International Bird Rescue

The Stowaway Albatross on its Second Return to the Ocean

Earlier this year we told you about a Laysan Albatross that came into the Port of Los Angeles on a ship as a “stowaway” – as they sometimes do – mistaking the vessel as a nesting island. That Albatross was examined, found to be healthy, and with the help of a lifeguard boat, promptly released at sea. With the entire Pacific Ocean to call home, it amazingly made the same mistake again! After landing on another ship, this bird came back into port two months after its first release, and was brought to International Bird Rescue’s Los Angeles Center for evaluation. Our staff, recognizing it by the number on the metal band we’d placed around its leg, quickly re-released this healthy bird in open water, where it would have the long water runway it requires to take flight.

“Broody” Albatrosses, urgently seeking a place to nest, typically show up from March through May. Anyone who raises chickens will know that when a hen becomes broody she will sit on a nest and nothing can get her to move. This hormonal urge overrides all common sense. Albatrosses do essentially the same thing.

The Albatross in Care at International Bird Rescue in January

Biologists have told me that young, first-time nesting Albatrosses will often venture out and try to colonize new islands. To these inexperienced birds, islands and ships can look a lot alike. Their powerful instinct to nest has them making decisions that are not always in their best interest, and some of the adventures this leads to can be pretty astonishing.

The best illustration is probably the story of two Laysan Albatrosses that arrived at International Bird Rescue’s San Francisco Bay Center five years apart. Both birds were banded, taken out to sea and released. As their breeding grounds are a few tiny islands 2,800 miles west of San Francisco, chances were astronomical that these two birds would find one another, become lovebirds, nest on a ship together, and then find their way back into our care.

When they arrived, we recognized them by their band numbers and suspected that they were, in fact, a mated pair because of their behavior and the brood patch on the female’s breast. These aquatic birds were in good health, but not totally waterproof, probably due to their unnatural journey on a ship. We kept them in care until their feathers were back in perfect condition. The pair was then released again at sea to continue their lives together.

International Bird Rescue is committed to ensuring that the animals in our care stay wild. When they falter, we are happy to give them a helping hand, but we are also careful to do everything in our power to make sure that these birds have the freedom to make their own choices, and ultimately find their own way to thrive in the wild. Like humans in need, animals in need are called patients for a reason, and International Bird Rescue is happy to be just as patient with our returning birds as we are with first timers – every bird matters, and every bird has its own path back into the wild.

Thank you for continuing to help us offer the aquatic birds and seabirds that arrive at our centers the help they deserve to set off on their individual paths with the best possible chance of continued health and a wild life.

Jay Holcomb
Director Emeritus
International Bird Rescue

A Second Chance to Try Again

International Bird Rescue's Michele Melchior and Isabel Luevano enjoy the festivities

International Bird Rescue was thrilled to commemorate four decades of work on behalf of aquatic birds at its recent Berkeley fundraiser “International Bird Rescue: Celebrating 40 Years in the San Francisco Bay Area.” Guests learned about the past, present and future of aquatic bird rescue and rehabilitation with presentations from Executive Director, Paul Kelway; Ocean Hero and Director Emeritus, Jay Holcomb; and beloved Bay Area filmmaker, Judy Irving. Attendees were also delighted to hear from Dave Smith – the organization’s founding Director of Research. International Bird Rescue Emergency Response Team members, volunteers, staff, board members and community supporters came together to celebrate the wonderful way that Bird Rescue couples rehabilitation with spill response – as Jay Holcomb noted, “80% of oiled bird care is about husbandry, and 20% is washing and dealing with the effects that oil has on the health of the birds, so our work in the centers really prepares us for working with each species in the event of a spill.”

Executive Director Paul Kelway highlights the scope of International Bird Rescue's work

Whether Bird Rescue’s wildlife experts are responding to an international spill or removing fishing hooks from the pouch of a local Pelican – like in Judy Irving’s clip from Pelican Dreams – International Bird Rescue’s year-round work is fueled by kind, individual contributions.

There are many to thank for the bright success of the evening, but foremost, International Bird Rescue would like to thank Chevron for its Signature Sponsorship of the event.

International Bird Rescue would also like to take this opportunity to express our special gratitude to the generous donors to the event’s silent auction and goodie bags:

Paper Mache Great Blue Heron from Overton Studios

Jay Holcomb and Dave Smith recount the story of International Bird Rescue

International Bird Rescue's dedicated volunteers brought their enthusiasm to the party

