Hi Everyone.  Rescues were brisk at WBR during May with a total of 48 sick or injured birds needing urgent help. As always there was a variety of species but sadly our swans didn't do well at all. In total I rescued 11.  I know what you're thinking .. forget about the swans Rowley and tell us about the ibis! Well, alright, but before I provide news about the Gold Coast's favourite bird … [Read more...]

Hi Everyone, April was quieter at WBR with only 30 rescues attended and 3 releases.  It was a very good month for the ibis; a species that bears the brunt of fishing line entanglements. They were largely spared during April, only two birds needing to be caught and treated, both in Nerang. But don't think that means I'm going to spare you from pictures of manky ibis feet. Oh no, you're not … [Read more...]

Hi Everyone, March was steady at WBR with 43 rescues and 2 major releases. The big news was the introduction of the Gold Coast's first three Tackle Bins at The Spit. A further ten bins will be installed at three other fishing 'hot spots' as soon as Council provides metal posts. The public welcome for these bins was nothing short of extraordinary. The WBR Facebook page has a modest … [Read more...]

Hi Everyone,  February was a short month and I took some days off during the first week, yet WBR still attended 37 rescues.  Among the birds rescued was this little bloke, reported running around a Surfers Paradise restaurant with a kebab skewer sticking out the side of his neck. Probably not what the diners were hoping for. That encumbrance didn't deter our little friend though, who was … [Read more...]

Hi Everyone,  rescues were brisk during the first month of the new year with 42 birds attended and several major releases. Added to the December total that's more than one hundred rescues in the past two months.  You could be excused for thinking our little friend at left is basking on a nice towel at the beach. But of course you know better. My hairy mit holding her down is a bit of a … [Read more...]

Hi Everyone,  December was crazy at WBR with 59 rescues and several releases.  Just before Xmas, amid all the activity, we held our AGM. Looking at the picture I know what you're thinking. 'Oh my God, I actually donate money to that lot'! :-) Well yeah, that is indeed the sad truth. But don't let the party hats fool you. We are a tight, lean and efficient operation ensuring that more than … [Read more...]

Rescue activity was steady during November with 35 sick or injured birds needing help.  The month was defined more by what I didn't rescue; namely, very few fishing line entangled ibis. Only three in fact. That's a record low and no doubt will come as welcome news to the Gold Coast's many ibee. In sharp contrast our swans and cygnets got into more than their fair share of trouble with eleven … [Read more...]

Hi Everyone.  It was quieter in October with a total of 37 rescues attended and several releases.  The first two weeks looked very different. I was headed for a record 60 plus rescues for the month, but before that could happen I closed shop and took a break to avoid going insane (make that 'more' insane). The sheer weight of calls had gotten to me. The problem was the number of people … [Read more...]

Hi Everyone,  activity during September was brisk with a total of 42 rescues.  It was a month of 'baby birds'. Despite the WBR homepage clearly stating that I only rescue pelicans, swans or any bird that is hooked or fishing line entangled, and that ALL other enquiries should go to RSPCA or Wildcare, I still managed to field at least 100 calls for baby birds during the month. I even attended … [Read more...]

Hi All, August was very brisk at WBR with a total of 51 rescues attended for the month. These rescues all took place during the first 23 days, after which I left for north QLD to meet with wildlife groups up that way.  My trip north straddled the end of the month. I delivered trainings in 'flight capable' bird capture techniques and also helped three groups get their net guns working. All … [Read more...]