dead in a corner, the “nest-misfit” Hooded Crow (09-067; May 29^th ’09). So the cold weather was at last fatal for him/her.

February 5th

No victims early this morning. We have discovered a second shothole (penetrating) in the fractured leg of the Greater Flamingo > so in total there were at least 3 penetrating shotholes in this leg. Further the bird was complete intact. And of course this bird was the exception of the sex, because seeing the over-ripe ovary it was evidently a female > see for the picture at GREATER FLAMINGO. We started teaching Irah the “noble art of stitching”. Our Dog-Fox is starting more and more being vivacious and is trying to open the door of his cage.

February 4th

And again it was –0 ° Centigrade early this morning and the water bowls in the aviaries were covered with ice !! The Hedgehogs had eaten only a bit. Today the disabled birds are allowed out again. The shot Pigeon, which had come-in January 18^th (10-009), was transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” for flying-practices. Received colored foot-rings. The head-injury of the Dog-Fox has no need anymore to be treated with Dermisol-cream: is clean and only some minor scabs are present. So a statue for the inventor of this stuff !! (N 2). At 3.42 p.m. a phone-call from a María from Mytiléne, who next to the salines over here had spotted a Greater Flamingo which was sitting on the ground and which wasn’t able to fly away > so we went for a ride to pick-up the bird. It really was a “bloody nervous” trip, because we had to drive through almost a foot thick mud and unknown-deep puddles. The bird we could catch at 4.02 p.m. > see further at GREATER FLAMINGO. On the pictures Irah has made from the bird, it seems if there are a lot of inshot-holes in the legs > we’ll check-out tomorrow. Is that the case, the bird is indeed “ shot from the air”. Our contact in Holland could tell us it almost sure is a male, but asked if we tomorrow could verify this by internal examinations > and so we’ll do.

February 3rd

All patients were still alive early this morning; as well in the Sick-Bay as in the aviaries !! The Hedgehogs hadn’t left at al their nest-box and so their food was completely frozen. Outside it was –0 ° Centigrade !! Mindful of yesterday we have kept all birds inside today. We have found that most probably from the “good” leg of the Yellow-legged Gull tendons are cut and/or dried-up > is this really the case it will be “end of training”. The strange bulb on the left wing of the “red” Buzzard we could make free and we have emptied it > lots of blood-clogs and pieces of tissue appeared. We have started treating the leg of the other Buzzard (so the female) with Dermisol-cream > maybe the growth of new scales will be stimulated. The head-injury of the Dog-Fox is becoming cleaner and cleaner. Meanwhile “Emily” has eaten again. Joren has given her an enlarged bath: she was trying to wash herself before that bath, but with a dirty mouth from the difficult eating the mess on her legs only enlarged !! We received the message from rep Elvira in Mólivos that she’ll pass-by with a little puppy with eye-problems. As well “Moritz” will be taken-back today: they will take as well lots of surplus instruments from here to the shelter to be of use for a Dutch vet who is coming to neuter strays over there. And that happened at 12.12 p.m. Elvira was here at 12.45 p.m. > little puppy which she had rescued and is rearing now. Left eye indeed was “gone”. Cavasan-cream was given and showed how to use it. We’ll follow how this will develop in the future. Further not in the statistics.

February 2nd

The whole night we had thunderstorms and pouring with rain, so we’ll keep the invalids inside today. “Emily” had to stay sober for her 2^nd surgery today. And she received at 8.07 a.m. her “sleeping-injection”, whereafter we could check 5 minutes later the whole situation. First we have removed the old steel stitches, whereafter behind the eye-teeth a hole was drilled through the mandible.

With the help of a long straight needle a steel stitch (2/0) was brought through the drilled hole. At both sides of the drilled hole the gums was opened carefully, whereafter with a curved needle, passing under the gums, from the left side of the mandible the steel stitch was brought via the front side of the mandible to the right side. Hereafter the two ends were twisted together and cut short. The small twisted-together part was bended backwards and the gums-injury at the right side was stitched with 3 stitches (PSDII - 4/0). The left side could be closed with 2 stitches. Started at 8.19 a.m. and finished at 8.28 a.m. The mandible was fixed together at that moment !! We received a Greek visitor from Stípsi, who wants to help us with the translation from the English into Greek for our website; in between the squalls she was quickly showed around as well. At 2.45 p.m. the rain had changed into hail and sleet, and at 3.05 p.m. the Table-mount couldn’t be seen anymore due to a blizzard of real snow ! Towards 4 p.m. we had to take back cito-cito the disabled Long-legged Buzzard “Granny” from the buzzard-aviary: she was completely hypothermic and lethargic and so far “gone” that she refused to eat !! We wonder if she’ll survive this.