Alex and Ani
Almond Surfboards and Design
Bay Area Parent Magazine
Bay Nature Magazine
Berkeley Ironworks
Bird vs. Bird Design
Bird Project
Black Heron Inn
Brushstrokes Studio, Inc.
California Academy of Sciences
Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris
The Cliff House
CorePower Yoga
Crixa Cakes
Lynda Deniger
Dolphin Charters
Elkhorn Slough Safari
Suzi Eszterhas
Sandy Farwell
Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse
Funky Door Yoga
GoPro
Marianne Groth
Harmony Ball
HBO Documentary Films
HouseofComics.com
Jay Holcomb
iFly SF Bay
Kayak Connection
KIND Snacks
Landmark Theatres
John Muir Laws
La Méditeranée
Carol Lewis
MetalSugar.com
The Natural Grocery Company
Karen Nevis
La Nôte Restaurant
The Oakland Zoo
Overton Studios
Pasta Pelican
Mary Pierce
Procter & Gamble
Rite in the Rain
San Francisco Ballet
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Saturn Café
Marguerita Scannell
Scope City
Semifreddi’s Handcrafted Breads and Pastries
SF Bay Adventures
Shotgun Players
Sue Johnson Custom Lamps & Shades
The Treehouse Green Gifts
URT Clothing
Whales and Friends
Wild Bryde Jewelry
The Wine Collective
Yoki Shop

Thanks to your generosity, friends of the organization went home with beautiful treasures and eager anticipation for the performances, adventures and dining experiences your certificates have in store for them! International Bird Rescue is endlessly thankful for your shared belief that every bird matters, and we hope that you continue to follow the work that you are helping to support, here on the blog, on our Facebook page, and at future events in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay areas!

The talented Judy Irving introduces a clip from her upcoming film "Pelican Dreams"

International Bird Rescue is excited to commemorate 40 years of work on behalf of aquatic birds in the Bay Area – and the celebration will not be the same without your attendance!

And get ready for cocktails, light hors d’oeuvres and a plethora of amazing silent auction items! Not to mention a special appearance by Judy Irving, the award-winning director of The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill!

She’s stopping by to the help celebrate, and to show a clip of her current project, Pelican Dreams – a documentary about California Brown Pelicans, featuring International Bird Rescue’s work at our San Francisco Bay Center!

Here’s another sneak peek at just some of the treasures and adventures that are only a bid away!

GoPro Camera		Oakland Zoo with private tour
Go home with GoPro’s Outdoor Edition of their famous HD HERO2! The world’s most versatile camera is waiting to capture your next big adventure!		You can be a different kind of hero with International Bird Rescue’s “Parent of the Year” packages! The “East Bay Parent of the Year” kit even includes a private docent tour of the Oakland Zoo with a Giraffe Feeding for up to five guests!
Wine Tasting & Music Tickets		Kronehof 7×35 Binoculars
Double date in SF with a wine tasting and barrel sampling for four at The Winery Collective and four tickets to a performance during the 2012-13 Season at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music!		This brand new pair of Scope City’s Kronehof 7×35 Ultra Wide Angle Binoculars will enhance the spectacular adventures you will find within our “Ultimate Birding Package.” HINT: One quest promises dolphins and pelagic birds, and hopes to spot Orcas and Leatherback turtles!
Beautiful Bird Art		Berkeley Ironworks
Sandy Farwell calls her original print “Mandarin Color,” and as you may guess from the loving detail of this Mandarin Duck’s bright feathers, Farwell is a true animal lover – and lifelong wildlife volunteer!		Weekends mean time to exercise, eat out, try new things and relax, and Berkeley Ironworks’ “Intro to Climbing” class for two, is just one aspect of our “Free Time in Berkeley” package, complete with all the crucial ingredients of activity, dining and fun-filled entertainment!

Join us!

The party won’t be the same without you!

“International Bird Rescue: Celebrating 40 Years in the San Francisco Bay Area” is only 10 days away, and an exciting mix of local businesses and artisans have rallied around our worthy cause by donating to our silent auction!

For those of you who have already purchased tickets, here’s a sneak peek at the incredible items and activities our silent auction has in store for you!

If you haven’t purchased tickets, now’s your chance!

Black Heron Inn		San Francisco Ballet
Escape to Point Reyes’ majestic Black Heron Inn!		Delight as ballerinas take flight during San Francisco Ballet’s 2012 Repertory Season!
Monterey Bay Aquarium		CorePower Yoga
Get up close and personal with puffins with tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium!		Treat yourself to an unlimited month of energizing CorePower Yoga!
SF Bay Adventures		Sue Johnson Custom Lamp
Let San Francisco Bay Adventure’s classic schooner whisk you and a loved one off into the sunset!		Illuminate your home with Sue Johnson Custom Lamps & Shades’ “Two Cranes, Forever” lamp!* *shade will vary

Space is limited, so purchase tickets before they run out, and meet us at the David Brower Center on April 20 to see what other art, adventures, luxuries and goodies our silent auction has to offer!

Micro in care in Louisiana

Every oil spill International Bird Rescue responds to seems to be symbolized by at least one of the species that it impacted. In 1996, the King Eider symbolized the Pribilof Islands’ Citrus spill, in 2000 the African Penguin symbolized South Africa’s Treasure spill, and in 1999 the Snowy Plover symbolized Oregon’s New Carissa spill. For 2010’s Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico the world took note of the Brown Pelican.

Despite the sheer numbers of Pelicans we cared for in the Gulf, a few of the individuals really stood out. While Pelican 895 became famous in the HBO Documentary, Saving Pelican 895, another Brown Pelican was distinguished for its unusual circumstance and size. Despite the fact that we usually call our patients by numbers, when we received this bird we referred to him as Micro-Peli because he was less than 2 weeks old and one of the tiniest babies that we have ever cared for.

