Last week one night B and I arrived home from work when I noticed this guy sitting calmly on the road. At first glance we thought he was a duck but upon closer inspection we realized he was a very large bird. We had only just had a couple of days of rain so we googled what type of bird he was and it turns out he is a juvenile Westland Petrel who normally lives out at Punakaiki which is about maybe 30 minutes away.
We phoned the DOC emergency helpline and they advised they would send someone out the next day to pick him up. In the meantime we wrapped him in a towel, put him in a box in a quiet spot in the garage so he could rest. When he was picked up the next day the DOC officer said he had probably gotten blown away from the coastline and had stopped to have a rest.
Linking up with Through my lens, Ruby Tuesday, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.
17 comments:
Thank goodness he let you pick him up. And thank goodness you have people you can turn to for help. Well done for stopping to help!
That certainly was an act of kindness which saved the bird's life.
So cute and nice for you to protect and care for them
So nice of you to stop and help the bird.
This is a fledgling Westland petrel, most likely on it's first flight out to sea from its breeding grounds just south of Punakaiki - the only place on the world where these rare birds touch land. Every year during the fledging stage, November and December, numbers of them become disoriented by bright lights on the ground, particularly anywhere between Westport and Hokitika, which causes them to crash land nearby. Even if uninjured they will not be able to take off again unless they find a raised launch site ... most unlikely. You can help by turning off outside lights when they aren't necessary or fit shades over them to prevent light spill that the petrels can see.
Well done you and DoC
...we all need a rest now and then.
That is so cool. We hope it makes full recovery - will DOC send you any updates? That was good of Bruce to give us info about them. We didn't realize they were like the Royals at Tairoa Head near where F is from - rarely touch land. regards to all your feline family xxx Mr T
Oh Wow! Thanks to you the bird lives another day!
Oh wow, I'm so glad you saved him. I hope he recovers and gets back out in the wild once again.
Good of you to look after this fellow.
Thank you for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2022/12/wishing-you-peace-on-earth-good-will.html
Glad you saved this bird's life. A great act of kindness!
Have a great day!
Mother Nature thanks you I reacon. Heart-warming story just pre X-mas. Very apt.
Merry X-mas to you and yours!! 🎅
Awwww, Great you took care.
Big black bird
Beautiful Christmas story! Merry Christmas Amy!
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