June
Watch for Sea Birds - Storm Victims
Winter storms, especially those coming off the sea, bring with them exhausted, battered migratory or resident birds of all sizes. The larger ones most frequently brought in to care are Albatrosses, Petrels, Shearwaters, Gannets and Skuas. Smaller ones are the very dainty Prions, Gulls and Terns. There are many different varieties of all these species.
If on your beach walk you see an exhausted bird, sitting on the water away from the breaking waves – it could mean that it is just resting there until the storm abates or until it gathers strengths. It may be bobbing round out there for hours, before flying off or paddling out to sea to feed, depending upon species.
If the bird is obviously in need of help – floundering in the shallows, sitting on the shore, in the dunes or even off shore and exhausted, then it may well need to come into care.
At all times on the beach, please have dogs under control so birds are not harassed.
We think the best and safest way to handle big birds such as Albatrosses and Giant Petrels is to approach quietly from the rear with a heavy towel or jacket and wrap it firmly round those huge wingspans of over two meters, pinning them in place so they do not flap. Be aware that you must also control the beak, which is meant for stabbing fish and may do the same to you. So either be brave enough to hold the back of the head or neck or throw the towel over the beak. If you decide to hold the upper and lower beak together be careful you do not cut off the air supply. Most sea birds have visible nostrils on their beak; take care you do not put your hand over them. These that do not have nostrils will probably breathe by opening the beak. Therefore, do not hold it tight shut.
Bundle the bird securely in the towel enclosing the feet – these webbed feet may have a sharp claw used for grabbing fish, so take care. Secure the bird well in your car – in a bag or carton or have a passenger nurse it.
Usually these magnificent birds are too exhausted to defend themselves, but always be aware of sharp beaks and barbed claws. The life span of some of these species is over thirty years – so they are well worth saving.
Usually the smaller birds, especially the Prion are swept onto the beach as a whole flock, so the beach is littered with birds – birds on the waves, on the shore, in the dunes and on land. They are very light and utterly exhausted – they will probably not peck or claw you. Handle them gently and as little as possible. Put them into a container or wrap them. The depots are used to handling these birds in mass. Unfortunately, the survival rate is small. We can get them feeding well and they look fit, but because they are birds that live constantly on the wing, flying low over the sea, dipping their beaks into the ocean to feed on plankton and such it is not good to have them on their feet and caged. These that make it, still run into problems on release when the wind has to have the right uplift to get them airborne. Then they have to continue their migration and hopefully they will find another flock to fly with.
Other birds needing care are the fishing line victims. Usually they are tangled with fishing line with up to three hooks embedded somewhere in feathers or flesh – mostly flesh. If the hooks are obvious, we usually remove them – untangle the line, feed and rest the bird and release it. Sometimes the hooks are swallowed and our vets very kindly spend a lot of time removing these at no charge. The birds and their carers thank them.
Mabel Bell