Thank you Clynn for posting!
Higher Ground Raptors - SE 21 - Wednesday 13/3/2019
Operation Release SE21 (or goodbye Essie - live well)I thought I would give all Essie's followers and the people who care so much about her a glimpse into the lead up of her release plans for tomorrow.
I have just released another WTE this evening, and while I was down at the free flight I took a couple of quick pics of what I hope will be the last ones of Essie taken in captivity.The one of her flying is the best I can do with my camera, but it shows me for the hundredth time how symmetrical her wings/feathers are when she gets momentum.
So..... here we go
She is being released back in her natal territory.
We do not know if she will be accepted by her parents or not, but she is being released as soon as was practicle within her recovery boundary.
While she has been conditioned to inclement weather (as much as we have had it rain wise), she will not be released if the weather is inappropriately windy or rainy. The forecast is for rain tomorrow but we will see.
She has been eating well and her last meals in captivity have all been fresh sand whiting, snapper and leather jacket which she has consumed with relish.
She had this diet today and will have it in the morning.
The catching team will be Dave and Jennifer (who just released the Bermi Sea Eagle for me and wasn't that reunion amazing?) and myself.
I would hope we will have her caught within about 30 seconds and from the catch net she will be gently retrieved, covered with a towel and quickly placed in her travel box. We never catch on the wing, she will be caught in a bay or after being guided to the ground and with some fast running on our parts! She will not need to have her legs held and the covering (same as hoods/pilowcases etc) stops her from seeing anything and calms her down. This is why falconers use hoods, as soon as a raptor is sightless you can feel them relax.
She will be transported to Sydney in a ventilated cardboard box that I will pad nicely with towels and sheets. She will have a perch on the base made from towels should she wish to stand on it during the 1 1/2 hour trip, but it is important that it is on the base of the box so that she is not putting any effort into having to balance/perch. The thick towels stop her slipping and keep her feathers clean. All this minimises stress.........hers - mine builds as release gets closer - have I got it all right???
Davethe driver/catcher is an IC paramedic so drives very calmly and carefully - a bonus. Her journey will be as quiet and stable as possible.
We arrive at SOP and meet Ranger Judy who will guide us to the release area.
This has been chosen to allow her ready access to a perching tree and in an area she knows. Not in an open space that means she has to fly without protection over a long distance after her journey.
I am not a personal advocate of fanfare when it comes to release, just my opinion, so there will be no smiling photos of me throwing her into the air and multitudinous flash bulbs going off.
It is all about SE21 being as calm as is possible, under what must have been extraordinary circumstances for her.
The cardboard box will be slowly turned on its side, after checking her placement in the box, and the box flaps will be opened.
She will be given all the tme she needs to feel comfortable enough to leave the box. Some birds take 1/2 hour or more, some leave straight away.
One thing Dave and I always notice though is that these birds of prey know when they are "back home" . Within the confines of the covered box they suddenly get restless and start vocalising as we drive closer to their home territory....usually when about 5 mins away.. We find it extraordinary and inexplicable, but it always happens and always gives us a few goosebump moments of silence as we realise we are being a part of something totally amazing.
Essie will leave the box and fly free when she is ready.
What we all have to bear in mind is that she is a wild bird, she is a juvenile,she is going back into an "urban" environment and she had many physical problems. No matter how well the latter have finally resolved she has a lot going against her and she needs all her strength and will to survive.
A lot of people have helped Essie in her journey to recovery, and I am sure they would all join with me in hoping,praying, sending healing vibes, whatever you choose, but basically in wishing her a long successful life.
May she thrive and survive and go on to breed one day.
Essie, just from me, as with all your bird of prey family, it has been a pleasure and priviledge to be a part of your life journey.
Survive, thrive and go on to breed one day..
Fly well and stay safe my friend.
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Topic: White Bellied Sea Eagle, Sydney Cam (Read 132864 times)