Animal Care Director Natalie Staples prepares grebe to be released

It is rare to ever see a grebe on land. But as of April 1, 2008, four birds were recovered from across Columbia and taken to Carolina Wildlife Care for examination. Three pied- billed grebes and one horned grebe were found stranded in areas across the city, from the parking at Williams Brice stadium to a storage facility outside of Chapin. Rain and fog earlier in the week left several of these winter migrants grounded, as they confused light reflecting off wet pavement for bodies of water in which to land and refuel.

"With the exception of minor scratches and scrapes, all four birds appear to be in good health," said Animal Care Director Natalie Staples. "Grebes are a species of water bird that really do not do well in captivity," remarks Staples. "The sooner we get them back into a pond, the happier they will be."

And that is what Carolina Wildlife Care did April 2. All four grebes were released at 10 am onto a private pond situated on 1300 acres of Cooks Mountain in Eastover, SC.

Pied- billed grebe

Executive Director Joanna Weitzel said, "Pied- billed grebe #40,000 and the three other grebes serve as a reminder of how wildlife is impacted by the changes being made to the environment. Many migratory birds fly at night, and lights often distract them from the visual cues they perceive from the stars and moon. Birds are often killed by collisions with large buildings and other structures or confused because of surrounding lights."

Grebes are small diving birds that are rarely seen flying and migrate only at night.The bird is designed to spend its life in water. Instead of having webbed feet like most waterfowl, a grebe has lobes extending from the sides of each toe, providing extra surface area for paddling. Grebes on land will remain stranded until rescued, as they are incapable of flying due to their unique body design.

Horned grebes are winter migrants that winter along coasts and on large bodies of water. They are birds of the North, nesting on northern lakes and marshes as far as Canada and wintering on coastal bays or large lakes. The Pied-billed Grebe is common on remote ponds, marshes and lakes across North America.

Carolina Wildlife Care is a leading wildlife rehabilitation center in South Carolina establishing harmony between humans and wildlife, while instilling an appreciation for nature. Founded in 1989, the Center has cared for 40,000 injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife representing 200 species, including songbirds, waterfowl, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Carolina Wildlife Care, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 organization and receives no state or federal funding. Donations or inquires can be made to Carolina Wildlife Care at 5551 Bush River Road, Columbia, S.C., 29212 or by visiting the website at www.carolinawildlife.org.