“The experience was otherworldly – I was in complete disbelief over what was unfolding.”
As a historical fiction author, Louisa Treger excels at weaving captivating narratives and immersing herself in her characters. Recently, however, Treger became the protagonist of her own extraordinary story when an injured heron landed on the doorstep of her Central London home, seeking aid.
“It felt as if she had chosen me,” Treger shared. “She walked right in.”
Although familiar with herons in city parks, Treger had never encountered one up close. Initially startled, her shock soon gave way to a sense of duty.
“The experience was otherworldly – I was in complete disbelief over what was unfolding,” Treger recounted. “Initially, I was a bit frightened by her size and sharp beak, but my fear quickly transformed into a strong urge to help when I saw the blood from her injuries on the floor.”
Realizing she needed professional help, Treger reached out to a local emergency vet, who advised her to bring the heron in. With the assistance of a neighbor, the bird was safely transported to the vet, where it received necessary treatment. Later, a wildlife rescue center took the heron to a temporary shelter, with plans to release her back into the wild once fully healed.
Treger will always remember the day she aided a feathered visitor.
“This is a stressful period for me, with a new novel set to be published in a few weeks,” Treger admitted. “However, the heron’s visit was transformative, providing a new perspective on my anxieties. It made me feel fortunate, enriched, and connected to something far greater than myself.”