A juvenile Osprey injured in Forster two months ago has flown to new beginnings.
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The then three-month-old Osprey was found near the Telstra mobile phone tower on Wallis St in Forster early October, after attempting to fly out of its nest on the tower high above the ground (its father is often seen atop light poles on the Forster bridge, looking for its next meal).
Separated from its sibling and parents and losing its tail feathers in the process, wildlife rescue FAWNA’s Tony and Zoe Inglis were soon on the scene, eventually relocating the exhausted bird to a carer – Elaine Madden –who specialises in birds of prey at Johns River.
“As Osprey’s diet is 99 per cent fish. They plunge into the water talons first to grab it, so their beaks and talons are incredibly strong. You need to take appropriate care to feed and handle them without injuring yourself,” said Tony.
After two months in a large flight aviary eating bream, whiting, and other fish, Wanda grew back her missing tail feathers and was successfully released in a wetland area, away from traffic hazards, just north of Forster on Saturday.
“Wanda made a fly by to us to say goodbye before flying off looking for her next meal of fresh fish,” said Tony.
Ospreys are known to imprint well with family, so it was hoped it would find its way back to the nest if it so desired. Instinct should cover the rest.
Post-Spring is always a busy time for FAWNA volunteers, who cover the lower mid north coast. Anyone interested in helping or has found injured wildlife, call 6581 4141. Training is available for carers of marsupials, macropods, reptiles and birds.