February 1st

In the Sick-Bay all patients were still alive early this morning. Bringing the food-bowls to “The Keep”, we discovered in the pigeon-cage over there a white Pigeon, hatched over there, which was hardly capable of walking normally > used the wings to walk. Was “promoted” into fox-food (after having stopped the suffering. Today again the weekly meat-cutting-day, and Douglas & Janice, Joren & Ineke, with assistance of Irah have processed 21,015 kilo (for 136,59 Euro; total now this year 94,654 kilo for 615,44 Euro). Beginning today Joren has taken-over the job of Webmaster of our site www.wildlifeoplesbos from the former webmaster Marco; we want to thank Marco very much for the many hours he has spent for our site !!

January 31st

all were alive early this morning and we were greeted in the Sick Bay by “Emily” which at the top of her voice (and that’s not so loud !) was begging for food !! Even cito-cito some extra food had to be prepared for her . . . . !! The Dog Fox had eaten well and produced some droppings too. The Yellow-legged Gull was standing on both legs at our arrival.

Release:

at 7.58 a.m. we have thrown into the air with a huge sweep the Crested lark; singing (for the first time we heard that) he was climbing up, made a “grateful round” above us and disappeared in to the direction of Achladerí.

The Yellow-legged Gull was greed from the tape around his wing-tips, so he can use those wings more to keep straight. A severe bulb was present at the removed eye of “Moritz”: 1 stitch was loosened and lots of fluid came out and could be removed by pressing. We have performed a P.M. on the yesterday taken-in dead Hedgehog: internal all was OK, but there was an immense bleeding in the muscular tissue of the left thigh. So cause of death: general bad condition and incapacity to walk due to the muscular injury.

All patients mentioned above one can find back in our monthly report.

Amount of present patients is now (at least) 172 (until January 31^st; 8.00 a.m.)

Total amount of visitors this month: 011 (total this year: 0011)

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 376 (total this year 0376 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 023 [wild ones: 16; others 07, (total this year 023: wild ones 016, others 007; total since the start of registration in 1996: 4332) of which:

January 30th

All patients were alive early this morning. We have received the message that the euthanized Buzzard indeed was a female, that the “red” Buzzard is a male and that the yesterday taken-in Buzzard is a female. The Crested Lark was transferred to the Aviary for flying-practices at 7.52 a.m. We could remove the scab from the back of the Collared Dove and the hole was closed with 1 Agrafe. The little Hedgehog will be sent with the 1.15 p.m.-coach. We received 3 visitors from this island: 1 Greek from Mólivos and an English/German couple from Skalochóri. And while we were busy writing this, suddenly at 11.24 a.m. electricity disappeared on the whole island, coming back only at 11.37 a.m. At 12.55 p.m. we heard the little Hedgehog was still alive, and as well she has no flees, but maggots !! The box with the Hedgehog was in our hands at 1.56 p.m. At arrival at the L.W.H. the pour one was dead already for hours: rigor mortis was complete. Bodyweight was no 700 gram, but only 369 gram > see further at EASTERN HEDGEHOG. After we had forced the Dog Fox to drink a bit of Ringers-fluid from a little plastic bottle, with quite a risk for our fingers (because one can’t do that wearing thick leather gloves !!) he has started eating well. And that’s the first time since he is here. As well “Emily” was persuaded eating independently by Ineke.

