Case Study: "HEADFRAME"  Atlantic Puffin  #12-33
 
 

Note:   This is a very unusual case study as the bird involved is not found in the Ottawa area.
There have only been two other sightings of Atlantic Puffins in Ontario, in 1881 & 1987. 
The sightings all seem to be associated with strong N.E. storms from the Atlantic which have 
blown the birds inland.
 

Day 1 - Tuesday Dec. 10, 1991 - 1:00 am found at 1:00 am, in the head frame of a mine at shift change.  rescuers Palma Perrier, Brian Ceraxe and James Navell - Placer Dome miners at DETOUR LAKE, 200 km from COCHRANE, Ont.  Palma took bird by bus to Cochrane.  The bird was not recognized by Palma as an Atlantic Puffin, simply that it was an unusual species to that area and was needed help rescuer's called the bird "HEADFRAME" for obvious reasons! handed over to Cochrane District Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) staff, Charles Henry and Cynthia Davey at 10:00 am same day Charles Henry  phoned Carleton Place MNR, who referred the case to the Wild Bird Care Centre (WBCC) in Nepean. WBCC contacted by Cochrane MNR early Tuesday am - arrangements made to transfer ASAP MNR identified the bird as an Atlantic Puffin (RPT Field Guide) Attempts by MNR to feed with small live and dead fish were futile...it 'threw out' fish during attempted force feedings... also given water to swim in...did not cooperate, jumped out.

Day 2 - Wednesday Dec. 11, 1991 - 7:30 pm MNR rep Cynthia Davey drove bird to WBCC, arrived about 7:30 pm - drive of about 10 hrs.  Cynthia was pretty tired! Bird in generally good condition, slightly thin, waterproofing acceptable, strong, curious, force-fed 4 minnows right away Calls for capelin fish made to members of Ontario Hunters and Anglers Message left for Steve Crutcher (Air Canada), re: possible flight with Air Canada ASAP to East Coast No fish stores open, no capelin fish for Headframe tonight

Day 3 - Thursday Dec. 12, 1991 Contacted Richard Poulin, Museum re: diet, location of puffin colonies on East Coast, etc. Referred us to Ian MacLaren, Nova Scotia Field Naturalist, Biologist with Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia.  He has seen other puffins off shore, will release this one into ocean waters if travel arrangements can be made to get the bird east. Transportation arranged with Tony Dewan of AIR CANADA.  Happy to accommodate...remembers loons and herons sent previously by us (GREAT!) Headframe is booked on Flight 616 leaving Ottawa at 07:00 hrs on Friday, Dec. 13.  Contacted Joe Carreiro, Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), message for Jacques Charron, CWS - Joe knows Ian MacLaren,...bird will be in excellent hands "good guy...good luck" Randy Marinelli, local MNR officer updated Followed up with Cochrane MNR - they will write report, also contact 'American Birds', Museum of Natural History, as well as CWS Follow up phone call with rescuer Palma Perrier who was thrilled to hear the good news. Interviewed by Andre Norgaard CBC TV (CBOT), Dave Brown, Ottawa Citizen, and Karen Flannigan McCarthy of CBC Radio. Canadian Wildlife Federation would like slides for International Wildlife Magazine.  Debra Lodoen over to see Headframe - very impressed by the work done here Special traveling box prepared and brought to Centre by volunteer, Derek Hitlon Puffin is thriving, non-plussed with fuss, started eating independently this evening...sweet relief!  great prognosis!

Day 4 - Friday Dec. 13, 1991 Air Canada Flight 615 - paperwork begins at 06:00hrs, bird loaded safely Departure 07:00 to Halifax  Call from Tony Dewan, Air Canada - Puffin arrived and was picked up by Ian MacLaren. Call from Ian MacLaren - Puffin taken to Atlantic (along with a CBC TV crew)  "GOOD RELEASE - Puffin flew over waves, dove in ...enjoyed being home!" TV coverage of release aired in Ottawa later that day