Muriel Kinson
WIRES was called to Richmond Hill recently when a young tawny frogmouth chick was found sitting on the ground, with its caring mum sitting on it, keeping it warm. Such a vulnerable position was obviously not good. Tawnies normally pick a nest site high in a fairly open large tree.
The chick was rescued by volunteer rescuer William who contacted bird coordinator Jane.
At the scene, the first substitute nest did not suit the tawny mum so a bit of ingenuity was called for. In the wild, tawnies’ nests are a minimal flattish structure of sticks. Jane spotted a plastic seedling tray, and this became the basis of the new nest. It was lined with sticks and then leaves were added so it wasn’t too deep. A suitable tree was found that was sheltered by other trees but still easy for the tawnies to fly to.
Once the substitute nest was securely tied in the new position, the tawny chick was placed in it. All of this activity was closely observed by the caring tawny parents. Even though it was daylight, a time when tawnies don’t usually fly, the mother bird made her way in stages over to the new nest and sat on her baby.
WIRES checked the next day and found mother bird sitting with her chick in the new nest while the father roosted nearby. A happy ending for all.
WIRES welcomes calls seeking information or reporting your sightings or experiences. We are an all-volunteer organisation and need more members in all parts of the Northern Rivers. There are many ways to help including rescues, fostering or staffing the hotline service.
If you would like to volunteer give WIRES a call on the 24-hour hotline 6628 1898 to let us know what you can do to help. You can check out the website at www.wiresnr.org.
Muriel Kinson is publicity officer with WIRES Northern Rivers
