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.

Graphs Week 2

Total amount of visitors this month: 003 (total this year: 0003)

January 10th

All the bigger birds of prey and the fox have their weekly fastening today. The Hedgehogs had eaten very, very well. In the frame-work of “creating free space” we had to bring the wheel-barrow (in the past bought for the Wildpark) to the landfill. Where that one once stood we will create space for the sand. Did the weather-fore-cast predicted thunderstorms from 11 a.m., they were a bit “too late” this time, because at exactly 10.50 a.m. it broke already. We’ll have a look which birds must be taken-in more early. And at 12.30 p.m. this still hadn’t be the case. Meanwhile we have started already with the constructing of the “sandbox”.

January 9th

The Hedgehogs had eaten very well and one was still out at 6.50 a.m. Going to, and returning from the Agrotikí Stégi in Kallonís where we had to buy food, we saw in the drainage-canal surrounding the Salines indeed dozens of Great- and Little Egrets being busy with foraging. Today “Máska” was evidently in a better mood, because we could inspect the amputation-injury without being scratched-open: there is a nice, dry scab-forming !! Again we could remove some dead tissue from the wing of the Pale Barn Owl (09-216; December 5th ’09). We received 3 Norwegian female visitors, living in Polichnítos. At 12/05 p.m. Douglas & Janice were in our court-yard with in their hands a kitten in quite a bad condition: discovered next to a dust-bin with children around who were “messing” with her. Taking-over her from Janice’s hands the little one bit herself fastened in the left forefinger of one of us, to extend this to the right thumb and forefinger of Joren, who wanted to help . . . . !! With lots of trouble and even more pain we could free ourselves and tried to diagnose her: in any case she was run over by a car or trampled by cows (was smelling of cow-manure), had a urine-bladder-bleeding and a paralyzed abdomen. So see further at KITTEN. Late in the evening the Police came at our door about the problems with our Serbian neighbor (with horses and dogs in the deserted houslet): we now really must remove our stock of sand and pebbles (for the bottoms of several cages and aviaries) from the public street . . . . !! Where we’re going to store it ??

January 8th

For the first time the green Barn Owl had eaten well again !! In the cage of the Hedgehogs almost nothing of the given food was left-over. During the workmeeting the situation of the silver Sparrowhawk (09-228; December 29^th from Ypsilométopo) was looked at and discussed: is still having poultry red mite, the wing is definitively “gone” and the deformed hip-joint is an obstruction for standing straight !! So even as a disabled one can’t be transferred to an aviary. So decided to put her down, which was done at 8.04 a.m. . . . . !! “Máska” showed evidently that she didn’t want to be examined again, so one of us had a throat which was “a bit bloody”.

January 7th

All patients were still alive early this morning. It seems if the green Barn Owl doesn’t believe in it anymore: already three times he had refused to eat or vomited all the given food !! The Hedgehogs had eaten well, and now the low bowl with cat-biscuits is changed again for the higher (and more difficult) bowl, that food was eaten indeed !! We could remove all the stitches from “Máska’s” head and when the scabs have disappeared he can return next week. When we took “Lapje” out of her sleeping-box, she was covered with lots of stinking fluid > came from under the amputation-bandage and had the smell of gangrene !! After having loosened the bandage, the gangrene had already reached the arm-pit, so the prognosis was “infaust” now. We have put her down very gentle and given her a flower for her last journey . . . . !!

January 6th

At 4.50 a.m. all was OK in the Sick-Bay and the new (green) Sparrowhawk was sleeping quietly. The Hedgehogs had eaten quite well. When we called the Police in Mytiléne at 7.45 a.m. to discuss the sending of the bird, it showed the bird had meanwhile . . . . flown away. So a night in custody is causing miracles !! Very carefully we started removing the 1^st stitch from “Máska’s” head, so we’re moving in the right direction. The spot where the removed eye was situated in “Lapje’s” head is nice and quiet > no swellings or things like that. This in contrary with the amputated leg: is thick and warm and she is showing pain during toughing. Started with 1 ampoule Konakion i.m. (to benefit the coagulation) and further more 25 I.U. Depo-Medrate (Corticosteroid). We’ll keep having a sharp eye on the whole situation. We could remove lots of dead tissue and feathers from the wing of the new Dark Barn Owl; just next to the fracture-spot. As well a penetrating piece of bone could be shortened and coagulated. From the wing of the new Pale Barn Owl the bandage is removed and as well the hanging cast. Discovered was why the green Sparrowhawk was so malnourished: was shot (inshot-hole discovered in the left leg [tibia > is fractured]), due to which hunting was possible, but catching a prey was more difficult and eating almost impossible > as a Sparrowhawk one needs 2 legs to eat: 1 to hold firm the prey during the tearing to pieces, and the other to stand on.