January 29th

And that poring rain changed into a huge thunderstorm last night, due to which there was had been a black-out for the whole island > so lots of problems with time-switches which were de-regulated. All patients were still alive this morning, and the outdoor-cat “Pinky”, which had spent the night in the Surgery (because his place was occupied by “Emily” [which had to change because of the dog-fox]), had behaved perfectly well and for the first time used the inside of the litter-box i.s.o. half in – half out !! The new Dog Fox is trying to sit straight now and then, and has at such moments quite an attentive look. The injured eye of the red Buzzard is clearing-up. Changing the bandages of the first Buzzard we discovered another fracture in the humerus > close to the shoulder with lots of dead tissue. So strictly speaking the prognosis had changed now into “infaust”. The head-injury of the Dog Fox we could treat with Dermisol-cream. The same happened with the leg-injuries of the Yellow-legged Gull. At 9.13 a.m. a phone-call from Ágia Varvára that they had over there an injured “geráki” > so we went for a ride and picked-up the bird. In our hands the bird was at 10.42 and it was a BUZZARD > so see over there. After we had discussed the situation of the first Buzzard in detail, she received at 2.25 p.m. an injection, whereafter it was finished 1 minute later . . . . !! At 6 p.m. a phone-call from vet Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne that she had an Hedgehog, which she is planning to send tomorrow by coach. Seems to be covered with flees and with an body-weight of only a good 700 gram > of course this is much and much too light for this time of the year.

January 28th

All patients were still alive this morning at 4.50 a.m. The whole morning we have been busy with all different kind of work, until at 11.11 a.m. a phone-call came from the Silver Bay Hotel (Mytiléne) that they had there a fox which was and injured on the head and soaking wet. They should try if it was possible bringing the creature themselves. And after 5 minutes this indeed showed to be the case. So from that moment we had to reorganize the whole Sick-Bay, because the fox should be lodged where “Emily” is lodged now. The bearer must have driven in a speed even our ambulance can’t reach, because already at 11.44 a.m. he was at the Town-Hall. Showed to be a very stupefied Dog Fox, which was severe injured on top of the head > the bite-marks of dog-teeth were clearly visible. Was as well injured in the right rear-leg, but no fractures could be detected. So see further at DOG FOX. In pouring rain arrived at 8.25 p.m. the volunteer Irah Frid. The Dog Fox was still alive at that moment.

January 27th

All patients were still alive at 4.45 a.m. We could remove some dead tissue from the legs of the Yellow-legged Gull. Both legs are treated now with Dermisol-cream and the “good” leg is receiving physiotherapies as well. He/she is trying more and more to stand. The tied-up part on the back of the Collared Dove is drying perfectly: the skin can be moved, so there was no penetration in the lower tissues. The Lapwing has removed on own force the last part of the haemostatic cotton wool which still was present and the injury is healing well. More and more dead tissue is coming free from the wing of the Buzzard. At 11.28 a.m. a phone-call from the new Animal-lovers Society “Kivotós” that they are sending with the 1.15 p.m.-coach a “Geráki” (bird-of-prey). At 12.35 p.m. Medie phoned from Kallonís that on a ridge on the school over there was sitting a (probably) young Pigeon, which was unable to fly > we will be called hereabout later. At 12.45 p.m. a phone-call that they had the bird > we both went in each others direction and about half-way we had the bird at 12.55 p.m. in our possession > see further (indeed at young) PIGEON. The “geráki” we had at 2.06 in our hands > see further at BUZZARD (red-). Showed to be shot. Because it had thawed today, we could remove the ice from the water-bowls in the aviaries: showed to be at that moment still 2,5 cm thick !!

January 26th

All patients were still alive early this morning, and we have kept “Moritz” sober because of the surgery later today. Outdoors it was –2° Centigrade and what was left-over in the cage of the Hedgehogs, was completely frozen. The Yellow-legged Gull is sometimes trying to stand straight. At 7.52 a.m. “Moritz” received his injection to have his eye removed 9 minutes later; his “crown-jewels” were as well removed. He showed to be such a “tough one” that during stitching a thick stitching-needle broke into pieces !! Most of the bandage around the wing of the Lapwing is removed. However, has still the hanging cast. At 9.43 a.m. a phone-call from the vet-practice of Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne that she wanted to send with the 11 o’clock-coach a little pigeon. And we had that bird in our possession at 12.08 p.m. after having waited half an hour in the bitter cold. Was a juvenile PIGEON > so see over there.

