HARDWICK – An injured bald eagle was discovered near the Hardwick Lake area earlier this week. A concerned citizen, Jana Smart of Craftsbury, called the game warden as well as the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) center for wild bird rehab in White River Junction.
photo by Jana Smart
The bird, unable to fly due to injury, was successfully taken into the expert care of VINS. While the source of the injuries remain unclear, VINS Director of Wild Bird Rehabilitation Bren Lundborg provided an update on the eagle’s condition; “Based on the injuries and where it was found, we suspect it was hit by a car. It’s probably a male bird, and is an adult that is part of an active breeding pair: it has what is called a brood patch which some birds develop during nesting season. One of our volunteers has told us they think it’s part of a pair that nests in the area. Physical exam and x-rays showed that it has internal trauma, and possibly a spinal or pelvic injury as well. Bloodwork also showed it had a prolonged clotting time, which could be a sign of rodenticide poisoning, but the test is not very exact and can’t confirm whether it has been exposed or not. It is currently being treated in our ICU but due to the severity of the injuries its prognosis remains very guarded at this time.”
When encountering an injured wild bird, contact the Wild Bird Hotline at (802) 359-5000, ext. 212.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
