SURFIN’ SWAN

Who on earth told this young swan she could go surfing! She was reported by a resident of Kiama, David, who is lucky enough to have a home right on the rocks at the Little Blowhole - a famous landmark on this stretch of the south coast, with a reputation of having dangerous surf breaking straight on the rocks.  The swan was seen being bashed on the rocks by waves.  When we arrived she’s managed to get upon on a rock but clearly in a lot of trouble.  On our approach though she panicked and went back in the surf.  Over half an hour of tensely watching her get washed out to sea then back, in jumped our team member, Oliver, into the breaking waves to save her, with no regard for his own safety.  Battered and bruised she was taken to a dark safe place to recover after her ordeal.  She was monitored and her injuries (though luckily no breaks) were treated.  I wonder how she knew to keep her wings tucked in so they didn’t get broken! Many thanks to David for reporting her and to Australian Seabird Rescue Team Member Oliver for saving her.  The photo is of her being released in the Lake where she is supposed to be.

Betty

ASR team member Oliver with the rescued Surfin Swan!

Avoidable

Yet again another sad story that could have been so easily avoided.  This poor little guy was spotted at Kiama harbour south of Wollongong.  He has obviously been dangled in discarded line as it was the ‘new’ braided type which won’t break.  In his effort for freedom his right foot had almost been severed and the left foot the line had become so tight it cut off the circulation and caused gangrene.  The only outcome possible – euthanasia!  It is so easy not to litter yet we are still facing these problems.  Obviously you care or you wouldn’t be reading these stories, so please if you see litter, especially plastic and fishing line, pick it up and put it in the bin.  Every little bit helps.  Thank you.

Betty

Seagull with fishing line tangled around legs causing severe damage.

Rain- Hail- or Shine!

Wow- a big low-pressure system off the NSW coast on 24^th of June produced some filthy weather with torrential rain and winds.  But a phone call from a Kiama resident regarding a dolphin in trouble got everyone jumping. A quick phone call was made to O.R.C.A, and also to our Australian Seabrid Rescue team members Kay and David, who got on the road immediately despite Kay having a dose of the flu. They met up with the O.R.C.A representative to guard and monitor the dolphin who was in a bad way whilst waiting for National Parks to arrive. Whilst they were there a call came in fro Kiama Vet that someone has bought in a small seabird. So off Kay went to collect it leaving David in the rain. This little one is an Antarctic Prion and is now in care, the obviously filthy weather blew him off course. Sadly, the dolphin didn’t make it.

A big thanks to Kay and David for their efforts, and for delivering the little Prion to me for rehabilitation. We rely on the caring public to keep an eye out for wildlife in trouble- although we’d love to- we can’t be everywhere all the time, so thank you!

Kiama dolphin

Australian Seabird Rescue team members David and Kay went to help ORCA protect a stranded dolphin in the Kiama harbour.

National parks eventually came to take it away as it was dead. No apparent injury although it was terrible weather and rough seas.

Unfortunately seabird rescue is not in the photo but we were there,
dripping wet.

Kay

The stranded dolphin in Kiama harbour which unfortunately didn't survive.

Sunday Drama

The day started out sunny and calm but that was stopped by a call from the boys at South Beach Surf Club, Wollongong. Pelican on the rocks with something wrong with his wing. Quick ring around - no Australian Seabird Team members available except Kirsten who was at work. So off I went. On the way I got a call from Kiama, 1/2 hour south - pelican with line tangle. Help Kirsten! The lifesaver and I tried to catch the bird at South Beach but he got himself in the surf. So I waited for Kirsten to come to Kiama with me. On arrival we located the pelican on a lamppost but she wouldn't come down for fish. So back to Wollongong to find the other bird. We were nearly there - another call about a pelican on a beach about 3km north of Wollongong - ah ha, so he'd been drifting. We located him now in the lagoon. Kirsten tempted him with some fish and whist he was eating Kirsten jumped on him landing in the water (sorry about your good clothes!) Still we managed to get him. Well done Kirsten! He went into overnight care to see the vet the next day. Unfortunately the poor thing had been born with a birth defect and wouldn't thrive or survive any length of time.

But there's still the Kiama bird to catch - so the adventure continues.....

Betty

Kiama Casualty

A late night call to Australian Seabird Rescue from a resident out with her family who spotted this female pelican with something wrong with her neck - sure was!

We headed down in daylight and caught her straight away. She presented with a deep wound to her neck just starting to become infected. So off to the vet for assessment then back later that day for an operation. A big thank you to vet ""Than" of Canon & ball and an hour later she was in care with lots of stitches.

So a course of antibiotics and some TLC (even though she was a very cranky patient) she is now back out where she belongs.

Sadly it's the same old story - hook injury! But perhaps if we keep reminding people about safe fishing, it might sink in.

Betty

Oliver holding the pelican with the neck injury found in Kiama.