Maritime animal rehab centres expecting an increase in injured birds following storm
Rehabilitation centres, like Nova Scotia's Hope for Wildlife, are expecting to receive many injured birds over the next couple of days after heavy rain and high winds made its way through the region.
“If you come across a bird that is acting kind of puffed up, really quiet, not wanting to move if you approach it, I would recommend trying to get it into a box if you can. If you throw a little towel over it and cover the rise, that calms them down and you can safely scoop them into a box,” says rehab expert Tessa Jackson.
Hope for Wildlife is also preparing to deal with a number of uncommon species to the area that have been blown off course by the high winds, particularly seabirds.
“There’s hardly ever a storm where we don’t get at least a dozen or so dovekies or petrels depending on the time of year,” says Hope Swinimer, founder of Hope for Wildlife.
There's also a good chance Maritimers will come across birds they don't typically see, in places they don't typically see them.
“Along with the sea birds, we often see very rare birds," said Swinimer. "Everything from white pelicans to brown pelicans. We’ve certainly had our share over the years of birds that aren’t normally here."
The opportunity to see such a rare species could attract a lot of attention, but the Nova Scotia Bird Society asks people to avoid getting too close to any bird that isn't injured.
“It’s fine to take a picture or two but giving them space, as far as distance and time too, not spending a whole lot of time with them,” says Diane Leblanc, president of the Nova Scotia Bird Society.
Swinimer says if you find a bird that seems to be in distress, it's best to ask for advice from the experts.
“You can also take a picture or a video and send it to a wildlife rehabilitator or the Nova Scotia Bird Society for identification and you get clear directions,” says Swinimer.
Swinimer adds that a lot of the birds that show up following a storm are simply exhausted and after a couple days rest are released to find their own way back home.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.