New Release Species

My tenth year of volunteering with the Toronto Wildlife Centre started off pretty good.  I had the opportunity to release a new bird species, that being a Wilson's Snipe.

A shout out was sent to the volunteer drivers about a need for someone to release some migratory songbirds.  I put my hand up and was the first to respond, so I got the gig.  As we were finishing up loading the car with the handful of birds that were in no wax paper bags and in a couple of boxes and I was about to leave, someone came out and asked if I could wait for one more bird.  I said "yes."  They said it will be a few minutes and mentioned the species being a Wilson's Snipe.  SAY WHAT?!?!  They gave me a release location which was very near where the spot where the song birds were going.

The traffic getting to the park was absolute hell.  It is just shy of 30 km to the location and it took me 55 minutes.  There was an accident on the 401 in the centre lane near Weston Rd so that caused a lot of interference with the flow.

I finally arrive at my destination and set all the song birds free.  There was a nice mix of juncos, white-throated sparrows, a fox sparrow and a couple of warblers including yellow-rump and one parula.  I did them all first because they could be released close to where I parked the car.  The snipe was going for a walk further in.

We get to the spot and I open up his "carrier".  I wait behind so he doesn't see me or any other people/threats.  Five minutes pass and he still isn't leaving.  Animals are like people, all with different personalities and reactions to things.  Some birds jet off quite quickly upon release while others are rather pokey and cautious.  Now with that traffic delay, I am pressed for time as it's about a 25 minute trek to work if that route is in good shape.  I decide to intervene and lift the back end of the carrier up, slowly, little by little, and either spook him out or gravity takes over.  It was gravity that assisted in this release and out came the snipe.

He took a few steps and then paused, looking around at where he was.  I remained still where I was other than grabbing my camera which was at my feet and took a few photos.  The tall grass along the marsh was mere feet away.  I was not going to leave this bird until he went in there, safe and out of sight.

I'm sure it didn't take too long but it did feel like it.  Work was screaming in the back of my head and I was hoping I could stop somewhere to get a coffee before going in.  The bird finally went into the grassy stuff and disappeared.  

Believe me, I was pretty excited about this release and while there was some stress with traffic and time, I did get lost in the moment of this release.  What a neat bird species.  I rarely see these unless we go up to the Carden Alvar in the spring.  So having this one right in front of me.  WOW!

I made it to work on time but unfortunately I couldn't get that much desired and needed coffee.  The snipe release kept me pumped and happy for the first little bit of the shift and I got myself a bigger coffee when break hit.

Here is the bird.  I should name it "Pokey".