Oh Dave!

Betty with helpful holiday-maker Dave who ripped a calf muscle while trying to help capture a pelican!

Australian Seabird Rescue team member Carmel spotted an injured pelican while visiting Lake Conjola but unfortunately didn't have a cage with her - she did catch another bird with a hook though - attended to it and released the bird - well done Carmel.

A quick ring around to see if anyone wanted to go saw Ollie and I heading off early next morning. A female pelican she appeared to have a broken leg or pelvis. As she couldn't stand easily we were unable to get her straight away so we went and had some breakfast. On our return she'd got herself over the other side sitting down and not wanting to move. Enter Dave - "l'll help" he said "but it's too shallow for my boat so I'll wade in and swim over and herd her back to you". A good suggestion - good on you Dave!

So here's our hero holiday-maker running though the shallows after a swim when he went down in a heap - obviously in trouble and Little Miss Pelican laughing at him. Dave was rescued by another holiday maker on a kayak. Score; pelican 1: Us Nil. 

The rest of the day was spent in Milton hospital emergency department. Oh Dave! He's ripped his calf muscle and will be on crutches for 3 weeks - so much for his holiday! Thankfully he has a sense of humour and sent photos of his "wheelchair holiday" back to his workmates. Nine hours after we left home we returned weary only to have to go back the next day to get the bird. Which of course we did and took her off to the vet for assessment. Unfortunately our worst fears were realised - her knee was badly broken.

A great big thank you to Dave for trying to help and team ember Ollie for his patience.

Betty 

Orient Point

Kate holding a pelican with a badly broken wing.

A call from the public saw Australian Seabird Rescue team members Kate, Bonnie and I heading south. This female pelican had sustained a terrible break to her wing. Unfortunately it appears to be from a boat strike. A careless act as, it's so easy to avoid pelicans or at least to stop and help them.

So this poor bird was out there in pain and obviously very hungry as she came straight over to us. Unable to get her on the boat ramp, Kate got the kayak in the water and after a lot of hard paddling was able to pick her up - obtaining a black eye from her in the process. Thanks also to Bonnie on the end of the wharf ready to jump if needed.

So unfortunately off to the vet but at least she wouldn't die from infection or starvation.

There is a large fine regarding this sort of action from boaties and with summer coming a timely reminder to all on the waterways to please be careful.

Thanks again Kate and Bonnie

Betty

Cheeky Baby (Pelican number 810)

Born under a lucky star I'd say! This gorgeous juvenile was flat on the rocks of the Berkeley breakwall - alarm bells! Obviously something wrong.

Out with the kayak and Leonie on the paddle. As the young pelican tried to get away it appeared she had a broken leg and couldn't launch off the water. A couple of very nice young men on a jet ski came to help Leonie and managed to get a net over her - thanks fellas!

But as I said very lucky - 3 trips to the vet which she appeared to enjoy immensely, sticky beaking out the window and sitting on Oliver's lap for over an hour while I was in with Number 809 being operated on. Quite an adventure for a young bird but she didn't think the x-rays were much fun.

Result - ligament damage - hooray! No break. Back into care for a couple of days then released; last seen flapping around getting the human smell off her.

Thanks Leonie for your help - thanks also to Oliver for all the help transporting these birds back and forward to the vet and release.

Betty

Oliver holding "Cheeky Baby" - pelican number 810.

Rescue of Numbers 716 & 717

With many thanks to Jean - a resident at Jetty's Van Park on Lake Illawarra who keeps an "eye out" for pelicans on that section of the lake - this little girl is now in care.

Pelican enjoying a ride in the kayak with Leonie!

Leonie's skills on the Australian Seabird Rescue Kayak managed to bring her into shore (after I had dragged Leonie out of Line dancing class!). This was the 2nd rescue for Leonie on the same day using the kayak. The other pelican has an eye injury so after a trip to the vet, she is now on the road to recovery.

Unfortunately we don't have many volunteers available on weekdays - it's lucky Leonie is fit! A big thank you to Sam for offering to use his hovercraft. These craft are invaluable to us for there are many places on the lake we are unable to get access to otherwise. 

Thanks to all our hovercraft boys.

Betty