Boobook in a sticky situation
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
WIRES members Mick and Cheryl were called out to a beautiful property near Darbys Falls, south of Cowra.
The property fronted the Boorowa River which is home to platypus, murray cod and golden perch.
John, the property owner and a nashi pear grower, had found a Southern Boobook that morning completely entangled in grass seeds - something like lovegrass and incredibly sticky.
The poor thing couldn't straighten its right wing and it was covered from head to tail in the sticky seed heads. Interestingly another WIRES member in Cowra had also recently had to rescue an owl with the same problem.
With one of us holding and one gently teasing out the sticky seeds, it still took over half an hour to get him shipshape.
We then sat him on a low branch and he took off and flew well to a nearby tree to await darkness.
We were sent home with a bag of delicious nashi pears.
Story by Mick and Cheryl, WIRES Weddin-Lachlan
Recent Posts
WIRES Emergency Response in the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred
International Women’s Day Volunteer Spotlight: Shelley
Tropical Cyclone Alfred – Emergency Wildlife Advice
Interview with WIRES Training and Development
Celebrating Women in Science: The Journey of Holly, Wildlife Conservationist and WIRES Team Member
Devastation for Victoria with Grampian Bushfires