Water is everywhere, flying through the air in heavy drops and splashes, the floor is awash, and the walls behind the deep sinks are soaked. It's bath time for the common murres, and they're having a ball.
At the wildlife center, one of the best times of the day for birds and people is when the murres get to bathe.
Murres are small, ocean-going birds who look like miniature penguins. No relation, but they're just as cute. About a foot tall, they stand upright like a penguin, and sport tuxedo-like colors as well. But murres can fly quite efficiently, and penguins cannot. Murres are social birds, happiest when they're in a group of other murres. They talk, preen, huddle and eat as a group.
You can see flocks of murres on the big off-shore rocks along the northwest coast. Because of their small size, they seem to be prone to getting the worst of it when a big storm hits. Murres are probably the commonest seabird found on our beaches after a storm. If birds lose the waterproofing in their feathers, they're just like us: wet, sand-covered and totally miserable. Icy ocean water gets to their skin and chills them, then they can't find food or stay buoyant. Because they're hypothermic, they're minimally functional.
A cold, wet murre is fairly easy to pick up on the beach. They can't process information or move very fast. Lucky for us and for them. If you've ever chased a possibly injured but dry bird, you know how almost impossible it is to catch them. Especially if they rush back into the chilly surf. Both rescuer and bird become quickly exhausted.
A rescued murre gets wrapped in warm toweling and transported as quickly as possible to the center. The bird is then assessed for injuries and given IV fluid by oral tube in order to begin the resuscitation process. He's put with other murres for security, and left alone to acclimate. Later will come a thorough wash to remove contaminants from feathers (yes, we do use Dawn dish soap), then a nice drying with a blow dryer.
Usually they're just wet, hungry and cold - occasionally a broken or sprained wing or foot will complicate matters and require more care. Sicker birds are paired off, since being alone is very stressful. Two murres will huddle together for comfort and security. Healthier birds are kept in bigger groups, and when it's time to swim each day, the fun begins.
As soon as a bird is picked from the group for the walk to the sink, he begins to shriek in alarm, fearing the worst. It's fun to carry them gently but firmly by the body with head pointing forward. They will 'fly' their way to the sink, giving wing muscles needed exercise.
As each newcomer arrives, he is welcomed noisily with splashing, diving and swimming. The more birds, the more noise. Volunteers are smart to wear rubber aprons, as clothing very quickly becomes soaked.
If a freak storm hits at the wrong time of the year, young murres can be found huddled and cold, on the beaches. These little guys have lost their parent birds during the bad weather. In the wild, the male adult cares for the youngsters after they've hatched. In the center, the youngsters will identify the adult males and will try to huddle under the males' wings for protection. If there are five or six young ones trying to push under one male's wings, it can be quite comical. The male is lifted up, then toppled over backwards with all the chicks following.
Happy days come when the weather moderates and the murres ready for release are taken out to be freed. They're carried in pet carriers, several to a carrier, and they talk worriedly among themselves during the drive. A calm spot on the open bay is chosen, and carriers are placed at the edge of the water, doors open. At first, the birds are suspicious, cautious. But gradually, one, two, then a group will waddle out and gracefully dip into the new water. What a joy to see. Diving, calling, whistling, dashing around each other. Freedom!
As the small, dapper birds paddle quickly away, they carry a tiny bit of every volunteer's heart with them.
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