Rare avian visitor hit by car

AFTER successfully completing a 24 000km flight to escape the European winter, a European honey buzzard’s long, difficult journey to the South Coast nearly ended in tragedy.

A week before Christmas this rare summer visitor was hit by a car on the main road near near Oribi Gorge.

A motorist found the unconscious raptor on the side of the road and took it home. It gained consciousness but, for two days, refused to drink or eat. Realising the bird needed specialist care, its rescuer took it to Michelle Pearson who runs the Second Chance Avian Rehabilitation Centre in Shelly Beach.

Trained in the skills and also licensed by Ezemvelo Wildlife to provide a recovery service to injured birds and animals from the wild, Michelle consulted with avian expert veterinarian Leon Bruggemann of the Margate Veterinary Practice.

An X-ray showed that the raptor had a fractured pelvis, an injury that, with the right care, could heal in time.

A diet of raw chicken and calcium supplements formed part of the excellent nursing care provided by Michelle.

On Tuesday this week, the European visitor was ready to be released. Tom Parry, who owns a farm inland from Shelly Beach that has suitable wooded areas for raptors, offered his property for the reintegration of the bird.

“I feel very strongly about the protection of our wildlife heritage. Our community, particularly the youth, needs to be made aware of just how precious the asset of our wildlife is. Initiatives like Michelle Pearsons’ Second Chance run on a shoestring budget and deserve to be supported,” Tom said.

A group of 20 adults and children attended the release. Before the beautiful bird took to the skies, they had the opportunity to take a closer look at the special avian visitor which journeys all the way from Europe or Asia every year to spend November to April in Africa.

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