Guiseppe Seagull's Story

Guiseppe Seagull was rescued on January 24, 2000, on Town Lake in Austin, Texas. 

I was out feeding my pigeon friends (and being filmed by a photojournalist) when an injured seagull came up on land.  It's not common to see a grounded seagull -- I knew something was wrong.  Poor Guiseppe had a large fishing lure with two hooks caught in her beak.  The hooks had torn her beak and nostrils, leaving her unable to eat or drink.  A kindhearted stranger helped me get the hook out of her beak.  I was quite nervous because I had never handled a seagull.   She was incredibly light and soft and delicate. 

Guiseppe came home with me.  I put her in the pigeon cote for a little while, but since it was getting cold, I had to bring her inside.  She stayed in my bathtub for a week, where she munched on fish and treats and took frequent baths.  Because she was so emaciated, she was unable to fly.  She was very weak, which affected her balance.  

In desperation to find a bird rehabilitator and to feed Guiseppe the right foods, I wrote to Martin Reid, who has a wonderful Web site on seagulls.  Fortunately, Martin Reid posted my plea, and many kind people wrote to me.  One lady, Ginger Davis, knew of a wildlife rehabilitator in Dallas: Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.  Ginger had worked with them and assured me that they would do everything they could for Guiseppe.   Furthermore, Ginger offered to transport Guiseppe safely to Kathy Rogers.

On Friday, January 28, I met Ginger and handed over the beautiful seagull whom I had grown very attached to.  I could tell immediately that Ginger was a compassionate, caring woman with great bird karma!  Ginger called me from her cell phone twice on the road and again when she arrived to let me know that Guiseppe was okay.  What a thoughtful woman!!!

On Sunday, I drove to Dallas to visit Guiseppe.  She weighed in at only 400 grams; she should have weighed twice that much.  Kathy Rogers was absolutely wonderful with Guiseppe.   She was feeding her shad and meal worm to get weight back on her.  After some recovery time, Kathy put Guiseppe in a flight cage so that she could learn to fly again.  Guiseppe was not 'waterproof' because she had not been preening properly.  She would need to learn to preen and learn to fly before she was to be released.

(pictured left: Kathy hugging a handsome turkey friend)

I visited Guiseppe several times in February and March, 2000. What's great about this area is that there are flocks of seagulls who pass by every day!  It seems that all the birds in town know about Kathy Rogers, and they know they can get a good treat if they stop by her large pond and look adorable.  Guiseppe was free to hang out there if she chooses (as numerous birds and ducks have), or she may choose to join a flock and find a handsome suitor.  She's in good hands at Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and she should be able to live a good seagull life.

It's a miracle that Guiseppe came up on shore at Town Lake just when I was standing there.  I am so grateful to have met this magnificent bird who really wanted to live and whom I got to help. 

Update: Guiseppe was released as a healthy, happy seagull! She continued to hang out at Rogers Wildlife Center for a few weeks before apparently joining a flock of gulls.

                                                  Fly free, Guiseppe!  We love you!

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