November was busy at WBRGC with a total of 42 rescues. In all I attended 10 pelican rescues during the month. A couple those birds were uncatchable and one died, however the rest were caught and had their injuries treated. As usual our old friends fishing line and fish hooks were top of the list for causing problems. One pelican that I rescued was named Peaches. She turned up at a barbeque … [Read more...]
* Feeding Common Garden Birds
(Kookaburras, currawongs, crows, butcher birds, magpies and pee wees (mudlarks) ) The above bird species are common in Australian gardens. All humanise easily and can become dependent on handouts of food. Ultimately this causes problems for the birds. Birds need a natural diet to be healthy. Unnatural food, provided by most humans, weakens them. It fills them up, taking away their need to … [Read more...]
* Feeding Wild Parrots and Cockatoos
Many homes on the Gold Coast receive regular visits from parrots and cockatoos. These noisy, gregarious birds are great fun. We never recommend feeding any wildlife but if you insist on feeding wild birds you have a responsibility to give them the right food. Otherwise you can do great harm. Lorikeets Let's begin with what not to feed lorikeets. Never give a lorikeet bread and honey, or … [Read more...]
* Feeding Swans and Ducks
Enjoying swans and ducks on our lakes and waterways is one of the great pleasures of living on the Gold Coast. I’m often asked ‘what’s the best food for swans?’ It definitely isn’t bread. Bread is not good for any species of bird. Their digestive system is not designed to metabolize refined flour, preservatives, yeast or refined sugar. And yet bread to a swan is like lollies (candy) to a kid. … [Read more...]
* Feeding Pelicans
Wildlife carers do not recommend giving food to any wild bird including pelicans. Feeding subverts many of a pelican’s natural instincts and behaviors. What initially might seem like an act of kindness invariably leads to suffering for the bird. The pelican’s natural diet is fish. If you feed a pelican anything other than fish it will eventually become sick. They can become listless, … [Read more...]
Capture Report for October 2014
October was very brisk at Wild Bird Rescues GOLD COAST with a total of 50 rescues. Things didn't start out too well when we lost two of the Broadwater pelicans to fish hook injuries. This is unusual because I can nearly always find and catch injured peli's, but these birds sustained injuries just prior to the long weekend and the number of people and boat traffic on that weekend was … [Read more...]
Capture Report for September 2014
September was an active month at Wild Bird Rescues with a total of 31 rescues and releases. I took a lot of phone calls from concerned members of the public but fortunately not too many converted into direct action. This is always good news for Gold Coast birds! Carelessly discarded fishing line continues to be a major threat for all species of foraging birds. Because fishing is so popular … [Read more...]
Capture Report for August 2014
August proved to be less hectic than July, but still produced a total of 37 rescues for the month. Activities were partially disrupted mid-month when I pulled a hamstring while attempting to catch a 'darter'. Fortunately I caught the bird which made a full recovery at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital after a large fish hook was removed from its throat. This was some consolation for my injury. After 5 … [Read more...]
Capture Report for July 2014
July was very busy with a total of 46 rescues undertaken for the month. 8 pelicans, 3 ducks, 10 swans, 10 ibis, several other species and more seagulls than usual. A total of 5 gulls in fact. Each had critical injuries but I can say that all were caught, treated and released with an expectation of enjoying a good life. It's difficult to view one rescue as being any more important than another … [Read more...]
One for the Wildlife Newbies
Each of us who embarks on wildlife rescue begins with reservations about whether we can do the job. Will I be able to catch that animal? Am I capable of caring for that bird? What if I make a mistake and hurt the creature? It seems like there’s so much to learn. If this is how you feel, don’t worry. Everyone feels that way when they start. The thing to keep in mind is that you’re not alone. Your … [Read more...]
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