From Blackland Prairie Raptor Center
Springtime means people are using fertilizers on lawns and flower beds. Fertilizers, whether synthetic or organic, contain many chemicals that can be harmful. Please be mindful of fertilizers and the damage it can do to skin. If you use fertilizers, please water the fertilizer into the ground. This method creates a beautiful and safe yard.
Springtime also means baby birds and fledglings often spend a few days walking and standing on the ground. If a bird stands on fertilizer it burns the bird's feet and hocks, often resulting in sores so severe that the birds are no longer able to walk. Birds with the worst burns are absolutely devastating as these can burn down to the bone.
We don't like to take young birds away from their parents, but fertilizer-burned feet need medical attention. This Eastern Screech Owl came to our raptor clinic with burns on its feet. Our clinic staff cleaned the wounds and applied topical medication. Then the feet are wrapped to help the wounds heal and will be rechecked and rewrapped over several days. The owl will wear medicated booties until these burns heal.
This is why these days I'm very careful that whatever I put on my lawn. The most I will ever put down under normal circumstances is water from the hose and fresh clover seeds.
I'm sick of all these damn so-called lawn care people showing up and offering to dump poison all over everything for an exorbitant fee.
You reminded me I never see clover around anymore... 😑
I live in a HOA neighborhood, so I sadly get no say. Ever since the one year we got grubs really bad, they've carpet bombed us twice a year with whatever they lay down.