Egret Rescue on the Outer Banks

Entangled Egret Rescued by
Kayakers on the Outer Banks

Two kayakers paddled through the canals of Kitty Hawk Marsh Monday, June 6th expecting a relaxing afternoon of bird watching. Instead, they became involved in a rescue operation for an egret entangled in fishing line, proving that discarded fishing line and other discarded debris can be a major cause of injury and death to birds and aquatic animals.

Linda Craney and Reeni Jarrell had only planned for a hot afternoon kayak trip when they slipped their kayaks into the canal and paddled down Newfoundland Gut toward Albemarle Sound. They enjoyed watching the osprey soaring overhead and other wild animals scurrying about the canal bank. As they continued down the canal, several Great White Egrets could be seen wading along the banks foraging for food. Reaching Albemarle Sound, they turned around.

As they paddled back from the sound, they saw the egrets were still busy searching for food in the canal. Carefully approaching to take pictures before they flew off, the kayakers noticed something odd was happening. Two of the birds flew off, but a third became suspended in the air. Linda Craney was the first to notice the odd behavior and observed, “I didn't realize egrets could hover like osprey do. That last egret is hanging in mid air; Oh no, it’s caught in that tree or hung up on something.”

Looking closer, they noticed the egret was tangled in fishing line and becoming frantic. The more it flapped its wings, the more entangled it became. It called out in distress to the other egrets. The other birds circled their friend and called back, but held their distance as if they knew it was dangerous to fly any closer. The kayakers said it was “heart wrenching to watch the egret struggle and hear its pain filled cries." The kayakers paddled toward the egret and it struggled to another tree branch closer to shore. They could then see the egret had yards of fishing line wrapped around the wings and dangling toward the ground.

Closeup showing fishing line wrapped around wing of egret

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Great White Egret Art Print Harris, James Buy at AllPosters.com	Entangled Egret Rescued by Kayakers on the Outer Banks	Great Egret Photographic Print Bradley,... Buy at AllPosters.com

	Two kayakers paddled through the canals of Kitty Hawk Marsh Monday, June 6th expecting a relaxing afternoon of bird watching. Instead, they became involved in a rescue operation for an egret entangled in fishing line, proving that discarded fishing line and other discarded debris can be a major cause of injury and death to birds and aquatic animals. Linda Craney and Reeni Jarrell had only planned for a hot afternoon kayak trip when they slipped their kayaks into the canal and paddled down Newfoundland Gut toward Albemarle Sound. They enjoyed watching the osprey soaring overhead and other wild animals scurrying about the canal bank. As they continued down the canal, several Great White Egrets could be seen wading along the banks foraging for food. Reaching Albemarle Sound, they turned around.
Outer Banks, NC from Space - ©Spaceshots Art Print Buy at AllPosters.com	Egrets foraging for food on Newfoundland Gut	Sunrise at the Outer Banks Photographic Print LUTKE, TAMMY Buy at AllPosters.com
	As they paddled back from the sound, they saw the egrets were still busy searching for food in the canal. Carefully approaching to take pictures before they flew off, the kayakers noticed something odd was happening. Two of the birds flew off, but a third became suspended in the air. Linda Craney was the first to notice the odd behavior and observed, “I didn't realize egrets could hover like osprey do. That last egret is hanging in mid air; Oh no, it’s caught in that tree or hung up on something.” Looking closer, they noticed the egret was tangled in fishing line and becoming frantic. The more it flapped its wings, the more entangled it became. It called out in distress to the other egrets. The other birds circled their friend and called back, but held their distance as if they knew it was dangerous to fly any closer. The kayakers said it was “heart wrenching to watch the egret struggle and hear its pain filled cries." The kayakers paddled toward the egret and it struggled to another tree branch closer to shore. They could then see the egret had yards of fishing line wrapped around the wings and dangling toward the ground. They had cell phones and attempted to call someone that could help injured birds to no avail. With time growing short, Reeni called her husband Roger; who said he would bring over a knife and some scissors to cut the fishing line. Meanwhile the bird hopped down to some dense thickets on the embankment and continued to thrash around trying to rid itself of the painful fishing line. Reeni eased out of the kayak and tried to locate the line, thinking if she could just grab it, she might free the bird. As she approached, the egret moved deeper into the marsh, the trailing fishing line snagging on every bush and tree in its path.
	Kayaker Linda Craney	Sunrise over Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina, USA Photographic Print Smith, Scott T. Buy at AllPosters.com
	They watched in disbelief as the bird attempted to fly away but instead became entangled in yet another tree, even deeper in the marsh. A wide marsh bog now separated the kayakers and the egret; a wet, mucky, unpredictable bog that was known for pockets of sinking mud pits. Also, June is prime time for snakes and a marsh is the perfect habitat for water moccasins. Reeni spotted a huge fallen tree and decided to cross the marsh using it for support. Keeping the tree close, she carefully slogged to the other side and snaked her way through the dense thickets and marsh grass. Meanwhile, Linda met Roger on the other side of the canal and picked up the scissors and knife. Despite being warned by Reeni not to cross the swamp, Linda headed across the bog using a fallen log for support. The marsh was treacherous and the bird was now in a tree about 15 feet above Reeni’s head. She was holding the fishing line, but it had become so entangled around the tree and the bird that the situation was beginning to look hopeless to her. Linda charged through the thickets until she reached the spot where the egret was treed and said, “I wasn’t going to leave you over here. Let’s see if I can climb this tree” Every piece of tree they touched broke away, rotten and covered with lichen. It was now getting late and they had to get back to their kayaks so they began to work quickly. They decided to try to cut as much of the line as they could reach. As Linda tried to climb up in the tree, the bird began to flap its wings and hop from branch to branch. Reeni held onto the fishing line and they watched in disbelief as the line slipped away from the egret’s wing. Finally free, the egret gained altitude and flew away. “It’s a miracle!” Reeni shouted. They stood in wonder as they watched the egret in the distance. They pulled the rest of the fishing line from the tree, wrapped it in a ball and took it with them. They both said they had learned three things that day: 1) Discarded fishing line is a real hazard for birds and should always be disposed of properly. 2) When venturing into the wilds, always bring a cutting tool 3) They were pretty gutsy when they had to be.
	Kayaker Reeni Jarrell

Closeup showing fishing line wrapped around wing of egret

	Great Egret flying away

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