Storm-battered sea birds wash ashore on North Coast

EUREKA — A Northern California wildlife center is working overtime to care for large numbers of young, emaciated sea birds that have washed ashore on several beaches following recent storms.

The Eureka Times-Standard reported Monday (http://bit.ly/123AVcX ) that 37 western grebes have been admitted to the Humboldt Wildlife Care Center since Oct. 11. Eight have died and nine have been released back into the wild so far.

The juveniles are being kept in brackish ponds and are being tube-fed fluids and a fish paste mixture until their blood nutrient levels are healthy.

The long-necked, red-eyed birds breed on freshwater ponds but later feed on fish in salt water.

The center's co-director Monte Merrick says big waves earlier this month possibly made it difficult for the young grebes having their first experiences hunting on the ocean.

___

Information from: Times-Standard, http://www.times-standard.com