“[He was] unable to move and at real risk of drowning …”
A few years ago in Surrey, rescuers received an urgent call about a bird trapped in a dangerous situation.
A magpie had crash-landed in the muddy remains of a dried-up pond and couldn’t escape.
With every movement, the bird sank deeper into the thick mud.
Heatwave Turned Lakes Into Mud Traps
That summer, extreme heat caused many lakes in the area to dry out. The exposed lakebeds turned into sticky mud, which proved dangerous for wildlife.
Disoriented birds sometimes landed where water once existed, only to find themselves stuck in deep sediment.
This magpie had become one of those victims.
When rescuers from Wildlife Aid Foundation arrived, they saw the bird stranded in the middle of the muddy pond, unable to move.
If left there much longer, the bird risked exhaustion — or even drowning if more mud covered him.
A Clever Rescue Plan
Two rescuers, Lawrie Brailey and Simon Cowell, quickly tried to walk toward the trapped bird.
But the mud was so deep that they began sinking themselves.
Instead, Brailey attached a net to a long pole and carefully extended it across the mud toward the struggling magpie.
After a few careful movements, he managed to slide the net under the bird and pull him safely back to solid ground.
The magpie was then gently placed into a carrier and transported to the rescue center.
From “Ball of Mud” to Beautiful Bird
When rescuers first examined the bird, he was almost completely covered in mud.
One rescuer joked that they had a “magpie-shaped ball of mud.”
At the wildlife center, veterinarians carefully cleaned mud from the bird’s eyes and beak and provided fluids so he could recover from the ordeal.
After resting, a full medical exam confirmed that the magpie hadn’t suffered any major injuries.
Several gentle baths followed, washing away the thick layers of mud.
Once clean, the bird’s beautiful iridescent blue feathers were visible again.
Back to the Wild
Just a few days after the rescue, the magpie was strong enough to return to the wild.
Rescuers brought him back to the area where he had been found and opened the carrier.
Without hesitation, the bird took off and soared into the sky.
For the team who had pulled him from the mud, watching him fly away healthy and free was the perfect ending to a messy rescue. 🐦