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Bird Rescue News (Summer 2004/05)

Send your questions and suggestions about Bird Rescue to:

rosemarytully@clear.net.nz 
These can then be pasted onto this page and we may be able to gain more knowledge.

e-mail about found birds

If sending emails about birds that you have found, please give me the area you live in. This will make it easier for me to let you know of a nearby carer.

A few things to remember for the welfare of birds in care:

  • Not to stroke or pet the bird. This will remove the oils from the feathers and make it human friendly. This is not a good idea for a wild bird.
  • Not to keep the bird longer than is needed. Once the bird has reached its goal weight and is feeding, and has recovered from its injuries/sickness then it is time for release.
  • Not to get the bird use to dogs or cats. This will result in the bird thinking all cats and dogs are bird friendly —they are not. A dog that may lick and wash a bird in a friendly manner will remove oils, this is not good for the bird. The next dog it meets may well bite and the bird is killed.

Archive
Bird Rescue News

Birds in for care

Well the time is racing by and summer is with us once again…
For Whakatane Bird Rescue it has been a quiet spring with the occasional bird brought into care.

These included a few native pigeons brought in after flying into windows. Some have internal injuries and cannot be helped. Others do recover and can be released back to the wild. Two at present have head injuries and I am not sure if these will be able to be released.

One native pigeon from Opotiki was brought in after losing a lot of feathers from its left wing. These re-grew and the bird was released by Department of Conservation Staff back into the area where it was found.

Tui

Two Tui are in care one with a wing injury and the other head/eye injuries.Both are feeding themselves. It is hoped that both of these birds can be released back to the wild.
Tui rescued
Tui rescued

Ducklings crossing

Pam Stead has had ducklings to care for during the spring. Most getting lost during the trip back to the water with their mother duck. As a result, many get squashed on the roads during this time of year. So, if possible, please stop and wait for them to cross the road before driving on.

If you find ducklings, do not put them into water.  They need to be kept dry and warm until you have found a bird rescue centre to care for them.

Look for nests

This time of the year many birds have their nests in trees.Sometimes these cannot be seen and you may find that when you prune a tree you have destroyed a nest. Check all trees before you prune them. Any with nests in can then be done once the chicks have left the nest.

A bird which may nest under your eves are welcome swallows. These make their nests of mud and care must be taken when cleaning paintwork etc as they can be dislodged with water.

Others in care

The grey-faced petrel season has started with the first fledgling coming into care on the 13thDecember.This bird was found at Ohope and still had a small amount of down under its tummy. It weighed a very healthy 600g. It was released on dusk after the black-backed gulls have retired for the night. These birds can harass strange birds in their area.

A short-tailed shearwater was brought in after being found near Whale Island (Motuhora) It was being attacked by gulls.It was very underweight and died a few days later. Sometimes these birds are found beach wrecked after storms.

At present two little blue penguins are in care, one a juvenile has a damaged flipper and is underweight. The other an adult had bruising to the head and both eyes were very sore. It too was underweight for its age. It will soon be time for the adult penguins to moult and they need to get plenty of surplus fat on them to see them through the moult, during this time they cannot go out to sea as they would not be waterproof.

Thankyou

I would like to thank all those that have helped with funding, food and support during the year. It is also good now to be able to take holidays and know that Glennis is looking after the birds while I am away. Thank you Glennis.

I have just taken delivery of an incubator from Rotorua Hospital. It is great to have hospitals thinking of bird rescue centres when they need to upgrade their equipment. We are all very grateful.

It has been good to hear from so many of you, and some of you phoning for advice. I would like to wish you all the very best in the New Year, may it be a safe and healthy one for you.

Rosemary Tully
Whakatane Bird Rescue, New Zealand
rosemarytully@clear.net.nz 
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