The Dead and the Injured

After a full-moon boat trip to see the roost on August 5, I got into my car and crossed the bridge, as I always do after a roosting event, to assess how many birds might have been hit by vehicles that evening (or morning). I found 2 dead, and one injured. The injured bird I picked up (making sure no other vehicles were present during my stop & exit), placed into my travel bag nestled into a towel, and took him home, hopeful that he may have been only stunned and after a few days rest, would possibly be able to fly again in time to be released for migration.
Tucked safely away while en route from the bridge.

He had no bone fractures, and I have had a number of birds with bad bruising which, after recieving a few days force feeding and gentle handling, have been able to be released to join the roost flock again. I thought, "if he survives the night, it will be a good sign he will have the strength to make it through." I woke the next morning and checked on him. He was kept warm, quiet and dark, stress-free, all night, and he did survive til daybreak. Sadly, a few hours passed and he died, apparently from internal injuries no amount of cage rest could have repaired. I feel positive that at least he did not suffer in the pouring rain which fell that night, cars whizzing coldly by him. At least he felt safe in the end.

Although I have found in previous years, an average of 40 birds killed in one evening, I still can't help but feeling sad when I find even one dead bird these days. As I cross the bridge, blinkers flashing, I am ever hopeful that we will find not a single body to report. (I did make one blog entry so far heralding such a success! Thank you again Manns Harbor motorists!) Typically, nowadays in the "post-speed zone reduction" era, we typically find about 3-8 birds perished. I can almost point out the vehicle(s) responsible, because again, all it takes is one motorist choosing to drive along at 50 mph to kill 20-30 birds at once. Really, just one. As one Manns Harbor resident pointed out to me, "what's the hurry, where do you have to get so fast in Manns Harbor?" It's a sleepy little community, right? It's always nice to slow down and take it easy.....




Sadly, this one did not make it.