Flipping the Bird: A Heartwarming Owl Rescue
‘Flip the Bird’ recuperating after an injury left it grounded by Dry Hollow
Back in September of 2021, Nick Freeman wasn’t expecting to find an owl. Let alone capture, rescue, and release it five months later.
Nick found a Grey Horned Owl with a broken wing fluttering around one September evening in an orchard near his property on Dry Hollow Road. Calls to both Oregon State Police and local TD Police were to no avail.
Thankfully, the dispatcher for Wasco County Sheriff told Nick a different story: “Let me make a few calls - hang on & I’ll call right back”
She did. With a ‘catch’.
The Wasco County Sheriff’s dispatcher told Nick that if he could catch the owl, she had found a place that would rescue it.
Armed with a box, blanket, and some welding gloves, Nick went in to capture the poor bird before some other critter could claim it as their dinner.
In his words, there were some sketchy moments, but they were able to catch it and put it in the box.
Judging by where ‘Flip the Owl’ (we’ll get into that name later) was & the time of day, it was established that the bird was most likely injured the night before.
It had been sitting around all day without flight. Nick definitely came at the right time to save it before a fox, cougar, coyote (or a person) came for the owl.
Original X-ray showing the extent of Flip’s injuries
Nick wasn’t any stranger to this owl being in his neighborhood, he even thinks that gave him an edge during the capture.
”He would hang out in a tree next to my driveway and screech like a Pterodactyl. On more than one occasion I’d be woken up by my dog freaking out - This owl would be sitting on the ground just outside of my dog’s reach.”
Once ‘Flip’ was turned into Rowena Wildlife Clinic’s care, Nick received monthly updates via text and phone.
”I was blown away. They are REALLY good people.”
After all, he was connected to the bird.
”Maybe it’s my spirit animal” he chuckled during an interview regarding the details of this amazing catch-and-release.
Ruminating on his time in the military (Cavalry Reconnaissance Scout / Infantry - started his tour when Saddam Hussein was caught in December 2003), Nick’s seen a lot of violence.
But this owl offered him a chance to create some good vibes.
“Good deeds come back to you in the long run,” he said. “This makes you feel good. There’s so much negativity, why not be positive.”
He grabbed on to that feeling and made sure the Owl got the care it needed.
Dr. Jean Cypher had this to say about Flip’s injury and recovery, given the strange circumstances in which the bird was found:
“It was an unusual fracture and recovery process. We used some techniques that Dr. Janette Ackerman from American Wildlife Foundation in Mollala Oregon published,” Cypher said.
If you didn’t know, Rowena Wildlife Clinic accepts native animals to the Gorge. They take in raptors, songbirds, waterfowls, some mammals, and occasionally stray-domesticated animals if found injured or sick.
The Injury
Flip’s injury was right on its elbow and his chance of returning to flight was about 50/50. Dr. Cypher went ahead, performed the surgery, and was successfully able to pin the broken bone.
After months of physiotherapy (thanks to Dr. Dave Stauffacher), Flip was able to regain full range of motion in his broken wing & successfully return to flight.
In order to increase Flip’s chances of survival, Rowena Wildlife Clinic decided to schedule his release after winter. They called Nick with the update.
Flip under rehabilitative care
On February 11th, Nick got the call of a lifetime
Rowena told Nick that the owl was ready for release - and who better to release him than the man who went through hell and high water to ensure Flip’s rescue.
That’s right - Nick.
They literally handed Nick a box containing the Great Horned Owl. Nick put it in his car, and left.
Back at Nick’s home, Nick slowly opened the box and backed away.
The owl hopped out of the box and took flight into his home turf.
Flip is now back out there in the world being the best owl he can be.
How you can help - in Nick’s words
”The people at Rowena Wildlife Rescue are truly amazing people doing truly amazing work. They kept me updated throughout Flip's entire recovery, including texting me pictures of his X-rays before and after the surgery as well as updates about the progress he was making during physical therapy. They kept him through winter so he didn’t have to compete for food. Then they called me when he was ready to be released and let me release him.
They even checked in with me afterward to make sure everything went smoothly. I was blown away by the level of care they gave this owl for free. They didn’t charge me a dime. They are completely funded by our donations. So, if you're feeling generous and want to help some amazing people save more amazing animals.”
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Rowena Wildlife Clinic is a non-profit organization. Even with a mostly volunteer staff, the clinic incurs considerable costs each month. There's food, medicine, surgical and diagnostic equipment for the animals, and a constant need for building and cage repairs. Donating to the clinic means you are helping with the care of these animals while supporting the clinic that makes it happen. Donations can be made through their website; RowenaWildlifeClinic.org.
