On a warm summer day in El Dorado County, California, partygoers gathered to enjoy the sun and cool off in the water. Nobody expected anything unusual to interrupt their fun.
But when one guest lifted the lid of the pool filter, they noticed something strange inside. Looking closer, they realized a living creature was trapped there.
Shocked, the group decided not to attempt anything themselves. Instead, they quickly contacted rescuers for help.
A Bundle Of Feathers
As soon as Sierra Wildlife Rescue (SWR) in Diamond Springs, California, received the call, one of their rescuers rushed to the scene.
When he arrived and opened the filter lid, the truth became clear. A red-shouldered hawk had fallen into the pool while trying to get a drink, they shared in a Facebook post. Pulled into the filter, he was left helpless.
The bird lay still in the water, unable to escape. “[O]nce a bird’s feathers get that wet, they are unable to fly,” Debbie Buckles, president of SWR, told The Dodo.
Although it would have been better if guests had acted immediately, the rescuer treated the situation with urgency and arrived just in time to give the hawk a chance at survival.
Fighting Through A Hard Recovery
The hawk’s condition was alarming. “During the removal of the hawk from the pool filter, [he] was not responsive, extremely tired [and] soaking wet,” Debbie said.
Even after being transported to the rehabilitation center, his condition remained fragile. Despite scorching temperatures outside, his body shook uncontrollably after spending too long in the cold water.
Still, the rescue team refused to give up. Slowly, with patience and care, they worked to bring him back.
“Using the low speed of a hair dryer and a very gentle touch, each feather was carefully separated and preened. The hawk was able to warm back up and have [his] feathers restored,” Debbie said.
For two weeks, the hawk received nutritious food and antibiotics. The effort paid off. Bit by bit, the broken bird transformed.
Ready To Soar Again
After two weeks of care, the hawk’s strength returned. Debbie described how he regained his “feisty personality” along with his full “[his] strength and flight ability.”
It was clear he was ready. The same rescuer who pulled him from the pool filter was chosen to give him his freedom.
“As the rescuer put on gloves and held the hawk up towards the sky, [he] sat for a moment on the glove, taking in the surroundings. Then, the hawk looked into the rescuer’s eyes as though to say thank you, and then took flight,” Debbie said.
It was a breathtaking moment, one that reminded everyone why this work matters. Watching a once-doomed bird fly free again was the greatest reward of all.