I definitely agree with Mike's statement that each of us should do what our own heart tells us regarding interference/noninterference when we come across beached seabirds. I would like to say , however, that a nearly 100% failure rate of one rehabilitator for seabirds does not mean that all rehabilitators have similar rates. I've worked at the largest wildlife rehabilitation center in Washington (PAWS in Lynnwood) for nearly 9 years now, and can attest to the fact that many of these beached birds can in fact be saved. Our ability to treat the birds depends largely on their condition at admit. Treatment of emaciated seabirds is especially challenging, requiring specialized skills and the involvement of veterinarians, but I have seen many birds recover that at first glance appear to be at death's door. In addition, birds found on the beach are not always suffering from starvation. They may be injured, oiled, or simply exhausted.

In October of 2001 PAWS received 102 western grebes that had been found on the beach in the Ocean Shores area. Most were molting, and they were wet, dirty, and hypothermic. None were starving, but many were on the verge of death due to the hypothermia. After receiving heat and fluid therapy they perked up quickly. 86 of those birds were successfully returned to the wild within 2 weeks of being admitted to the center.

So, again, each of us can decide for ourselves where we stand on the interference/noninterference issue. I just wanted everyone to know that rehabilitation is a viable option for beached seabirds.

==================================
Kevin Mack
Naturalist
PAWS Wildlife Department
425-787-2500 ext. 854
www.paws.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Patterson [mailto:celata at pacifier.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2003 5:24 PM
To: mattxyz at earthlink.net
Cc: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Close encounter w/ Fulmar - Long Beach, 10/25


The "algae bloom" is probably not responsible for
the birds being found on the beach. This is something
the ranger probably picked up from the radio. A local
rehaber with a heart of gold and a misunderstanding
about storm stress and natural selection has put the
word out that the green foam whipped up by several weeks
of very rough seas are the cause and these birds can be saved.

Now I'm not suggesting that folks shouldn't follow their
hearts and do what they think best, but I spent a year
working with a local rehaber. The failure rate for
seabirds was nearly 100%. Most of these bird are highly
stressed and starved to the point that they have begun to
metabolize muscle. By the time they wash to shore there's
very little that can be done.

Adding to the stress of a bird that is probably already
going to die is something I have chosen not to do anymore.
I find them a comfortable place out of the waves and
let nature take its course.

Again, each of us should do what our own heart tells us,
but I felt obliged to offer an alternative perspective.

Matt Bartels wrote:
>
> Yesterday [Sat 10/25], with promises of good weather, I headed out to
> the Long Beach Peninsula.
>
> I talked with a ranger at the Ft. Canby State Park entrance and
> learned that an algae bloom nearby was apparently beaching a lot of
> sick seabirds. She told me it was possible to rehabilitate these
> injured birds if they were brought in, and asked to keep an eye out as
> I walked the beach.
>

--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com

I do not know which to prefer,
The beauty of inflections
Or the beauty of innuendoes,
The blackbird whistling
Or just after.

- Wallace Stevens

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html