[Tweeters] Fishing gear clean-up (Dead owls at Greenlake)

[Kersti Muul]

You may remember -  in December an owl was found hanging from fishing line
from a tree overhanging Greenlake. Unfortunately it died before anyone
could respond. (Jenn Jarstad's post)

On December 30, another owl was reported to me, caught in fishing line. I
went out and found it after it somehow freed itself. It was also out over
the lake. I went into the water around 11PM and captured it. He was injured
and lethargic. He was also banded.
This owl was 15 years old, banded during HY at the Woodland Park Zoo, near
the hornbill exhibit. Recaptured 10 months later, at the Barred Owl exhibit
(visiting friends 😝). Owl was not reported again until I captured again on
Dec 30, 2023.

The owl had really perked up overnight, but still injured - so I took him
in.

This urban owl lived a long life, escaping many dangers (including SGARs -
surprisingly after spending so much time at WPZ) and it saddens me that at
the end, he should be entangled in humans' careless waste. I have responded
to a lot of entangled urban wildlife. It's a bigger issue than a lot of
folks know.

I reached out to the Greenlake community in hopes of  collaborating
cleanups for wildlife. This has been going really well and several groups
are on-board, including the Lincoln Highschool fishing club, the YMCA,
Friends of Greenlake, Parks and Rec and others.

Our first cleanup is this Sunday at 9:30 AM. We have longer term goals but
wanted to get something on the schedule before bud break and it's a lot
harder to see.

Here's a link to register if you're so inclined, thank you:


https://lu.ma/greenlakecleanup

Kersti E. Muul


Urban Conservation & Wildlife Biologist/Specialist - Response and Rescue

Wildlife Field Biologist IV Marbled murrelet forest certified and USFWS
marine certified

Birds Connect
Neighborhood Bird Project Site Leader, Lincoln Park
Climate Watch Coordinator, West Seattle

Animal Care Specialist/Animal & Off the Grid First Aid Certified
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