January 25th

Yesterday in the evening at 8 o’clock still a phone-call from Paralía Thermís about a bird with a broken leg. Bird was bigger than a pigeon and the colors were beige and black. Tomorrow, when the car is back from buying meat, we’ll pick it up. It’s below 0° Centigrade and we notice so in our hands !! All patients were still alive this morning. With every time new food-mixes Joren has succeeded “Emily” isn’t only eating, but even tries to chew !! Today again the weekly meat-cutting-day and the well known “cutting-crew” (Douglas & Janice, Joren & Ineke) has processed 19,395 kilo (for 125,90 Euro; total now this year 73,630 kilo for 478,85 Euro). At 9.05 a.m. we departed for Thermís. At the junction to Achladerí in the midst of the road a bird was sitting and didn’t move > received a “kiss from a car” ?? The ambulance was parked transfer on the road with rotating light and the bird could be caught > see further at CRESTED LARK. Approaching Lámbou Míli the whole Ólympos-mountains could be seen, covered with snow > nice sight from far away. The bird in Paralía Thermís we had in our hands at 10.50 a.m.: 1 foot already had died-off due to fiber; maybe the other can be cured > see further at YELLOW-LEGGED GULL. At 11.45 a.m. a well-known to us was at the door with his hound, which had a very red eye. No “corpora aliena” (strange objects) could be detected. Advised was to buy in the pharmacy some eye-ointment. Further not in the statistics. At a further examination of the Crested Lark we could see some “crumpled” feathers on the left wing > so observation wing-problems left side.

Graphs Week 4

Total amount of visitors this month: 007 (total this year: 0007)

Total amount of patients is now (at least) 167 (updated Jan. 24^th; 8:10 a.m.)

January 24th

Although the temperature is above zero, the chill-factor is telling something else !! In the Sick-Bay all were still alive; even the Lapwing. The Hedgehogs had eaten well last night. Last night and today it’s fastening again for our bigger patients. The Hawfinch (06-038; March 21^st 2006) is reaching the end of his days: his head is almost completely bold and the left eye was closed > this was opened carefully and Cavasan-cream was used. Did we notice yesterday in the Aviary a Collared Dove with a strange spot/bulb on it’s back, today we could catch him/her and examine. Seeing the colored foot-rings the bird was already here before 2004. Showed having a huge tumor/abscess on the back. So taken-in for further treatment; see further at COLLARED DOVE. On several water-bowls in the aviaries in the open air we had to remove almost 1 cm thick ice !! A piece of penetrating bone had to be removed from the wing of the Buzzard; the surroundings of the injury were cleaned from clogged feathers and dirt. Joren will enlarge his capacities by making a demo-clip about the L.W.H. In both terrariums we have the floor-heating now as well on during the night; special the babies were starting to slowly without this !!

Greek News

Nafpaktos quake

A strong earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck near the town of Náfpaktos, northeast of Pátras, at 3 a.m. yesterday morning. There were no reports of any injuries or damage but the quake shocked residents, many of whom rushed out into the streets. Schools in Náfpaktos were closed for the day to allow for structural inspections to be carried out on buildings. (see as well January 19^th).

January 23rd

Luckily all snow had disappeared from the streets (but still present on wood), but that made the gangway on top of “The Keep” quite slippery !! At 8.30 a.m. it was outside only + 1,5° Centigrade !! The splint could be removed from the leg of the shot Pigeon. The whole morning it continued snowing: very fine flakes. At 11.22 a.m. there were people at our doorstep, who had found in Vaterá (and that’s lousy far away from here)!!) an injured bird, which was bleeding severely. See further at Northern Lapwing. At 12.30 p.m. the Table-mount couldn’t be seen anymore due to the falling snow !! After 3 p.m. it had stopped snowing.

January 22nd

An ice-cold wind is coming from the north and it’s pouring with rain; so those of us who had to do jobs outside had numb hands !! No so strange they’re predicting snow for the week-end. “Emily” had endured well the surgery. Now only trying to get food and fluid in her. In spite of the bad weather the Hedgehogs had eaten well; only all cat-biscuits were spoiled by the rain. At 8.17 a.m. arrived the little cat “Mouslet” from Kallonís: was indeed a little one, so borne the right name. And the color was fitting as well. In exactly 27 minutes was taken away from her the chance to enlarge the cat-population in that village > so see further at CAT. We have an orange weather-alert due to expected thunderstorms, stormy winds and snow . . .

