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| Pomarine Jaeger at the Avian Conservation Center -- Awendaw, SC -- Photo by Craig Watson -- August 26, 2014 |
After a month away from Charleston and now having returned, I had been contemplating the subject of my next blog post. Then, I looked in my inbox, there it was! An update on "our" singed Pomarine Jaeger -- found at Breach Inlet in early July (see previous 2 posts -- here and here) -- from fellow birder Craig Watson. Craig is the one who first found the injured bird and alerted the birding community of this rarity hanging out on the beach. This species of sea bird is not a beach bum. He spends the majority of his life on the wing off shore. Shortly after arriving on the beach, the bird's injuries were noted and it was transported to the Rapter Center -- Avian Conservation Center in Awendaw for care. Craig visited the Center on Tuesday, August 26 and was able to see our rugged and handsome fellow. Here's his report:
"I was just out at the Center, the bird is doing great and looking great, he now has a fracture of the scapula and is not flying, but looks great, alert and active, and his feathers are molting so the bird should have good flight feathers soon. The bird also appears to be getting his natural oiling back, the prognosis is still sketchy, but I think we are all hopeful."
Now, overall, I call that good news. I hope the scapula heals. Our bird needs to sail out over the open waters again. He is meant to have a life on the wing!
Craig will continue to receive updates on our rugged and handsome jaeger which I will then share with you. Let's hope that we will soon be able to conclude this saga with a photo of his release over the Atlantic!
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