FAWNA NSW volunteer and North Haven resident Gloria Grogan was at Pilot Beach, Dunbogan when she saw the magpie on the ground. 

Gloria thought the bird was trying to nest, but on closer inspection she saw the bird couldn’t perch anywhere as it legs were entangled in line. 

Gloria was concerned as another bird was pecking it. She tried to catch the distressed magpie but it kept flying away. 

After several attempts Gloria was forced to go home without the bird. 

Read more: FAWNA NSW’s advice on baby bird treatment 

Her husband Gordon said the bird ‘played on Gloria’s mind’. Gloria was so worried she went out at 1am to try catch it again. 

She continued to return to Pilot Beach for three days and finally caught the bird using a cage and mince meat. 

Gordon and Gloria worked for about an hour at their home to remove the braid fishing line from the bird. 

“It’s a really tough line and had cut through the bird’s skin, right down to the bone,” Gordon said. 

With some guidance, Gloria bathed the bird for three days and put ointment on its leg. After a bit of care and treatment the bird could stand up again. 

The Grogans released the bird where they found it at Pilot Beach on September 19.

By chance encounter on their return trip home, they came across a metre long carpet snake on Camden Head Road.

Gloria picked up the snake and with the help of another motorist she placed it in the bush nearby. 

A FAWNA NSW induction training course is on Saturday, October 6 at the Johns River Hall from 9am until 4.30pm. 

The course covers the rescue and immediate care of injured and orphaned wildlife. It also includes a session on the basic care of birds. 

For more information about the training or to book please visit www.fawna.org.au 

People can contact FAWNA on 6581 4141.