'Stumpy' arrives at the St. William Conservation Reserve - home to 20 pairs of breeding Whip-poor-wills.
A Bird Conservation Biologist with Bird Studies Canada takes his history.
She explains that they are heard to call on the right side of the road. but spend the night in the forested area on the left. She also informs us that the birds of this area spend their winters in Guatemala.
Stumpy is removed from his case and begins his examination.
He is determined to have a Body Fat Score of 1. Not bad for a bird who weighed almost 20 fewer grams on admission.
Some measurements are taken.
And he is officially banded.
She suggests we place him in an open area on the sandy road so he can get his bearings. At this point, he demonstrates just how he got the name 'Stumpy'....because he just sits.....and sits.....and sits some more.
He get a bit of persuasion from Deb.
And flies over to a nearby log.
He was clearly very unhappy with the experience....but just LOOK at those beautiful rictal bristles!!!
You can just make out his beady little eyes glowing red on the darker log in the lower left of this photo. The release was perfect in every way. Right down to the moon shining in the clear sky. Fly free, Stumpy. Have a good life.