Duck Rescue: From the Campaign Notes of Laurie Levy

Written by Laurie Levy, Lyn Trackell and Dave Evans

The main aim on the opening weekend and throughout the season is to rescue unclaimed wounded birds and transport them to veterinary care. The Coalition Against Duck Shooting (CADS) Rescue team is also there to recover illegally shot protected species.

You can assist the rescue efforts in many ways. If you are concerned about entering the wetlands on the opening weekend, don’t be deterred. There are many on-shore duties that are essential for the smooth running of the campaign. So talk to a co-ordinator if you have any concerns.

Wounded Birds

Wounded birds will most likely be highly stressed and will do their best to get away from you despite their injuries. Handle these birds as quickly and as gently as you can. Our aim is to minimise stress to the bird, so hold the bird firmly and place a towel or pillowcase over the bird’s neck and head. Make sure that the bird’s wings are held in a natural position to prevent the bird from flapping around. Transport your bird to the vets on shore (this should be lined up before you leave the briefing) as quickly and as quietly as possible. Kayaks are usually faster than wading, so try and pass the wounded birds to a person in a kayak or canoe.

When trying to retrieve a bird make sure the bird is wounded. Sometimes Yearling birds or birds in molt are mistakenly thought to be wounded. Many birds can become distressed with all the gunfire and look like they are injured. If a bird is strong enough to avoid capture it may not be wounded and should be left alone.

Ducklings and Cygnets are often sighted and they should also be left undisturbed, unless obviously injured. The adult or parent birds may have only left their young due to the noise of the guns, and usually they will return to their young once things are quieter.

Some waterbirds may group with other birds or seek refuge in reeds, so be careful when wading or walking near them that you do not flush them up into the air, making them easy targets for shooters. Extra care should be taken when looking for injured birds in reeds that you do not flush out healthy birds. Other species such as Coots and Musk Ducks will not fly to safety but will dive or swim to safety. These birds risk the danger of drowning if they are stressed or exhausted from constantly evading shooters or rescuers. So please remember --- If a bird is strong enough to avoid capture it may not be wounded.

Dead Birds:

Dead protected birds must be collected and taken to shore for identification and tagging. If you find a dead game bird, it should be offered to a shooter. In theory this is because it will save another bird from being shot at by the shooter, as shooters are only permitted a certain bag limit a day. In practice, however, the Coalition Against Duck Shooting has found that very few shooters will accept dead birds from us, thus proving that they do not shoot for food, as many claim, but for the fun of it. At least try --- it may save a life. If you have any difficulty identifying different species check with one of the co-ordinators, not the shooters.

Something for you to think about. Birds may give the appearance of impending death, but they actually be exhausted or stunned, so check all birds carefully.

Your Safety:

Although there have been no serious incidents to date, you must be fully aware of the potential dangers when you are in the water. A shotgun blast at close range will be fatal! From a distance of 50 metres a shotgun blast in your direction could mean pellets embedded in exposed skin. Rescuers sometimes experience lead shots falling on them from the sky. This is a similar sensation to that of a light hale shower and is not painful. However, wearing sunglasses or other protective lenses is highly recommended.

We must be vigilant and observe safe practices at all times. Most serious incidents that occur on the opening weekend are caused to the shooters themselves when they mistake each other for ducks.

Shooters will sometimes go out of their way to create conflict with rescuers. No matter how they try and provoke you, do not react to their often inane insults and arguments. They will lose interest if you ignore them. We have found that they have a small attention span. We are out on the water to rescue wounded birds so do not be distracted from our aim. Avoid contact with shooters as much as possible.

Volunteers under the age of 18 are not permitted to engage in rescue work without the written permission of their parents or guardians, and then only in the presence of an adult.

If any difficulties arise while you are out on the wetlands, try to write down relevant notes as to what took place, where the incident occurred, when it took place, a description of the shooter, registration number of the boats or any names. Any incidents should be reported to one of the co-ordinators as soon as possible, so we can direct the police and conservation officers to the location.
The details you have recorded may be vital evidence in ensuring prosecution of shooters involved in illegal activities. So please be alert.

The Media:

The media are on the wetlands (don’t forget to invite them) to give an unbiased report of the opening weekend. They must at all times be treated with respect and co-operation. By all means talk to the media if they wish to interview you. Just be yourself and be polite. Stick to the facts and don’t even think about abusing a shooter on or off camera. Reporters will also be interviewing the shooters to get their point of view, so allow them to do so.