In any case it’s pouring with rain from the time we woke-up (4.40 a.m.) !! We could remove the hanging cast from the wing of the shot Pigeon; the splint around the leg will still remain for a day or so. The wing of the Buzzard is stinking quite badly > so we started with Dermisol-solvens. The immense hole in the wing of the Pale Barn Owl, where we removed yesterday that dead piece of humerus, has closes completely within 24 hours. With endless patience and an own fluid mixture of food Joren has succeeded in letting “Emily” eat . . . . so HOMAGE !! We have given 2 Barn Owls a colored foot-ring to recognize them better and because they are lodged now together with the other ones in the Sick-Bay. The one, mentioned as “White Barn Owl” (09-216; December 5^th) will be named now Purple Barn Owl, while the “new Pale Barn Owl” will be named Blue Barn Owl. The little cat “Mouslet” was taken back at 11.40 a.m., and thereafter we (at last) could take back-in the completely “drowned” Long-legged Buzzard “Granny”. The same had to be done with our blind Rook, the “Down-syndrome Jackdaw” and the nest-misfit Hooded Crow.

At 7.47 p.m. suddenly all electricity on the whole island disappeared > so no central heating anymore, handsfree phones which didn’t work anymore (but the phone-bell which is connected to the phone-net was of course working and of course they phoned us . . . . !!), computers which were completely dead and so on. Only at 8.10 we had light and heating again. Fifty minutes later Joren came back to tell (and show) us the first snow was falling and at 9.15 p.m. we had to take the doggies out in a howling blizzard !!

Greek News

Cephalonia quake

An undersea quake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale occurred shortly before noon yesterday off the coast of Cephalonia, in the Ionian Sea. The quake was felt on several of the neighboring islands but no injuries or damage were reported.

Turkish military: ‘No plot’

ANKARA – Turkey’s military denied yesterday the army had plotted to provoke Greek fighter jets into shooting down a Turkish military jet and said a newspaper report about such a plan had only served to heighten anxieties.

The daily Taraf said the intention of the alleged plot, one of several reported in Turkish media in recent months that have added to strains between the secularist military and the government, was to discredit the Islamist-rooted government. It said the plot also had called for the army to plant bombs in mosques and museums in Istanbul to stir chaos. “It is our view that commenting on these allegations by taking them seriously and creating information pollution will only serve the aims of those trying to create anxiety within our society,” the military General Staff said on its website.

Taraf, which said it had obtained 5,000 pages of documents and tapes, said the alleged “Sledgehammer” plan was designed to portray the ruling Justice and Development Party as unable to protect the public and to justify an army takeover in 2003.

The military said documents quoted by the paper were part of a military training seminar but were never meant to be carried out and were not part of a conspiracy. (and you believe this ?? > note L.W.H.)

The government has not commented on the report, which was published in a series appearing on Wednesday and yesterday.

Investors are becoming increasingly concerned about the potential for instability in a country where the military has ousted four governments in 50 years and which is now bidding for European Union membership, although markets yesterday did not to react to news of the latest alleged plot.

The military, which has seen its once-formidable influence in public life wane as a result of EU-inspired reforms, has described documents backing similar stories in the past as fake, and says there is a smear campaign afoot.

Greek News

Turkish daily alleges plot to provoke Greece

A report in Taraf, a small-circulation Turkish liberal daily newspaper, yesterday described an alleged plot hatched in 2003 by military authorities in Turkey to create tensions with Greece by staging the shooting of a Turkish fighter jet.

According to the report, military officials had planned to intensify tensions with Greece in the Aegean as well as in the northern region of Thrace, which has a sizable Muslim community, and had aimed to topple the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and impose martial law.

Greek government officials did not comment on the report yesterday. In Ankara, meanwhile, Turkish government spokesman Cemil Cicek was quoted as saying that it would be wrong to make an assessment before the report’s claims are further investigated.

