More than 20 additional Tern chicks were recovered that day and joined Little Mike, who by comparison, was by far the smallest and youngest chick. Little Mike stayed safely on the boat while rescue efforts continued. “It was touch and go but we’ve been able to revive a handful of birds we thought were dead using this technique – so I didn’t give up.”
“He was the tiniest little guy and I was determined to save him,” said Julie Skoglund, Director of Operations at Bird Rescue. He quickly recovered and within 30 minutes was standing, running, preening, and even trying to eat Julie’s fingers. Once breathing, the bird was warmed up to correct serious hypothermia. After he was scooped from the water, Julie Skoglund of International Bird Rescue, immediately and gently performed life-saving coupage to resuscitate the chick and clear the water from the bird’s respiratory system. By the time Bird Rescue’s boat team was able to reach him, the chick was drowning underwater for almost 20 seconds without breathing, and thought to be dead.
“He was the tiniest little guy and I was determined to save him” –Julie Skoglund, Director of Operations, International Bird RescueĪffectionately nicknamed “Little Mike” after the goodhearted person who spotted him in trouble in the water, this small bird has quite a story.
One special Elegant Tern that was rescued this week at the ongoing Long Beach Harbor barge event – against all odds – has captured the hearts of his rescuers. Photo by Kylie Clatterbuck – International Bird Rescue The tiniest rescued Elegant Tern, “Little Mike” arrived weighing 60 grams, he now is 92 grams.