Stephanie Schrader
 
The Pee Wee - January - February 2012

The Pee Wee came to me on New Year's afternoon as an unknown chick. As the days went by, I realised it was a Magpie Lark - better known as a Pee Wee.

On 7th January, a tiny bird came in with dark feathers and bits of white. It later became clear that is was a Willy-Wagtail.

So full of life, bouncing around everywhere. I put them in the cage together and they cuddled up in the blue sock nest and became the best of friends.

Ass you can see in the picture, I've called them my "Twins".
 
 
 

Master of sea and sky

The Northern Star Weekender - Wildside: Saturday 14th June 2008
A Black-browed albatross was found at Brooms Head last week. The story is by Marny Bonner from Sea Bird Rescue. Our WIRES member Stephanie Schrader was the rescuer and she met Sea Bird Rescue people and they took the bird into care.

Photograph by Gary Fenton (ASR)

Along beaches and headlands people are looking intently out to sea. All eyes are peeled for the tell-tale blow or spectacular splash that transforms the day from ordinary to awesome the excitement of seeing a whale. Meanwhile other subantarctic visitors may be seen at this time of year, if only those binoculars turned skyward. Coinciding with the whales winter escape is an equally impressive creature, a master of sea and sky. It is the Black-browed albatross.

Like its Antarctic neighbours the Black-browed albatross migrates north for the winter, sometimes travelling quite close to the coast. They have a unique combination of yellow beak and white underwings with black edges, giving a white zigzag appearance. With a wingspan of only (yes only) 2-2.5 metres, they are one-third the size of their better known larger cousin, the Wandering albatross.

Smaller size has advantages however. Superior agility enables the Black-browed albatross to fly closer to the ocean surface and manoeuvre more deftly than the larger species. It can plunge-dive, flying under water up to five metres down in pursuit of small fish or squid. Tragically this makes it the seabird most likely to go for baited long-line hooks, the reason for its current endangered status. Flying close to the surface and plunge diving has other risks too. An inexperienced young seabird can get trapped by a sudden storm.

Change of fortune
Last weekend, Brisbane retirees David and Judy Shirlaw decided to spend a few days at Brooms Head, south of Yamba. It was too cold and windy for fishing so they rugged up and went for a walk on the otherwise deserted beach.

Suddenly we saw a large white bird tumbling around in the surf, David said. From my experience fishing at sea, I knew that it was an albatross and it was in trouble.

David didnt hesitate to ditch his shoes, socks and jeans and wade out to rescue it. Oceanic seabirds almost never see humans so they have no fear. Usually they are very passive but the stressed albatross nipped at David as he picked it up, lightly grazing his arm.

I reckon Im the only bloke in Australia sporting a graze caused by an albatross! David laughed.

The bird was shivering and David placed it in the warmth of the sand dunes before calling Clarence Valley WIRES. It was conveyed to the Australian Seabird Rescue (ASR) centre in Ballina where it was identified as a juvenile Black-browed albatross. Following a check by vet Evan Kosack, the lucky bird is set to recover with the help of anti-inflammatory medication for injured joints.

Serendipity is now resting comfortably whilst ASR rehabbers delight in the rare privilege of seeing an albatross up close and personal.

All seabirds floundering in the surf need to be rescued immediately. Most are threatened species. Whilst albatross are said to bring luck to seamen, it seems that on this occasion it was the seaman who brought luck to the albatross.
 

Home - Back - Next