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I arrived at Hookipa beach (Maui) about 11am for a chillout on the beach. Pulling into the parking space I could see the shorebreak and a sea bird struggling to get lift off the lip of each wave. Airborne for just a few seconds each time, it was obviously in trouble as the waves were bringing it ever closer to the rocks on the beach. I hurried down towards it by which time it had just been tumbled right up onto the beach, getting battered by each new wave coming up over it.. I rushed forward and rescued it covering it with my beach towel straight away to avoid stressing it out even more than it already was. It turned out to be a Wedge Tailed Shearwater. Many efforts are made conservation teams to protect these birds.
I made a makeshift burrow out of a beach towel for the Shearwater, in which it seemed very calm and comfortable while it dried its feathers, rested and preened... After an hour or so, it still wasn't showing any signs of gaining strength, so I called bird rescue at Haleakala National Park who work with the State Department of Land and Natural Resources. Stepfanie, a trained bird rescuer arrive promply at Hookipa beach to collect the resting shearwater. She took it back to base (in Kahului) to ring it and care for it until it is strong enough and fully rested for its release again into the wild oceans .... She confirmed what I recognised to be a healthy juvenile, probably recently left its breeding grounds, which had most likely become confused by the lights of the city at night and come too close to land and exhausted itself trying to lift off from and escape from the high battering shorebreaks. She reassured me was showing all signs of being able to make a full and speedy recovery after a little more rest at the rescue center, after which it would be released back to the wild oceans of Maui.
Follow this blog for further information as Stephanie has agreed to inform me of its recovery and release in the near future.
More information about the Wedge Tailed Shearwater
Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife
Hawaii's Species of Greatest Conservation Need
WHAT to DO if you find a grounded seabird in Hawaii (TEXT taken from State Division of Forestry and Wildlife document - )
Each year Haleakala National Park and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources cooperate to recover these seabirds. The public can also play an important role in assisting and protecting these native birds.
What to do if a grounded seabird is seen?
1. Protect it from hazards such as cars, dogs and cats. Place it in a covered, well-ventilated cardboard box and keep it in a cool or shaded place. Do not give it food or water. Be careful when handling the bird. It may bite.
2. Immediately call Haleakala National Park at 264-5317 (Resources Management cell phone) anytime; or State Division of Forestry and Wildlife at 984-8100, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After hours please
call the NON-EMERGENCY Police Dispatch (Maui: 244-6400, Molokai 553-5355, Lanai 565-6428) Please provide your name, phone number, when and where the bird was found and any other pertinent information. Messages are checked regularly.
3. Do not release the seabird by yourself. Trained wildlife specialists will inspect the bird for injuries, and release it safely.
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