Rectification for the Annual Report:

Because the name of our Dutch Bank has changed, the BIC and IBAN have changed as well. Is now:

(Netherlands) INGBANK 3611982, IBAN: NL50INGB0003611982, BIC: INGBNL2A

January 5th

All were still alive at 4.50 a.m. !! during the feeding of the patients the tortoise-shell “Lapje” was looking full interest in our direction . . . . there is a pupil-reflex back in the good eye !! She is very affectionate; has meanwhile eaten, peed and relieved !! The silver Sparrowhawk showed having a penetrating piece of bone, due to which a lot of fluid had leaked. The Hedgehogs had eaten reasonably; only since there is a lower bowl with cat-biscuits that food is hardly touched anymore !! Coming back from bringing birds to their aviaries, our attention was attracted by a moving shade in the street > showed to be a HOUSE SPARROW, hardly capable of flying > so see over there. Because the little Tom-Cat “GerTi” was showing more and more masculine behavior, we have taken away in exactly 9 minutes the reason > see further at TOM CAT. We have shortened the penetrating piece of bone in the wing of the silver Sparrowhawk and the injury closed with 1 U-stitch. Showed having still poultry red mite > PINEX-spray was used again. We could remove again some dead tissue from the wing of the Pale Barn Owl. Has still a splint. “Máska” was treated again with Dermisol-cream; injury is cleaner and cleaner. The this morning taken-in House Sparrow was discovered not alive anymore at 8.48 a.m. The “University of the Aegean” in Mytiléne is busy with a report, for which they needed pictures of the two Lesser White-fronted Geese we had over here in 2001 and 2002 > we could send them those. When in the frame-work of socializing we had the tortoise-shell “Lapje” on our lap, we could detect some strange little lumps behind her right ear > so we could remove 4 hail-pellets from there (and they were situated close to each other > so shot from close range !!) > as if the other misery wasn’t enough for this little lady !! At 6.51 p.m. a phone-call from the big animal-food-trading-company opposite the bird-watching-post on the road towards Mytiléne: in the hall there was a “Geráki”, which had flown into the hall in the morning and which was till present over there. Because tomorrow the shop will be closed (it’s Epiphania = Epiphany), the caller thought it wasn’t wise leaving the bird over there. In the pitch-dark we turned out (on a road which was partly teared up). Very high against a window indeed a small bird of prey was present. The huge doors had to be closed and the two of us, with the assistance of a small cat and running over high-piled-up sacks of maize-meal at last we could force up the bird into a corner (in this case literally) so she could be caught with a . . . . . soft broom at 7.10 p.m. See further at SPARROWHAWK. Body-weight was only 213 gram (i.s.o. 280 – 320). And at 8.18 p.m. still a phone-call from the Police in Mytiléne that they had over there a Collared Dove, injured in a wing > one will try to send the bird tomorrow by coach, but it’s Epiphany, so . . . . ??

Greek News

WEATHER WOES

Strong winds cause transport disruption at sea, in air

Strong winds over the weekend caused disruptions in passenger ferry routes, as most vessels were forced to remain moored at ports. The winds dropped in most regions yesterday, allowing services to resume but there were problems in some areas. A ferry setting sail from the main port of Rhodes struck a pier early yesterday, though no harm came to any of the 80 passengers on board who took a different vessel later in the day. Another passenger ferry that had been en route from the port of Lavrio to Ai Stratis was forced to divert its route due to strong winds in the northern Aegean. Several scheduled flights to Santorini were also canceled due to the weather.

Four migrants drown at sea

Coast guard officials in the northeastern port of Alexandroupolis on Saturday recovered the bodies of four people, all believed to be illegal immigrants.

The first two bodies, those of a young man and woman, were found washed up on a beach near the port. The other two, both men, were found on a beach in nearby Rhodope.

The four drownings came just a few weeks after 10 Afghan migrants drowned off the coast of Lesvos, in the eastern Aegean, when their dinghy foundered on a rocky outcrop. Lesvos, along with Samos, Chios and Leros, receive almost daily boatloads of would-be migrants due to their proximity to the Turkish coast.

The Citizens’ Protection Ministry has pledged to restructure the coast guard this month to better curb a relentless influx of illegal immigrants seeking to enter the country through its land and sea borders, estimated at some 150,000 every year.