In our experience, the more shooters that talk to the media the more they expose their stupidity of what they are doing. We have yet to hear any justification from them for the senseless mass slaughter. It is tempting to abuse the shooters but remember the media love a punch-up – it makes good news. What will happen if this occurs is it will take the focus (and the publics) away from the cruelty of the shoot – so please don’t argue with the shooters.

Remember the birds are depending on us and any irresponsible behaviour reported by the media will reflect badly on the whole campaign.

Kayaks and Canoes:

Only rescuers who have prior experience with kayaks or canoes will be allocated a kayak on the opening weekend. Because of logistics and costs CADS may not be able to provide a kayak to all rescuers. Please make sure you talk to the kayak co-ordinator asap. Remember, should you be allocated a kayak or canoe you will be responsible for any equipment you use, so make sure all the equipment is not left unattended on the wetlands.

Diana Simpson

In the past we have had rescuers come back and say their kayak is ‘just around the corner’ because it was easier to walk than paddle. So please, if you cannot look after the equipment you borrow, don’t borrow it. Kayaks left on the wetlands are likely to be stolen or damaged.

Kayaks, if you have not considered using them before, can be very important to us on the opening weekend. They offer speed and maneuverability. If you have a kayak your job is as follows:

• Get wounded birds to assistance as fast as safety permits

• Watch for people walking with wounded birds and offer to transport the bird for them. It may save that bird’s life.

• Get to areas of intense shooting as fast as safety permits. This means you can get to protected birds that are shot before the shooter tries to hide them.

• Get to trouble spots as fast as safety permits. It’s a good idea to have a plastic bag with a pencil and paper to record information. Tape recorders and dictaphones can also be useful in some instances.

• Always keep a lookout for the lone kayaker or walkers. Often the presence of a second person will make the confrontational shooter think twice.

• Stay in pairs at least or in small groups while on the water and assist other rescuers where possible.

• Finally, look after your kayak. If you need to have a break, return it to shore.

What To Bring:

For the Birds:

• Old pillowcases or towels to collect injured birds

• Plastic garage bags to collect dead birds in

• Disposable gloves to handle dead birds

• Whistles to warn birds away

• Camera or video gear

• Binoculars handy for spotting birds or distant trouble spots

• Pen and notebook in waterproof vegan pouch to record details of illegal activity.

For You:

• General camping gear, tent, sleeping bag, cooking utensils

• Water containers and fresh drinking water for washing and drinking

• Old, brightly coloured or white clothing (never dark colours or you are liable to be shot)

• Old sandshoes for easy wading. Gumboots are no good. They are too heavy to wade in.

• Knapsack for carrying food, water, garage bags etc

• Toiletries

• Food for each day spent on the Wetlands

• Money, enough to pay for accommodation, food and phone calls

• Water resistant sun-screen 30+ - it can get very hot out there

• Sun hat

• Torch – it can get dark out there too

• Insect repellent - very important not to be eaten alive out there

• Alarm clock – we start very early, work to a time frame and will leave the late sleepers behind

• Put nametags on all your possessions

Please Note:

Wear loose, comfortable colourful clothing in bright or fluoro colours to ensure YOU are clearly visible at all times on the Wetland. Do not wear dark colours –especially black. It is dangerous.

All of us need to be easily seen. For wading through the water old sandshoes are best. You may experience extremes in temperatures on the wetlands, from cold and rainy to very hot sunny days.

Shirts and t-shirts needs to be lightweight and comfortable, but make sure you have warmer clothing to change into and don’t forget suitable clothing for nights.

Food:

Bring enough food for the weekend. Include in high-energy snacks such as fruit and soy chocolate for out on the Wetlands. Do not depend on just buying takeaway. Take water containers, as there is not fresh water out in the swamps. Wading or kayaking can cause you to dehydrate very quickly. Always carry drinking water.

Don’t bring gumboots. They will fill with water and cause you all sorts of problems.

Don’t bring jewellery or valuables. They are too easy to lose.

Don’t bring alcohol.

A Final Warning:

In previous years members of shooting organisations have had non-shooting members of shooting clubs who may try and bluff you into believing they have been given authority to question you. They do not have any authority and should be ignored. They may try and provoke you and interfere with any rescue activities, and try and promote conflict. Important… if you see a rescuer being confronted by these people, immediately go the rescuers assistance. Record all details of the incident in writing or on film or on sound. Report the incident to the shore co-ordinator.

Do not promote conflict or get involved in any conflict. Our sole reason for being there is to rescue and protect the birds.