A wing, a prayer and Nick Jones

Incident Response’s Nick Jones was patrolling Interstate 84 eastbound between Nampa and west Meridian July 18, much like he does every day assisting motorists and ensuring unhindered traffic flow. Patrols usually consist of watching for incapacitated vehiles along the highway shoulder.

But the routine patrol was different on that Thursday afternoon.

He spotted an injured Swainson’s Hawk (also known as a Grasshopper Hawk or Locust Hawk) about six feet from the edge of the highway, near fast-moving traffic on the right shoulder. The struggling bird was pressed against the Jersey barrier.
 
The hawk tried to hop away and fly, but his right wing apparently was broken, possibly clipped by a car as the hawk flew low over the highway. Since flight was no longer an option for the bird, it rolled onto his back to use the only self-defense method that remained –  razor-sharp talons.
 
Jones had consulted with Treasure Valley Raptor Rescue to determine the best way to corral the adult hawk. He threw a safety/rescue blanket over the bird as instructed and wrapped it up with the head uncovered so it could breathe.
 
“He flopped around for about 10 seconds, but once ‘swaddled’ he calmed down and remained docile for the trip to the raptor rescuers for rehab.”
 
It was a short trip, as the raptor rehabilitators are located on Overland Road near Ten Mile.
 
“It ended up being a fairly simple task, but I was terrified of the claws,” said Jones. “I was wearing two pairs of gloves just in case!”

Published 7-26-13