January 21st

All patients were still alive in the Sick-Bay. “Moritz” had eaten well and as well used the litter-box; however “Emily” hadn’t yet reached this stage. The Hedgehogs had again eaten well. The weather-forecast for next Saturday and Sunday is sleet, followed by snow . . . . !! Meanwhile “Emily” had piddled on the litter-box. Two huge holes in the left rear-leg of the Spurr-tighed Tortoise (09-194; October 24^th) could be made smaller in any case with the help of some stitches; furthermore the lag was taped with Sporttape. At a further examination of the mouth of “Emily” it showed that indeed both lower canines should be shortened. Most probably we know from where “Earl Grey” had those burned spots (see January 19^th): he is hiding under the plastic covering of the Central-Heating-oven and is touching the observations-glass with his back. When the fire inside starts burning, this part becomes red-hot !! From the wing of the White Barn Owl (09-216; December 5^th) we could remove ± 1½ cm of dead bone (lower part of the humerus until the elbow). And we have escaped this nicely 7 years ago:

Because “Emily” hadn’t eaten the whole day, we have “let her sleep” for a while just after 4.30 p.m. and we had all materials ready and present to shorten the lower canines quite a bit. After having removed dental-plaque we have shortened first a bit the lower canines and thereafter it showed the symphysis of the mandible was completely not-connected. With the help of iron stitches we could place both pieces again on their right place. Now it’s hoping for the best.

January 20th

All patients were still alive this morning and we could only with lots of troubles keep the little Tom-Cat “Douglas” sober for his castration later in the morning. Except from the cat-biscuits nothing was left over in the cage of the Hedgehogs from the offered pallas-food and pears. At 8.11 a.m. “Douglas” (09-183; September 29^th) got his injection to be relieved thereafter by Joren from 2 parts, in the future not necessary anymore > see further at TOM CAT. At 9.55 a.m. arrived the car from the Shelter in Skála Eressoú, with on board not one, but two cats . . . . !! The first was the announced Tom Cat “Moritz” where indeed the left eye should be removed; however the right eye has a troubled spot, so we’ll start first treating both eyes with CAVASAN-cream, before we’ll perform the extirpation. See further at TOM CAT. The 2^nd was the Cat “Emily”, which was overrun last year with as a result a smashed right cheekbone (with the loss of the right eye) and as well the maxilla as the mandible had been fractured on several spots. According to the story the lower canines were growing and penetrating now into the upper lip. First we’ll start now with an “umbrella” of antibiotics to get the pussy injuries in the a bit more quiet before we can think about extraction of some elements. As well some stitches still could be present. See further at CAT. “Máska” went back to Kallonís at 10 a.m. and will never become a stray anymore. We started the treatment with CAVASAN-cream for the left eye of the Snow-white Pale Barn Owl, because it was very thick and swollen. Next Friday a stray cat from Kallonís will arrive, loving taken-in by our board-member Médie, to be “de-mothered”.

Greek News

Fokida quake

Tremor of 5.2 rattles locals

A strong earthquake, measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale, struck Efpálio in the central prefecture of Fokída yesterday shortly before 6 p.m., causing minor damage but no injuries. The quake shook nearby Pátra and Náfpaktos while it was also felt in Attica. (see as well January 23^rd)

January 19th

All patients in the Sick-Bay were still alive at 4.45 a.m. The yesterday taken-in Pigeon showed to be shot indeed: at least one in-and-out shot-hole was discovered in the right hand-part.

We could finish the selection of all materials we have received yesterday. During the storage of those materials quite a lot of materials in our storage became over-complete. All that was put in the same box, and the box is now as full as it arrived . . . . !! The box will be given to the Shelter in Skála Eressoú. Our outdoor-cat “Earl Grey” was seen just before the siesta with several great spots on his back, close to the tail which were burnt with life fire !! The reason ?? In the siesta the whole sandbox was painted on the outside with new, wood-protecting gray paint > so a luck there exist young people who don’t need a “beauty-nap” !!

