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Volunteers needed to care for feathered friends

Bundy Wildlife birds
An owlet nightjar was recently cared for by the Bundy Wildlife Rescue team.

Birds of prey, colourful lorikeets and kingfishers are just some of the bird species that Bundy Wildlife Rescue Inc members have been caring for recently and the organisation is calling on the community to get involved.

President Linda Karlsen said bird lovers were being urged to take part in a volunteer carers course to help with the demand of bird rescues and care in the region.

“Birds are our most common rescue and make up well over 80% of all calls we receive,” she said.

“I do birds of prey and recently had a brown goshawk fledgling and a nankeen kestrel fledgling come into care.

“I had both until they had put on weight and then they were released.

“Other birds include figbirds, koels, magpies, kingfishers, masked lapwings, kookaburras, owlet nightjars, pheasant coucals, lorikeets, crested pigeons, noddies and the list goes on.”

Linda said the spring and summer months were prime time for bird rescues and care, with plenty of calls about babies falling out of nests being answered by the team.

“We also get a lot of calls for fledglings that people pick up,” Linda said.

“Fledglings often take a while to ‘find their wings’ so to speak, and well-meaning people pick them up as they think they are in trouble.

“We also get cat and dog attacked birds, birds flying into things and birds hit by cars.”

Linda said Bundy Wildlife Rescue Inc would be offering a training course next month for those who wanted to become a volunteer bird carer.

“We cover all the basics of rescuing including the law, how to capture different species safely, what to feed them, housing etc, everything you need to know to get started,” she said.

“We supply most of the food to our carers to alleviate some of the costs that come with caring.

“We also try to assist with caging if we have some available.”

Linda said becoming a wildlife carer was an amazing role, especially when looking after animals that were so unique and diverse.

“Birds fill every niche in nature – they are insect eaters, meat eaters, snail eaters, seed eaters, honey eaters and fish eaters, just to name a few,” she said.

“They are also found in every environment from desert to lush forest and beaches to mangroves.

“Some scurry around on the forest floor and some soar high on the thermals.

“I find it fascinating how one basic body plan (beak, body, feet and wings) can have so much variation.”

Linda said the training course will be held on Sunday, 13 March at a venue and time to be announced.

Those wanting to find out more can phone 3924 6566 or message the Facebook page here.

To attend the course you must be a member of BWR.

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