!!! Fledgling down - rescue one! It’s Truss.
June 17, 2009 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:
While this morning started out adrenaline filled with “Truss” having taken her first flight, the balance of the day up until this evening was a terrible, cold, blustery rainy damp day! Thank goodness for all of the great company and support of the other fledge watch team as this was one of the longest drawn out terrible days on a fledge watch days I can remember. A huge thank you to the bridge staff and management team as without them we would have all frozen.
Just when you thought the day was almost over, (and hoping that the fledge watch day would end), Truss made an effort to fly from the south tower to the north tower back to her siblings and the security of the nest box. Despite the heavy rains, the cold constant winds from the lake and huge gusts of wind, and her being soaking wet, Truss attempted her second flight with the expected disastrous results, down down down she came ending up on the other side of the canal - (thank goodness on land and NOT in the water), and ended up behind a fence enclosure under the lift bridge. After a coordinated effort by all, she was finally spotted by Linda and we all rolled into action. Some with the rescue carrier, others with towels in hand, radios chattering, corralling and blocking, it was like a master game plan just before the final play,, and finally Truss was in hand! Talk about having a BAD FEATHER DAY,, Truss was retrieved , rescued and in the bag as we say, safe and sound! Truly a coordinated effort by all and a job well done!
Soaked to the bone is an understatement! Vicious and Feisty is also another understatement to describe her! Truss was carefully examined to ensure that she had not been injured in the ordeal, and was allowed to de-stress in a warm, dry quiet space. After consultation with the MNR regarding her drenched and cold condition, and in consideration to the heavy rain fall and high gusty winds, the decision was made to hold her over the night and release her in the morning made perfect sense. With dangerous conditions on the tower roof, and the further threats of thunderstorms and lightning throughout the night, in addition to not being able to put her back in the nest box itself without the risk of scaring her two other younger siblings out of the nest box before their time, Truss will have the opportunity to dry out and warm up over night before being released tomorrow.
Sadly, it appears that more rainy, damp and cold temps., will continue to haunt us all for the next few days of the fledge watch. Stay tuned, tomorrow is another day.