January 18th

we are busy looking in the Internet to buy a sterilizator for our instruments. The Hedgehogs had eaten quite well. All nocturnal birds-of prey, with only the Eagle-owls as an exception, had recuperated well from their fasting and eaten well. We had to stitch again the injury in the upper arm of the Buzzard, after shortening first a bit a penetrating piece of bone. After deliberations together we have decided to buy for 85 Euro an autoclave. Today again the weekly meat-cutting-day and in total 18,215 kilo (for 120,92 Euro; total now this year 54,235 kilo for 352,95 Euro) was processed, which was done by Douglas & Janice and Joren & Ineke. At 10.25 a.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne from the new Animal-Lovers Society “Kivotós” about a pigeon with leg-problems > will be sent by the 11 o’clock-coach. After first having collected at the post-office a parcel very useful materials from the “Foundation for Animal Help” and the “Foundation Animal Help Crete” in Holland, we went “down-wards” to pick-up the Pigeon. On our way back we could see the first blossoming wild Anemone !! The Pigeon we had in our possession at 11.53 a.m. > was quite “damaged”. See further at PIGEON. At 5.55 p.m. a phone-call from the Shelter in Skála Eressoú: “Máska” will be taken-back the day after tomorrow, but with the same “shipment” a little cat will be brought where an eye should be removed.

Graphs Week 3

Total amount of visitors this month: 007 (total this year: 0007)

Total amount of patients is now (at least) 164 (updated Jan. 16^th; 11:30 a.m.)

January 17th

All patients were still alive at 4.45 a.m. !! We started carefully feeding the Buzzard some more coarse food. The Hedgehogs had eaten even better than yesterday-morning. We could remove a shot-pellet from the fore-head of the Buzzard, at the top of the Cere (Operculum), which confirmed positively the intake-diagnosis. Some dead tissue could be removed from the injury of the Pale Barn Owl > the injury is closing well. A skin-penetrating piece of dead bone could be removed from the humerus of the (new) Dark Barn Owl, so the skin can grow over the injury. “Máska’s” injury is looking more and more fine. Was until 11.45 a.m. the Buzzard seen only laying on his belly, thereafter he was sitting on his heels and at 3.25 p.m. he was standing on both legs > so a good omen !!

January 16th

The Hedgehogs have been very busy collecting and dragging grass-sods to their nest. At 10.10 a.m. a phone-call from Plomári with the question “if we were those ecologists, because they had found a “geráki” with a broken wing” and they didn’t dare to catch it. So we went in that direction: quite a lot of rocks on the roads and boughs, but as well a Prunus-like which had gently started blossoming . . . . !! At the agreed meeting-point a really “impressive woman” was waiting for us, and she should guide us to the place where the bird was. This showed to be high above Plomári; next to the church-yard. We could catch at 11.27 a.m. (without gloves) the bird (a Buzzard) and so we were guided again out of the village (alone we never had found the right road, in all those meandering shit-alleys !!). During catching the bird we had noticed already the bird had been shot (blood in the mouth) and that the right wing could be named a “really mess” > several open fractures. So see further at BUZZARD.

Tonight and to-morrow-morning the bigger birds-of-prey and the fox have their weekly fastening. In the evening at 9.30 p.m. the Buzzard was still alive.

Greek News

Fake-priests rob tax-collector’s office

ATHENS – Two thieves, dressed as orthodox priests have robbed a tax-collector’s office on the Greek tourist-island of Zakynthos. This was reported by a radio-station in Greece on Friday.

“When the priests entered we made place out of courtesy. Then we saw the pistols,” according to an eye-witness. The thieves fled on a motor-bike.

“It was an unbelievable spectacle. The priest-robes were waving in the air and everyone was flabbergasted.”

The fake-priests seized some thousands of Euros.

January 15th

the Hedgehogs had eaten well and as well “transformed a bit” their cage. At 7.47 a.m. we have tried to release the Song Thrush > however without success, because indeed flying was impossible !! Today arrived from Holland a shipment “cloth clamps” (10 pieces) to complete our surgery-sets > the envelope needed 32 days to arrive over here !! With a lot of problems we could continue with the electricity in the House-next-door: in the room for trainees a 2^nd bedlight was put in. And while normally speaking the outdoor-cats “Poekie” and “Vriendje” (= “Buddy”) can drink each other’s blood, this morning they were spotted laying against each other (but just not yet in each other’s arms) sleeping on an old military sleeping-bag on a chair in our courtyard. And such cases of course only can happen in Greece, where people still have to go to the tax-office to pay, and where one is showing an excessive politeness for the “clergy-men”.

