We came across a pied-billed grebe in need of help earlier today at Green
Lake. The bird was entangled with monofilament fishing line, wrapped around
its wings, body, and neck. It was still quite mobile, able to dive,
outmaneuver, and probably feed. But it was clearly a stressed bird. We
worked with a Seattle Parks Department employee in a boat, trying to herd
the bird into a place we could capture it, but to no avail.

If someone has experience capturing waterbirds, you might have better luck.
Once in hand, it looks like the line could be easily snipped and removed.
On Sunday, the bird was staying in the vicinity of the bleachers/main boat
launch on the side of the lake, with 5 or 6 other grebes. The Parks
Department employee said he would call PAWS for us, but I'm not certain if
that happened.

Christine Lee
Seattle
heajean at gmail.com