On March 20, San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife team assisted in the rescue of an osprey, whose left leg and claws were wrapped in fishing line, tethering her to her nest high on a light pole in Ocean Beach. She had first been spotted stuck in the nest Sunday afternoon.
The osprey made several desperate attempts to free herself so she could feed her three nestlings. Due to the string entrapping her foot, she could not fly away from the nest atop a spotlight near a baseball diamond at Robb Field. A partner osprey parent was also spotted nearby, overseeing the nest. This bird continued to bring food to the three nestlings since the other parent was unable.
Thanks to a bucket truck and personnel, provided by SDG&E, rescuers could reach the bird’s nest 40 feet above the ground. At the direction of Project Wildlife’s senior director Dr. Jon Enyart on the ground, SDG&E crews were able to cut the bird free and bring her down to the ground.
Enyart immediately examined the osprey on site, cut all the lines off the bird’s foot, and gave an injection for hydration. Thankfully, the Osprey had only suffered some minor scrapes and swelling from being caught in the fishing line and was released within minutes — minimizing the stress of human interaction.
The osprey flew a lap around the baseball diamond, then promptly returned to her nestlings. The partner osprey immediately joined the nest as well.
Photo credit: San Diego Humane Society