N.S. woman rescues loon stuck on side of highway

A Nova Scotia woman wants others to know if you see a loon on the side of the highway, they are likely stuck and need help.

Heather Allen told CTV News in a message on social media, she was on her way to a funeral when she saw a loon – the official bird of Ontario -- on the shoulder of the Cobequid Pass in Cumberland County earlier this month.

Loon stuck on the side of a Nova Scotia highway (Heather Allen)

Being an animal lover, she said she pulled over and called her husband, Klaine Johnson, to help rescue the protected water bird.

"We called the department of natural resources. They said this happens several times a year - loons think the road is water because of ice/snow and land on it then are stranded because they can’t take off from land or walk on land," Allen said.

"Natural resources had a bird rescue contact us and tell us to put him in a body of water if no apparent injury."

GETTING STUCK

Because of the placement of a loon's feet, which are far back on their bodies to help them dive, Wildlife In Ontario said, it makes it hard for the bird to walk on land.

"If they become stuck on land, they will need rescuing as they cannot walk long or even short distances," the website said.

"During migration, loons may mistake wet highways and parking lots for rivers and lakes."

THE RESCUE

Johnson wrapped the loon in a sheet and as the couple was walking back to the truck, they saw another loon behind the guardrail that hadn't made it, Allen said.

The loon was brought to a large pond on their property, where it has stayed.

Loon in Heather Allen's pond after rescue from the side of a Nova Scotia highway. (Supplied)

"He takes off, flies a circle, then keeps coming back to our pond," she said.

As winter sets in and water starts to freeze, Johnson goes out in his kayak and breaks up the ice so the loon can have the full pond to use, Allen added.

Klaine Johnson in a kayak breaking ice on his pond for the rescued loon. (Heather Allen)

Anyone who comes across a loon on a road should take caution, Sudbury scientist Amy Henson told CTV News in an email.

"One must be very careful when picking up a loon, however, because their beaks are very, very sharp," said Henson, a senior manager at Science North in Sudbury.

"The bird should be taken immediately to a bird rehabilitator or wildlife rehabilitator."