THE COST OF STUPIDITY

WIRES NR recieved an anonymous call to the rescue hotline that a number of small birds was stuck to railings at a car park at Byron Bay.

When WIRES carer Tristan arrived she found 78 Welcome Swallows stuck in a glue like substance, some birds were on the ground not able to fly as their wings were damaged due to the sticky substance. More WIRES carers were called in to help and all the birds were taken to Byron Bay Veterinary clinic.

The condition all the birds arrived in was distressed, they were covered in a sticky, smelly, burning substance found to be a product called "Scarecrow" This product is sold as a repellant for birds.

All birds were weak and dehydrated, their feathers stuck together, they were in need of urgent medical attention.

Treatment was cleaning feathers with Mentholated Spirits, warm soapy water, fresh water, dried, rehydrated thru crop needle with Spark and water, put on heat pads under heat lamps.

Following care was hourly individual hand crop feeds of over 80 individual birds from 8 am - 9.30 pm with an insectivore and a/d feline food mix. They were kept warm in an enclosed warm space under heat lamps.

Release History:

11.4.05 78 Welcome Swallows rescued Bay Lane, Byron Bay

12.04.05 1 welcome Swallow from Billinudgel Vet (passed in MOP)

12.04.05 1 Welcome Swallow from Council worker (found in street in Byron)

12.04.05 3 Welcome Swallow from Earth and Sea Pizza

13.04.05 1 Welcome Swallow Member of Public

14.04.05 1 Welcome Swallow Member of Public

15.04.05 A total of 85 birds now brought in to care.

 

 

 

 

 

In this image you can clearly see the chemical burns sustained to the birds by this product.

 

 

 

 

Byron Bay veterinary nurse Nicole, WIRES carer and veterinary nurse Danielle seen here getting ready to release some of the Swallows.

 

13.04.05 57 Birds released at Brunswick

14.04.05 3 Birds released at Ewingsdale

 

 

In total:

• 25 Birds died (6 died on 11.04.05, 7 died on 12.04.05, 12 died on 14.04.05)
• 59 Birds were released

WIRES NR would like to thank Byron Bay veterinarian Matt Allsworth, and veterinary nurse Nicole for their untiring efforts in this most unfortunate incident.

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