Kutarere resident Liz McAdams came to the rescue of a distressed Royal Spoonbill this week after finding it tangled in discarded fishing line and struggling in the mud.

Unable to free the bird because of how tightly the line was wrapped, Ms McAdams rushed home to fetch scissors.

“The spoonbill looked rather weak. I have no idea how long it had been struggling,” she said.

“The fishing line was wrapped around the bird’s legs and body. It led up a bank, around some wood, and finished at a discarded fishing reel.”

Once freed, she carried the injured bird home, cleaned it as best she could, placed it in a box with fresh water, and contacted Whakatāne Bird Rescue for advice.

The Royal Spoonbill is one of only six spoonbill species worldwide, and the only one that breeds in New Zealand. They are easily identified by their long slender legs and distinctive black, spoon-shaped bill. Spoonbills frequent shallow waters along estuaries, rivers, and harbours.

After being cleaned and given water, the bird was placed in a dark box to reduce stress and appeared to recover quickly. Once the tide receded, the spoonbill was soft released back into its environment.  

A soft release means the bird is monitored after release and if reintegration is unsuccessful, it can be recaptured and taken into care by Whakatāne Bird Rescue for further rehabilitation.

A Whakatāne Bird Rescue volunteer said entanglement in fishing line was a recurring issue.

“It’s frustrating how often this occurs. It’s such a shame that some people don’t respect the environment enough to clean up after themselves.”

With continued monitoring by Ms McAdams and Bird Rescue, it is hoped the young spoonbill will make a full recovery and soon be back with its flock.