LAGRANGE — Drivers on the Taconic State Parkway have been slowed final weekend by an uncommon winged pedestrian.
On Sept. 14, a state Division of Transportation freeway upkeep crew was eradicating brush from the aspect of the Parkway within the city of LaGrange after they seen southbound site visitors slowing down and backing up. The offender was an injured hawk strolling alongside the open left driving lane, mentioned Ryan Wilson, a DOT freeway upkeep supervisor and a part of the crew that rescued the raptor.
When the crew approached the hen, they noticed automobiles driving round it. The hawk didn’t attempt to fly away however simply stared at them, Wilson mentioned.
“He was strolling prefer it was a Saturday stroll down the parkway,” he mentioned.
The crew directed the hawk to the shoulder and out of hurt’s approach and contacted the Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, which instructed them to cowl the hawk with a blanket or a sweatshirt till a rescuer arrived quarter-hour later.
Whereas the hawk didn’t attempt to fend off its rescuers, “all people was a little bit frightened of it,” Wilson admitted.
The hawk was delivered to the sanctuary, the place it was decided to be a younger feminine red-tailed hawk not more than 2 years outdated and weighing about 1 pound. The analysis? A concussion, based on Celeste Wiltse, founder and director of Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. Aside from the top harm, the hen was in superb situation and “was really perching on the (DOT’s) truck once we obtained there,” Wiltse mentioned.
Wiltse mentioned the hen most likely was brushed by a automobile when chasing one thing to eat. When an animal is discovered alongside the street and being pleasant or not reacting to human interactions, that’s an indication that one thing is flawed, Wiltse mentioned, including that their eyes might be dilated and unable to focus.
The hawk spent three days on the Poughkeepsie sanctuary and has since been delivered to Peter Corey, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in New Paltz. To date, she’s doing very nicely, consuming six mice a day, and can probably be launched within the subsequent week, Wiltse mentioned.
The DOT is just not new to animal rescue operations. Each day, the Hopewell Junction crew finds wildlife on the Taconic State Parkway, together with turtles that need assistance crossing the street, deserted fawns and home animals like canine — though this was their first time rescuing a hawk, Wilson mentioned.
“It was very, very attention-grabbing,” Wilson mentioned. “The hawk is lots lighter than you suppose it might be.”
If individuals discover an injured wild animal on the aspect of the street, Wilson recommends not stopping and placing your self in peril, however calling State Police or a wildlife rehabilitator. The state Division of Environmental Conservation additionally advises calling one among its regional wildlife places of work.
“I had her for 3 days and she or he was wanting actually good,” Wiltse mentioned. “I used to be 100% certain she was going to be launched and have a really profitable launch and good life.”
This article by Maria M. Silva was first printed by Instances Union on 20 September 2024. Lead Picture: A state Division of Transportation cleansing crew in Dutchess County discovered an injured hawk strolling alongside the Taconic State Parkway on Sept. 14. Offered by DOT.
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