Micro’s age presented some problems. I can remember Dr. Erica Miller of Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research showing me Micro when he first came in. We both looked at each other and said, “Oh %$#*,” because we knew that keeping this little guy wild, with all the people running around the center, would be a challenge. Baby Pelicans see anything that moves as a potential source of food and can just as easily habituate to a human, a dog, or a lampshade as a Pelican. We took serious precautions to avoid letting him connect people with fish, which was especially difficult, as he had to be hand fed. When it came time to teach Micro to eat fish out of a dish, we were further challenged, as he only wanted to interact with things that moved. We worried about Micro throughout his almost two-month stay at the Louisiana center as signs of his habituation toward people persisted.

The International Bird Rescue and Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research team accomplished Micro’s rehabilitation against great odds. We had to consider whether it was in his best interest to place him in a zoo due to the fact that he was demonstrating acute habituation behavior toward people. The staff collectively decided that we would pull out all the stops to ensure that this bird was a wild, human-avoiding bird by the time he was ready for release.

Micro was eventually able to eat out of a dish and stay with older baby Pelicans, which helped him to retain his identification with his species. As he got larger and began to swim and play with his cage mates, they were given a daily dose of live minnows to encourage foraging and teach them to recognize live fish. The hunting instinct took over and they went crazy chasing minnows. By the time Micro was full size, at 2 to 3 months old, he seemed more independent, semi-wild and certainly able to identify fish as a meal. This signaled that he was ready to be released. Micro was fitted with a colorful plastic leg band with an ID number, and returned to the wild on Louisiana’s Raccoon Island on October 6, 2010.

The day he was released one of our response team members, Patrick Hogan, let me know that Micro was behaving like a wild, healthy and energetic young Pelican – not at all interested in people.

Almost a year and a half later, we have some exciting news from Dr. Miller, who receives data on bird sightings from Deepwater Horizon: Micro has been sighted 3 times since his release! Micro was first spotted and captured in Port Isabel, Texas on January 8, 2011. Dr. Miller says that the letter she received said that he was “caught, injured,” but there was no further information. He must have been released, as he was seen twice this past August, on the 4th and 9th, back on Raccoon Island! That’s a survival of at least 307 days in the wild! We look forward to hearing when he is spotted again.

Thank you to the entire team, for taking the extra time to ensure his survival and successful return to the wild – every bird matters, and our hard work paid off!

Jay Holcomb
Director Emeritus
International Bird Rescue

A Murre coated in oil begins its rehabilitation at International Bird Rescue

97 oiled Murres – penguin-like diving birds that spend most of their lives at sea – have been brought to International Bird Rescue for care over the last two months, and as of yesterday afternoon they are still flooding in. Unlike the birds we hear about during high profile oil spills, these birds are being oiled by a natural oil seep along the Southern California coast, so public awareness is much more limited. The danger, however, to the birds is identical. With no one else to blame but Mother Nature, International Bird Rescue is asking the public to take action as these birds’ last line of defense.

Oil – whether it is spilled from a tanker or mixed up from the ocean floor – interferes with birds’ ability to maintain their body temperature by impairing the natural waterproofing properties of their feathers and consequently their insulation from the elements, often resulting in hypothermia.

A Murre undergoes a thorough wash and rinse to ensure that it is oil free

These natural oil seeps occur most notably in the Santa Barbara Channel near Coal Oil Point, which emits between 5,280 and 6,600 gallons of oil per day, and when this oil is stirred up each winter it becomes particularly harmful to diving birds, like the Murres currently filling International Bird Rescue’s Los Angeles Center.

International Bird Rescue has 40 years of experience cleaning oiled wildlife at more than 200 oil spills as it maintains two year-round aquatic bird rescue centers. Over the last four decades both the scope and the sophistication of International Bird Rescue’s clinical work and research have evolved, dramatically increasing survival rates. “We know that when we get birds from a natural seep in time they have a good chance of survival,” notes International Bird Rescue Director Emeritus, Jay Holcomb. “Some years we receive even more natural oil seep birds than we do birds from a human-caused oil spill with a responsible party to cover the cost of their care – and, unfortunately, these birds don’t come to us with health insurance.”

A newly cleaned Murre on its way to the drying room

“We have never seen this many oil seep Murres at once.” Besides the 97 Murres, International Bird Rescue’s patients oiled from this event have included three Common Loons, three Pacific Loons, three Western Grebes, an Eared Grebe, a Surf Scoter, and a Rhinoceros Auklet.

Natural events like oil seeps, algal blooms, and even extreme weather keep staff and volunteers at International Bird Rescue’s Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Centers busy at least 10 hours a day, 365 days a year.

How the Public Can Help
Some of International Bird Rescue’s costs for natural seep events are offset by support from California’s Oiled Wildlife Care Network through funding by the California Department of Fish and Game, but we still bear the brunt of this responsibility every year and are asking for donations.

To report oiled wildlife sightings please call (877) UCD-OWCN.