As he paddled through the serene South River in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, a kayaker felt an unsettling presence from the thick growth of reeds nearby.
Initially perceiving it as mere movement among the plants, a closer inspection uncovered a scenario that would spark an extensive rescue mission.
The discovery kicked off a sequence of unexpected events that soon involved seasoned bird rescuer Donna Cole.
On that day, Donna was alerted to an incident involving a bald eagle that had been hit by a vehicle on a nearby highway. The bird’s welfare had become a pressing concern.
A Maryland police officer quickly arrived at the scene, expertly managing traffic and tracking the distressed eagle as it sought refuge at the river’s edge.
When Donna reached the spot, the bird had already retreated into a dense tangle of bushes along the shoreline.
“The area was deeply wooded with a lot of brush, making it impossible to catch the eagle and bring it back,” Donna recounted to The Dodo.
Realizing that navigating through the thick underbrush was not feasible, she knew the only way to rescue the bird would be from the water.
Turning to John Flood, a board member of the Arundel Rivers Federation, Donna secured his immediate willingness to assist by boat. “John was pretty much immediately up for this adventure,” she noted.
As they navigated the South River, they vigilantly searched the banks and surrounding vegetation. Despite briefly glimpsing the elusive eagle, it quickly disappeared into the thick brush again.
Undeterred, Donna and John pressed on under the hot afternoon sun, working tirelessly from the water.
The dense terrain posed constant challenges and ultimately forced them to pause their efforts as the day wore on. Yet, just as Donna returned home to regroup for another try, she received an unexpected call from the Owl Moon Raptor Center.
A kayaker had spotted the eagle once more, this time on the other side of the river.
For Donna, the chance to relocate the bird felt miraculous. “It was like two miracles,” she said, referring to both the police officer’s initial sighting and the kayaker’s timely observation.
Determined, Donna and John launched a second operation to reach the eagle.
With renewed focus, they coordinated with the kayaker, who patiently stayed near the bird’s location until their arrival. John deftly maneuvered their boat to a shallow spot, enabling Donna to carefully step onto the land.
She waded through knee-deep mud and cautiously approached the wounded eagle, successfully securing it despite sacrificing a shoe to the swampy terrain.
Once the eagle was safely in their care, Donna and John transported it to the Owl Moon Raptor Center for urgent treatment and rehabilitation.
Reflecting on the challenging ordeal, Donna expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the effort, saying, “This was the longest, the most impossible rescue I’ve ever done. It was such a relief to finally get this bird.”
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