Members Meredith Brown Brady and Nancy Riggs with the folks at the BPRC are “who” to thank for this back yard rescue of an Eastern screech owl.

Michelle Connally, Class of 2018

Fellow BPTMN member and Plano resident Nancy Riggs, Class of 2021 recently became an unexpected wildlife rescuer when she found a soggy eastern screech owl owlet floundering in her backyard pool. Thanks to quick action and the help of the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center (BPRC), the young owl was safely transported, treated, and happily reunited with its family by another BPTMN member, Meredith Brown Brady, Class of 2024.

This touching story highlights a common issue: BPRC’s Hailey LeBaron notes they receive 600-800 injured birds of prey annually, with baby Eastern Screech Owls making up nearly a third, especially during “baby season” from April to September. Pools can be dangerous for young, weak-winged owls. If you find a bird of prey in distress, call BPRC’s hotline at 469-964-9696 (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily) for guidance; keeping the bird warm, dark, and quiet without food or water until help arrives is key. Click the link to read all about it! https://www.localprofile.com/community/plano-resident-helped-save-baby-owl-10684480