Greetings from Los Angeles!

Hello friends!

You might have been wondering, per my last missive, why on earth I’m pontificating about red fences in San Pedro, Los Angeles?

Bird nerdin’ in LA

Beyond practicing some new writing techniques and enjoying the succulents, the real reason I’m here is to volunteer at an aquatic bird rescue centre in San Pedro. International Bird Rescue has been rehabilitating pelagic birds since 1971. They got their start dealing with oiled birds following an oil tanker collision in San Francisco Bay. Since then, they continue to do tons of work on oiled water bird recovery (remember Deepwater Horizon? Yep, they responded to that crisis!).

All about aquatic birds

I’m here with my friend Eva, who runs her own wildlife rehabilitation centre in BC. Hers – Interior Wildlife – focuses on small mammals, reptiles, and…aquatic birds! We’re here to learn more about the particulars of rehabbing species like grebes and loons (which require specific care and who we are likely to see in our neck of BC). But, it’s also fun to learn more about and work with species that we may never get to interact with at home: Double-crested Cormorants, Surf Scoters, Common Murres, and Brown Pelicans. Be still, my bird-loving heart!

We’ve been at the centre for eight days, logging volunteer hours every day. The tasks have been all over the map, from cutting up fish for feedings, washing dishes and floors, to helping staff with bird checks. I am becoming an expert pool siphoner, thank you very much.

(If you’ve been following my blog long enough, you’ll know that the last time I got to be up close and personal with pelagic birds was Midway in 2012 – there, it was albatross, terns, noddies, and tropicbirds. It was high time for a seabird reunion of sorts!)

Next up, a two-day respite before diving back in for four more days of volunteering and then we head back to chilly Canada. I hope to share photos soon!

As the grebes say, “meep!” 🌊