January 4th

Last night it hailed quite severe and it’s ice-cold outside. The weather-forecast predicted sleet for today !! After a “fasting day” all animals and birds had eaten quite well and hardly anything was left-over. We have prepared the operating-theatre for the most heavy leg-amputation we could think about > so we’re prepared for everything now. Today the first meat-cutting-day of this year, and in total 19,625 kilo (for 128,73 Euro) had to be processed. This happened by Douglas & Janice and Ineke & Joren. Due to the arrival of the cat we should start earlier with feeding and thereafter Joren must change from one kind of knife to another kind . . . . !!

At 11.05 a.m. the announced cat was here > was quite a young tortoise-shell (pregnant ??), which except from a very gangrenous fracture of the left ulna (just above the wrist-joint), had a completely destroyed right eye. We had to amputate the front-leg at the elbow and the eye had to be removed. And that someone, who is working over here, shouldn’t be knocked sideways at all, is proved by the request to the assisting Joren “Please, stick the coagulator for a moment in that eye” . . . . rarely such a flabbergasted face was seen. But it worked out !! See for the pictures in the monthly report at TORTOISE-SHELL. At 2.30 p.m. we discovered that the pupil of the remnant eye is light-stiff . . . . !! And that means that she is completely blind !! If she makes it and can adopt, she can stay over here and will be “baptized” (not quite original by the way) “Lapje” (= Tortoise-shell). At 3.50 was our fat village-páppas with two bone-thin daughters at our doorstep with their pet: doggie had a thick left front-paw. Doggie was a bit bite-happy, but in spite of that we could diagnose a sprained paw. So rest was advised and staying indoors. Under no circumstances the doggie should look like his boss, but neither as well like the two daughters . . . . !! Further not in the statistics. At 4.18 p.m. a phone-call out of Kaló Limáni, that one had over there a “Koukouvágia” (owl, or to be exact: Little Owl) with a broken wing. Was a quite rare species, they had never seen before > so probably a Barn Owl. Agreed we’ll ride early tomorrow-morning. At 6.36 p.m. again a call: they were leaving now with the bird. Bird arrived here at 5.47 p.m. > see further (indeed) at DARK BARN OWL.

Graphs Week 1

January 3rd

No victims this morning. The Hedgehogs had eaten reasonably. We have opened the Great Egret, which died yesterday, to know if it has been a male or a female: showed to have been a female, which was really bloated. As cause of death “starvation” can’t be named evidently, and the suicide is herewith confirmed. At 12.17 p.m. a phone-call from the Shelter in Skála Eressoú about a cat which (how long ago ??) was run over and where most probably a leg must be amputated. They are leaving tomorrow at 10 a.m. from there in this direction.

January 2nd

No victims this morning, but the Great Egret is still vomiting (almost) all the given food !! Changing the bandage it showed the injury is still nice dry; if he/she survives there can be a release in a couple of days in the Salines !! The last discovered injury in the wing of the silver Sparrowhawk is leaking still a bit; the injury on top of the wing is dry. The Pale Barn Owl’s injury is improving, but as far as we can diagnose now it will remain a pseudo-arthrosis. “Máska’s” injury is improving; remains dry and there is a good scab-forming. At 1.20 p.m. the Great Egret was discovered laying on it’s side in the bath in the aviary; had probably tried committing suicide !! Wasn’t yet “completely dead” . . . . !! This was indeed the case at 2.40 p.m.

January 1st

All our patients (we suppose our White Pelican in Skála Kallonís as well) have survived the turn of the year well. For us it was a short night, because New Year or not, we had to rise at 4.45 a.m. !! The Hedgehogs had eaten well and the male (09-075; June 8^th ’09) had allowed us to take a picture of him last night. From today our reporting (and so as well our own archives) will be presented in a new way. The amputation-injury of the ex-Tom Cat “Máska” is real quiet at the moment. We have discovered in any case one reason why the silver Sparrowhawk (09-228; December 29^th) has a hanging right leg (there is indeed force in that leg !!): the whole leg is one blue-greenish hemorrhage !! The injured in both rear-legs Spurr-tighed Tortoise “Stoffel” (09-194; October 17^th ’09) was measured the last time December 19^th: was at that moment 1747 gram. Was this morning 1787 (+40) gram. We’re not going to make a separate column in the graphics; he is measured not so often therefore. Taking back the red Sparrowhawk from the falcon-aviary to be fed, we saw from the Great Egret only two legs pointing into the air > had hided himself behind the water-basin in the cage. Bad omen ?? Looking for a shelter to die ?? Didn’t repeat that luckily the same day. At the evening-feeding-round at 4 p.m. we could see the silver Sparrowhawk trying to stand straight !! Late the same evening we could take some pictures of the female Hedgehog, but this was only possible because she, trying to reach the cat-biscuits, had tumbled down and couldn’t get straight anymore. Joren has helped her and advised using a lower bowl for this food.