Greetings,
Yesterday morning I was down at Cape Hatteras (Cape Point), NC and had just
arrived at a spot where a huge flock of gulls was hanging out. Before I even
got out of the car, I spied a large white bird in the sand, away from the
gull flock, that appeared to either be sleeping or possibly dead. The bird
didn't flush when I stopped right next to it, so I'm thinking dead bird. The
bird had it's head tucked, but I could see the yellow/orange wash on the
head... adult N. Gannet. I reached down and gently touched it's back and it's
head popped up, startling us both! I'm thinking..oh boy, what do I do now? I
know these birds have a hard time walking on land so I took him down to
water's edge to see if could fly...no luck. Unfortunately, the winds were
sustained at 30 to 35 mph and the ocean was very rough. I figured he wouldn't
stand a chance, so better to get him looked at.
I always keep a pet carrier in the car for critter emergencies and
fortunately I knew that the Roanoke Island Animal Clinic in Manteo cares for
injured, sick wildlife. The bird barely fit in the carrier, with those long
wings. Even with that long bill, he didn't put up too much of a fuss. The
pale blue on the bill was an exquisite color. If any of you have been to Cape
Point, you know it's not exactly easy to get to and can be isolated at
times..it certainly was yesterday. A four wheel drive is a must to get out
there. Manteo is a good hour away from there, so for the sake of the bird, I
had to forego further birding that morning before I headed home. The clinic
staff took the bird and suggested I call back today. I did and unfortunately
the Gannet had to be euthanized because it was so emaciated. Better to be
euthanized than to slowly die on the beach. Never thought I'd get to hold a
N. Gannet.
Every time I go down to Hatteras, I rescue a bird! Birds rescued: Ring-billed
and Laughing Gulls, Great Blue Heron, C. Loon, DC Cormorant, Sandwich Tern
(banded) and Forster's Tern.
For the two days I was down there I witnessed a huge Cedar Waxwing invasion
... thousands strong along Highway 12 between Buxton and Salvo. These birds
were constantly streaming back and forth across the road, making for a
perilous drive for me and for the unlucky one that slammed into my
windshield. I pulled over to look for it but couldn't find it. Hundreds of
Waxwings were lined up along the power lines. A spectacle that I've never
seen before.
Laura Catterton
Manassas, Virginia
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