Further to recent reports from SE Qld regarding seabirds seen inland following cyclone oswald’s passage, I found a slightly dishevelled but relatively strong Wedge-tailed Shearwater flopping about on long grass next to a local creek at Larnook in NE NSW, (roughly halfway between Nimbin and Kyogle, approx 50kms directly inland, as the shearwater flies) at about 5.30pm on Wednesday 30th Jan after work, the storms and rain having ended the previous evening. Having been a carer and animal rescuer I was aware that these birds rarely do well under such circumstances, but it was still pretty strong and took some fresh water though I had no appropriate food to offer (what would be appropriate anyway?), so I quickly took the decision (after consultation with my very understanding partner) to make a mercy dash to the nearest appropriate coast. The bird was released at the headland at Cabarita Beach about 9.30pm where the weather was beautifully balmy and the ocean had become very gentle compared to recent days. Predictably, it made no effort to fly away but we placed the bird in a very sheltered tussock on the front edge of the headland where it quickly seemed comfortable and relaxed, gleaning moisture from surrounding grasses with it’s beak. Obviously it’s chances are slim but we felt it at least deserved a chance after simply surviving the initial ordeal.
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