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KENNEWICK -- An injured great horned owl rescued with the help of a work release crew from the Benton County jail returned to its haunts in Kennewick's Columbia Park on Saturday after a short stay in a rehabilitation facility.
One of the adult female's rescuers, Tamara Jordan, opened the door of a kennel held by Lynn Tompkins, co-director of the Pendleton-based nonprofit Blue Mountain Wildlife Rescue, to free the owl near the Audubon Nature Trail in the park.
"That's awesome," said Jordan, watching as the bird maneuvered between tree branches to perch on a high branch. It remained there several minutes until flying off, startling some nearby crows.
"That's a good spot for her to wait until the sun goes down," said Tompkins, who had been caring for the 31/2-pound owl since it was found Feb. 18 entangled in netting by the driving range at Columbia Park Golf Course.
Jordan, a work crew coordinator with Benton County, was driving a crew from the jail to an assignment that morning when she spotted a man and a woman standing by the side of the road, staring at the netting.
She saw the owl hanging upside down, its leg caught. While the man -- whose name was not known -- stood on a rail tie supporting the bird, members of Jordan's crew cut and began unraveling the netting.
One of the inmates offered his sweatshirt to wrap the owl, which remained calm. Nearby, a male that may have been its mate lingered before eventually flying away.
"It was as if instinct told it to relax," Jordan said.
Jordan eventually was put in touch with Marilyn Hayes, a Lower Columbia Basin Audubon member who also volunteers with Blue Mountain Wildlife. An examination revealed that the owl had hurt its pelvis, but had no other serious injuries, Tompkins said.
It recovered quickly while in Pendleton. Columbia Park was chosen for its return to the wild in hopes that it would reunite with its mate.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he still isn't around," Tompkins said.
The ending wasn't as cheery, though, for a screech owl found injured Thursday evening near the Playground of Dreams. Its wings were so badly damaged that it had to be euthanized, Hayes said.
Jordan, who was off-duty, was invited to Saturday's release, which also was attended by several other volunteers with Blue Mountain Wildlife. The rescue of the owl was a highlight for her and members of her crew.
"They couldn't stop talking about it," she said. "They have all been wondering about the welfare of it, wondering if she survived. It was a special moment."
-- Kevin McCullen: 582-1535; kmccullen@tricityherald.com
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