Yesterday, I had the opportunity to save a bird.

My associate and I stopped by this pond in Gardner, IL to have a little lunch; a spot I selected because I figured I could take a few casts.

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=41.18169,-88.32025&z=15&t=S

As I fished, I noticed this bird sitting on a dead branch fairly close to me; close enough that it seemed odd it hadn’t flown away.  The bird was a juvenile green heron and it sure looked like it wanted to leave, but didn’t.  That’s when I noticed a fishing lure was also stuck to the branch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_heron

Immediately I figured the young bird was tangled in the line or something.  Upon closer inspection, it was worse than that; a hook from the bait was sticking into its leg.  It was stuck to the bait which was stuck to the branch; there was no way he was going to get out of that mess.

My associate and I quickly hatched a plan.  I pulled off my shoes and socks and got out my multi-tool.  I’d wade out to see if I could free the little guy.  The water was warm and the bottom was mucky as I made my way toward the branch and its captive.  Lots of weeds, too and it was deep enough that my shorts were dipping into the water.

As I closed in, the heron gave out a few squawks and tried to fly away. I was able to gather him up and snap off the dead branch so I could bring him up to the shore where the two of us could work on the problem.

Using the pliers on the multi-tool, I was able to cut off the hooks and work the embedded one out as gingerly as I could with the barb working against me.  The job complete, I let the little guy stand on my hand and recover for a bit.  He seemed to be supporting his own weight and was alert and responsive.  We speculated that the little heron wasn’t stuck for too terribly long given his relatively decent condition.  After a few minutes he tried to fly away and made to back to the edge of the pond.

When I last saw him, the heron was sitting on another, decidedly less dangerous branch at the water’s edge.  He was in the shade so he wasn’t going to overheat and had easy access to the water so he won’t dehydrate and might even get a meal or two.  He stands a pretty good chance of living now, but even if he doesn’t, it will be far more dignified than being hung up on a branch like that.

It’s somewhat ironic that this bird was put in peril because of a careless fisherman and then another fisherman comes along and frees him.