Bullock's Oriole ~ way out of bounds

Photo: Birds and Blooms

Oriole to return to west coast by jet aircraft

Nearly two year ago, a female Bullock's Oriole was seen perched on an apple tree in Ontario.   It was thousands of kilometres from its natural habitat and caught the attention of birdwatchers across Canada.   Now, the Bullock's Oriole who ended up in the Ottawa area is about to finally fly home to western Canada, courtesy of Air Canada.   She was first spotted in late 2015; probably blown off her migration route.   Weeks later, she was found lying in snow and freezing temperatures, and suffering from frostbite, dehydration and hypothermia.   She was taken to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre  and began to recuperate.   After much red tape, it was decided to return the Oriole to British Columbia, the northern most point of the Bullock's Oriole habitat.   Once the bird is rehabilitated by the Wildlife Rescue Association of British Columbia she will be freed to find her way back to her native wintering grounds in the southern US or northern Mexico.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace