A NATURAL MYSTERY
by KATE BALDWIN
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'The Formations' touches on the problem of lead poisoning in birds of prey. Over 40% of bald eagles have some level of lead poisoning, and it's the single most common reason for eagles to come under the care of rehabilitators. But I hadn't even heard of this problem before I met wildlife rehabbers. The birds eat the carcasses of deer with lead shot/particles or fish with swallowed sinkers. The pieces of lead stay in the bird's gizzard and slowly poison them. The neurological effects of lead poisoning make the birds behave erratically, and then they get into trouble like flying into cars, etc.![]()
The good news about this problem is that we can 100% solve it: Non-lead ammunition/tackle has been developed and perfected such that the price is comparable.![]()
However, this is definitely an example of a situation that requires regulatory intervention because the individual buying the lead doesn't face the negative consequences (so the free market needs help). Many states have banned the sale of lead ammunition and tackle, but not Wisconsin, yet. More info on lead ammunition: huntingwithnonlead.org/![]()
Each year, the spring WI DNR has a citizen survey that often includes a question about lead. I'll be sure to post more about this year's survey in April so that you can make your voice heard.![]()
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For 'The Formations', I borrowed the likeness of my friend Elena Rizzo, a rehabber in upstate New York. (Forgive my creative license since the original photo is Elena releasing an owl.) Elena works for Animal Help Now, a website/app for North Americans who have found an animal in need of help. It's a good page to bookmark in case a sick eagle ever crosses YOUR path: ahnow.org/
'The Formations' is featured in my Graduate Program's Alumni Newsletter. uwmadison.box.com/s/n1qapc5ghr7py6g8tckoowf7we3w3ycu (page 21)
Tree Frogs are obsessed with narrow tube-like openings. They need small cavities to sleep in during the day. When we had our screened porch built, the corrugated roof was affixed in such a way as to create a row of tunnels that lead into the porch. The result was that every morning we would find a couple tree frogs trapped in there. I bought some meal worms at the pet store and found it was very easy to feed treefrogs. They are frighteningly voracious eaters and will lunge at anything that moves. After a meal, I would escort them out of the screened porch. Once I figured out that they were so drawn to long tubes, I was able to block the openings so that they would no longer get trapped in there.![]()
Read more about the biology of Tree Frogs in TheFormationsMystery.com
