A Celebration of Life Continued

Continuing on with yesterday's tale, "A Celebration of Live (but not the weather)", today we retell the story of a special REGI guest from the far northern reaches of Canada and Alaska. The Red-necked Grebe.

This spectacular looking fellow's road through Raptor Education Group's facility is one that has been traveled by many.  During his migration north he inadvertently decided to take a break in what ended up being a puddle in a farm field and not the vast lake he undoubtedly thought it to be.  This, unfortunately, proved to be problematic as Red-necked Grebes require rather long expanses of water to be able to take off due to the far back position of their legs - similar to the Common Loon.

While this part of his story is somewhat unique thanks in part to an unseasonably cold Wisconsin spring and still frozen water ways, the fact that someone cared enough to intervene is not.  In this case, a young woman was able net the troubled bird and transport it to REGI with the assistance of her mother.

After a brief stay in the famous REGI bathtub to rest and stock up on minnows, this spirited little guy was ready to continue his journey home (video courtesy of Raptor Education Group Facebook post).

Marge Gibson transporting the Red-necked Grebe to the lake. Photo by Lisadawn.

While Marge Gibson transported the Red-necked Grebe to the waters edge and allowed the many spectators the opportunity to view and photograph this stunning beauty, the young woman who originally rescued the bird had the opportunity to retell her own story before having the honor of releasing him back into the wild.

Red-necked Grebe moments away from freedom.

As quickly as the snowflakes fell to the ground, this amazing feathered friend slipped back into the waters of the Wisconsin River before continuing his journey home.

A rehabilitated Red-necked Grebe back in the wild.

And there you have it. Another incredible story from the many volumes of incredible stories provided by the exceptional efforts of Marge Gibson and Raptor Education Group, Inc.

If you, like us, find yourself in complete awe of the things REGI does each and every day for our wild feathered friends, we'd invite you to take the Feathered Hope Challenge and show your support.

Thanks for reading.
Ken & Lisadawn Schram