Miss Feisty

Well this female pelican certainly has a story to tell the "girls" on Bermagui lake.

She had got herself in trouble and presented at the boat ramp with 2 tears in her pouch. Yes another hook injury - will it never end! Australian Seabird Rescue team member Penny was there trying to catch a couple of cormorants also with hook and line problems. Spotting the pelican in trouble she quickly caught her with the help of our old mate Peter. A vet was arranged for assessment. So Miss Feisty now owes her life to Moruya Vet Clinic and Penny's care as she would have starved. The vet had her in the table for 3 hours repairing the damage then in to care! After 5 days - refusing to eat and terribly stressed inflicting a few wounds to Penny, she was released in the same spot as she was caught - or was she just wanting to get back on the lake to tell the "girls" of her epic adventure! You can almost picture them over a "cup of tea". Happily though she was last seen fishing.

Thank you Moruya Vet staff and team member Penny - who by the way rescued one of the cormorants as well and I'm sure she won't rest until the other one has been attended to.

Betty

Miss Feisty - the pelican rescued on Bermagui lake.

Banded Rail

The contrary Banded Rail.

This beautifully marked little bird though he was Muhammad Ali - the size of him and he wanted to argue with every effort to help him. Despite a gourmet menu of crickets and mealworms (compliment of Lindsay of SOSSA) he was difficult to care for. He presented as being unable to use his legs - 9 days in care saw him get stronger every day.

He was identified by Lindsay as Australian Seabird Rescue hadn't seen one before - you never stop learning do you!

With a big appetite to match his big squeaky voice he really was a character with a madly flicking tail when we approached. 

Keep an eye out for these cuties in well vegetated coastal areas.

Betty

Be Aware

Ollie in the kayak rescuing a pelican with botulism.

Well it is certainly crazy weather at the moment and unfortunately prime conditions for sick birds. Australian Seabird Rescue have taken in 2 sick pelicans in 3 days - both rescued in our trusty kayak.

The weather conditions often cause botulism which is a rapidly paralysing condition that attacks nerve endings and can kill a bird within 24-36 hours.

So please - be aware - of any sea or shore birds that appear to be "doing nothing" in the same spot and possibly just sitting like a duck. As their legs are paralysed first they may be drifting or up against banks or reeds or stranded by the tide. If we are notified quickly we have about a 90% recovery rate after intensive care. Please always remember we would rather attend ten false alarms than one dead bird.

Betty

Boat Strike on a Green Turtle

This juvenile Green Turtle has had a terrible encounter with mankind it appears. Picked up at Shell cove by Australian Seabird Rescue team member Kay after a call from the police late on a Friday afternoon. National Parks were notified immediately as we are required to do. Due to the late hour however no rangers were available so Kay took him into care overnight to be picked up and transported to Taronga Zoo hospital by National Parks the next morning, where under their expert care he should be able to be released after repairs to the damage to his shell.

He's been out there awhile as you can see in the photo held by team member Kathryn. He has quite a bit of growth on his shell but the end result should be good. Thank you to the public for caring enough to call us.

Betty

ASR team member Kathryn holding the Green Turtle which has damage to its shell due to a boat strike.

The Workshop

A big thank you to Julie Dunn - the founder of Australian Seabird Rescue South Coast, the workshop day was a great success.

With a really good attendance and Julie's informative and educated talk, a lot was learnt. All participants enjoyed learning about the involvement of ASR volunteers and different aspects of care and rehabilitation of our beautiful sea and shore birds. The day also involved a "field" trip to demonstrate the capture and handling of seagulls and pelicans.

We are now up to pelican rescue number 829 which shows how much we are needed out there and of course that doesn't include the numerous other species rescued by the team.

Julie will be holding two more workshops in November. These will be at Batemans Bay and Sussex Inlet on the 17th and 18th of November 2012.

Anyone interested or requiring more information don't hesitate to ring the ASR hotline on 0431282238.

Betty

2012 ASR workshop held in Wollongong

Julie's presentation at the 2012 ASR workshop held in Wollongong