Volunteers Rescue Stranded Petrels Along Newfoundland Coast

Efforts to rescue stranded Leach’s storm petrels along the eastern coast of Newfoundland are gaining momentum thanks to dedicated volunteers. These seabirds often become disoriented by artificial lights from buildings, fishing boats, and oil platforms, particularly during their fledgling stage from September to mid-November. With local initiatives, many of these birds are getting a second chance at life.

Community Mobilizes for Petrel Rescue

Karen Gosse, a volunteer with Rock Wildlife Rescue, highlighted the importance of community involvement in these rescue efforts. Along with individual volunteers, organizations like CPAWS-NL and Canadian Wildlife Services are taking part in the initiative. Gosse explained, “We have a 24-hour petrel drop-off unit. If they’re found around the city or brought in by anybody from either one of those agencies — any time of day or night — they can be dropped off to us at the rescue, and we will assess them, get them ready.”

Once assessed, the birds are then transported by volunteers to Witless Bay each night, where they can be safely released back into their natural habitat. This year, the number of birds collected and successfully released has been notably lower, which Gosse views as a positive sign. “Last year, I remember standing here with another one of our volunteers and they were falling from the sky, circling, exhausted, falling, breaking their necks on the pavement. It was absolutely awful. So we’ll take a not busy night any day,” she said.

Late Nights and Lifelong Bonds

For mother-daughter duo Jennifer and Chloe Lahey, the rescue work often extends into the early hours. “We go out at about 11 p.m. and we get home around 2 a.m.,” Jennifer Lahey noted. They strive to release the stranded birds on the same night they are found, turning each rescue into a meaningful experience. “It’s my favourite thing to watch them fly off and just know that you saved their lives, and watch them get another chance,” Chloe Lahey added.

Wildlife biologist Taylor Brown spoke fondly of the petrels, calling them “lovely, small, quirky birds” that make unique sounds and exhibit fascinating social behaviors. “They recognize each other by smell and nest in burrows,” Brown explained. “They mate for life.”

Rebecca Vincent, a teacher at Gill Memorial Academy, shared how her students are participating in the rescue mission. After noticing stranded birds near the school, the kindergarten to Grade 3 students became eager to help. “They think they’re saving the world is what we’re doing,” Vincent remarked. The enthusiasm extends to older students, who frequently ask, “How many birds, miss?”

Concerns Over Declining Populations

Despite the positive efforts from volunteers, concerns remain about the decreasing numbers of Leach’s storm petrels. Biologist Bill Montevecchi, who has studied the birds for decades, pointed out alarming trends. He noted that in the 1980s, he documented over six million petrels on Baccalieu Island. “So what happened over those 30 years? We lit up the Grand Banks with oil platforms and flares,” he stated.

While the current population may still be in the millions, Montevecchi emphasized that even abundant species can be at risk of extinction. “Things that are often really abundant are still highly vulnerable to extinction,” he cautioned, drawing attention to the commercial extinction of cod as a historical example.

As these volunteers continue their tireless work, the hope remains that their efforts will contribute to the conservation of these charismatic seabirds. The community’s commitment to protecting the Leach’s storm petrels not only reflects a love for nature but also a shared responsibility to ensure these creatures thrive in their natural environment.