Firefighters have used a 32-metre super-ladder to rescue a waterbird that got trapped in a Southwark Park tree.
The coot’s wing got ensnared in a plane tree by the Ada Salter Garden on Friday, February 17, but was saved by firefighters from the Dockhead and Greenwich stations at 1.49pm.
The bird, recognisable as a coot by its white beak and black body, fully recovered and was released into the park’s lake shortly after.
Wildlife enthusiast Andy Miller, who often cares for the Canada Water swans, said: “The coot was about 20 metres above the ground. She had been there for several hours, struggling to free herself, when she was spotted by Di Stedman, a local wildlife photographer.”
Di Stedman, who feared the bird had been hanging since 8.30am, called London Wildlife Protection who then contacted London Fire Brigade.
Firefighters soon arrived but realised their ladder couldn’t reach the stricken bird, so had to retrieve a new one from Greenwich.
The 32-metre aerial landing platform (ALP), normally used for extinguishing fires in tower blocks, was just long enough to reach the bird.
“The coot’s wing wasn’t broken, and after a bit of rest, she was released back onto the lake in Southwark Park,” Andy said.
Coots are commonplace across the British Isles and tend to be found in freshwater lakes, reservoirs and rivers.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to a report of a bird trapped in tree branches on Southwark Park Road on Friday.
“Crews worked with partners to free the bird from the tree, with the help of a 32-metre turntable ladder. The bird was left in the care of a wildlife protection officer.
“The Brigade was called at 1310 and the incident was over for firefighters by 1349. Crews from Dockhead and Greenwich fire stations attended the scene.”
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