Some News from Birdcare Aoteraroa ( Bird Rescue)
How we waterproof a Cook’s Petrel!
We received 148 Cooks Petrels through our centre from mid-March to April - the bulk of which arrived over one week!
No sooner had we released them, a new batch arrived, so we were certainly kept on our toes.
Poor weather and low cloud levels kept fledging petrels flying lower than usual over Auckland.
Attracted by the bright city lights they became grounded on roads, beaches or backyards… . Once grounded, they are unable to become airborne unless from a great height.
Cooks Petrels breed on Little Barrier and Great Barrier Islands, off north-eastern North Island, and Codfish Island, near Stewart Island. The Barrier populations fledge and head west, over the Auckland region and out to the Tasman Sea where they then head northwards.
Some of the petrels lost their waterproofing as a result of coming into contact with diesel and petrol on the roads, or from human handling which damages their feathers.
(Always use cloth, gloves or a towel to pick them up. Avoid using bare hands).
Image: A Cook’s Petrel before and during a waterproofing bath.
Their waterproofing was restored by bathing them with Dawn, a deep cleansing soap that removes harmful substances from their feathers.
A dedicated team of local bird lovers at Bethells Beach helped to release boxes of petrels with only a few hours notice on Ihumoana Island (a private bird sanctuary), navigating high tides, stormy weather, steep cliffs, often in darkness.
Image: Locals at Bethells Beach releasing petrels at dusk
Certainly a team effort and we are so deeply grateful for their commitment and efforts!
Kia ora. Wow, what an interesting read. I live in Muriwai and I know we have grey faced petrel burrows here. In the holidays someone found an egg that had rolled out and they were able to put it back with the help of an expert.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Phil, for expressing your interest! It's great to have a little insight into something special that is happening in our environment.
ReplyDeleteKia Ora My name is Muhennad in Room 24 wow that was a interesting thing to read I always wanted to go there it rimids me when a rescued a bird because a person was torturing it blog you later.
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day you could visit there Muhennad. There is also a tākapu (gannet) colony in Muriwai which is really cool to visit.
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