Past Releases

Past Wildlife Releases

February 4, 2006: Peregrine Falcon Release on Sauvie Island

Nearly 100 people had the opportunity to watch a hatch-year, female peregrine set free on Sauvie Island on February 4, 2006. The falcon was found with a broken wing on Columbia Blvd in November of 2005. She spent nearly three months at the Care Center recovering from her injuries. Peregrine falcons are still listed as endangered under the State of Oregon Endangered Species Act. The peregrine is the fastest species on earth. This falcon is unlikely to breed for at least another season. It is likely that she was just wintering in the Portland area rather than coming from a local nest site, as she was unbanded at the time of intake and Portland Audubon bands the young at all known peregrine nest sites in and around Portland. We did band her prior to setting her free.

February 11, 2006: Bald Eagle Release at Lewis and Clark State Park near Chehalis, Washington

On February 11, 2006, 75 people gathered at Lewis and Clark State Park in Washington to was an adult bald eagle get released back to the wild. The eagle was found by a hiker in the park on December 23 on the ground unable to fly. The eagle was captured by State Park and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Staff and was immediately transferred to the Ocean Beach Veterinary Clinic for stabilization.  It was transferred the following day to Portland Audubon for care and treatment. The cause of injury remains unknown (possibly a territorial dispute with another eagle.) She was diagnosed as suffering from a soft tissue injury to her right wing and a wound on the back of her head. She was contained in a small cage for nearly a month to allow her wing time to heal and then was transferred to a 100-foot long flight cage to regain her strength. She was believed to have made a near 100% recovery and weighted 13 ½ pounds at the time of release. It is unknown whether she was a winter migrant passing through or whether she might have a nest nearby. She was banded prior to release. Bald Eagles are still listed as Threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act.

September 23, 2005: Four Barn Owls released at Kelly Point Park

The Wildlife Care Center released four young barn owls back into the wild.  These four barn owls came in separately with various injuries that main it impossible to be returned back to their parents. After recovering from their injuries they were placed in a large flight cage to practice flying and hunting to prepare for life in the wild.

August 9, 2005: Three Barn Owls released in Wilsonville

Three of the young Barn Owls raised at the Wildlife Care Center were released at Pacific Meadows Equestrian Center in Wilsonville.

August 6, 2005: Three American Kestrels released at Blue Lake

Three rehabilitated American Kestrels were released at the US Fish and Wildlife Lewis and Clark Exhibit at Blue Lake Regional Park.   

August 4, 2005: Six Barn Owls released at Metro’s Cooper Mountain

Six rehabilitated barn owls were released Metro’s Cooper Mountain Natural Area.  Metro staff were on site to give a brief presentation on Cooper Mountain prior to the release. Cooper Mountain N.A. was purchased by Metro Regional Parks and Greenspaces with funds from the 1995 Open Spaces bond measure.  The land is a mixture of open prairie, oak woodlands, meadows, and re-generating forest.  The area is one of the richest in plant diversity in our region. The diverse habitat types are currently being restored toward former natural conditions.  A master plan is being completed that will guide future uses for the site including public access. 

July 28, 2005: Six Barn Owls released at Gotter Prairie

Six young Barn Owls were released at Metro’s Gotter Prairie in front of forty onlookers.  This year alone the Wildlife Care Center has raised over 40 young Barn Owls!

June 30, 2005: Six Barn Owls released in Wilsonville

Six young Barn Owls were released near the CREST Environmental Center.  These six barn owls came from a nest in a bale of hay.  The nest was discovered after being shipped to Oregon.  They were raised at the Wildlife Care Center since their original nest site could not be found.

June 11, 2005: Four Barn Owls released on Sauvie Island

Four of the young Barn Owls that were raised at the Wildlife Care Center this year were released at the Wapato Access Area on Sauvie Island. 

June 9, 2005: Six Barn Owls released at Jackson Bottom Wetland Preserve

Over a hundred and fifty people gathered at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve to watch these six young barn owls be released back into the wild. 

February 11, 2005: Peregrine Falcon Released at Grand Ronde

Several members of the Grand Ronde Tribe were in attendance as a rehabilitated peregrine falcon was set free. The falcon was discovered in December at the Grand Ronde Elementary School after it ran into a fence while chasing a goose. The falcon was originally transferred to the McMinnville Veterinary Clinic. The clinic did an excellent job stabilizing and setting a fractured wing. The falcon was subsequently transferred to the Audubon Wildlife Care Center where physical therapy was performed on the wing and the bird was eventually restored to flight condition. To read an article on the release published in Smoke Signals, go to the following web link.

February 5, 2005: Sharp-shinned Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk Released at Sauvie Island Raptor Road Trip

Bob Sallinger, Urban Conservation Director for Audubon Society of Portland, released this Sharp-shinned Hawk which had flew into a window in Hillsboro. The Red-tailed Hawk was found in Northeast Portland where it had probably been hit by a car.

January 19, 2005: Red-tailed Hawk Released

This Red-tailed Hawk was released near the Humane Society for Southwest Washington by Keri Caporale, Humane Education Coordinator for the shelter who helped transport the hawk to the Audubon Wildlife Care Center. The hawk was injured after being hit by a car late November.

November 10, 2004: Red Tailed Hawk Released

This Red-tailed Hawk had become caught up in netting and suffered injuries to one of his feet. He made a complete recovery and was released by Rita Stacey back to where he was found at Helvetia Vineyards in Portland (Photos: ©Roxanne Jehan).

July 20, 2004: Release of Five Western-Screech Owls

A large crowd of 150 people met at Audubon Society of Portland's sanctuary to see the release for five Western-screech owls at Portland Park's Adams Community Garden. These five owls were raised at the Wildlife Care Center. One of these young owls was injured after being caught by a cat; three others were taken mistakenly out of the wild from their parents. (photos: © ASOP.)

July 18, 2004: Release of Four Barn Owls

At Metro's Howell Territorial Park on Sauvie Island thirty people were able to watch four orphaned barn owls be released. Two of these young owls were mistakenly taken out of the wild from their parents during their normal fledgling development. All four were raised at the Wildlife Care Center. 

July 14, 2004: Release of Six Barn Owls

Six orphaned barn owls raised at Audubon Society of Portland's Wildlife Care Center were released at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. These six barn owls were orphaned when they were inadvertently driven from California to Oregon in a bale of hay. Over 70 people were able to gather on the viewing platform at Jackson Bottom Wetlands to view their first flight into the wild. (photos: ©Jeff Mourich.)

April 11, 2004: Bald Eagle Release

Audubon Society of Portland's Wildlife Care Center was able to treat this adult bald eagle that was found on Sauvie Island and was most likely hit by a car. He suffered an injury to his right wing and was rehabilitated at the Care Center for almost three months. He was released on April 11th, back to where he came from on Sauvie Island. Fifty Care Center volunteers and supporters gathered to cheer on his return to the skies. Bald eagles are listed as "threatened" under the Federal Endangered Species Act. (photos: Danni Duggan.)

March 14, 2004: Juvenile Bald Eagle Release

This juvenile bald eagle was found in an open field across from Smith and Bybee Lakes. Employees at the Nordstrom Warehouse saw her standing in the field apparently unable to fly and contacted Audubon. At the time of her capture she was coughing up large amounts of blood caused from an apparent impact injury. Most likely she was driven to the ground in a territorial dispute with another eagle. Dr. Marli Lintner and Audubon staff treated her late into the night at the Avian Medical Center. She was transferred to Audubon the following morning where she continued her recuperation. On March 14th at Kelly Point Park a crowd of 100 people were able to witness her release back into the wild. (photos: ©Janet Loughrey.)