January 14th

All nocturnals had eaten well and in the Sick-Bay all patients were still alive as well. Forced by Back Pain no extra work could be done today by the two male members of our crew. Towards 1 p.m. we could receive two Greek visitors: 1 from our former village (Loutrópolis Thermís) and the other from Plomári. During the tour-about we noticed that the Eleonora’s Falcon (08-091; June 14^th from Límnos), where some “bastard” had clipped all the flight-feathers before intake, at last is growing new rectrices !! If this will continue we can at last think about a release in next March.

January 13th

All patients were still alive early this morning and the Song Thrush is becoming more and more lively. The Hedgehogs had eaten, in spite of the bad weather of last night and the changed interior of their cage, eaten reasonably. We think we should release the green Sparrowhawk, in spite of the fact she is not “on weight” and is vomiting most of the given food. The risk she is shot again we should take into the bargain, because otherwise she is starving herself over here.

Release:

at 7.56 a.m. we have released well at the land-fill the green Sparrowhawk (10-005; January 5^th ’10) > was flying straight out of the bench to land on a branch. After we had dumped the two huge sacks with sand, we had swept yesterday, and passed by her roost she was flying away low over the fields.

Meanwhile we have heard from the Shelter in Skála Eressoú that the eye of “Ollie” is very slowly closing completely. At 10.30 a.m. the whole stock of sand was transferred from the street to the new sandbox in the courtyard of the House-next-door. On forehand we had taken 4 buckets of dry sand for immediately using in the days to come. After almost 8 years the street was completely empty again.

January 12th

We received the message from Holland that the yesterday taken-in Song Thrush is a male, and he was still alive early this morning as well. The left wing is hanging lesser, showed later in the morning. We could remove some dead tissue from the, now closing well, wing injury of the Pale Barn Owl (09-216; December 5^th). After we had made the wood of the sandbox a bit moisture-free with the help of a gas-burner, Joren has started covering as well the inside as the outside with a protecting layer of grey primer. At 11.25 a.m. there was a complete black-out for the whole island, which lasted until 12.20 p.m. We used this opportunity to remove carefully all the grass, which meanwhile had appeared on the sand, and to plant this in the cage of the Hedgehogs, hoping it will grow over there as well. The whole street until our sand-reserve was cleaned from, gathered over there in 8 years, sand and weeds, which was finished at 11.45 a.m. Two huge sacks, hardly bearable, was the result. For the reserve of pebbles was created a new storage. Hereafter we have transferred the green Sparrowhawk to “The Keep” for some practices; the leg-fracture is healed meanwhile.

January 11th

the nocturnals, which had their fastening yesterday, had all eaten well. So as well the Hedgehogs. At 8.15 a.m. first the hail-stones hit our heads, followed by rain during which a double rainbow could be seen; we wonder how this is reconciling with Genesis 9:13 and what follows ?? At 9.15 a.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a brown birdie, bigger than a sparrow but smaller than a pigeon, with which something should be wrong. Will be brought in between 3 and 3.30 p.m. Today again the weekly meat-cutting-day (and in default of Douglas & Janice) Ineke & Joren had to process 16,395 kilo (for 103,30 Euro; total now this year 36,020 kilo for 232,03 Euro). At 10.20 a.m. the sandbox was complete ready; including the filling with concrete from the chinks in between the unequal bottom ant the equal wood. The painting (grey) of the sandbox on the outside will happen when the wood is dryer. Meanwhile the gravel is brought from the street to the court-yard from the House-next-door as well; only a partition still must be made. We had to start treating in interior of the beak of the green Sparrowhawk with Pyralvex > has the same strange “yellow corns” as the red one had in the past as well and that had healed completely. The scabs are falling down now of itself from the ear-injury of “Máska”; when this continues he can go back the end of this week. The announced brown birdie was here at 3.46 p.m.: was a SONG THRUSH, which had a hanging left wing but, in spite of that, was quite “fly-fast”. So see over there. Both women, who brought the bird, were showed around as well.