I'm tired and upset about picking up Weka off our roads that have been hit by cars. Last week I collected one that had a bad break above the hip, at the knee and was euthanised. Sad.... such beautiful birds.
Today I was brought one that had been found in a field... disorientated, falling over - no wounds on it though. When I got the bird on to a heat pad it sort of hunkered down into the heat with its tummy and it reminded me of monthly sore tummy times..... I thought 'bird has something going on down there, is in pain and I have to try everything to save it'. I gave it bird rescue remedy, some homepathic remedy drops for shock and trauma and then syringed about a tablespoon of olive oil down its throat. Got the bird very nicely warm and left it quiet for a few hours. By 2 pm this bird was standing upright, not falling over, had done horrid back runny poos everywhere and by 3 pm, bird was eating...... Weka is in tonight on slight heat and I hope I can release him/her tomorrow back to where it was found. Yeah... I am very thrilled at this. Weka was eating out of my hand this afternoon.... such beautiful birds!
Having one succcess makes up, sort of, for the others that I lose...... :)
I do bird rescue in Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand ... native and exotic birds, anything that needs my help. (If you click on thumbnails of photos, you can see larger versions).
Hi Gilly, What a wonderful job you are doing with the Weka as of course you do with all your casualties. Such a shame about the one last week.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see on the earlier post that Pav is still enjoying life with you and that you had a visit from Ralph. It has only just dawned on me how much your Pukekos look like our Moorhens and Coots and of course they are all members of the Rail family. I just love those big feet :)
Hello ShySongbird :) Yes, a happy story about this Weka - I was able to release it yesterday and it ran off at great speed looking fully recovered.
ReplyDeleteYes, Pav's common name here is Swamphen.... don't think he will ever leave home now. He's a nuisance at times and messy but I love him.... he's a character and makes us laugh.
I hear it is very hot for you at present! Hope you are enjoying the sun and that all is well with you.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI always ask myself, how this can happen, that an animal can be hit by a car - how fast do people drive? And do they drive with closed eyes?
Hi Gilly,your'e doing a wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteLiving in Sydney we are blessed with the native wildlife that lives here.Kookabuuras,cockatoos,Lorrikeets,possums-rintail and brustail,Magpies etc,etc.Sad thing it is a dangerous life.Not a day goes by that i don't see road kill.Makes me wonder if people just don't slow down or just don't have any respect for life.
Once again ,great job and its great to hear the Kiwis are getting behind saving these national treasure.
Best regards,Gus