Kingfishers in New York , known as belted kingfishers, are less colourful than the kingfishers in England (common kingfishers). They are interesting to watch. They are very skittish though and do not let you come to0 close usually. I was kayaking on a windy day and was surprised when this one let me drift closer than usual. It was not until I got home and looked at the images on my computer that I may have seen why.
This kingfisher seemingly has a fishing line attached to it. It did fly from tree to tree overhanging the water and I did see it drop into the water. However, I hope if it needs help, it will allow someone to get close enough to bring it to help.
According to NOAA Fisheries: “Entangled animals may drown or starve because they are restricted by fishing gear, or they may suffer physical trauma and infections from the gear cutting into their flesh.”
The lake I went on is popular with fishermen on shore and on fishing kayaks. Although this bird was on an unpopulated side of the lake, those on kayaks could fish in that area.
It was not possible for me to get there before dark today, but I have put the word out. Incidentally, I also have a picture of a turtle with fishing line stuck to it as well from the same outing. Hopefully if this bird needs help it will allow someone to get close enough to grab. The hazards of life for wildlife that depend on water seem to be many.
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Oh so sad. I have seen seals and sea birds similarly entangled with fishing line and plastics
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I am hoping it can free itself from the line, but I read that over 60 percent of animals rescued end up dying in regards to fishing gear. Before I knew it , it let me drift close but not that close. I did not even see the fishing line until I got it on the computer that night and looked at the photos.
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The poor critter…
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Yes indeed!
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So upsetting to see this kind of human activities and hope the bird got away okay
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It was flying when I was there. I put the word out to a few people with kayaks. Unfortunately it’s been very cloudy here and the last two days I could not get there before it was dark.
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Heart-breaking.
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It is. I don’t know if it would let anyone get close enough to help it.
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Always a shame when human items harm wildlife. I hope someone is able to disentangle this poor bird. Happy Tuesday Sharon. Allan
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Not sure if it needed further help it would allow anyone to get close enough. They are real skittish.
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It is sad. A local Audubon group here has placed PVC receptacles at various fishing ponds and lakes for people to dispose of those broken or tangoed lines making it less likely birds might become entangled by them. They then visit the places to retrieve and dispose of the lines.
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So sad, I hope it is able to lose it on its own or hopefully get some third party (human or other) assistance to rid itself of that line.
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