Mountain City Montage
by PAULINE TOM

I forgot to tell you about the red-tailed hawk that perched on our fence several days a few weeks back. Magnificent.

Did you see the great-horned owl by the side of the road at 2770 and 1626 during morning traffic a couple weeks ago? Good Samaritans stopped to lend aid and get him to Austin Wildlife Rescue. Turns out, he was down from a head injury rather than a broken wing. He made it only two or three days.

Do you know it’s against the law to rehabilitate wildlife – including birds? They must go to a licensed rehabilitator. There’s a list, by county, on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website.

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RonTom found an injured first year buck on Lynn Cobb’s front porch recently, when he went to ask if he had recycling for our trip to The Green Guy in San Marcos.

We stepped outside to take the return phone call from a local game warden on Ron’s cell. (We’re not the only house in Mountain City without cell phone coverage.) Rehabilitators only take fawn. So, the game warden had two options: Shoo him into the ranchland or put him down and drag him to the cul-de-sac. We opted, “No thanks.”

Last report I heard, the young buck was hanging in and hanging out nearby. Dr. Bob (Rosebrock) told me that God has ways in nature to handle these things. Sometimes a broken leg will just fall off.

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Oh my! It’s almost nesting season, so I must mention baby birds on the ground. God designed some birds leave the nest before they can fly. Don’t harm the fledgling by trying to help. Almost always, the parents are close by. A truly orphaned baby can go to a licensed rehabilitator.

Same thing goes for newborn fawn. The mom may stay away for hours. She’ll be back.

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Remember to care for local pets at PAWS Animal Shelter through participation in the collection at Mountain City’s City Hall. Dog/ puppy food, cat/ kitten food, kitty litter, dog/cat treats, towels/blankets, bleach, laundry detergent, Fabuloso, dish soap, trash bags, pooper scoopers. February 6-14.

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If you find a tidbit for Montage, send it my way, please. Ptom5678@gmail.com or 512-268-5678.
Thanks! Love, Pauline